Miraflores, Lima, Peru
While central Lima stimulates recollections of colonial Peru, Miraflores and its surrounding suburbs is a modern beachside suburb featuring amazing views of the Pacific Ocean, great surf, fabulous places to stay, wonderful restaurants, interesting markets and the intriguing ruins of Huaca Pucllana. We recommend staying in an apartment in Miraflores when visiting Lima.
Our Stroll through Miraflores starts at the clifftop Salazar Park part of the Malecon. The Malecon is a six-mile strip of parks, gardens and green space on the cliffs overlooking the Pacific Ocean in Miraflores. The Malecon includes two of Lima’s most popular tourist attractions in Larcomar and Parque del Amor, as well as the paragliding services and the Faro lighthouse. Parque del Amor is the Malecon’s most-visited site after Larcomar. Artist Victor Delfin designed “The Kiss,” which is now a Lima icon visible from a great distance away.
Leaving the Malecon we wind through the Miraflores residential districts featuring a number of unique homes and buildings and make our way to the amazing ruins of Huaca Pucllana. Huaca Pucllana is a great adobe and clay pyramid located in the Miraflores district, built from seven staggered platforms. It served as an important ceremonial and administrative center for the advancement of the Lima Culture, a society which developed along the Peruvian Central Coast between 200 AD and 700 AD.
From Huaca Pucllana we stroll through along the central Avenue Arequipa through the commercial heart of Miraflores to the many artisan markets selling nearly everything what Peruvian craftsmanship has to offer. On both sides of Av. Petit Thouars block 52 / 53 are Inka Market, which is connected with the Mercado de Indios by a passageways full of artisan stalls.
Leaving the artisan district we wander down to the heart of Miraflores with John F Kennedy Park and Central Park coming to life as the sun sets, with markets, tango dancing and music. Don't mind the cats, the locals feed and care for them. The central area of Miraflores offers plenty of great places to eat and and shop. Make sure you try the delicacies sold by the local vendors in Kennedy Park, especially the Arroz con Leche.
If you are stating a few days in the Miraflores area we suggest that you wander the sides streets as you will find many amazing little restaurants and shops to explore, including the top restaurant in South America and No 5 globally Central.
Also make sure you visit the Reserve Park to see the Magic Water Circuit. The Magic Water Circuit holds the Guinness Book of Records record for the largest fountain complex in the world, displaying 13 distinct fountains. All of the fountains are illuminated at night, many with continuously changing color schemes. The Magic Water Circuit is open Wednesday to Sunday and public holidays from 3.00 pm to 10.30 pm. It costs around a dollar to enter the park. The easiest way to travel to the park is by taxi.
The Journey
Miraflores is a Lima's modern beachside suburb featuring stunning views, interesting parks and great restaurants, including the top restaurant in South America and No 5 globally Central.
Our journey today starts in Salazar Park and we walk north-east through the park parallel with Malecón de la Reserva. At the northern end of Salazar Park follow Malecón de la Reserva after about 600 meters the Parque del Amor (Park of Love) will be on your left.
Follow the cliff top walk northwards winding through the parks until you reach the lighthouse, Faro La Marina. After the lighthouse walk around the tennis courts by following Malecón Cisneros. Walk through Parque de los Ninos along the cliff top. If you wish you can follow the path down to the beach to Parque Tres Picos and Roquitas Point.
After the beach climb back up the cliff path and continue through Yitzhak Rabin Park and then into Grau Miraflores Park.
Leaving Grau Park walk north and at the Rotunda cross Malecon de la Marina and turn right onto José de la Torre Ugarte. After 450 meters turn right onto Av. Gral. Córdova and then the next left onto Av. Sta. Cruz. In about 300 meters turn right onto Av. Angamos Oeste and then left onto Calle Arica for about 450 meters. Turn right onto Calle Víctor Larco Herrera and then after about 130 meters veer left onto Sarrio. and then a slight left onto Calle General Borgoño. The ruins of the Huaca Pucllana are straight ahead.
After your visit to Huaca Pucllana walk turn left onto Calle Ayacucho and walk about 350 meters and turn right and walk down the promenade in the center of Avenue Arequipa for about 600 meters. Turn left onto Calle Gonzáles Prada and then left onto Av. Petit Thouars and the Indian Market will be on the right about 100 meters along the street. After the Indian market turn left back onto Av. Petit Thouars and walk south the Inca Market will be on your right. After the Inca Market walk back onto Av. Petit Thouars and walk south about 200 meters and then turn right onto Av. Ricardo Palma.
At the roundabout, take the 3rd exit onto Av Diagonal and Central Park of Miraflores will be to your left and John F. Kennedy Park
is at the eastern end of Central Park. Opposite John F Kennedy Park you will find a number of restaurants to enjoy a meal.