Miraflores Peru

What to know about Miraflores Peru  

Want to explore one of the most intriguing urban districts in all of South America?

Here’s what to know about Miraflores Lima Peru.

Miraflores Peru is an urban district located around ten km. (six miles) from the city center of Peru’s capital, Lima. As a coastal district, Miraflores has a seaside climate, with mild temperatures and high humidity. It never freezes in Miraflores. Temperatures range from the mid-fifties in the winter months to highs of

85-90° Fahrenheit in the summer. In the winter, days can be drizzly and foggy, but it almost never rains heavily. In the summer months, days are often sunny, warm, and humid with occasional fog and drizzle.

Miraflores was founded as a Spanish town in the sixteenth century. A famous battle was fought here when Chilean invaders sacked the city during the War of the Pacific. The war eventually ended with a treaty between Chile and Peru in 1883. In the 1900’s, Miraflores Peru was incorporated into the greater city of Lima.

Demographically, Miraflores Peru has over 100,000 residents, the large majority of whom live above the poverty line. Along with San Isidro, it is categorized as one of the highest income districts of Peru. Tourism dominates the economy of Miraflores, and much of it was planned with visitors in mind. Miraflores is the district most tourists stay in when they spend any time in Peru’s capital. With its wide avenues and streets and well-kept parks, Miraflores Peru offers great hotels, dining, shopping, and nightlife.

As Miraflores borders the Pacific Ocean, it has an extensive shoreline park system known as the Costa Verde. There, visitors can enjoy activities like cycling, picnicking, jogging, paragliding, and surfing. It also offers great museums and even holds ancient ruins, the Huaca Pucllana, within its parameters.

Miraflores Peru is one of Lima’s safest areas, with a strong security presence to protect tourists and locals from crime. It is wise, of course, to follow common-sense standards of safety and always be alert to your surroundings. Crowded areas and bus terminals are especially notorious for thieves, so be sure to protect your belongings in these zones. It is best to use only official taxis. Uber is operational in Miraflores. It is a currently a 20 –25-dollar taxi ride (45 minutes, depending on traffic) from the Jorge Chavez International airport to the Miraflores District. 

Read on for the best options for dining, accommodations, leisure, and activities in Miraflores Peru. 

Things to do in Miraflores Peru

There is a myriad of things to do in Miraflores Peru. Whether looking for outdoor activities, world-class dining, beaches, shopping, cafés, or boutiques, you’ll find no limit of opportunities for enjoyment. It’s well worth spending time in Miraflores before or after visiting Machu Picchu or other Peruvian destinations.

Parks and Outdoor Activities

Miraflores is known for its beautiful parks and recreational offerings. Whether looking for a beach day, a bike tour, or paragliding adventure over the Pacific, you can find it here. Below I describe parks and outdoor activities to entertain and delight you in Miraflores Peru.

Parque Kennedy –This is the happening Park in Miraflores Peru, where locals and tourists alike gather on evenings and weekends to chill. With its festive atmosphere, popcorn vendors, musicians, and feline population, Parque Kennedy is a fun place to spend an afternoon. Felines?! Yes, this park is dedicated to the welfare of a population of cats of all colors, shapes, and sizes.

The cats are fed and neutered/spayed by local volunteers, who accept donations at their booth at the edge of the park. With the support of tourists and locals, volunteers provide the cars with sustenance and medical care. Who would have thought you could find a park dedicated mainly to cats in Miraflores Peru?

An art fair borders the sidewalk along the park on weekends, where you can buy local paintings, jewelry, and other items. Parque Kennedy is conveniently located near many dining and shopping options. A wonderful place to relax on the lawn, people-watch, and pet a friendly cat or two.

The Malecón – Literally, the Boardwalk, the Malecón is a two-mile strip that contains lawns, parks, playgrounds, sitting areas, and famous sculptures. The walkway is open to walkers, joggers, skaters, and cyclists. It’s an awesome spot for a bike tour, a stroll, or a picnic, or a combination of all three!

The Malecón is set upon Lima’s coastal cliffs overlooking the Pacific Ocean, the Costa Verde. This is the place for a leisurely stroll or bike ride on a sunny afternoon. The Parque del Amor, featuring the sculpture known as “The Kiss” by local artist Victor Delfín, is where lovers traditionally rendezvous. “The Kiss” is an enormous sculpture of two lovers, lying on their sides and embracing. Amorous pairs often spend time here, perhaps hoping to ignite romance in the shadow of “The Kiss.”

