Lima: Larco Museum Entry Ticket & Pre-Columbian Artifacts

Summary

Pre-Columbian treasures & stories inside Lima’s Larco Museum

You’ll step into Lima’s Larco Museum with skip-the-line entry and wander through centuries-old galleries filled with gold masks, intricate pottery, and even some unexpectedly funny art. Listen in as guides share stories or just explore at your own pace — gardens blooming outside, ancient fingerprints inside. It’s more than a museum; it’s a gentle nudge into Peru’s past that lingers long after you leave.

What’s the experience like?

The first thing that happened was the woman at the ticket desk smiled and asked if I’d ever tried lucuma ice cream. I hadn’t — she just nodded like, “you will.” That set the tone. The Larco Museum in Lima isn’t just about old stuff behind glass; it’s this quiet, sunlit place where you hear birds outside and the tiles feel cool under your shoes. I wandered in a bit aimless, honestly, but then there was this guide talking to a group about a gold mask — he pointed out tiny details I would’ve missed, like how the nose ring meant something about status. I hung back and listened for a while before slipping off on my own again.

There’s this room with shelves and shelves of pottery — not even locked up, just right there. You can see fingerprints in the clay if you look close enough. The museum is in an old colonial mansion, but you can still sense something older underneath (someone said it was built on top of a pre-Columbian pyramid). At one point I got distracted by the garden outside — bougainvillea everywhere, and these little hummingbirds that don’t care about history at all. The air smelled faintly of earth and flowers when someone opened a side door.

I didn’t expect to laugh so much at ancient ceramics, but there’s a whole section of erotic art that’s both awkward and oddly charming. A local couple next to me kept whispering jokes in Spanish; I only caught half of it, but their laughter made it better. When I left, I thought about how seeing all those artifacts in person — especially after hearing bits from locals and guides — made places like Machu Picchu or the Nazca Lines feel less distant somehow. Still thinking about that gold mask though.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Visit Larco Museum in Lima

• Enter Larco Museum with ticket
• Explore 5,000 years of history
• See exhibits on Machu Picchu and Nazca Lines
• View gold and silver artifacts
• Visit erotic art collection
• Walk through 18th-century colonial mansion
• Enjoy surrounding gardens
• Optional: Visit museum storage area

Top questions

Is Larco Museum wheelchair accessible?

Yes, all areas and surfaces are wheelchair accessible.

Where do I collect my Larco Museum ticket?

Your tickets will be held at the box office for collection on the day of your visit.

Does admission include access to all exhibits?

Yes, your ticket includes access to all galleries and collections.

Can children visit the Larco Museum?

Yes, children can visit but must be accompanied by an adult.

Is public transportation available near Larco Museum?

Yes, public transportation options are available nearby.

Are strollers or prams allowed inside?

Yes, infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller inside the museum.

How much time should I plan for my visit?

A typical visit lasts 1-2 hours but you can stay longer if you wish.

What’s included

Your entry includes admission to all galleries of Lima's Larco Museum—no waiting in line needed—and access to both permanent collections (including gold, silver, pottery, and erotic art) plus open storage rooms with thousands more artifacts to browse at your own pace.