Shopping centres, so says the old American joke, are all more or less the same – you see one, you’ve seen the mall. Larcomar, however, is a shopping centre with a difference. This stunning retail complex has won awards for its design, and its cliff-side setting must be seen to be believed. Shop, bowl, and sit back with a cup of coffee while the sun sets over the Pacific.
Larcomar is home to some 160 different stores, ranging from upmarket boutiques to traditional Peruvian handicraft vendors. The mall is located in the affluent Miraflores area and in general its style is accordingly upmarket. There are certain discounts available for travellers, so bring your passport along to prove your status. When you have had your fill of shopping, there is still plenty more to do. Larcomar has a cinema, a gallery, and a games arcade as well.
Take your time to admire the centre’s original design, a design so groundbreaking that it won Larcomar the Innovative Design in Construction award from the International Council of Shopping Centres. The mall was intentionally built right on the cliffs, so that the unobstructed ocean views would give visitors the visual sensation of being in a ship out at sea.
Enjoy the panoramic views that are available to you from inside the shopping centre. In the distance, you will also be able to make out some settlements and mountains. Explore the Larcomar’s oceanside outdoor plaza, which is expertly landscaped and pleasantly decorated with flowers. Sit back at a restaurant and take in the view with a coffee and a snack.
When the sun goes down, Larcomar keeps going. Catch a movie in the mall’s large cinema, see a play at the in-house theatre, or head to Larcomar’s very own discotheque. Otherwise, enjoy dinner and a drink at one of the many bars and restaurants in the centre. The vivid, gorgeous sunset is a joy to behold.
Larcomar is always open, although its various attractions and events have their own separate hours. The shops are open from morning until late, and most of the restaurants open at midday. Larcomar is located by the coast in Miraflores, some 11.3 kilometres (7 miles) southwest of the historic centre of Lima or roughly 20 minutes by taxi. A variety of nice hotels are available in the area.
