Top Picks for Day and Weekend Getaways from Lima
Lima, a vibrant and varied city located on the western coast of Peru, serves as an excellent base for exploring the country at a leisurely pace. With its central location and the abundance of attractions in the surrounding area, Lima offers a perfect starting point for your Peruvian adventure.
Day Trips from Lima
Paracas National Reserve
Just three hours by bus from Lima, Paracas National Reserve is another great destination to explore in the desert region. Known for its seafood restaurants, beach for swimming and kayaking, and a hippy vibe, Paracas is a quiet coastal town that's worth a visit. The nearby Ballestas Islands, often referred to as Peru's 'mini Galapagos', are home to over 4,000 sea lions and numerous sea birds. A boat ride around the Ballestas Islands offers a close encounter with the wildlife.
Pachacamac
Pachacamac, an archaeological site 40km from Lima, is another must-visit destination. Built for the god Pacha Kamaq, considered the creator god by the people who lived in this part of Peru before the Inca conquest, Pachacamac features at least 17 pyramids and other buildings and temples built between 800-1450 CE.
Weekend Trips from Lima
Huacachina
Huacachina, a tiny oasis town located just five minutes from Ica, makes for a great weekend trip from Lima. Known for its palm-studded lagoon, Huacachina offers sandboarding, dune buggy rides, and a unique experience unlike any other. Ica, a desert city that can be reached from Lima by a five-hour bus ride, is the gateway to Huacachina.
Marcahuasi
For those seeking a more off-the-beaten-path adventure, Marcahuasi, a high-altitude plateau about 3 hours from Lima, is a must-visit. Known for its surreal rock formations and mystical atmosphere, Marcahuasi offers hiking and camping opportunities in a unique landscape.
Nor Yauyos-Cochas Landscape Reserve
Nor Yauyos-Cochas Landscape Reserve, a less-visited nature reserve, features spectacular cascades, turquoise trout-filled lakes, deep canyons, and traditional Andean villages. Highlights include a boat ride on Lake Huallhua, a scenic hike around Huancaya village, and expansive mountainous views near Vilca. This area is praised for its diverse and breathtaking natural beauty rivaling more famous Peruvian sites.
Churin
Churin, a sleepy town in Oyon Province, is known for its sub-tropical forestation, waterfalls, thermal spas, hiking trails, and a 12km biking route between Chiuchin and Huancasi. The bus ride from Lima to Churin takes six hours.
Nazca Lines and Beyond
Nazca, a town six hours from Lima, is famous for the Nazca lines, a mysterious set of geoglyphs in the desert. Taking a flight over the Nazca lines is a scary but unique experience. The Antonini Museum in Nazca offers information about the history of the Nazca lines. Nazca is a town of interest for lovers of alien conspiracies, archaeology, or ancient culture. The Nazca lines can be viewed from a tower outside of town, or by taking a flight over the lines.
These destinations provide alternatives to the popular trips like Paracas, Huacachina, and the Palomino Islands, offering both natural beauty and cultural experiences outside the city’s usual tourist circuit. Whether you're seeking adventure, relaxation, or cultural immersion, these hidden gems in Peru are waiting to be discovered.
Food from seafood restaurants in Paracas, a coastal town near the Paracas National Reserve, can be part of your travel experiences.
Cultural artifacts at the archaeological site of Pachacamac, located 40km from Lima, offer insights into the region's lifestyle and history.
(Waterfalls, thermal spas, hiking trails, indigenous villages, and unique rock formations in Churin, Nor Yauyos-Cochas Landscape Reserve, and Marcahuasi are additional examples of cultural and natural attractions that can be explored during travel in Peru.)
