The Magic Water Circuit is a fountain park in the Parque de la Reserva, close to Lima's historic centre. After dark, its fountains are lit and set to music, and the evening ends with a show that projects images onto a curtain of water. It is an easy, family-friendly outing of roughly one to two hours.
Go in the evening, buy tickets at the gate, and take a taxi to the entrance and back instead of walking. Check the current schedule first, because show times and days of operation can change.
Map
What the Magic Water Circuit is
The Magic Water Circuit, known in Spanish as the Circuito Mágico del Agua, is a group of decorative fountains laid out along paths in the Parque de la Reserva, a large public park in the Cercado, the district that contains the historic centre. The complex opened in the late 2000s and is usually described as one of the largest fountain complexes in the world, a claim that has been reported with reference to a record. Treat the superlative as a marketing line rather than a reason to go.
What it offers is simpler and more useful: a clean, well-lit park on a warm evening where families, couples and groups of friends walk between fountains of different shapes and sizes. Some fountains are low and ornamental, others throw water high into the air, and many change colour as the light sequence runs.
It does not replace the sights of the old city, but it works well as an easy evening activity after a day of walking.
Why go at night
By day the park is pleasant, but the fountains are not at their best. The lighting and music are the point, and these only work properly in the dark, so plan to arrive around dusk or soon after. Lima's winter skies are often grey and the light fades early, which helps, while in summer the sun sets later and it is worth being patient.
At night the water is lit in changing colours, and the paths between the fountains are busy but relaxed. Photographs are allowed, and the contrast of illuminated water against the dark sky is easy to capture with a phone, although long exposures need a steady hand.
The show times and the order of the performances are set by the park, and the programme can be rearranged for events or maintenance. Treat any times you read online as guidance only and check the current schedule before leaving. If rain is forecast, which is rare in Lima, check whether the park is open.
Tours and activities
Bookable online, chosen for their traveller reviews.
-
★ Top rated From €52 per person
-
★ Top rated From €85 per person
-
★ Top rated From €94 per person
-
★ Top rated From €55 per person
The Fantasía show
The highlight is a large-scale water show, often named Fantasía, performed at the end of the evening in a purpose-built fountain. High jets and sheets of water form a curtain, and images and short scenes are projected onto the water with a soundtrack, usually accompanied by lasers and lighting. The content is Peruvian in theme, with references to the country's geography and history, although the specific stories and music can change.
This part of the visit can be crowded, so arrive early enough to find a good spot, and stand upwind if you want to avoid the mist. Where you stand affects the view, since the projection is best seen face on.
The show is short, usually lasting less than half an hour, and the entry system and timing are controlled by the park. Ask at the gate whether the show is included in the main ticket or sold separately, and whether there are fixed start times, because arrangements can differ between days.
The tunnel fountain and other highlights
The best-known interactive feature is the tunnel fountain, sometimes called the Tunnel of Surprises. It is a walkway with water arching overhead, so visitors can walk through a tunnel of falling water and stay dry. It is popular with children, and queues can form, so go early or be patient.
Another feature is a large central fountain that throws a tall jet and rotates through coloured lighting. Smaller fountains ring the paths and respond to music, and a few allow visitors to approach closely enough to feel spray. If you want to avoid getting wet, keep to the middle of the path and look at the sign at each fountain.
Not all features operate every night. Some may be closed for maintenance, and the interactive fountains may be switched off in cool weather. This is normal for an outdoor water park, so do not rely on seeing a particular fountain.
Tickets, getting there and staying safe
Tickets are normally sold at the entrance on the day, and there is usually a modest charge, though prices and discounts for children can change, so check on arrival. Pay only at the official ticket windows, and be wary of anyone offering to sell tickets or "skip the queue" nearby, a pattern described in the scams guide.
The park is in an area that is busy in the evening but is not an easy place to wander at night. Take a taxi to the entrance and arrange a return before you enter, or use a ride-hailing app so that the vehicle is identifiable. Avoid walking back through the surrounding streets after the show, when crowds thin out. The safety guide explains how to keep belongings secure and which precautions are sensible.
Keep phones and cameras in a bag or a front pocket in crowds, carry only the cash you need and leave valuables at the hotel.
Families, accessibility and how long to stay
The circuit suits families, because it is open-air, easy to follow and full of things that entertain children. The paths are mostly flat and wide, so strollers are workable and wheelchair users should be able to see most fountains, although crowds, wet surfaces and any steps or ramps may limit access. Ask at the gate if you need help.
Allow one to two hours. That is enough to walk the circuit, stand for the main show and perhaps queue for the tunnel. Bring a light jacket in winter, since the evening air by the water feels cold, and a small waterproof layer for children who will run through the spray.
There are usually snacks and drinks sold inside or nearby, but there is no need to plan a meal around the park. Eat before or afterwards, in a place you have picked in advance, rather than relying on whatever is available when the crowds leave.
Combining it with the centre or Miraflores
The park is a short ride from the historic centre, so it combines well with a daytime visit to the old city. Spend the day seeing the main square and a site such as the San Francisco convent and catacombs, then rest, eat early and arrive at the fountains at dusk. The historic centre guide describes the main stops.
From Miraflores the trip takes a taxi ride of roughly 30 minutes, depending on traffic, so allow for the rush hour. A good plan is to go to the circuit directly from the hotel in the late afternoon, and then return by taxi when the show is over.
For other ideas, the things to do in Lima page lists alternatives, and a quieter evening can be spent in the arty district of Barranco. Common mistakes are arriving too late for the main show, going on a day when the park is closed and walking home through quiet streets.
Where to sleep
-
Find hotels
Miraflores
Easy first base: restaurants, parks and the cliff-top walk
-
Find hotels
Barranco
Art, nightlife and a seaside feel, quieter by day
-
Find hotels
San Isidro
Calm business district with parks, close to Miraflores
-
Find hotels
Historic Centre
Colonial sights on the doorstep, busy by day and quiet at night
Frequently asked questions
Is the Magic Water Circuit worth visiting?
It is worth it for an easy, cheap evening, especially with children. Visitors seeking history will get more from the historic centre, but the fountain show is a pleasant contrast after a day of sightseeing.
How long do you need at the Magic Water Circuit?
One to two hours is enough for the paths, the main show and the tunnel fountain. If queues are long at the interactive features, allow a little more.
What time should I go to the Magic Water Circuit?
Aim to arrive around dusk, since the lighting is the point of the visit. The main show is held later in the evening, but exact times vary, so check the schedule on the day.
Can I buy tickets in advance for the Magic Water Circuit?
Tickets are usually sold at the gate on the day. If an online option exists, use only the park's official channel, and avoid street sellers who offer queue-skipping.
Is the Magic Water Circuit safe at night?
The park itself is busy with families, but the surrounding streets are not ideal for walking after dark. Use a taxi both ways and arrange the return before you enter. See the safety guide.
Will I get wet at the tunnel fountain?
No, the tunnel is designed so that the water arches over your head and you walk through without getting soaked. Other fountains can throw spray, so stay back from those if you want to stay dry.
Is the Magic Water Circuit good for children?
Yes, it is one of the most child-friendly evening activities in the city. The paths are flat, the fountains are bright and the tunnel is a favourite, although the crowds mean children should be kept close.
Does the Magic Water Circuit run every day?
Operating days can vary, and the park may close one day of the week or for maintenance. Confirm opening days and show times shortly before you go.
