Miraflores is the district we've been staying in during our time in Lima. When I travel to an unknown city I try to book a hotel near the city centre - the main attractions and transport is usually located near the city centre so its much more convenient. But Lima is a bit different for me. As beautiful as the historic centre is, it is loud, crowded, and carrying your luggage with you isn't typically the best thing to do in an area that is well known for pickpocketers and thieves. If you want to visit Lima the best place to stay is Miraflores. Miraflores is famous for its immaculate parks, shopping, cliffs, and its amazing ocean view. If you look on the bottom left corner below you can see crowds of people in one of Miraflores most popular restaurants. This is the happening place of Lima.
PARAGLIDING
Before you get to Miraflores you can spot them in the sky - paragliders. Everyday of my stay in Miraflores I've seen up to 10 of these in the sky. We got curious and followed the coastline until we found out that these weren't just hobbyists, anyone can do it! I paid around $40AUD for a 10-15 minute flight (which you can see here). It was amazing, safe and comfortable. Just like having the world beneath your feet. How to get there - just follow the coastline!
LARCOMAR
Larcomar is the open air shopping complex smack bang in the middle of Miraflores built onto the cliffs that tumble down onto the beach below. Everything is open air, and the shops tend to be a bit upmarket compared to others. I think what I really like about this place the most is the sunset - crowds of locals and tourists alike gather here to watch a beautiful sunset everyday. The paragliders swooping down above the centre, the beautiful sunsets, and the view of La Rosa Nautica restaurant which you can see in the ocean on the middle left give it a unique environment.
THE PARK OF LOVE
Following the boardwalk along the cliffs we found El Parque del Amor. I remember in 2011 we drove past this park and it was full of couples and lovers on the grass. The mosaic seats with Spanish inscriptions about love were a nice touch, it reminded me of Park Güell in Barcelona.
PARQUE KENNEDY
About 10 minutes inland from the Miraflores coastline is Parque Kennedy, or as it is known colloquially, the park of stray cats. This immaculate park is home to many feral and domestic cats that like to affectionately approach humans and ask for food. Actually, the cats are cared for and fed by a charity organization, which is why hundreds of cats have made it their home.
FINE DINING
Lima is, without a doubt, the Gastronomical Capital of the Americas. As of 2016, it is home to 3 of the top 50 restaurants in the world (Central, Maido and Astrid y Gaston). The fusion of pre-Hispanic and cosmopolitan techniques combined with the freshest produce has made Lima one of the best gastronomical centres in the world. A substantial amount of Lima's best restaurants are centralised around Miraflores and the surrounding areas.
RESTAURANT IN THE SEA
Apart from being a fine dining establishment, La Rosa Nautica is a unique fixture in Miraflores because it is a gorgeous restaurant that sits right in the sea. No matter where you look over the coastline your eyes will not avoid it (the food is fantastic too).
THE MOST BEAUTIFUL COASTLINE IN THE WORLD?
Well, I'll let you decide for yourself.....
Image attribution:
"Lighthouse at sunset" by Lorena Flores Agüero // CC BY-SA 2.0 *
* changes were made to the original materials
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