LIMA, THE CAPITAL CITY
Home to nearly ten million people, Lima, the capital of Peru, has all the features of a fast-growing metropolis, stretched over three connecting coastal valleys.
The average temperature in Lima during August ranges from 50° to 60°F, while in January it reaches up to humid range of 70° to 85°F.
Lima was founded by the Spanish conqueror Francisco Pizarro in 1535. Remnants of its colonial charm remain today, even as Lima rapidly expands into a large, modern city of many faces. People in Lima are friendly and hospitable. Nightlife is vibrant and there are several interesting museums, old Catholic churches, and cultural centers to visit throughout the city.
Miraflores and San Isidro, two of the more popular main districts, offer the most exciting nightlife, with movie theaters, as well as coffee shops, bars, restaurants, stores, casinos and discotheques.
Barranco, with its original architecture, is the more popular gathering place for students, artists and intellectuals. It offers a great variety of live performances, restaurants and entertainment centers.
As does much of Peru, Lima and its outskirts offer a wide range of outdoor recreational activities, including surfing, biking, rock climbing, parasailing, trekking and rafting. Snow peaks reaching higher than 16,500 ft high can be found just two hours' drive east of Lima.
TRANSPORTATION
Lima has an extensive public transportation system covering an intricate number of routes with various kinds of vehicles, ranging from large buses to the very popular and numerous small minivans called “combis.” In addition, there are plenty of taxis.
Universidad Peruana de Ciencias Aplicadas (UPC) is located in Monterrico, a mostly residential area in eastern Lima, connected to the central districts by main avenues with several transportation options. The university sits about a mile away from the U.S. Embassy.
