Our Location in Lima, Peru

EL SOL is located in Miraflores, the cultural and entertainment heart of Peru's capital, Lima. This district of the city is a wonderful place to begin to learn about the unique history and culture of the country. The main square of Miraflores, just a short walk from the school, is easy to find. Exploring the dozens of nearby restaurants, cafes, stores, parks and hotels is an interesting introduction to this unique city. There are hundreds of important historical sites to be seen in Lima, but that is only part of the experience. Lima has many interesting activities going on all the time.

District of Miraflores - Lima

The history of Miraflores is as old as the history of Peru itself. For thousands of years, people have lived in this beautiful area where the cliffs overlook the Pacific Ocean. Traces of ancient cultures, such as the Huaca Pucllana, can still be found nearby.

Shortly after Lima was founded in 1535, Spanish colonists began to populate the area, and named 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.

By the 1950's, Miraflores had become an important commercial center that rivaled downtown Lima. The development threatened the district's original charm and, in the 1990's, the municipality began an aggressive campaign to recuperate green areas such as parks and medians to recapture the district's original beauty.

Take a look at our Photo Gallery of Miraflores.

Climate

Weather & Time in Lima

Lima is subject to two-well defined seasons

• Summer is from December through March; days are sunny and temperatures can reach 30 degrees Celsius (86 degrees Fahrenheit).

• Winter runs from July to September; skies are generally overcast and the temperature dips to 13 degrees Celsius (55 degrees Fahrenheit).

Whatever the time of year, it hardly ever rains.

Security

Miraflores is one of the safest areas of Lima, so with proper precautions - and some good common sense - personal security is not a problem.

Lima - The Nation's Capital

Lima is the City of Kings and it is one of the most exciting places in South America. It boasts a rich cultural heritage and a modern urban mindset.

The city has many diverse faces; from the vividly painted colonial construction in the downtown core, to the makeshift houses built on the dry rolling hills of the outskirts, to the new shopping plazas and bank towers.

There is something for everyone in Lima. UNESCO ranks the architecture as a world heritage site, gourmets rate the cuisine as one of the finest in the world and the vibrant music and arts scene makes for an exciting nightlife. There is always a museum to visit, an art gallery to see or a nightclub to go dancing.

In addition, Lima is the natural springboard for the rest of your travels; it is centrally located on the Pacific coast and has road, train and air links to the rest of Peru and South America.

Peru

Peru is one of the leading tourist destinations in South America and there is an amazing variety of things for you to see and do while you are here. You can visit the lost city of Machu Picchu or take a cruise down the Amazon River. One weekend you can a stay in a small mountain village and the next visit a beautiful beach and watch the sunsets.

And that's just the beginning. You can spend a lifetime exploring this incredible country. Peru will mystify and amaze you.