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When I was on a media trip to Lima, Peru, in late August, I kept saying, “My kids would love this!” I was surprised at all of the fun things to do in Lima with teenagers. Add the easy 6-hour flight from Atlanta and no time change, and it actually makes a really easy international travel destination for families.
And with the new Paddington in Peru coming out in January, I anticipate that it will be easy to get your kids excited about a family trip to Peru! So, today, I want to share some fun things to do in Lima with teens!
Thank you to PromPeru for hosting me on this trip!
Visiting Lima, Peru With Teens
As I mentioned above, there are a handful of reasons why Peru should be on your radar. First, it’s incredibly diverse, from the tall snowcapped peaks in the Ancash region to the sand dunes in the desert oasis of Huacachina.
But pretty much every trip to Peru will start and end in Lima. Why? That is where most non-stop international flights from the USA will land. So, you will find yourself either spending your entire trip in the Lima area or a few days there before heading out to another part of Peru.
Where To Stay in Lima, Peru With Kids
There are really two main areas that you will want to stay in Lima, Peru:
- Miraflores
- Barranco
These areas are adjacent to one another along Lima’s southern coastline. Both are safe, with many great hotel and restaurant options and good walkability. I think Miraflores is a better option overall for families in Lima. Barranco is wonderful, too, but better for couples and adult travelers. But you can’t go wrong with either.
The map below shows hotels in both areas of Lima. I stayed at the AC Hotel Lima Miraflores, which was in a great location on the boardwalk near the popular Larcomar outdoor shopping mall.
Speaking of the mall, here are some of my top reccomendations on things to do with teenagers in Lima, Peru! I did several on this most recent trip to Peru, and my family can’t wait to do them with me on our next visit.
9 Fun Things To Do In Lima With Teenagers
Keep in mind that many of these are also great activities for anyone traveling to Lima! Some are suitable options for families visiting Lima with little kids. However, my kids are 13 and 15, and these are Lima activities that I specifically think they would enjoy.
#1 Walk Or Bike The El Malecón Clifftop Path
Up first is one of the most popular things to do in Lima! El Malecón is a popular paved trail in Lima that sits atop the cliffside and stretches almost six miles between Miraflores and San Isidro. It’s dotted with beautiful parks, and you can enjoy stunning views of the Pacific Ocean.
Consider having breakfast at one of the Beso Francés Crepería locations or at least grabbing a coffee as you decide what to do in Lima next!
Along the way, there are a couple of ways to get down to the oceanfront. Near the popular Parque del Amor (Love Park), there is a set of stairs that are much easier than they look. At the bottom, I was surprised to see people taking surfing lessons, which brings me to my next idea!
#2 Take Surfing Lessons
Hands down, this is something you must try if you find yourself in Lima with teenagers or older kids—or if it’s just adults. In fact, in Lima, they do surfing lessons for children as young as three. However, the cold water typically requires wetsuits, and I think it’s a better beach activity for older kids. And the beaches are very rocky. The sound of the water rushing over them is so beautiful!
Click here to browse Lima Surfing Experiences on Get Your Guide!
I was also shocked to see that surf lessons go for as low as $30 USD. I found my dollar to go very far everywhere in Peru! You generally don’t have to book these lessons in advance. Once you get to the bottom of the stairs, there are numerous tents with vendors who provide surfing lessons in Lima. I met the team Barbara y Guti (experienced local surfers), who spoke English and were very helpful in answering my questions!
Check them out at @SURFANDFOODD on Instagram. You’ll notice their feed is full of happy teenagers learning to surf in Peru!
#3 Go Swimming With Sea Lions
I actually did this! It was probably one of the top 5 coolest things that I have done in my entire life. In fact, I have a whole blog post about my experience swimming with the sea lions at the Palomino Islands. (LINK)
You will want to budget a solid half day for this because it can take a while to get to and from Callao. But it’s very much worth it, and Uber is very inexpensive in Lima. My blog post has a bunch of great photos, and you can see this video on my Instagram for a closer look.
Now, do you see why I think Lima is such a fun yet easy place to travel with teens? It can be such an adventurous “big” international trip without the jetlag and 10-plus-hour flight.
#4 Explore The Fortaleza del Real Felipe
If you are up for it after swimming with the sea lions, the Fortaleza del Real Felipe is also located in Callao. This fortress has a lot of rich history and is a UNESCO World Heritage Site museum. If you are visiting Lima with teenagers who enjoy history, this might be a good stop.
You could also do this on your own, with many tour companies offering a day trip to Fortaleza del Real Felipe from Lima with hotel pickup. But honestly, I would try to knock it out right after swimming with the sea lions since you’d already be right there.
#5 Take A Food Tour in Lima, Peru
Another big surprise for me was how amazing the Peruvian food was. It was colorful, and very flavorful and felt like a fusion of many of my favorites. I think a food tour in Lima would be a fun way to try out the different foods, especially with teenagers who may be overwhelmed trying to choose just one thing from a menu.
