Sometime next year, I will be travelling to Quito, Ecuador, and Lima, Peru. Consulting my copy of "Numismatourist", I see that there is a numismatic museum in Quito. The Google indicates there is one in Lima as well. Has anyone been to these museums? Or does anyone have any coin-related travel recommendations for Ecuador and Peru?
You can bring a metal detector to Machu Picchu! Only kidding. I know someone living in Peru (not a numismatist) if you have any specific questions about getting around.
We're going to be hiking the Incan Trail up to Macchu Picchu. I don't really want to lug that heavy thing up the side of a mountain!
Regarding numismatics specifically, you may want to try the Museo Numismatico del Peru: http://www.bcrp.gob.pe/museocentral/museo-numismatico-del-peru.html It has received good reviews and is located in a old colonial style house in the center of Lima. The Museo del Oro del Peru is another good one to visit but is not specific to numismatics. It has plenty of old Inca gold, though. The last time I was in Lima there were one or two coin dealers in the Calle la Paz in the district of Miraflores. There is also a street in the center of Old Lima were street vendors sell coins. May want to ask about that. Machu Picchu is certainly worth it, for sure. However, by far the best thing about Peru is not coins or old ruins - it is the food........too many excellent restaurants to mention.
As far as big cities, we are going to Lima and Cusco, primarily (which, I know, are the tourist centers). But I love food! If you can recommend any "must go" restaurants, I'll try to check them out. We're spending several days in the Cusco area, a few days in the Porto Moldanado area of the Amazon, and we're spending a day or two in Lima as "extended layovers" during the journeys. We're also going to cruise Galapagos, hence a day or two in Quito as another extended layover. Basically, we've got 6 or 7 days in the Andes, Macchu Picchu, Cusco area, 5 days in the Amazon, and 8 days in the Galapagos, with a couple days in between each big leg in the major cities. Any "must see" locations in these cities would be welcome as well.
As mentioned, there are just too many good restaurants in Lima, but one that I really like (even if it is not in the top 10) is Jose Antonio. They have now 3 locations in Lima and specialise in typical Peruvian 'old-style' cooking. Nothing too fancy but delicious. I wish I could go....
Don't forget to try the Pisco while you're there. They're very proud of it and if you want to make a joke (with someone you're on friendly terms with and in the right setting) tell them you heard Chile invented it first. If you don't know the person you say that to, you might start a fistfight...
I believe the museum in Quito houses a gorgeous example of the Moby Dick coin. Take a photo for me if you end up seeing it
