Miraflores

Not just a suburb of Lima, Miraflores is a friendly place with history of its own.

MIRAFLORES, LIMA, PERU

ACCOMMODATION

San Antonio Abad
San Antonio Abad is within comfortable walking distance of most sites in Miraflores. The rooms, though dated in their decor, were very clean with comfortable beds. We had two rooms, one facing a street (Rm210, traffic was not an issue) and the other (Rm205) on the inner courtyard. Pickup at the airport included as was a buffet breakfast. There was an umbrella-table in the courtyard and we used it for “picnic” dinners and evening card games. Recommended.
Website: http://www.hotelsanantonioabad.com
Booked online through San Antonio Abad website. Received confirmation/deposit voucher via email. No problems.

FOOD & DRINK IN MIRAFLORES

BREAKFAST at the hotel was in a cheerful room overlooking the courtyard. Buffet offered a variety of items and eggs were cooked to order.

Cebiche (also spelled ceviche or seviche) is considered by most to be the national dish of Peru. It is traditionally made with raw fish and/or seafood which is marinated in citrus juice together with salt, onions and garlic … it is delicious and a must try. Highly recommended.
We ate our cebiche at one of the several restaurants (which looked like they cater to tourists and locals alike) just off Bellavista which borders one side of Miraflores Central Park.

Cuy (guinea pig) is another must try while visiting Peru. We waited until we reached Cuzco to get our first taste. What did it taste like? Cuy, of course.

Potatoes. Peru is the birthplace of the potato. There are now over 4,000 varieties of potatoes in the world. You will find most meals in Peru incorporate at least one potato … if not corn will be on the plate … or served prior to the meal as North Americans would serve bread.

SUPERMARKET
Vivanda is a modern grocery store open 24 hours. It has a large deli, bakery section, a great selection of fruits and vegetables, beer and wine plus the normal grocery store items. The one we went to is at Av Benavides 487 (on the corner of Benavides and Wales). A super place for putting together picnics.

INFORMATION IN MIRAFLORES

There is an information booth at the east entrance to Miraflores Central Park. They can also arrange tours.

Hotel reception staff were very helpful with general information, directions and maps.

We were humbled by how many people spoke English and were friendly and eager to help us find our way around (even when we knew where we were going).

PLACES TO GO IN MIRAFLORES

Miraflores Central Park (aka Parque Kennedy) is a family friendly place; great for shaded strolling and people watching. The area around the park is rich in eateries and shopping. We came back through the park on a Sunday night and found a busy handicrafts market, families playing together around a children’s playground and a sunken dance floor with people of all ages doing the salsa. Recommended.

Huaca Pucllana is a 1,500 year old adobe pyramid built by the original inhabitants of Lima for ceremonial and administrative purposes. Only guided tours are available and include information about the Peruvian hairless dog, llama, cuy and some plants of period. If sunny, take a hat as there is little shade. It is on the outskirts of downtown Miraflores but still walkable.

Larcomar, showing the modern architecture of Lima, is a commercial / entertainment complex located on a cliff overlooking the Pacific Ocean with panoramic views of the coastline. It is an active place where Miraflores’ up and comers go to see and be seen. There are 12 cinemas and a theatre, a museum, more than 90 stores, cafes, restaurants, bars and discotheques, a children’s play centre, bowling, arcade, banks, ATMs, currency exchange and an a tourists information centre (i-Peru).

Walk the streets. They are not simply to be used as a means of getting from here to there but as a venue to be close to people doing what they do in their own community … one of the reasons we like to travel. In Miraflores we felt comfortable and safe, even at night.

GETTING AROUND MIRAFLORES

Arrived in Lima with Continental Airlines.

Left Miraflores/Lima by Cruz del Sur bus to Nazca.

LIMA
Miraflores is located approximately 5km from the historic centre of Lima. A taxi will cost about $5-6 USD. Confirm price before getting in. Hotels often have preferred, reliable taxi drivers for only a slightly higher cost.

TAXI BY THE HOUR
The hotel arranged a taxi which we could rent for $15 USD per hour.