In the remote reaches of interior Peru, the Andes Mountains serve as the perfect environment for condors, pumas and other iconic South American animals to flourish—but you don’t have to venture far from the capital to find wildlife. While Lima comes equipped with a lengthy coastline that’s brimming with marine creatures, those in search of indigenous birdlife can look no further than Los Pantanos de Villa, a verdant preserve that’s regarded as one of the top birdwatching sites in all of the province.
Measuring in at over 250 hectares, this coastal preserve provides visitors with a chance to marvel at the lush wetlands that were once common across the region, with three distinct routes available for birdwatchers to explore. During a stroll down the Circuito Tradicional, guests can take in scenic vistas of the 50-hectare Laguna Mayor, with Andean lapwings, tropical kingbirds and even the occasional wild guinea pig making an appearance—but for a particularly unique experience, don’t miss out on the Circuito Génesis. While this sprawling lagoon can be explored by foot, it’s best experienced from the comfort of a boat, with multiple excursions taking place each day via canoe and catamaran.
While the reserve’s native birds are most active during dawn and dusk, there’s still a wealth of local species that can be encountered in broad daylight. During a river cruise, guests are certain to spot an abundance of neotropic cormorants—an easily-recognizable diving bird that feeds mostly on fish—while scores of black-crowned night herons can be seen peeking through the reeds as boats pass by. Alongside wading birds like the roseate spoonbill and striated heron, visitors can also look forward to their fair share of passerines, with potential appearances from the blue-gray tanager and scrub blackbird. And of course, no trip to Los Pantanos de Villa is complete without exploring its final segment—the aptly-named Circuito Marvilla.
Located in the southernmost reaches of the park, this scenic expanse of marshland is located just a few steps away from the Pacific shoreline, imbuing the area with a diverse array of shorebirds and other beach-dwelling avian species. From the comfort of the parking lot, guests can spot whimbrels, black-necked stilts and American oystercatchers, while the occasional black skimmer—a striking seabird that uses its lengthy lower bill to skim the water for prey—can be spotted as well. However, few local birds can match the acclaim of the Chilean flamingo, a colorful creature that can be found from Ecuador to the southernmost tip of South America. Though they’re far from the most common species found in the refuge, lucky visitors may be able to catch a glimpse of one or two of the birds sifting through the lagoon in search of shrimp and other invertebrates.
Though Peru has long been renowned for its towering peaks and lush interior jungles, this storied nation is also home to its fair share of wetlands, with Los Pantanos de Villa acting as a crucial refuge for the avifauna that’s called the modern-day Lima area home for eons. As you plan your next wildlife-focused foray into the depths of the Amazon, be sure to save some space on the itinerary for a pre-departure deep dive into the wildlife of Lima, with no shortage of dazzling species found just south of the city center.