Santiago de Surco
Lima, Peru
Between bohemian Barranco, glitzy Miraflores, and the fishing village of Chorrillos, the Surco district is a part of Lima that is well off the tourist trail, though rife with captivating attractions. Surco has manicured gardens and a grand central square guarded by the baroque Iglesia Santo Apostol, and Museo Oro del Peru, which features a vast collection of gold objects.
The Basics
One of the best times of year to come to Surco is during the Vendimia Festival in April or May. An ode to the district’s wine harvest, the celebration ignites the whole district, with music, drinking, and song. Other than the plaza, churches, and festivals, the museums in Surco—while small in scale—are refreshingly free of crowds, including the wonderful Museo Oro del Peru (Gold Museum).
Travelers may discover Surco on a half-day tour that includes a visit to the privately-owned Museo Oro del Peru where 20,000 pre-Columbian artifacts covering centuries of riches and artifacts of warfare including the gleaming sword of Francisco Pizarro.
Things to Know Before You Go
- Suitable for solo travelers, and couples.
- Families with children will enjoy the playgrounds at Parque de la Amistad.
- Tours may include round trip hotel transfers and admission to the Gold Museum of Peru. Check specific tours for details.
- Tours may require a minimum of two persons attending.
How to Get There
Surco is located about a 15-minute taxi drive from both Miraflores and Barranco neighborhoods. Or take the public Metropolitano bus from various points in the city; moving south to north from Chorrillos, the line runs through Barranco before passing through Miraflores, Surco, San Isidro, Lince and La Victoria into downtown Lima.
When to Get There
Come in April or May for the Vendimia festival celebrating Surco’s wine harvest when the whole district comes alive with music, drinking, and song. In general, the best time to visit Lima is wintertime (May–September), when there is the least amount of rain, especially important if planning a trip to Cusco or trek to Machu Picchu. The summer months (December–March) are warmer, but wetter, and in Lima especially, quite foggy.
Surco Attractions
Aside from the Museo Oro del Peru, the main attractions in Surco make for a great day trip. Visit former colonial sugar plantation San Juan Grande Hacienda with a 16th-century Catholic chapel on the grounds. The Parque Ecologico Loma Amarilla (Yellow Hill Ecological Park) is a 19-acre (16.5-hectare) green oasis in the city with 34 bird species and 23 tree species along with a jogging track.
Travel Like an Expert with AAA and Trip Canvas
Get Ideas from the Pros
As one of the largest travel agencies in North America, we have a wealth of recommendations to share! Browse our articles and videos for inspiration, or dive right in with preplanned AAA Road Trips, cruises and vacation tours.
Build and Research Your Options
Save and organize every aspect of your trip including cruises, hotels, activities, transportation and more. Book hotels confidently using our AAA Diamond Designations and verified reviews.
Book Everything in One Place
From cruises to day tours, buy all parts of your vacation in one transaction, or work with our nationwide network of AAA Travel Agents to secure the trip of your dreams!