We weren’t sure what to expect when our Lima Bike Tour began.
Our guide, Ytalo, stretched out his arms, gesturing at the view for the small group of us.
“They call it Lima the gray, or Lima the ugly. It’s always overcast here, but it never rains.”
This statement was an introduction to a guided tour we were about to take along the coastal Miraflores area of Lima, Peru.
The sights of Lima that followed were anything but gray, ugly or boring. Particularly because the next thing Ytalo did was give instructions on jockeying our mountain bikes down the rocky hill.
“On this side is the brake for the front tire, but try not to use it, you could stop too quickly and flip over the bars.” See, not boring already!

Lima Peru from above
Lima Bike Tour Begins
We started by taking in the views from the top of the hill where the van had delivered us and our bikes.
To one side was a huge statue, a smaller version of the Christ the Redeemer statue in Brazil.
To the other side was a view of the green-blue waters along a stretch of coast line with steep cliffs leading to Lima’s districts of Barranco and Miraflores.
Behind us were a sea of houses and ramshackle buildings on the hills, where many of Lima’s poor have taken up residence. The less wealthy areas seemed to make up for the lack of greenery with bright paint.
I put any further contemplation about that off, as we began making our way down the hill (focusing instead on which side was that brake on that I wasn’t supposed to use).

Cristo Del Pacifico Statue overlooking Lima.
El Salto Del Fraile
Our efforts to get safely down the hill were quickly rewarded with another noteworthy view. We came to a restaurant called El Salto Del Fraile (The Friar’s Leap) perched on a cliff overlooking the water.
The restaurant is named after a legend of a friar who fell in love, but when his lover was sent away across the sea, threw himself from the cliff.
We went down for a closer look, crossing the stone bridge onto the rocks, just far enough to feel the spray of water from the waves crashing against the rocks.
Mental note to self, convince husband to bring me back here for drinks.

Lima Cliff Restaurant (El Salto Del Fraile) with Stone Bridge

Taking a break from the bikes to get a closer look at the water
Barranco District, Lima Peru
From here we made our way to district of Barranco. This is the area is known as Lima’s bohemian neighborhood.
It is home to many of the city’s prominent artists, designers, musicians and surfers.
We rolled by beautiful murals, statues, flower lined parks and colorfully painted colonial style buildings (Casonas).

Barranco Mural

Colorful Barranco
We continued making our way along the landscaped path overlooking the water. It was hard not to stop and keep taking pictures.

Landscaped path along the water
Miraflores Bike Path
But onward we went, entering the neighborhood of Miraflores (translated “look at the flowers”).
This is the area that has been known as the garden of Lima, and the tradition remains today.
I was a little surprised to find a mall tucked into the side of the cliff here. Ytalo recommended coming back here to sample one of Peru’s national drinks – the Pisco Sour.

Have a Pisco Sour overlooking the water – Done!
Just off in the distance from here we found what was for me the star attraction. Love Park – or Parque del Amor .

Love Park in the distance
Parque del Amor
Filled with blooming flowers, a mosaic wall reminiscent of the Spanish architect Gaudi, and a huge statue of a couple engaged in a passionate kiss.
If all of that wasn’t enough, there is a parasailing launch point just beyond the park so the area is often filled with colorful sails and pilots doing daring acrobatic stunts in the air.
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It’s a spectacular sight (and if you decide you want to take part, rumor has it the pilots will happily give you a 10 minute ride, including a video, for around $80 US).
For those who prefer land locked sports, Ytalo told us that once a year the park is filled with young couples who compete for the longest kiss.
We saw a few that seemed to be training for the event as we passed by on our bikes, but who could blame them?

Parasailer glides by

Parque del Amor
This was only our second day in Lima, and we found it to be a lively place that we were looking forward to exploring more, including tracking down some of the famous Peruvian ceviche. Maybe after we finish our Pisco Sour.
Here are some additional articles about things to do in Peru you might enjoy!
A special thank you to Lima Urban Adventures who provided us with this Lima Bike Tour. As always, our opinions are our own.
Tanasia @ Green Global Travel
Saturday 26th of March 2016
That Barranco Mural is like nothing I've ever seen. Both beautiful and thought provoking. So glad you had a wonderful time on your trip! Will definitely have to visit Peru soon.
Dannielle Lily
Thursday 30th of July 2015
Didn't realise Lima had so much to offer! I haven't thought much about travelling to Peru but maybe I need to start doing some research...
Elena
Monday 27th of July 2015
I have never been to Lima (or Peru for that matter) -but the colors (and wow- that mural!) are beautiful!
Erin
Monday 27th of July 2015
Beautiful! How was the Peruvian ceviche? I'm rather curious how it compares to what we have here in Belize. I've seen a variety of pictures, but not entirely sure what the "authentic" version is like.
Jen
Monday 27th of July 2015
I didn't try the ceviche while I was in Belize, so hard for me to compare. They claim that it is the limes that grow here that elevate the ceviche. I'm happy to continue sampling!
Dariece
Sunday 26th of July 2015
You guys are really making us want to visit Lima! I love that you went on a bike tour, that's a great way to see any city. The bohemian area looks really cool too. Thanks for sharing.