What is?

The Magic Water Circuit is one of the most famous recreational spaces in Lima. It has architectural monuments, spaces for artistic exhibitions, green areas and, most strikingly, thirteen water fountains with a music show and colored lights.

In addition to the beautiful postcards offered by the light show (especially at night), the Magic Water Circuit is an ideal outdoor space to go with children. They enjoy entering the pools and having fun with the water jets. The highest jet reaches 80 meters.

The city of Lima, capital of Peru, has several parks of different size. This park is one of the largest in the city. It covers an area of ​​eight hectares. It was designed by the French architect Claude Sahut under a neoclassical style. Inside there are architectural monuments as well as sculptures by Peruvian artists. In 1980 it was declared a Monumental Urban Environment of the city.

Each font has a name. The most famous are:

• 1. The ‘Fountain with light show’.
• 2. The ‘Fountain of Illusion’.
• 3. The ‘Magic Fountain’.
• 4. The ‘Fountain of Life’.
• 5. The ‘Rainbow Fountain’.
• 6. The ‘Fountain of Harmony’.
• 7. The ‘Tanguis Fountain’.
• 8. The ‘Children’s Fountain’.
• 9. The ‘Fountain of Fantasy’.
• 10. The ‘Fountain of Traditions’.
• 11. The ‘River of Desires Fountain’.
• 12. The ‘Visible Dome Fountain’.
• 13. The ‘Fountain tunnel of surprises’.

Where is?

The Magic Water Circuit is located in the center of Lima. It is part of the so-called ‘Parque de la Reserva’, located in the Santa Beatriz neighborhood in the Cercado de Lima district.

From the tourist district of Miraflores it is 5.6 kilometers down the Petit Thouars avenue. It is worth mentioning that it is located next to the National Stadium of Lima.

How to get there?

The Magic Water Circuit is crossed by up to three main avenues: a) Petit Thouars avenue, b) Arequipa avenue and c) Paseo de la República avenue.

To get there you just have to take any public transport that runs through these avenues. Most foreign tourists stay in the Miraflores district. From there you can take the ‘Blue Corridor’ buses (cost of 1 sol 50 cents).

Site Map

History

The history of the Magic Water Circuit is related to the Exhibition Park, an immense public space for Lima families during the first decades of the 20th century. During the government of President Augusto B. Leguía (at the end of 1926) the construction of the Reserve Park began, a place full of green areas, sculptures and architectural monuments. The name of the park was in honor of the troop of reservists that defended the city in the battles of Miraflores and San Juan.

The park was completed in 1929, becoming one of the main public spaces in the city. Later, the park was improved with the construction of a trellis around the perimeter of the site. In 1980 the park was declared a Monumental Urban Environment. However, in the following years the Reserve Park gradually deteriorated.

In 2000 the park was reopened after a remodeling. Finally, in 2007, during the administration of Mayor Luis Castañeda Lossio, the ‘Magic Water Circuit’ was inaugurated. The investment was 13 million dollars, an amount that generated criticism in the population of Lima. The park holds the Guinness World Record for having the largest water fountains in one public place.

What to see?

Cybernetic water sources – The thirteen water sources are the main tourist attraction of the park. There are fountains to appreciate and take unique photos, such as ‘The fountain with light show’. There are also sources for fun for children, young people and people with a young spirit, such as ‘The children’s fountain’ or ‘The tunnel of surprises fountain’.

Ornamental fountains – In addition to cybernetic fountains, there are others that show sculptures and structures such as works of art built at the beginning of the 20th century. Highlights, for example, ‘The source of the indigenous women’, ‘The Seville source’, ‘The source of income to the reserve park’ and ‘The source of the loggia’.

Historical monuments – The park has historical monuments that represent facts and characters in the history of Peru. Many of them were built from the first decades of the 20th century. It should be noted: ‘La logia’ (Italian-influenced construction with neoclassical arches and columns), ‘El Fermín Tanguis’ (sculptures with pre-Hispanic motifs in honor of the Puerto Rican merchant who promoted the cotton industry in Peru), ‘El Sucre monument’ (sculpture in homage to the Venezuelan military hero of the famous Battle of Ayacucho) and ‘La casa Sabogal’ (architectural work with indigenous motifs made by the famous Peruvian artist José Sabogal).

Ecology – Despite being in the heart of Lima, an area contaminated by the thousands of cars that circulate through the streets of the city, the Magic Circuit of Agua has extensive green areas where it is possible to see ficus, ash trees, mimosa, molles, palm trees as well as various types of birds.

Price of admission

The entrance ticket has a cost of 4 Peruvian soles per person.

People with disabilities pay 2 Peruvian soles by presenting their CONADIS disability card.

The cost of parking services is 10 Peruvian soles (flat rate) for cars and 30 Peruvian soles for buses.

Hours of operation

The opening hours are Monday through Thursday from 2:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.

From Friday to Sunday the opening hours are from noon to eight at night.

Photos

See more traveler pictures

See more traveler pictures

More information

The park has an expo-tunnel that shows the history and attractions of the place in an interactive exhibition. There are also changing rooms, topics, toilets, lost property area and emergency exits.

In the Magic Water Circuit, cultural activities are usually carried out such as ‘Storytelling’, ‘Gastronomic fairs’, ‘Story shows’, ‘Sports activities’ and more.

For many people, the best time to visit this park is at night, as this is when the light show of the water fountains is best appreciated.

Children are the ones who enjoy this park the most. They often enter light sources where they inevitably soak up water. Try to bring a towel and extra clothes with you. Young people and people with a young spirit can also enter the sources.

Next to this park is the historic National Stadium of Lima, the sports venue where the Peruvian Soccer Team plays at home. Soccer lovers should not miss the opportunity to take a photo there.