10 January 2024
Peru’s capital, Lima, is a bustling metropolis based in the valleys surrounded by an arid desert, overlooking the Pacific Ocean. Its coastal location makes it a fish and seafood rich destination, where the quality is like no other. For those seeking a perfect blend of culinary delights, thrilling surf adventures, and awe-inspiring desert landscapes, Lima and the Paracas desert in Peru stand out as an exceptional choice.
The temperatures across Peru’s coast allow for plenty of warm and sunny weather, with minimal rain over the winter months. The city combines with beautiful churches and monasteries built during the Spanish colonial era and archeological Inka and pre-Inka sites. Culture runs through Lima. In 1988, UNESCO declared the historic city center a World Heritage site.
Hotels, venues and places to meet
One of the benefits of hosting a meeting or event in Lima is its proximity to Jorge Chávez International Airport, which is just seven miles north of the city center. As a result, there’s easy access to Lima directly from Madrid, Atlanta, Miami, New York, and Toronto.
There is an excellent assortment of hotels available, ranging from a vast amount of boutique properties with a local Peruvian vibe, through to those belonging to global hotel chains, with extensive meeting and event spaces.
Well-known properties include the Sheraton Lima, with over 400 rooms and 3,480 square meters of event space, The Westin Lima, offering 2,295 square meters of event space, and the Swissotel Lima, which also boasts a large convention center and two grand ballrooms.
Eat your way through Lima
Lima, often hailed as the culinary capital of South America, boasts a gastronomic scene that rivals the best in the world. Its restaurants are always featured in the best restaurants in the world guide, and in 2023 Central was named number one. Lima’s culinary extravaganza offers a fusion cuisine like no other, exploring the city's top-notch restaurants that showcase Peru's diverse and rich flavors. The big highlight is Central, where Chef Virgilio Martínez takes guests on a gastronomic adventure inspired by Peru's diverse ecosystems. Each dish reflects the altitude of different regions, creating a unique and unforgettable dining experience. Another famous chef, Gastón Acurio, transforms in his restaurant Astrid y Gastón, traditional Peruvian dishes into culinary masterpieces. From the renowned ceviche to the delectable anticuchos, every bite is a journey through Peru's culinary heritage. For the most scenic restaurant in Lima, try Huaca Pucllana ruins restaurant.
Lima also offers some ideal team building activities through gourmet dining with some of Peru’s finest chefs - creating lasting relationships between colleagues through a love of food, while sharing a new experience with your team in a different country.
Surfing Adventures on Lima’s coast
With some of the best surf breaks in South America, Lima provides the ideal playground for both beginners and experienced surfers. Instructors guide novices through the basics, while seasoned surfers can challenge themselves with the powerful waves of Punta Rocas or La Herradura. The combination of sun, sea, and surf creates an energizing experience that fosters team bonding and camaraderie.
Paracas National Reserve
Paracas is more than just a small coastal town three hours south of Lima. It is a very special place that offers adventure. Known for its otherworldly landscapes and unique wildlife, the coastal desert offers a stark contrast to the urban vibrancy of Lima.
Attendees can embark on a thrilling off-road excursion through the Paracas National Reserve, where the stark beauty of red sand dunes meets the deep blue hues of the Pacific Ocean. A highlight of the Paracas experience is the Ballestas Islands boat tour, often referred to as the "Poor Man's Galapagos." Flamingos, Humbold penguins, sea lions, and a myriad of bird species add a touch of wildlife spectacle to this surreal desert setting.
Paracas offers some other adventures like sandboarding, a desert alternative to snowboarding and sand dune tours in a buggy. Attendees will get an adrenaline high from the buggies’ twists and turns, while a more sedated, yet strenuous, way to visit the park is by a 20-mile cycle round around the National Reserve.
Uncover Lima through incentive travel
Lima has so much to offer as both a meeting and an incentive travel destination. The coast has some of the most delightful sights, such as Paracas National Park with its gorgeous desert landscapes and the marine wildlife at the Ballestas Islands. An incentive trip like no other, waiting for you in South America. Can you see yourself here?
It is time to host your next meeting or event in Lima.
Image credits:
City by the sea image - Photo by Anton Lukin on Unsplash
Other images - Adobe Stock