Each month, the participating affiliated communities will host the monthly Port of Call program. Port of Call is a Life Enrichment program designed to educate the residents with food, games, activities, and fun based on a different country or city.

This April, the theme of the Port of Call is Lima, Peru! Check out more about Lima and the amazing things that this city has to offer the residents.

About Lima, Peru

Lima is a longstanding, historic city rich in culture and attractions for tourists to see. Founded on January 18, 1535 by Spanish conquistador Francisco Pizarro, Lima was given the nickname “The City of Kings” because the discovery date was close to the Epiphany, a popular Christian festival. Today, Lima is home to over 8 million people, and hosts a blend of cultural and architectural influences from the different civilizations over the years.¹

Fun Things to Do in Lima, Peru

Visit Huaca Pucllana

Huaca Pucllana is a famous Incan pyramid that still stands to this day in the center of Lima, Peru. The word “Huaca” means pyramid, and the word “Pucllana” means temple in the Quechua language. Huaca Pucllana was built in 500 CE using a method called the “library technique,” which involved layering the bricks vertically with spaces between. These spaces helped the pyramid stay strong even when seismic activity occurred, and today it stands at 82 feet tall.²

Stroll through Barranco District

Barranco is one of the 43 districts in the city of Lima. As tourists enter this part of the city, their eyes will be greeted by a pop of color. Barranco used to be a beach spot for wealthy Peruvians, but today it stands as a tourist spot. Tourists can eat at local restaurants, shop at boutiques that offer ceramics and textiles, visit museums, and sightsee the local scenery.³

See the Plaza De Armas

The Plaza de Armas is a historic spot where José de San Martín proclaimed Peru’s independence in 1821. Spanning over 140 meters, it is a place rich in history and modern life. In the center, there is a fountain from the 17^th century standing tall, and it is one of the only original objects from this city left today. The Plaza De Armas is available to visit 24 hours a day, which makes it a popular destination for tour groups.⁴

San Francisco Church

Located in the Historic Center of Lima, the San Francisco church holds over 20,000 texts in various languages. It also holds a complete world Atlas as well as the first ever dictionary. The San Francisco Convent architecture is influenced by Baroque and Neoclassical styles, with various columns, details, and sculptures for visitors to see. Inside, there are altars, paintings, and sculptures depicting religious events. One of the most interesting rooms is the choir room, which can hold up to 130 people. There are also the famous catacombs, which are accessible to tourists with a guided tour.⁵

Magic Water Circuit

Peru’s Magic Water Circuit, known as Parque de las Aguas, is a series of thirteen fountains that can perform different shows. The Magic Water Circuit currently holds the Guinness World Record for “Tallest Fountain Complex in the World located in a public park.” Nearby, there is a birdwatching route with over 27 species of birds. The Magic Water Circuit area also has several food stalls and playgrounds, making it a place the entire family can enjoy on a trip to Peru.⁶

The Food of Lima, Peru

The food in Lima, Peru has a rich history. Before the Incan empire, the ancient civilizations the Moche and Nazca ate maize, potatoes, and beans. They raised pigs and fished, and created some of the earliest dishes in Peruvian cuisine.⁷

As time went on, Peruvian cuisine blended techniques from four continents, with an estimated two thousand soups and two hundred fifty traditional desserts. There were also an estimated thousand varieties of potatoes before the Spanish Conquerors arrived.⁸

Today, Peru is one of the top places for tourists to enjoy amazing food. Here are some popular Peruvian foods:

• Ceviche: Ceviche is one of the most popular dishes, which is fish (usually sea bass) cooked in lime juice. Coriander, chili, ginger, onions, tomatoes, and peppers are other ingredients commonly used in Ceviche.⁹
• Tamales Cusqueños: This is a variant of Tamales local to the Cusco region of Peru. The outside, the masa, is usually yellow or white corn while the filling is pork, chicken, olives, and chili peppers wrapped in corn husks. These are commonly served as street food.¹⁰
• Peruvian chocolate: Cacao trees are native to Latin America, giving Peruvian chocolate makers an edge when it comes to their spin on this delicious treat. Peru produces 75% fine flavor beans, which can be used to create some of the best cocoa in the world. Peruvian chocolate can be bought in Peru or eaten as part of a delicious dessert.¹¹

Sources

1. https://www.valenciatravelcusco.com/passion-passport/interesting-facts-about-lima
2. https://www.incaexpert.com/blog/huaca-pucllana
3. https://cazloyd.com/blog/barranco-limas-coolest-district/
4. https://www.machutravelperu.com/blog/lima-main-square
5. https://www.peru.travel/attractions/san-francisco-church-monastery-catacombs
6. https://www.peru.travel/stories/magical-water-circuit-a-beautiful-set-of-fountains-located-in-lima
7. https://elgordoeatery.com/the-history-of-peruvian-cuisine-a-culinary-journey-through-time/
8. https://www.peruadventurestours.com/en/history_peru_cuisine.html
9. https://thetravelbunny.com/peruvian-food-and-drink/
10. https://www.tasteatlas.com/tamales-cusquenos
11. https://www.valenciatravelcusco.com/passion-passport/why-is-peruvian-chocolate-so-special