Lima Shore Excursion: Callao Port to Historic Center & Huaca

4.88

(26 reviews)

What’s the experience like?

The salty air hit me as soon as I stepped off the ship at Callao. Our guide was waiting right outside the terminal, holding a small sign and grinning like he’d just seen an old friend. The drive into Lima took us past rows of colorful houses and busy street vendors selling churros—if you’re hungry early, grab one. We zipped through traffic in an air-conditioned van (thank goodness for that; Lima’s midday sun can sneak up on you), and our guide started sharing stories about the old viceroyalty days—stuff I’d never read in any travel book.

First stop: Parque del Amor in Miraflores. You can’t miss the mosaic benches—bright tiles everywhere, with lines from Peruvian poets curling along the edges. Couples were scattered around, some taking selfies by the “El Beso” sculpture. There’s this faint smell of sea spray mixed with flowers from the heart-shaped garden nearby. Honestly, it’s a spot that makes you want to linger a bit longer than planned.

Next up was Huaca Pucllana. Standing there, it’s wild to see this massive adobe pyramid right in the middle of modern apartment blocks. We didn’t go inside but got a great view from outside—the contrast between ancient and new is something else. Our guide explained how this site predates even the Incas, which blew my mind. If you listen closely, you’ll hear city sounds mixing with birdsong—kind of surreal.

We rolled on to Plaza San Martin. The square buzzes with life—kids chasing pigeons, locals chatting on benches under old trees. The Gran Hotel Bolívar looms over one side; our guide pointed out where famous writers used to meet for coffee back in the day. From there, we wandered down Jirón de la Unión—a pedestrian street packed with shops and street performers. Somewhere around block five, we stopped for pisco sour ice cream at Esbari (try it if you’ve never had it; sweet and tangy). You’ll pass old mansions like Casa O’Higgins and catch glimpses of French-style architecture if you look up.

The Plaza Mayor is next—a huge open space surrounded by yellow colonial buildings and palm trees swaying in the breeze. It’s busy but not overwhelming; people gather around the fountain snapping photos or just soaking up the scene. The Cathedral and Government Palace are right here too—our guide had plenty of stories about Pizarro and Lima’s founding days.

Last stop: San Francisco Monastery. The outside is impressive enough, but inside it gets real interesting—think ancient library smell mixed with candle wax and stone dust. The catacombs are eerie but fascinating; bones arranged in patterns that make you pause for a second or two longer than usual. Our guide knew every nook and cranny—he even showed us a hidden corner where monks used to write manuscripts centuries ago.