Inscribed in a colorful mosaic wall bordering the park are love-related quotes from Peruvian authors and poets. Another imposing sculpture by Fernando de Szyszlo, “Intihuatana,” is situated at Puente Villena, at the entrance to Parque del Amor. Translated from the Quechua, Intihuatana means “Hitching Post of the Sun.” Apparently it was thought necessary to capture the sun to relieve Lima’s frequent gray winter skies.

A network of footpaths, bridges, and parks with beaches and sitting areas cater to pedestrians and cyclists of every ilk.

Larcomar - Located just off the Malecón, Larcomar is an attractive, upscale shopping center and outdoor mall in Miraflores Peru. It’s located on Avenida José Larco and features diverse shops, bars and eateries, a movie theater, and a bowling alley. Major international brands have outlets here, and shops display everything from clothing to jewelry to books to toys. There is a kids’ play area and a multiplex cinema screening the latest movies from around the world.

There are several companies that run paragliding off the cliffs at Antonio Raimundi Park. If you are a first-time glider, you would be cinched to an instructor for a tandem glide. You and your instructor make a running jump off the cliff, to be lifted into the wind.

You soar over the ocean, attaining amazing views of the beaches and landscapes of Miraflores Peru. Similarly, great surfing options are available on the beaches around Miraflores: Playa Makaha is a great beginner’s surf spot. The nearby Playa Pampilla is a beach for intermediate surfers, and Punta Roquitas is a haven for intermediate to advanced-level surfing. 

Huaca Pucllana – As if all of this weren’t intriguing enough, Miraflores has its own set of ruins, the

Huaca Pucllana. This humungous clay/adobe pyramid was built by the Lima Culture in around 200 AD and occupied until around 700 AD. An ancient ceremonial site, the ruin consists of seven staggered platforms. It’s believed to have been a site for worship of the moon and the ocean, and an administrative center.

A central plaza surrounds the site, and a wall divides it into two sections. One side seems to be a ritualistic area, where offerings of marine animals were made to please the gods. The other side appears to have served more of an administrative purpose. This side is dotted with small structures and huts.

In 1981, the remains of three individuals from the Wari Culture were uncovered at Huaca Pucllana. A mummy dubbed “El Señor de los Unkus” was discovered in a tomb within the ceremonial area. Three adults and one child were laid to rest here. Each of the adults had burial shrouds and two wore masks. The child was probably a sacrifice.

The onsite museum discusses the Lima and Wari cultures and displays various artifacts. There is an enactment reimagining the rituals that were once held at Huaca Pucllana. A section discussing the local flora and fauna is also on display. After your visit to the museum, you can dine at the well-reputed onsite Huaca Pucllana restaurant.

Restaurants

Peru’s amazing cuisine is comparable to no other. With its emphasis on colorful, fresh ingredients, Peruvian gastronomy has gained world renown in recent decades. In truth, many of the world’s most popular foods originated in Peru. Think potatoes, tomatoes, quinoa, maca, and peanuts, among others. In fact, Peru cultivates over 4,000 varieties of potatoes alone. It’s no surprise, then, that some of the most highly rated restaurants on Earth are in Miraflores Peru. Here are a few to try.

Rafael- Rafael (D`Auteur Fusion) - Rafael Osterling impeccably prepares a fusion menu that pays homage to the cuisines of Peru, Japan, and Italy. Open for close to twenty years, the restaurant boasts a European ambiance and an ever-changing menu of innovative dishes. Although there are many choices, there is an emphasis here on fresh and innovative seafood creations.

Dishes include pizzas, pastas, ceviches, sashimi, carpaccio, and risottos: in other words, something for everyone. Among Latin America’s 50 best restaurants, this eatery sits in an art-deco mansion in Miraflores Peru. Don’t forget to try some imaginative cocktails at their stylish bar.

📍 Location: Address: San Martin 300 – Miraflores Peru

📞 Phone: + 511 242 4149 / +511 2428515

Maido – Mitsuharu “Micha” Tsumura opened this Nikkei (Peruvian- Japanese fusion) restaurant in 2009. Nikkei cuisine developed because of the mass Japanese immigration to Peru that began in the late nineteenth century. At Maido, Peruvian ingredients are prepared with Japanese cooking techniques resulting in an exquisite culinary experience unlike any other.

For a seafood-oriented experience, there is an out-of-this-world twelve-course tasing menu. Jaw-droppingly beautiful presentations with an amazing array of flavors and textures make dining at Maido an unparalleled sensory experience. As of 2024, Maido is in the Number 2 slot among the World’s Best Latin American restaurants.

📍 Location: Calle San Martín 399 Miraflores 15074 Peru

📞 Phone: +51 1 3135100

Huaca Pucllana Restaurant – The Huaca Pucllana Restaurant is located at the site of Miraflores Peru’s only set of ruins. The Huaca Pucllana ruins date from the fifth century CE. The restaurant’s nature-enhanced ambiance and artful interior add to the delightful menu featuring largely Peruvian fare.

