Lima

Things to do here:
Visit historic buildings and museums	Eat well at nice restaurants

Location: Central coast at 150 meters (500 ft.) above sea level.

Climate: The temperature is mild (19°C - 66°F), very sunny in summer (December to March), but foggy and cloudy the rest of the year.

History: Before the Spaniards' arrival, in the Rimac valley were Inca villages and a very important sanctuary and oracle, its name was Pachacamac that means in Quechua (native language) "who shakes the Earth". The remains of this sanctuary are located South of Lima. There are pyramids and temples from the 15th century and earlier times.

But the highlights of Lima city are in downtown, also known as the historic center. Buildings of the Spanish colony (16th to 18th century) and early Republic (19th century) can be seen on the streets around the "Plaza de Armas" (main square). The city was founded by Francisco Pizarro, the leader of the Spanish Conquistadors, on 1535 and was designated the capital of the new colonies of Spain in South America. As a consequence of its political and economic importance, many wealthy families settled in Lima and built mansions and palaces. Some of these buildings remain until now as the Cathedral, San Francisco Convent, Osambela Palace, and Torre Tagle Palace. The balconies are also symbol of the city and the ones at the Archbishop's Palace and the Torre Tagle Palace are the best preserved.

Festivities: The most important festivity of Lima is the procession of “Señor de los Milagros” (Lord of Miracles) in October. Over half million people attend this procession on its main days. This catholic feast is accompanied by bullfights and it's the biggest procession in South America.

Activities: The most comprehensive museums are in Lima, as the Larco Herrera Museum, the Archeological Museum or the Gold Museum. Lima is also famous due to its restaurants. There are many options to eat delicious food in the city. If you are an adventure seeker, you can do para-gliding (to glide with a parachute).