There are various options when it comes to choosing a food tour in Lima. As you can see in this list of Lima food tours, the prices and duration can vary quite a bit. But here is one that would be at the top of my list with a mix of modern and traditional Peruvian cuisine.
#6 Chocolate & Coffee Tasting
I loved having the opportunity to do a chocolate tasting with El Cacaotal combined with a coffee tasting from Ciclos Cafe in the Barranco neighborhood. Therefore, I would consider this one of the most unique things to do in Lima. The chocolate tasting was very informative, and Amanda, who owns El Cacoatal, is incredibly knowledgeable and passionate about Peruvian chocolate.
If you prefer, they can create a custom tasting with just chocolate if visiting Lima with teenagers who don’t like coffee. To inquire, email [email protected]. I highly recommend this and couldn’t stop thinking about how much I wish Abby were there with me. She loves science and learning and would have been very inspired by Amanda!
#7 Take A Bike Tour
Another great way to explore Lima is by bike. On my recent trip, we did a Lima bike tour with Lima Bici that took us along the boardwalk and into the city. It was really fun; however, unless your teens are hyper-aware, good listeners, and experienced bikers, I would try to spend most of your time on the path. It can get a little congested biking with afternoon traffic in Lima.
There are a variety of Lima Bike Tours on Get Your Guide for you to browse through! Many take you through the Miraflores or Barranco neighborhoods, where you can enjoy street art and stops at popular Lima must see places. Of course, read through descriptions before booking to make sure it’s a good fit. Some also make stops that coincide with some of the other fun things to do in Lima, such as food tours.
#8 Shop At The Lacomar Mall
And it’s not just any mall! The popular Lacomar Mall in Miraflores is built into the side of the cliff. As I mentioned earlier, my hotel was right next to this mall, as were several others. And while spending time at the mall doesn’t sound like my ideal vacation activity, I know my teenagers enjoy it. We have found ourselves at malls all over the world!
While I didn’t have a chance to eat at them, the restaurants there looked really good. Several had a European vibe that made me think about our time in France and Italy this summer.
#9 See The Cats At Parque Kennedy
If you are not a family of cat lovers, you can skip this section. But we are, and somehow, we have become international cat influencers with posts about the cats in Athens, cats in Rome, the Kattenkabinet in Amsterdam, and even the 6-toed cats in Key West!
I did not have a chance to visit here, but numerous people recommended it. It’s probably best that it stays on my future Lima bucket list because Matt and the kids would definitely enjoy seeing the cats in Lima, Peru.
Parque Kennedy is located in the Miraflores neighborhood and is home to dozens of cats! Affectionally known as the El Parque de Los Gatos, it’s a great stop for cat lovers. These cats are friendly and beloved by locals and visitors alike. For 20+ years, they have kept them spayed and neutered, well fed, and even erected a hotel for them to enjoy during cooler months.
FUN FACT: This park honors and is named after US President John F. Kennedy!
More Things To Do in Lima Peru
I hope those nine fun things to do in Lima with teenagers get you excited to plan a trip of your own. There are also so many other things to do while in Lima, Peru. The following link is a great resource whether you are looking to learn more about the Inca Culture, get active, explore hidden gems, or do a little of everything on your family trip to Lima.
Click here for more things to do in Lima, Peru!
Exploring Peru Beyond Lima
While this list only covers activities in and around Lima, there are a number of fantastic day trips or overnight trips that are highly recommended. This list from TripAdvisor has a lot of great options for things to do beyond Lima with teenagers. I think my kids would love the dune buggy tours in Husacahina!
If you want to venture further, consider spending a few days visiting Peru’s Ancash region or heading to Cusco and Machu Picchu. Both are a short flight from Lima!
Plan Your Trip To Lima With Teenagers
There has never been a better time to visit Peru! And it has never been easier to plan your trip with nonstop flights to Lima from US cities like Atlanta, Miami, Houston, Los Angeles, New York, and more. And Lima is even great for those school holidays and four or five-day weekends. You will want to allow longer if you want to incorporate more adventure and more destinations.
First, search flights on Google Flights, and then browse for accommodation via your favorite loyalty program or Booking.com. I found hotels very affordable, and if you can’t find a large family room, you can probably book two hotel rooms for your trip to Lima with teenagers for the same price as one room in the United States. I was very happy with the AC Hotel Miraflores, and breakfast was great, too!
More Family Travel Inspiration
If you enjoyed this post about things to do in Lima with teenagers, you’ll love my other blog posts about traveling with kids! You can always browse the entire Travel section of my blog, including other destinations in South America. Here are some popular posts that you might enjoy!
- 4 Days In Paris Itinerary
- Getting Into Airport Lounges
- Gulf Shores With Teenagers
- Finding Great Family Rentals
- European Travel Essentials
- How I Find Flight Deals
- Flytographer Family Photos
- Key West With Kids
- Visiting Fiji With Teens
PIN: Things To Do In Lima With Teenagers For Later
