Lima epitomizes South America's economic and cultural dichotomy. From the vibrantly
painted colonial architecture in the downtown center, to the rustic homes built on dry, rolling hills on the city's suburbs,
to the modern bank towers and shopping plazas, Lima is a dynamic and diverse society. In fact, UNESCO ranked its architecture
as a world heritage site. Lima's gourmet cuisine, lively music, and art scene
are some of the best in the world.
Miraflores, a part of Lima, is
a beautiful city built on the edge of cliffs, with amazing views, colorful parks,
charming alamedas, breathtaking sunsets and nice beaches.
This city offers many cultural offerings
such as theatres, museums, art galleries, and outdoor concerts. Its progressive and modern standard of living allows Miraflores
the luxuries of fine dining restaurants, night clubs, casinos, sports fields, as well as many other attractions that make
this city a wonderful part of Peru to visit. The neighborhood is modern and clean, and the main streets teem with cozy cafés,
pubs, restaurants and nightclubs. Miraflores is without a doubt the foremost entertainment and commercial district in Lima.
People have lived in the Miraflores
area for thousands of years, leaving behind traces such as the Huaca Pucllana. Shortly after Lima was founded in 1535, Spanish
colonists began to populate the Miraflores area, naming it San Miguel de Miraflores.
In the 1800´s, the area gained popularity
as a beach resort and by the end of the century, it had evolved into an exclusive residential neighborhood. In the 1950´s,
Miraflores began to develop as a commercial center that soon rivaled downtown Lima.
In the 1990´s, the municipality began
an aggressive campaign to recuperate green areas and most recently, there has been a boom of construction of low-rise apartment
buildings that are replacing old, single-family homes.
Miraflores is a great place to visit for those who wish to study Spanish in a culturally wealthy
country such as Peru with its access to indigenous cultures and natural, untouched habitats, yet would like the comforts of
a modern city.