The chefs go all out in presenting Peru’s extraordinary variety of colors, textures, and flavors to the discriminating palate. There are myriad Peruvian delights to try, including meat and seafood dishes, traditional appetizers, and a variety of luscious desserts.

📍 Location: General Borgoño Cdra. 8

📞 Phone: +51 1 445-4042/ 994 005 266 (reservas@restahuacapucllana.com)

Carnal Prime Steakhouse is Lima’s first restaurant that specializes in American Aberdeen Angus meats. They use an infrared high-temperature broiler that imparts a particular flavor and texture not experienced with traditional grilling methods. They have a “Raw Bar” featuring seafood from around the world, like Alaskan King Crab, and Maine and Caribbean Lobster.

Their location in Miraflores is ideal for a family lunch, intimate dinner, or business meeting. The muted ambience, with greenery and trees growing amid the dining room, add to the exquisite experience. Reviewers say their steaks are bomb!

📍 Location: Elías Aguirre 698 Miraflores

📞 Phone: +51 946 243 996

Osaka – This Nikkei Restaurant (Japanese-Peruvian fusion) is hub for foodies and adventurers. Their impeccable merging of Japanese cooking techniques with Peruvian ingredients offers a culinary adventure unlike any other. Each meal is a beautifully plated synthesis of delightful flavors, colors, and textures. They offer a myriad of dishes, including Peru fusion seafood rolls, Angus steaks, pork belly, and crispy duck, to name a few.

📍 Location: Felipe, Av. Pardo y Aliaga 660, San Isidro 15073, Peru (not Miraflores)

📞 Phone: +51 958 798 721

Fiesta Restaurant - opened by Hector Solís in 1996, offers Northern Peruvian cuisine using locally sourced and grown ingredients. This innovative establishment features traditional northern dishes like Arroz con Pato Chiclayano (Chiclayo style Duck with Rice), and Goat Stew.

They offer a Catch-of-the-Day, exquisitely prepared using the freshest local seafood available. Other lauded offerings include Stuffed Breads, filled with northern-style sausage, and a unique take on a traditional dish: Warm Ceviche. Fiesta is considered among the World’s Best Latin American restaurants. (2024)

📍 Location: Av. Reducto 1276, Miraflores 15074, Lima, Peru

📞 Phone: +51 932 483 302

Cafés

Miraflores Peru has no lack of cafés to enjoy a light bite and a hot or cold beverage. Here are a few of the most iconic places to stop and savor the moment in between stimulating activities.

Puku Puku Café Larco Puku Puku buys and serves small-batch, single origin coffee from Peruvian farmers. They also sell a variety of coffees by weight along with coffee accessories. It’s a great place to come for sandwiches, desserts, and local craft beers. This small, friendly café caters to both international and local customers in Miraflores Peru. Vegetarian and gluten-free options are available.

📍 Location: Av. José Larco 1285, Miraflores 15074, Peru

📞 Phone: +51 996 452 482

Bodega Café Chaupimonte - This friendly, intimate café is tucked away on a quiet street in Miraflores Peru. They use single batch coffee from the owners’ family farm in Oxapampa. This intriguing region in Peru’s high jungle was settled by German and Austrian immigrants in the 19th century. In addition to coffee drinks, Chaupimonte offers freshly baked sandwiches, pastries, muffins, and empanadas. A cozy spot to take a break and recharge from the day’s activities.

📍 Location: Arístides Aljovín 231, Miraflores 15074, Peru

📞 Phone: +51 1 6276831

Haiti Café - This iconic Miraflores Peru Café opened its doors in 1962. It is one of the most enduring cafés in Lima. Located conveniently across from Parque Kennedy, it’s a fantastic place to relax and enjoy people-watching as folks saunter by. Haití Café serves tasty food, coffee, alcoholic, and non-alcoholic beverages in a friendly atmosphere.

Their menu includes everything from ice cream sundaes to club sandwiches to ceviche. A wonderful place to enjoy the bustling atmosphere of Miraflores Peru.

📍 Location: Diagonal 160 Miraflores Gobierno Regional de Lima, LIMA 18, Miraflores Peru

📞 Phone: +51 1 4450539

Avenida La Mar

Located near the Miraflores’ coastal highway, Avenida Mariscal La Mar is known as “gastronomy street” in Miraflores Peru. Decades ago, this famous avenue was considered a bit sketchy. Now it has over forty restaurants and cafes and is a center of epicurean rapture. Here are some of the best options on Avenida La Mar in Miraflores Peru.

