Lima Will Host the 2019 Pan American Games & Invests in the City’s Future

Lima Will Host the 2019 Pan American Games & Invests in the City’s Future

Lima's Stadium looks forward to the 2019 Pan Am GamesLima's mayor celebrates the upcoming 2019 Panamerican Games in Lima Colonial architecture of the historic center of Lima, Peru

Lima has been enjoying a steadily increasing profile over the last years, especially its culinary scene. This month, Peru’s capital city pulled off another coup winning the competition to host the 2019 Pan American Games, beating other contending cities such as Santiago, La Punta, and Ciudad Bolívar. This is the first time the games will be held in Peru. The Peruvian delegation made a strong case to win the honor for Lima, arguing in emotional bilingual speeches and promotional videos that Lima was the only capital city candidate boating a shoreline and a temperate climate conducive for athletic competition. In addition, Lima’s airport is considered the best in South America.

Love Park in Miraflores, Lima, overlooking the Pacific Ocean
Love Park in Miraflores, Lima, overlooking the Pacific Ocean

As 12,000 athletes from all over the Americas compete for medals in 40 sports disciplines, tens of thousands will descend upon Lima to watch. The potential is tourism earnings is considered great enough for the city to invest in an estimated US$712 million of new projects and renovations, mainly in sporting centers to accommodate the competitions, which include equestrian sports, volleyball, boxing, football, basketball, boxing, fencing, diving and swimming. Some of the projects which will be built from scratch are a new hockey and rugby stadium, skating rink, rafting and oaring area, the athlete’s village, and a new coliseum which will later serve as a convention center for concerts and exhibitions. According to the estimates announced by Lima’s local officials, 90% of what is invested in the games will stay in the country.

The historic Plaza Mayor of Lima
The historic Plaza Mayor of Lima

Not only will Lima be housing the athletes and officials and hosting the competitions, it will also be in charge of organizing the opening and closing ceremonies, which are sure to show off the city’s thousand year history.

If you feel inspired to get active in and around the City of Kings, Lima offers a variety of options:

  • Rafting the Cañete River or Lunahuana
  • Tandem paraglide off of the seaside cliffs in Miraflores
  • Take surfing lessons in Miraflores
  • Consider a biking tour of the city

8105164135_3124022f3b_hKennedy Park 18Kennedy Park 27

Checking in at Pirwa Inclan B&B in Miraflores, Lima
Checking in at Pirwa Inclan B&B in Miraflores, Lima

 

Pirwa has two hostels in Lima, Peru: Pirwa Inclan B&B (your choice for private rooms with private baths) and Pirwa Prada Hostel (the best budget option for those of you who prefer shared dormitories).

Both are located in Miraflores, the most-recommended neighborhood for travelers, and offer all of the services you’ve come to expect from us, from a continental breakfast to free computer use and wi-fi.

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