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When to Go

The weather in Lima is warm year-round, though the dry season from June to August corresponds with an influx of tourists. If you do not plan on hiking the Inca Trail, you can enjoy the capital in any month.

Getting There

There are direct flights to Lima from most major U.S. cities.

Tours

Trips may be arranged through Condor Travel (www.condortravel.com.pe), Orient-Express (www.orient-express.com), and Inka's Empire Tours (www.inkas.com).

Where to Stay

El Olivar
Small luxury hotel set in an old olive grove in a quiet part of Lima.
194 Calle Pancho Fierro, San Isidro; 51-1/712-6000; www.sonesta.com; doubles from $146.

Miraflores Park Hotel
Full-service luxury hotel.
1035 Avda. Malecón de la Reserva, Miraflores; 800/237-1236 or 51-1/242-3000; www.mira-park.com; doubles from $445.

Where to Eat

Astrid y Gaston
175 Calle Cantuarias, Miraflores; 51-1/242-5387; dinner for two $70.

Huaca Pucllana
8 General Borgono Cuadra, Miraflores; 51-1/445-4042; dinner for two $50.

Manos Morenas
Traditional Peruvian cooking and live Criollo music.
409 Avda. San Pedro de Osma, Barranco; 51-1/467-0421; dinner for two $40.

Pescados Capitales
Great ceviche and seafood. Lunch only.
1337 Avda. La Mar, Miraflores; 51-1/222-5731; lunch for two $26.

Where to Shop

Claudia Stern
By appointment only.
103 Calle Saenz Pena, Barranco; 51-1/477-0921.

Dédalo
Contemporary crafts.
295 Saenz Peña, Barranco; 51-1/477-0562.

Ester Ventura
1157 Avda. Malecón Grau, Chorrillos; 51-1/467-1180.

Helena's
Peruvian sweets.
897 Calle Chiclayo, Miraflores; 51-1/242-8899.

Las Pallas
212 Calle Cajamarca, Barranco; 51-1/477-4629.

Mercado Indio
5245 Avda. Petit Thouars, Miraflores.

What to Do

Iglesia de San Francisco
This convent's church is notable for its catacombs.
Near Plaza de Armas.

La Catedral
On Plaza de Armas.Museo de Arte
125 Paseo de Colón; 51-1/423-4732.

Museo Pedro de Osma
423 Avda. San Pedro de Osma, Barranco; 51-1/467-0141.

What to Read

War by Candlelight
By Daniel Alarcón.

A World for Julius
By Alfredo Bryce Echenique.

Conversation in the Cathedral and Aunt Julia and the Scriptwriter
By Mario Vargas Llosa.

Letter to a King: A Peruvian Chief's Account of Life Under Incas and Spanish Rule
By Huaman Poma.

History of the Conquest of Peru
By William H. Prescott.

The Great Peruvian Recipes
By Jorge Stanbury Aguirre.

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