Pescados Capitales – the name literally translates to “Capital Fish,” a play on words, since the words Pescado (fish) and Pecado (sin) are only one letter apart. The restaurant boasts “sinfully delicious” seafood items, each named for one of the Seven Deadly Sins. For example, the dish known as Envidia (Envy) consists of black pasta with crab legs. Pereza (Laziness) consists of a grilled salmon filet accompanied by a quinoa salad with cherry tomatoes and mandarin oranges.

The restaurant serves a variety of ceviches, creative appetizers, and classic Peruvian dishes.  This “sinfully” delicious, unique seafood restaurant is one of the most intriguing in Miraflores Peru.

📍 Location: Av. Mariscal La Mar 1337, Miraflores 15074, Peru

📞 Phone: +51 1 6804600

La Mar Cebecheria – La Mar is owned by renowned Peruvian chef, Gaston Acurio, who was instrumental in introducing Peruvian gastronomy to the world. This is one of Miraflores’ most popular ceviche spots, beloved by both locals and tourists. The Ceviche Trio consists of generous portions of three different varieties of ceviche.

Other offerings include Arroz Chupete (Creamy Rice with Shrimp) and Ravioles Negros de Congrejo (Black Raviolis stuffed with Crab Meat) La Mar offers one of the most memorable ceviche and seafood experiences available in Miraflores Peru or anywhere!

📍 Location: Av. Mariscal La Mar 770, Miraflores 15074, Peru

📞 Phone: +51 1 4213365

El Mercado – This bustling, mainly seafood restaurant, led by Rafael Osterling boasts a mellow yet modern vibe. The dining room is an indoor courtyard with natural touches and an open, airy feel. There are numerous ceviches to choose from, as well as sustainably sourced seafood dishes. Standouts include Reggiani Scallops, Grilled Grouper Cheeks, and Black Squid Taglioni. Cocktails, beers, and wine are on offer.

📍 Location: Av. Hipólito Unanue 203, Miraflores 15074, Peru

📞 Phone: +51 1 221 1322

Jerónimo – This relatively recently opened restaurant has quickly become popular for its creative and innovative Peru- Mexico fusion cuisine. A lively nightspot/ dinner spot as well as a great place for lunch. Menu items include a variety of tacos, the must-try tuna and avocado cones, and vegetarian paella. If you crave Mexican in Peru, this eatery honors the cuisines of both countries!

📍 Location: Av. Mariscal La Mar 1209, Miraflores 15074, Peru

📞 Phone: +51 968 503 341

Armonica Café – Miraflores has kept abreast of the times with gastronomic offerings to delight the palates of vegans and vegetarians alike. This vegan/ vegetarian-friendly restaurant on Avenida La Mar offers many plant-based alternatives and also serves meat. They serve up lots of vegan desserts, vegan waffles, fresh fruit smoothies, and both meat and plant-based burgers. There are many gluten-free options on the menu as well.

📍 Location: Av. Mariscal La Mar 955, Miraflores 15074, Peru

📞 Phone: +51 977 801 672

Gusto Creciente – This newer vegan restaurant with its beautiful, modern, and spacious ambiance is all about plant-based foods. They serve fresh, healthful salads and smoothies and use plant-based protein in their entrees. A couple of much-lauded options include the Thai Salad with tofu marinated in peanut sauce and the “cheese” board. Their plant-based cheeses are prepared from scratch and fermented onsite.

📍 Location: Av. Mariscal La Mar 1263, Miraflores 15074, Peru

📞 Phone: +51 974 321 355

Vegetarian

Miraflores Peru has a plethora of offerings for vegetarian dining. Listed here are a few dedicated eateries committed to serving healthy vegan and vegetarian food. Whether you are following a strict diet or want to try some meatless offerings, the following dining options will delight.

Samsara- This vegan restaurant and bar occupies an open rooftop with colorful murals above a hostel in Miraflores Peru. As of this writing, they offer delivery every day of the week and dining in on weekends only. They prepare vegan versions of iconic Peruvian dishes, like causa (filled mashed potatoes) and lomo saltado, (“beef,’” tomatoes, fries, onions.)

Samsara offers a daily set meal in addition to the full menu. Dishes are prepared with an emphasis on delicious, fresh ingredients. If you are not vegan, they just might convert you.

📍 Location: Calle José Galvez 576 Miraflores, Peru

📞 Phone: +51-953570861

Asianica -Known for its extensive menu, this is a popular vegetarian/ vegan restaurant in Miraflores Peru. Asianica has a warm, friendly atmosphere and pays exquisite attention to detail in the preparation of Asian-inspired vegan/ vegetarian cuisine. Lots of fresh, colorful veggies, pastas, and veg proteins served with a variety of tasty sauces.

