How to Spend a Day in Miraflores, Peru
Situated right on the coast of Lima, Miraflores, Peru’s beautiful coastal district, is a stunning tourist spot that you won’t want to miss. This past January, I had the privilege of spending a few days in the area on a vacation. I spent my days relaxing on the beach, walking through parks downtown, and eating at delicious restaurants. In this guide, I will show you how to maximize one day in Miraflores, Peru so you too can experience all it offers.
A Tasty Start to the Day
To kickstart the day, I recommend breakfast at BuenVista Cafe in Parque Miguel Grau on Miraflores’ “De La Marina Boulevard.” Located directly above the ocean, nearly all seats in the restaurant have a stunning view of the coast. Locals and tourists alike enjoy typical cafe food and coffee for a reasonable price, and the service is relatively fast as well.
Post breakfast, enjoy a walk along De La Marina Boulevard, soaking up the good vibes of the locals who will likely be relaxing on the grass.
Drop Some Cash at Larcomar
Next, I’d recommend taking an Uber to Shopping Center Larcomar, a shopping mall that also happens to sit right above the ocean. Complete with shops for all price ranges, you can walk away with anything from pool floats to a new alpaca scarf. Perhaps you can also pick up lunch from the downstairs food court to take with you on the next part of our adventure.
She Sells, Sea Shells, By the Seashore?
It would be a waste of a trip to go to visit Miraflores without visiting the beach. Next up, we have Playa Waikiki. It’s not exactly Hawaii, but locals offer surfing lessons and junk food and it’s a nice place to soak up the sun.
Grab a Bite in Barranco!
After a few hours at the beach, take an Uber to my favorite city in Lima: Barranco. The city is made up of several colonial mansions that have been transformed into tasty restaurants and nightclubs. You might consider watching the sunset at the nearby beach, Playa Los Yuyos, or exploring the city’s many parks.
For dinner, I recommend Isolina for their signature Lomo Saltado and a scrumptious ceviche, or for a pricier, but more unique experience, try the 5-star restaurant Mérito. My fiancé and I booked a reservation before leaving for our trip, not realizing it was in Barranco. But believe me when I say, Barranco is the place to be for good food and nightlife. Our meal at Mérito was nothing short of phenomenal. Each dish was uniquely crafted and flavorful. To be honest, I haven’t been to many five star restaurants, so I’m not sure how Mérito compares to others, but I will say that for Peruvian prices, this is a place you don’t want to miss.
While visiting Barranco, we also stopped at Pan Sal Aire for a quick lunch–another restaurant I highly recommend. I ordered the hummus and pita bread and was happily surprised when they brought out a freshly baked, soft loaf to eat with my hummus. I have no doubt that they would have a good dinner menu as well.
Alternative Option for Dinner: A Night in Miraflores
If you would rather skip Barranco and instead stay in Miraflores, I highly recommend dining at Panchita. Although it’s on the pricier end, we ate the best Lomo Saltado we found in Peru at this restaurant. This place also seemed to be overflowing with locals when we arrived, so keep in mind that there might be a wait when you get there (but trust me, it’s worth it!) Matria Restaurante is another great Peruvian restaurant for those staying closer to the coastline.
Nightlife?
I’m not much of a partier, but if you are, I’ve heard the nightlife is great in Lima. I can’t personally recommend any nightclubs, but maybe this article would be helpful if that’s how you prefer to end your night.
And for everyone else, have a great night!
That’s all I’ve got for you, fellow travelers. An action-packed day for sure, but you can be certain that you ate the best food, experienced Peruvian culture, and spent some time by the beach. What more could you want from Miraflores, Peru? Make sure to leave a comment down below if you have any questions, comments, or concerns and be sure to subscribe to my newsletter for more travel content. Thanks for tuning in!
