Word of Mouth: The Peruvian Triangle
High altitudes, stunning vistas, markets, museums and more
Peru’s vast wealth of historical sites has never been much of a secret. There’s the bucket list-crowning Machu Picchu, but between the Andean Mountains and the Pacific Coast are three must-visit regions. Within, you’ll discover two culture-packed metropolises with outstanding culinary gems, museum collections with millennia-spanning artifacts, and hotels inspired by the significance of their surroundings. Here, we trace a triangle of sorts to craft a jumping-off point for any Peruvian itinerary (requiring one round-trip flight from Lima to Cusco) that goes beyond the trails of Machu Picchu.
AC Hotel Lima Miraflores
Perched on the cliffs of the upscale Miraflores district, the new AC Hotel Lima Miraflores gazes directly over the Pacific shoreline as a glass high-rise. Guests quite literally leave the frenetic bustle of the Peruvian capital behind upon check-in: all rooms and suites have floor-to-ceiling windows exclusively facing the ocean. Head up to the Insumo Rooftop bar to spot paragliders skimming the skyline while you enjoy Pisco Sours, ceviche, and other local delights. A fortuitous location adjacent to Larcomar, a waterfront open-air mall, means you won’t have to subject yourself to the frustrations of gridlock traffic to explore restaurants, shops and public art installations.
San Pedro Market, Cusco
Cusco’s main market is famous for the four Cs: cheese, corn, chocolate, and carne. But being one of the best farmer’s markets in the world, there’s a little bit of everything here—from dried and fresh fruits (we suggest trying lucuma and cherimoya), handcrafts and tchotchkes, and every type of alpaca good you could want. The real treat is the sit-down section where dozens of vendors sell smoothies (make sure they’re made from bottled water), hot stews, and grilled meats. We recommend sampling fried sausages, anticuchos (beef hearts) or lomo saltado, Peru’s national dish, for less than the equivalent of five dollars.
Hero image by Paul Jebara
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