Dishes to try include the bao burger with vegan queso, the vegetarian sushi, Japanese gyoza, and more. Asianica also has grocery items for sale to enjoy when you are cooking back home.

📍 Location: Petit Thouars 5232, Miraflores, Lima, Peru 51

📞 Phone: +51 970 335 339

Jardin de Jasmín – This restaurant offers creative vegan adaptations of Peruvian dishes. They go all out in proving that a vegan burger can be as delicious and toothsome as a beef burger. Burger patties are made from pulses such as lentils, garbanzos, or black beans. There are a variety of flavorful pasta dishes on offer. The owners feel strongly about Food as Medicine and take great care in presenting lovingly prepared meals using fresh, vibrant ingredients.

📍 Location: Av. Alfredo Benavides 571, Miraflores 15074, Peru

📞 Phone: +51 993 731 598

Beaches

Some of the world’s best surfers cut their teeth in Miraflores Peru. Miraflores’ famous circuit of beaches, established in the 1970’s, has something for every type of water sports enthusiast. Here are a few spots of interest, whether you are interested in surfing, body boarding, or just relaxing.

Playa Makaha is situated on the Costa Verde’s rocky shoreline. There is a sandy area on which to spread your blanket and relax. With its stunning coastal vistas, it is still in walking distance of Larcomar and other dining and shopping options, Activities here include sunbathing, swimming, walking along the shoreline, and beginning surfing. Surf shops with instructors are situated nearby.

Playa Pampilla is a beach favored by intermediate surfers in Miraflores Peru. It is a famous surfing spot and one of the formative locales for some of Peru’s most famous surfers. Sofia Mulanovich, Havier Huarcaya, and Felipe Pomar have all frequented Pampilla. It’s a pebble-covered beach with right-breaking waves that can reach two meters high. Pampilla is the site of national and international championships in SUP (Standup Paddle), Longboard Surfing, and Paddleboarding.

Punta Roquitas is super popular surf spot located along the Costa Verde in Miraflores Peru. This beach is a hub for those engaging in paddleboarding, surfing, and other water sports. It’s a pebble-covered beach of big waves and is considered a surf spot for intermediate to advanced surfers. Not for beginners, it is wise to know your stuff before surfing here. The Pan American Surf Games have been held at Punta Roquitas.

Lodging

Miraflores’ plethora of lodging options cater to every taste and pocketbook. Here are a few to consider on your stay:

Hotel Aloft – With an onsite restaurant open for breakfast, lunch, and dinner, Miraflores Aloft is a contemporary hotel with modern décor. Each room is equipped with floor to ceiling windows; some of the rooms offer ocean views. Suites with separate seating areas are also available. There is a pool and fitness center, and some of the rooms are pet-friendly.  The Aloft is a great lodging option in Miraflores Peru.

📍 Location: Av. 28 de Julio 894, Miraflores 15046, Peru

📞 Phone: +51 1 5264850

Hilton Lima Miraflores – The decor of the Hilton Miraflores honors Peruvian history with design touches that hearken back to Lima’s colonial era. The hotel has 207 rooms, including forty-four executive suites. Each room boasts latticed woodwork in its interior, a decorative touch taken from Peru’s bygone days. There is a rooftop lounge that offers beverages and snacks all day. This hotel is pet-friendly and has an outdoor pool, business center, and fitness center. 

📍 Location: Av. la Paz 1099, Miraflores Peru 15074

📞 Phone: +51 1 2008000

Miraflores Park, A Belmond Hotel- This hotel features eighty-nine suites, some with their own Jacuzzi. Three of the suites have a private outdoor terrace and plunge pool.  Decorated in modern European style, all the rooms in this Mirafores- based hotel boast luxurious marble bathrooms. There is a heated swimming pool on the roof of the hotel, with stunning views over the Pacific Ocean. The onsite Tragaluz Restaurant offers both Peruvian and European dining options.  

📍 Location: Mal. de la Reserva 1035, Miraflores Peru 15074

📞 Phone: +51 1 6104000

Conclusion: Miraflores is one of Lima’s and South America’s most exciting regions, with multiple options for dining, shopping, lodging, and recreation. It is most definitely worth several days of your Peru trip to experience what this district has to offer. The dining options alone are enough to attract the interest of food enthusiasts everywhere. Explorandes warmly invites you to visit intriguing Miraflores. We will be delighted to assist with all your travel needs in the beautiful cosmopolitan district of Miraflores Peru. Contact us here and we will be in touch shortly.