A stark juxtaposition to San Isidro’s contemporary look is Huaca Huallamarca, also known by its Quechua spelling, Wak’a Wallamarka. This significant archaeological complex houses a pre-Colombian adobe pyramid that served as an ancient ceremonial burial site. An on-site museum displays artifacts excavated from the site, such as mummies, textiles, wind instruments used to mimic the songs of birds, and pottery carved with unique geometric shapes and anthropomorphic figures by the Lima culture.
Travelers have many options to explore San Isidro. Private and group walking and cycling tours may be half-day, full-day, or combined with visits to the upscale Miraflores neighborhood or even a short cruise from the Callao port. If you would rather hone in on a specific interest, there are tours focusing on art, culture, and San Isidro’s dynamic food scene.
*As the country's center for banking, it might make sense to do your currency exchange transactions here. Be sure to have your passport. *Bring a healthy appetite—and a connoisseur’s palate. San Isidro hosts many of the city’s top restaurants, including Astrid y Gaston, founded by Gastón Acurio, Lima’s most beloved chef and credited with putting Lima cuisine on the map, and Maras, where chef Rafael Piqueras (formerly of El Bulli) employs molecular gastronomy to reinvent traditional dishes from the Andes, the Amazon, and the coast. *Wear comfortable shoes if joining a walking tour.
North of Miraflores, San Isidro is serviced by the city electric express bus, El Metropolitano, along the Ruta Troncal line.
Any time is a good time to visit, as the weather is warm and mild throughout the year. During winter months (May to November), coastal places, such as San Isidro, Barranco, and Miraflores, will be cool, damp, and foggy, so have a sweater or a scarf for nighttime visits.
El Olivar Park (Parque El Olivar) is a welcome respite from the city’s intense traffic and pollution. Declared a National Monument in 1959, the beautiful green space is filled with ancient olive trees, a lagoon, and lawns for quiet picnics. Look for the signs alerting you to all the different and exotic species of birds that make their homes in the trees.
