Lima: Food History Market Tour & Fruit Tasting with Vineyard Stop

Summary

Peruvian food markets, fruit tasting and a vineyard in Lima’s Surquillo and Surco districts

You’ll wander Lima’s real markets with a local guide, taste rare Peruvian fruits straight from jungle traders, try fresh ceviche or Amazonian juane, then sip pisco at an old family vineyard in Surco. It’s messy and joyful—a day full of flavors you’ve never heard of and stories you’ll want to retell back home.

What’s the experience like?

“Wait, is that really a lucuma?” That was the first thing I blurted out at the market in Surquillo. Our guide, Mariela, just grinned and handed me a slice—sweet, kind of earthy, honestly nothing like what I expected. The whole place buzzed with morning chatter and the smell of cilantro and fresh fish. We squeezed between stalls stacked with jungle fruits I couldn’t name (I tried to say “camucamu” right—Mariela laughed). It’s not touristy here; you hear vendors joking in Spanish, kids darting around. I liked that nobody rushed us—if you want to linger over a weird fruit or ask about the difference between two kinds of corn, you just do it. And then we got to choose: Causa or ceviche? I picked ceviche—sharp lime juice, soft fish, a little heat from rocoto pepper. My mouth still tingled when we left.

Santiago de Surco Market felt different—busier somehow, but also more relaxed? Maybe it was the smell: smoky grilled meat mixed with sweet pineapple from the juice stalls. Here’s where we tried Amazonian food. Juane—sticky rice wrapped in a leaf—and chaufa de cecina (that one’s fried rice with smoky pork). Our guide told stories about how these dishes traveled from rainforest to city; she made it sound like every recipe had its own migration story. At some point an old man offered us purple corn juice (chicha morada), and I spilled half of mine laughing at someone’s attempt to pronounce “Surco.” Nobody cared.

I didn’t expect a vineyard in Lima. Ugarelli sits tucked away behind low walls and grapevines that look almost wild compared to everything else. The owner poured us tiny glasses of pisco and sweet wine; he talked about his family making wine for generations—even as the city grew up around them. There was this moment when sunlight hit the dusty bottles on a shelf and everyone just went quiet for a second. Maybe it was the wine or maybe just being somewhere so old-school in the middle of all that city noise—I don’t know, but I still think about that view sometimes.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Explore markets and taste local foods

• Visit Surquillo local market
• Taste exotic fruits and ceviche
• Go to Santiago de Surco Market
• Try Juane and Chaufa de Cecina dishes
• Visit Ugarelli vineyard in Surco
• Taste wines and Pisco varieties

Top questions

Is pickup included for this Lima food tour?

Yes, private transport is included throughout the tour.

What Peruvian dishes can I try on this market tour?

You can try ceviche or causa at Surquillo Market and juane or chaufa de cecina at Santiago de Surco Market.

Are dietary restrictions accommodated?

Yes, let them know your dietary needs when booking.

Does this tour visit non-touristy areas?

Yes, most stops are in local neighborhoods and authentic markets rarely visited by tourists.

Is there alcohol tasting on this Lima food history tour?

Yes, you’ll taste wines and pisco at Ugarelli vineyard in Surco.

How long does the day trip last?

The reference doesn’t specify exact duration but includes multiple stops across Lima districts.

Are infants allowed on this culinary tour?

Yes, infants must sit on an adult's lap during transport.

What’s included

Your day includes private air-conditioned transport with pickup, all entry fees and taxes covered, guidance from a local expert throughout Surquillo and Santiago de Surco markets plus Ugarelli vineyard visits—and plenty of snacks along the way including tastings of Peruvian fruit, street food samples like ceviche or juane, plus wine and pisco before heading back into town.