Top Reasons to Go

South America's Best Food: From cebiche (raw fish marinated in lime juice) to Japanese-Peruvian fusion, Lima’s foodie scene is red-hot, drawing a million gastro-tourists a year with the best bites on the continent.

Lima Baroque: In the city's historic Centro, churches such as the Iglesia de San Francisco have elaborate facades and mind-blowing ornamentation.

Cool Digs: More than 30 archaeological sites dot Lima’s neighborhoods, including the pre-Inca Huaca Pucllana in Miraflores and the Huaca Huallamarca temple in San Isidro.

Handicrafts: Avenidas La Paz and Petit Thouars in Miraflores are shop-till-you-drop destinations for crafty types. Come energized: these stalls sell everything from alpaca textiles to silver-filigree jewelry.

Ocean Views: Like to listen to the waves? Lima's malecones (seaside promenades) in neighborhoods like Miraflores and Barranco look out over stunning Pacific vistas.