Lima City Tour: Huaca Pucllana, Catacombs & Love Park

Huaca Pucllana ruins, San Francisco catacombs and Pacific views in Lima

You’ll walk ancient ruins at Huaca Pucllana, wander through Lima’s historic center past palaces and colorful balconies, descend into Saint Francis’ shadowy catacombs with a local guide, and pause for ocean views at Love Park—all with pickup included. There’s even a sweet stop at the Chocomuseum before heading back out into the city’s lively rhythm.

What’s included

Your day includes pickup from your location in Lima, all entry fees for sites like Huaca Pucllana and Saint Francis’ catacombs, an official local guide throughout, stops at craft shops and the Chocomuseum for samples—all woven together so you don’t have to worry about logistics or tickets along the way.

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Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Lima city historical and scenic tour

• Panoramic visit to Olive Forest
• Visit O'Higgins House and palaces
• Explore Pre-Inca Ceremonial Temple
• See Convent of Santo Domingo
• Tour San Francisco convent and catacombs
• Walk park with Pacific Ocean view

The Experience

The first thing I noticed was the way the sun hit the old stones at Huaca Pucllana—sort of golden but also dusty, if that makes sense. Our guide, Marisol, waved us over to a spot where you could see the lines of the pre-Inca temple against the city’s chaos. She told us about ceremonies that happened here long before Lima was even Lima. There was a smell of warm earth and something faintly floral from a nearby garden. I tried to picture it all: priests, offerings, no traffic roaring by.

We zigzagged through Miraflores in a van that somehow dodged every jam (the driver, Jorge, grinned like it was magic). At Love Park—Parque del Amor—there were teenagers perched on mosaic benches and couples taking selfies with the Pacific behind them. The air tasted salty and sweet at once. I tried saying “Parque del Amor” in Spanish; Marisol smiled politely but I definitely didn’t nail it. The view from there is one of those you think will look better in photos than real life, but actually it’s the opposite.

In the Historic Centre of Lima we wandered past palaces and balconies painted in colors that looked faded by centuries of sun. The Church and Convent of Saint Francis felt cool inside, almost damp—the catacombs below were quieter than I expected, just echoes and bones stacked like some kind of puzzle. Someone’s phone beeped down there (awkward), but mostly it was just our footsteps and Marisol’s voice telling us stories about secret tunnels and old monks. We stopped at the Chocomuseum after—yes, chocolate samples included—which felt oddly comforting after all those skulls.

I keep thinking about how Lima fits together: ancient temples next to glass towers, laughter in parks above cliffs, silence under churches. It’s not neat or polished but it sticks with you anyway.

Top questions

Is hotel pickup included for this Lima city tour?

Yes, pickup is included as part of your tour experience.

Does this tour visit Huaca Pucllana?

Yes, there is a guided visit to Huaca Pucllana pre-Inca ceremonial temple.

Are entrance fees covered?

All fees and taxes are included in your booking price.

Will we go inside the San Francisco catacombs?

Yes, you will visit inside the Church and Convent of Saint Francis including its catacombs.

Is this tour wheelchair accessible?

The tour is wheelchair accessible according to provided information.

Are infants allowed on this tour?

Infants are welcome but must sit on an adult's lap during transport.

Does the tour include food or snacks?

You’ll have a visit to the Chocomuseum with samples; no full meal is included.

How long does this Lima city tour last?

The exact duration isn’t specified but covers several key sites across central Lima.