Why I Chose Lima
I started a trip around the world, and my first destination was Lima, Peru.
In 2016, I went on a very epic girls’ trip to Peru.
We saw Machu Picchu. Rainbow Mountain + a long bus ride to Bolivia to see the Uyuni Salt flats.
On that trip, for us Lima was just a stopover.
That’s a common mistake Western travelers make, treating Lima like a layover instead of a destination. And to be fair, Peru’s natural wonders deserve the spotlight. But Lima has its own pull.
So when I finally decided to enroll in an intensive Spanish program, I knew Lima was the city for me.
Why Learn Spanish in Lima, Peru.
- First, the accent.
The Peruvian accent is considered one of the most neutral Spanish accents in the world. Learn it here, and you’ll be understood almost everywhere else.
- Second, the city itself.
A massive, coastal metropolis where cliffs meet the Pacific Ocean. Lima a major metropolitan with 10m+ people, and there’s a beach!
- And third — THE FOOD.
Lima isn’t just good for eating. It’s world-wide famous for it.
Some call it the food capital of South America. Buenos Aires might argue. São Paulo might try. But Lima ABSOLUTELY WINS. For several years, the number one “Best Restaurants in the World List” restaurant has been in Lima.
I shamelessly used Lima’s best restaurants list as a weekly guide, (mixed in with local recommendations) to know where to eat.
Five Weeks of Spanish Classes
I really had a routine and rhythm in Lima.
In the morning, I walked from my neighborhood Barranco to Miraflores where I attended Spanish classes from 9 AM – 1 PM at PERU Spanish Lima. I had wonderful teachers.
Afternoons were spent doing homework, joining in on the school’s activities which could have been museums, a walking tour, learning about Peruvian history.
Evenings were always dedicated to food!
Lima during July – is their winter, so relatively slow for tourism which makes for better class sizes actually, and easier to have a routine because there’s inheritely less activities during winter than summer.
Beyond the City: Desert, Penguins, and Sea Lions
From Lima, there are endless ways to escape without really leaving.
You can visit Huacachina, a desert oasis surrounded by sand dunes and stop along the coast to see penguins — yes, penguins in Peru!!
Read my blog post about Huacachina to see what that may look like.
Palomino Islands
You can take a boat to the Palomino Islands and swim with sea lions in open water.
Final Thoughts on Lima
Choosing Lima wasn’t just practical. It was the right beginning.