Miraflores Malecón

The malecón runs along the top of the barranco, the eroded cliff that separates Miraflores from the sea, as a string of connected parks - Parque del Amor, Parque Yitzhak Rabin, Parque María Reiche, Miraflores lighthouse - with paths, lawns, sculpture and viewpoints for around ten kilometres, continuing into Barranco to the south. Paragliders launch from the cliff edge at the Raimondi park and circle above the buildings on the sea breeze, and tandem flights operate on most days with wind. Below, the Costa Verde highway runs along the shore with beaches that are stony and popular with surfers. Larcomar, a shopping centre built into the cliff face, sits underneath the promenade at one point. The whole thing is at its best on a clear evening, which in Lima means the December to April months; from June to October it is grey.

What you actually see

• The clifftop parks - ten kilometres of connected green above the Pacific.
• The paragliders - tandem flights launching directly off the cliff edge.
• The Costa Verde - the shore road and stony surf beaches below.
• Larcomar - the shopping centre built into the cliff face.

When to go

December to April for sun and clear evenings; June to October is grey and damp. Two to three hours to walk a good stretch. Sunset is the busiest and best time.

Honest expectations

Under the coastal cloud for half the year, when there is no view and no colour. Paragliding is weather-dependent and flights are cancelled often. Busy with runners and cyclists. Normal city caution applies after dark.

Nearby

Parque Kennedy is inland in Miraflores; Barranco is south along the cliff.