Larco Museum (Museo Larco)

The Basics

Housed in an 18th-century viceroyalty mansion, the Larco Museum is a beautiful space favored among locals and tourists for its chronological overview of Peru’s rich history. Visit the neatly categorized rooms on your own or take a guided tour to get a thorough understanding of ancient Peru. To expedite entry, purchase advance tickets online.

Things to Know Before You Go

• The Larco Museum is a must-visit for history and archaeology buffs.

• A stop at the Café del Museo is highly recommended for the beautiful garden views and a taste of Peru’s national dish, ceviche.

• The museum also features a storage room, which is open for public viewing, with more than 45,000 arranged and cataloged pieces.

• All of the museum’s exhibition rooms and gardens are accessible to wheelchair users. Free loaner wheelchairs are available on the ground floor.

How to Get There

The Larco Museum is a 30-minute drive southeast from Miraflores. Alternatively, take bus IO-89 from Parque Kennedy in Miraflores and get off at the corner of Avenida Cipriano Dulanto (La Mar) and Avenida Juan Valer Sandoval (Cueva). The museum is a 10-minute walk from the bus stop.

When to Get There

The museum is open daily from the mid-morning until the late evening, although it closes earlier than usual on December 24, 25, 31, and January 1. Lima is lovely in the spring and summer months, when the bougainvillea—which drapes over the historic white mansion—is in full bloom.

The Story of Museo Larco

In the 1920s, Rafael Larco’s father gave him an ancient Peruvian vessel, sparking his interest in his country’s history and a desire to discover more artifacts. He was a pioneer in Peruvian archaeology and led many expeditions, funded by himself and private donors, to uncover thousands of artifacts and save them from tomb raiders. With a desire to display Peru’s beautiful history to the world, he decided to open the Larco Museum in 1926.