Lima nightlife is a lot of fun. Some of the cool places to hang out in Lima after dark are located in the districts of Miraflores and Barranco.  In Miraflores, there are some great cafes, salsa clubs, and "video bars" in the Calle de las pizzas next to Parque Kennedy.  There are  two great danceclubs in Miraflores. Gothica and Aura. They are huge, play all types of music including electronic. They have gorgeous terraces facing the ocean. Make sure you are well dressed or you won't be allowed to get in. You will find yourself partying with beautiful people and having a great time. Avoid downtown Lima, it is not nice to party there. Stay in Miraflores and some spots in Barranco. If you visit Lima during summer time, head to Asia beaches, 100km south of Lima, visit the Boulevard, Cafe del Mar, etc. Again, make sure you are well dressed.

If you want to have a different experience you can go to "penas" in Barranco: Del Carajo and Rompe y Raja. Other interesting spots in Barranco are La Noche, a bohemian place featuring some local musicians and a very intelectual crowd. "La Posada del Angel" in the Puente de los suspiros area, is great as well. You can sit on terraces facing the ocean. Fantastic! These are spots to have previos (some appetizers and drinks) before going for the real thing (clubbing literally all night long). Bars will generally open around 9 or 10 pm and stay open until early the next morning. The nice thing about the bars in Lima is that the drinks are always inexpensive. If you get some of the local drinks it is even cheaper. 

Lima offers lots of excellent restaurants featuring some of the best chefs in the word. Some restaurants you should go to: Aqua, at the Costa Verde restaurant, La Rosa Nautica, Astrid y Gaston, Las Brujas de Cachiche, Jose Antonio.

For the real Lima experience, you can't miss a visit the El Club Nacional (if you know someone there), Club Regatas Lima, La Calesa Bar, Huaringas (Bar at the Brujas de Cachiche), El cocodrilo Verde.

Explore fancy San Isidro, La Molina and Chacarilla for a sample of comtemporary Lima's arquitecture. Head to Cieneguilla (20km southeast Lima) for an encounter with nature and El Pueblo in Chosica for a relaxed weekend.

If you an ice-cream lover, try 4d and Laritza, best ice icream in the Continent! You can find them in Miraflores and in Chacarilla at the Polo Mall (across the US Embassy).

Unless you want to buy crafts, shopping in Lima is more expensive than in the US. Limeans love lables and just like in Europe, brands such as Calvin Klein, Donna Karan, Kenneth Cole, Tommy Hilfiger, Polo or Benetton, are much more expensive than in the US.

Be aware that in many of the bars and clubs you go to, there might be some locals who will try to rip you off.

Limeans love to party and if you know some locals you will have a great time there. Food is wonderful, people are very friendly.