“Oh you’ll love it! It’s like the Brooklyn of Lima.” I can’t tell you how many times I’ve heard that in neighborhoods in cities all over the world, and I must said as a girl from Brooklyn, my response is a smile, and a healthy dose of skepticism. Why? Because more often than not, in these cases “Brooklyn culture” that’s been exported throughout the world is synonymous with Williamsburg. That’s not my Brooklyn and frankly, it sells my borough short. But if you mean, the neighborhood is brimming with culture, diversity, creativity, then sure, I’ll take it.

Barranco is definitely cool. It had it’s heyday, was neglected and is definitely booming again. In the 19th century, Barranco, set cliffside on the ocean was the beach resort for Limeño aristocracy. Streets are filled with restored, beautiful old mansions. I even stayed in a hotel that was formerly one. Another hotel I stayed in, Second Home Guest House, set cliffside was home to famed Peruvian artist, Victor Delfín. That’s typical of Barranco: considered to be Lima’s most bohemian and most romantic area, it is home to many of Peru’s leading creatives — artists, designers, photographers, musicians, etc. There are amazing museums in the area — Mario Testino’s museum MATE is there and beautiful parks and ocean views make Peruanos and tourists flock there. This was the perfect place to explore on my first day in Lima.

old casona in Barranco

I walked around, amazed by the beautiful colors of the saturated buildings and ended up at Puente de los Suspiros. Lore states that if you manage to cross the bridge without breathing the first time that you see it, you’ll have a wish granted. The area around the bridge is filled with cute bars and shops popular with locals and tourists. Around the Puente I toured the stone walkway, Bajada de Baño. I think I followed the street art there. The district of Barranco is an Instagrammer’s dream with countless walls of beautiful murals telling stories from whimsy and history in every shade imaginable. So naturally, Barranco needed it’s own photo diary.

Every street was brimming with color and the architecture of the old summer mansions is amazing.

The whole area is filled with murals on the street. Imagine that this is just the normal outside of your building! Wonderful, right?

Here’s the area I was exploring during Never Date a Traveler, around Puente de los Suspiros.

The cool thing is the neighborhood is always changing in two days this mural was painted over and replaced by another one. I’m glad I snagged this picture for posterity.

Barranco, and it’s beautiful microclimate nestled in the ravine, definitely has me sprung,