Lima Historic Center & Catacombs Tour with Pickup

Summary

Walk Lima’s lively plazas, taste chocolate, descend into catacombs

You’ll feel Lima come alive as you stroll from Miraflores’ ocean views to Huaca Pucllana’s ancient walls, taste chocolate at Chocomuseo, mix your own pisco sour in a colonial bar, and walk quietly through San Francisco’s shadowy catacombs—all with local stories guiding you along the way.

What’s the experience like?

We’d barely buckled up in the van when our guide, Mariela, grinned and handed out tiny candies—lucuma flavor, she said. The first stop was Love Park in Miraflores. Couples sat tangled together on the mosaic benches, sea air curling around us. I tried to snap a photo of “El Beso” without tripping over someone’s dog (failed). The cliffs dropped off behind us into that misty Pacific blue—hard to tell where sky ended and water started.

Next came Huaca Pucllana. We didn’t go inside but paused along the fence while Mariela explained how this giant adobe pyramid survived all these centuries in the middle of busy Lima. Someone nearby was selling churros; the smell made my stomach growl. Then we headed for Lima’s historic center. Plaza Mayor was buzzing—kids chasing pigeons, a guy hawking cold drinks from a cart, sunlight bouncing off the yellow facades. Mariela pointed out the government palace and told a story about viceroys that I only half-remember because I got distracted by a marching band passing through.

After wandering through streets lined with colonial balconies (and dodging some wild taxi traffic), we ducked into the Chocomuseo. I’m not even a big chocolate person but those cocoa jams? Wildly good. We tasted them all—maybe too many if you ask my travel buddy. There was time to poke around craft stalls before we landed at this old bar for a pisco sour lesson. My first attempt was mostly foam; the bartender just winked and poured another round.

The last part hit different: San Francisco Convent and its catacombs. It smelled faintly of candle wax and old stone down there, bones stacked in patterns under low arches. It was quieter than I expected—just our group’s footsteps echoing as Mariela told us about Lima’s past lives. I still think about that hush sometimes when things get noisy back home.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Explore Lima's historic and cultural sites

• Pick up travelers from selected locations
• Visit Parque del Amor in Miraflores
• Panoramic view of Huaca Pucllana site
• Walk through Lima's historic center and main square
• Visit the ChocoMuseum and taste chocolate products
• See the House of Peruvian Literature and artisan shops
• Learn to prepare Pisco Sour at a colonial bar
• Tour Convent and Museum of San Francisco with catacombs
• Return to hotel or stay for meals on own

Top questions

How long does the Lima Historic Center & Catacombs tour last?

The tour lasts approximately 4 hours from pickup to drop-off.

Is hotel pickup included for this day trip?

Yes, pickup is included from hotels in Miraflores, Barranco, San Isidro, or Jorge Chávez Airport depending on your booking option.

What sites are visited during this Lima tour?

You visit Love Park in Miraflores, see Huaca Pucllana (panoramic stop), walk Plaza Mayor and historic center streets, enter Chocomuseo and San Francisco Convent & Catacombs.

Are entrance fees included for San Francisco Catacombs?

Yes, entry to San Francisco Museum & Catacombs is included in your booking.

Is this tour wheelchair accessible?

Yes, transportation options are wheelchair accessible and suitable for all fitness levels.

Can I join from the airport or do I need to be at a hotel?

You can join from Jorge Chávez International Airport or select hotels/meeting points based on your booking choice.

Is lunch provided during the tour?

No lunch is included but you can stay in central Lima after the tour for lunch or dinner on your own.

What’s included

Your day includes pickup from your hotel or chosen meeting point (even from the airport if you want), comfortable air-conditioned transport across Lima’s neighborhoods, guided walks through Love Park and Plaza Mayor with stories from an official guide, entry to San Francisco Convent & Catacombs plus time at Chocomuseo (with tastings), and ends with either drop-off back at your place or free time downtown if you’re hungry for more.