There aren’t many cities in South America that can say they have archaeological sites within the city limits. However, the capital of Peru has city-block-sized sites that aren’t even open to the public, notable excavated sites that are tourist attractions in the middle of modern neighborhoods, and there’s an enormous pre-Hispanic ceremonial center just outside the city. It all adds up to a cultural bounty for travelers looking to visit archaeological sites in Lima, Peru.

The Huaca Pucllana archaeological site is in the middle of the Miraflores neighborhood in Lima, Peru.
Where to find archaeological sites in Lima, Peru
The 14-acre (5.5 hectare) Huaca Pucllana archaeological site (15 soles or about US$4) rises up in a residential area of the Miraflores neighborhood of Lima.

The main pyramid at the Huaca Pucllana archaeological site in Lima.

Grab a table on the patio of the Huaca Pucllana Restaurant to enjoy typical Peruvian dishes and views over the archaeological site.

Visitors exploring the Huaca Pucllana archaeological site in Lima.

The original Piedra Sayhuite (pictured above) is located near the city of Cuzco but a replica can be seen in the city of Lima.

Karen exploring the Pachacamac archaeological site near Lima.
Spread out over sandy, hilly ground that runs almost right up to the Pacific, this coastal pre-Hispanic site has been explored since the late 1800s and is home to pyramids, houses, frescoes, burial sites (including a 1,000-year-old cemetery), and more.
Experts believe that Pachacamac was an important religious and ceremonial center that was expanded and changed over time as control of the site moved from the Lima culture to the Wari Culture and then to the Inca.

The Temple of the Sun is the largest and oldest structure at the Pachacamac archaeological site.
The smaller Templo Pintado (Painted Temple) is just 165 feet (50 meters) by 330 feet (100 meters). It’s believed to have been built by the Wari people and may have been largely covered in red frescoes. You can still see a bit of the color, but the frescoes are mostly eroded or destroyed.

An excavated and partially rebuilt pyramid at the Pachacamac archaeological site.
The Pachacamac site flourished for about 1,300 years until Spanish conquistadors invaded it looking for silver and gold. They found none, but, threatened by the society, they destroyed the place and tried to turn everyone into Catholics.
You can drive or walk through the Pachacamac archaeological site. The roads are dusty and the sun is strong, so wear walking shoes, a hat, and sunscreen and have plenty of water. Allow at least an hour if you’re walking, depending on your speed and level of interest. Some areas of the site are off-limits and some seem to have been fairly crudely rebuilt. Sadly, when we were there, some of the red plasterwork had been carved into and scrawled over by vandals.

The museum at the Pachacamac archaeological site near Lima houses treasures from the Lima, Wari, and Incan cultures including pottery and a 7.6 foot tall figure of the Pacha Kamaq creator god (far right).
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Here’s more about Archaeological Sites in the Americas
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