Peru- Leaving in 3 weeks!

[mrsilovekeith]

Hi there,

I am going with my husband and 3 friends and we leave in almost 3 weeks. I can't believe its finally here! We've been planning for about a year, but unlike most of my vacations, we have left most of the planning to my girlfriend who is Peruvian. We are spending two weeks in Lima and Cuzco including a 3 day hike to Machu Piochu and visiting the Salt Mines.
Any must see's or restaurant recommendations?  Huaca Pucllana  in Lima is already on the list. I think there is some fountain show to see?
Any tips?
Last question: My girlfriend is telling me not to where my rings while visiting... any wisdom on this? I don't really agree. I've never felt unsafe in the any of the countries I've visited nor do I have a fear of losing them. But if there is really truth in this, I might consider it...

[rupertpenny]

Jalapeñomel used to live in Peru, maybe she can help.

[cheezer]

I don't think you necessarily have to leave your rings at home. I did leave them at home because the trip was part of a longer trip in the jungle of Ecuador and we were doing a lot of hiking. I don't like to wear my rings when working out or when it's crazy hot as my fingers swell.

We did Huaca Pucllana and it was excellent.

I'd highly recommend the following restaurants: Central and Astrid y Gaston. Both so much cheaper than American fine dining.

We also took a cooking class at a place called Sky Kitchen in Lima.

In the Machu Picchu area we had a guide for 4 days (did not do the full hike) and I recommend you try cuy (guinea pig). We had our guide stop on the side of the road.

[emilyinchile]

Did you already see this thread: pandce.proboards.com/thread/362844/wwyd-time-lima-peru ? I liked Central but preferred Mercado, FWIW. That said they're different vibes for sure and both well worth going to. Maido is also supposed to be great.

Re: rings, I did wear them on my last trip to Lima and wouldn't think not to wear them to anywhere touristy in Peru. I'd ask your friend why she's suggesting this. On the one hand, if she's organizing stuff and is a local then it makes sense to trust her judgment, but on the other hand in my experience many South Americans are overprotective of gringo tourists and don't want them to get robbed due to having their guard down.

[Captain Serious]

There's a great seafood restaurant in Barranco that's perfect for lunch called La Onceava. I'm not sure they stay open for dinner, and even if they do, I wouldn't recommend eating after dark there, as most the seating is outside, and it's not the most tourist-friendly neighborhood.

I know it's not Peruvian food, but if you like beef, I can't recommend Rincón Gaucho enough. It's an Argentine steak house, and is just over the bridge into Barranco from Mira Flores. I've eaten there several times, and the beef ribs are simply the best.

If you have a sweet tooth, you may want to go to La Bodega de la Trattoria, in Miraflores, for dessert one night. The meals are nothing special, but the restaurant owner is a pastry chef, and her Cinco Leches is to die for. Yes, you read that right--Cinco Leches, not tres leches.

Honestly, for really good, authentic Peruvian food, all you have to do is stop into one of the hole-in-the-wall luncheonnetts. They are only open for lunch, from around 11 a.m. until 2 p.m. Although they usually have a small menu, most people eat the special of the day, which generally includes an appetizer, main course, and dessert for cheap.

I've had cuy more than once while in Peru. Both cooked the traditional way and all dressed-up gourmet-style. If you are inclined to try it, and are okay with it not being prepared the traditional way, I highly recommend eating it at Pachapapa in Cusco. It's their specialty, and is amazing. It tasted like a cross between rabbit (dark meat) and pork (light meat).

Okay, enough about food.

In Lima, obviously go to the main square, which is called Plaza Mayor. Try to be there at noon for the changing of the guard. I've seen it three times; twice the soldiers came out, marched around the plaza, and ended with a dance routine on the cathedral steps. The other time, they just did a shorter, but still interesting change within the palace gates.

I also recommend going to the San Francisco Church and Convent (Iglesia y Convento de San Francisco) and touring it's catacombs. It's very impressive.

Miraflores and the waterfront is worth seeing, if only for the cliff edge to the city.

Mostly, I'd just go wherever the day takes you while in Lima. There are lots of museums and historical sites, it just depends in what you are interested.

While you are staying in Cusco, I highly recommend you do a day trip to Ollantaytambo. It is another ancient Peruvian city, and some believe, based on signs in it's construction, that it was even a more sacred site than Machu Picchu. Machu Picchu seems to have been the city/gathering place, and some archaeologists believe that Ollantaytambo was being constructed as the most holy religious site. Perhaps it was because of our fantastic guide (whom we hired on site), but I found it to be even more impressive than Machu Picchu.

If you can, have a doctor prescribe you Diamox to help with the altitude. I am an avid skier and know that I have problems at altitudes over 10,000 feet, but I took Diamox in Peru (and again in Tibet) and the only effect from the altitude was shortness of breath. It increases the red blood cells, so your blood carries more oxygen, and works wonders.

Finally, I wear my wedding ring, which is a plain platinum band, in Peru. I do not wear my engagement ring. This isn't a statement on the safety of the country, specifically, though, as I frequently travel without my engagement ring. I'd be devastated if I lost it, so I leave it at home.

[phillyrunner]

Although I did not bring any extra jewelry to Peru, I wore my wedding band/ring the entire trip. I felt completely safe the entire time, but I did stick to more of the touristy areas. So far, the only time I've had jewelry stolen was when I had it in my checked bag from CUN to PHL (dumb, I know - lesson learned). Since that happened, I rarely bring jewelry with me on trips besides my wedding band and ring, which I wear at all times.

In Lima I really enjoyed visiting Parque del Amor in Miraflores and walking along the cliffs around there.

I agree with PP about diamox. I was one of those people who decided that I was in very good shape (I exercise pretty much every day) and I figured I would be fine. I had never been that high up in elevation, and I was miserable in Cusco. Of course, some people do not get altitude sickness at all. My husband had no problem.

Hope that you enjoy your trip. Peru is absolutely beautiful!!

[mrsilovekeith]

Thanks for everyone's input. I have some great tips that I have added to our plans! Thanks and I will try and report back once we get home.