Larco Museum

Larco Museum

The Larco Museum is one of Lima's most interesting and fun museums. The museum hosts an exciting collection of ceramics, gold, silver, erotic art, and textiles.

Read more
Plan my TripPlanned with a local insider, takes just 2 minutes.
2,600+ Verified Reviews

Founded in 1926, the Larco Museum houses the largest private collection of Peruvian pre-Colombian art. There are more than 45,000 pieces, mostly Nasca ceramics, that were found and restored by Rafael Larco Hoyle and his father. Rafael Larco Hoyle had a sharp eye for Peru's ancient crafts. Before his collection was turned into a museum, some of the ceramics were used for home decoration or drinking chicha (corn beer).

The first part of the museum shows northern Peruvian crafts, while the other two parts show Peru's crafts from the southern, central, and highlands regions. These exhibits give a comprehensive view of the cultures that existed from 7000 BC to the 16th century.

The gold and silver collections are particularly impressive. Gold was seen as the metal of the sun, day and masculinity; silver carried the same value as gold, but was seen as the metal of the moon, night and women. Metals were buried with the dead as an offering to the gods.

Separate from the main house is a gallery of ancient erotic art and a lush garden. The museum also has textiles on display, including the world record Paracas fragment that shows 389 threads to 1 inch.

The whole museum has a serene and homely feel. The garden restaurant is a perfect spot for refreshments or a bite to eat.

Tours & Activities

Experiences in Larco Museum

Explore hand-picked Larco Museum tours and experiences led by local insiders, from wildlife encounters to cultural deep-dives.

Tour

Lodging & Accommodations

Where to stay in Larco Museum

From boutique lodges to luxury resorts, every Larco Museum accommodation is hand-picked by our local insiders for location, comfort, and character.

San Augustin Colonial

Lima’s Miraflores district is studded with grassy, landscaped parks, referred to as “plazas.” This was a design favored by the Spanish colonialists, and has become a quintessential element of the Lima landscape. The San Augustin Colonial hotel is a great home base for your exploration of Miraflores, as it's close to some of the prettiest places in Lima.

Swissotel Lima

Swissotel Lima is located in Lima’s San Isidro district. This hotel has comfortable, amenity-rich rooms and a very friendly staff.

Hotel Novotel

Hotel Novotel is found within Lima’s San Isidro district. This hotel is a good option for business travelers and people who want a comfortable, modern hotel.

The Westin Lima Hotel and Convention Center

The Westin Lima Hotel and Convention Center is located within Lima’s vibrant San Isidro district. This hotel is modern and luxurious.

DoubleTree El Pardo by Hilton

The El Pardo DoubleTree is set in the heart of Lima’s Miraflores district. This hotel has a superb location and good facilities.

Casa Cielo Hotel

At Casa Cielo Miraflores you’ll have a room in one of Lima’s most attractive neighborhoods.

Costa del Sol Wyndham Airport

Costa de Sol caters to busy travelers with a variety of 24-hour services. This hotel is right outside the Jose Martí International Airport, making it ideal for travelers with a flight to catch.

Hotel Radisson Decapolis Miraflores

Raddison Decapolis is in Miraflores’ business district, which puts you within walking distance of a huge selection of restaurants and shopping, including the Larcomar center.

Hotel Stefanos

Hotel Stefanos offers clean, comfortable rooms in an excellent location. The Miraflores neighborhood of Lima has a high concentration of museums and restaurants that travelers should be sure not to miss.

Four Points Miraflores

The Four Points hotel is set in the Miraflores district of Lima. This hotel has modern, comfortable rooms and a convenient location.

Sol de Oro Hotel & Suites

Sol de Oro hotel is a short distance from Lima’s coast, and puts you in the heart of the ritzy Miraflores neighborhood. The hotel has a plush, luxurious interior that matches its surroundings.

Sonesta Posada del Inca Miraflores

Sonesta Posada del Inca Miraflores is a comfortable hotel set within Lima’s fashionable Miraflores district. The hotel is small and has large rooms.

Trips to Inspire

Larco Museum itineraries

Explore hand-picked Larco Museum itineraries designed by local insiders who know every hidden corner. Each trip is completely flexible, customized to your pace, travel style, and budget.

From $1,909 per person

10 days · Lima, Cusco, Aguas Calientes, Puno

Family

Very professional service, very good organization overall. Everything went smoothly. We ABSOLUTELY will recommend Anywhere.com to our friends. And for our future trips, we will first look at what anywhere.com is offering before looking elsewhere.

10 days · Lima, Cusco, Aguas Calientes, Puno

Peru

From $1,924 per person

10 days · Lima, Urubamba, Aguas Calientes, Cusco

Family

I learned so much of it's history and have such respect for it's culture.

10 days · Lima, Urubamba, Aguas Calientes, Cusco

Peru

From $6,228 per person

18 days · Lima, Iquitos, Urubamba, Aguas Calientes +3

Couple

Anywhere Peru made our dream 38th-anniversary trip come true!

18 days · Lima, Iquitos, Urubamba, Aguas Calientes +3

Peru

Belong Anywhere

In their words