A park full of magical water fountains, all colorful and timed to music? Yes, please.

Lima is home to the Guinness Book record for the largest water fountain complex in the world. The Magic Water Circuit (Circuito Mágico del Agua) is an 19-acre park in Lima’s downtown with 13 elaborate water fountains. The colors of these fountains continually transform, some with changing water patterns. Some are interactive, like a maze where you can be sprayed at any time or a 34-meter water tunnel to walk through. And some are incredibly elaborate, like a light show timed to traditional Peruvian music with a laser light show.

It was definitely much more impressive than we had expected! And admission? A whole $1.60 (4 Soles).

Magic Water Circuit 1 - Lima Peru - WanderlustersMagic Circuit 7 - Lima Peru - WanderlustersMagic Water Circuit 5 - Lima Peru - WanderlustersMagic Water Circuit 6 - Lima Peru - WanderlustersMagic Water Circuit 3 - Lima Peru - WanderlustersMagic Water Circuit 4 - Lima Peru - WanderlustersMagic Water Circuit 2 - Lima Peru - WanderlustersMagic Water Circuit 8 - Lima Peru - WanderlustersMagic Water Circuit 7 - Lima Peru - Wanderlusters

 

Side Note: Cats

This is off topic, but our walk to the fountains took us through Kennedy Park: a beautiful city park that happens to be home to about 100 cats.

They sleep and play all over the park and if you happen to sit down, it’s only seconds before a cat finds its way to curl up in your lap for a nap. They act so much like this is their home that they take the time to watch the street music shows just like the other locals:

Kennedy Park Cat Watching Show - Lima Peru - WanderlustersKennedy Park Cats - Lima Peru - WanderlustersKennedy Park Cuddling Cats 1 - Lima Peru - Wanderlusters Kennedy Park Cuddling Cats - Lima Peru - WanderlustersKennedy Park Cats Galore - Lima Peru - Wanderlusters

No one is sure how the cats got there (there is much speculation though, including a crazy cat lady who abandoned her pregnant cat in Kennedy park one day) but its known they’ve been there for at least 20 years. The city cleans and disinfects the park with pet-safe products twice a day, and there is a caretaker group who weekly brings a couple of the cats to the vets to be checked, vaccinated and neutered.

What a strange find!

PRACTICAL INFORMATION

Hours: Open 1600 – 2300h from Wednesday to Sunday
Admission: 4 soles (~$1.50)

Going in the later evening is the best time to go as the illumination will shine brightest. We spend an hour in the park, and could have easily spent double that. In addition to watching the fountains, there is also a laser and light show that runs every 45 minutes.