🇵🇪 Peru
From the peaks of the Andes to the Amazon basin, Peru demands both breathless wonder and sturdy hiking boots.
Lima
Capital
PEN
Currency
Spanish
Language
May – Oct
Best Time
13
UNESCO Sites
Right
Driving Side
UTC-5
Time Zone
Type A / B / C
Plug Type
6.5/10
Safety
+51
Calling Code
Peru is a country of intense altitudes and ancient engineering, defined by the towering Andes and deep Amazonian jungles. Most journeys begin in Lima’s culinary centre before ascending to Cusco, the historic anchor of the Sacred Valley. Navigating the logistics here is essential. You will need to understand the new Machu Picchu ticket circuits to see the citadel properly, and decide whether to book the classic Inca Trail months in advance or opt for alternative treks like Salkantay. Beyond the Inca heartland, acclimatise for a Rainbow Mountain day trip or travel south to navigate the floating reed islands of Lake Titicaca. Whether you are eating ceviche by the Pacific or spotting macaws in Tambopata, Peru rewards careful planning with unmatched Andean landscapes.
Cities & Destinations
Explore our in-depth guides for Peru’s essential hubs.
Interactive Map
Click any pin to explore our guides for that destination.
Quick Facts
Geography
- Region
- South America
- Capital
- Lima
- Highest Peak
- Huascarán (6,768 m)
- UNESCO Sites
- 5
Country Info
- Languages
- Spanish, Quechua, Aymara
- Currency
- Sol (PEN)
- Driving Side
- Left
- Plug Type
- A, B, C (220V)
Travel Essentials
- Peak Season
- Jun – Aug
- Safety
- Moderate
- Solo-Friendly
- ✅ Yes
- Family-Friendly
- ⚠️ With care (altitude)
Money & Budget
Budget Traveler
$40–70
Hostels, local menu del dia lunches, public buses.
Mid-Range
$80–180
Boutique guesthouses, tourist trains, guided day trips.
Luxury
$250–600+
Luxury lodges, Belmond trains, top-tier Lima dining.
Average Costs
- Hotel Night
- $60 – $150
- Hostel / Camp
- $10 – $25
- Local Meal
- $3 – $8
- Coffee
- $2 – $4
- Taxi Ride
- $3 – $7
- Museum
- $5 – $15
Money Tips
- ATMs
- Widespread, BCP often charges no fee.
- Credit Cards
- Accepted in cities; carry cash elsewhere.
- Cash Tips
- 10% in restaurants if not included.
- Tipping
- Guides expect $5-10 per day.
Entry Requirements
| Nationality | Visa Requirement | Max Stay | Cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| USA | Visa not required | 90 days | Free |
| UK | Visa not required | 90 days | Free |
| EU / Schengen | Visa not required | 90 days | Free |
| Canada | Visa not required | 90 days | Free |
| Australia | Visa not required | 90 days | Free |
| India | Visa required (unless holding US/UK/Schengen visa) | 180 days | Varies |
Always confirm with the official government source before travel.
Vaccinations
- Recommended
- Hep A, Typhoid, Yellow Fever
- Required
- None (Yellow Fever if from risk zone)
- Malaria Risk
- Low (Amazon basin only)
- Water
- Bottled or filtered only
Passport & Insurance
- Validity
- 6 months from entry
- Blank Pages
- 1 page
- Insurance
- Highly recommended
- Coverage
- Must cover high altitude trekking
Weather & Best Time to Visit
Getting There & Around
International Airports
- Lima
- LIM
- Cusco
- CUZ
- Arequipa
- AQP
Getting Around
- Car Rental
- Not recommended for tourists.
- Domestic Flights
- LATAM or Sky Airline.
- WiFi
- Good in major cities.
- SIM
- Claro or Movistar.
Connectivity
Mobile & Internet
- SIM Providers
- Claro, Movistar, Entel
- SIM Cost
- $5 – $10
- eSIM
- Airalo, Holafly
- WiFi
- Widely available in hotels
- VPN Needed?
- No
Useful Apps
- Maps
- Google Maps, Maps.me
- Translation
- Google Translate (offline Spanish)
- Rides
- Uber, Cabify, InDrive
- Currency
- XE Currency
Things to Do
01
Navigate Machu Picchu Circuits
Book tickets months ahead and choose the correct circuit to see the Inca citadel’s specific terraces and temples.
02
Hike the Inca Trail or Salkantay
Trek through high Andean passes to reach Machu Picchu. The classic route requires permits, while alternative treks offer glacier views.
03
Summit Rainbow Mountain
Take a challenging day trip from Cusco to 5,200m to witness the striking mineral-striped slopes of Vinicunca.
04
Cruise Lake Titicaca
Depart from Puno to visit the Uros floating reed islands and experience local homestays on Taquile Island.
05
Fly Over the Nazca Lines
Board a light aircraft to view massive ancient geoglyphs etched into the desert floor, depicting animals and geometric shapes.
06
Explore the Amazon Basin
Base yourself in Puerto Maldonado or Iquitos for riverboat excursions to spot caimans, monkeys, and vibrant macaws.
UNESCO World Heritage Sites
City of Cusco
The historic capital of the Inca Empire, featuring colonial architecture built directly upon precision-carved Inca stone foundations.
Historic Sanctuary of Machu Picchu
An architectural masterpiece integrating steep mountain topography with terraces, plazas, and astronomical observatories.
Chavin Archaeological Site
An ancient ceremonial centre in the Andean highlands featuring subterranean galleries and intricate stone carvings.
Lines and Geoglyphs of Nasca
Massive pre-Columbian designs scratched into the arid coastal desert, best viewed from the air.
Historic Centre of Lima
The colonial core of the capital, known for its ornate wooden balconies, San Francisco Convent, and grand plazas.
Wildlife Experiences
Andean Condors
Watch these massive birds ride thermal updrafts deep in the Colca Canyon. Best seen during the dry season.
Amazonian Macaws
Visit the Tambopata clay licks at dawn to see hundreds of colourful parrots and macaws gathering to feed.
Humboldt Penguins
Take a boat tour around the Ballestas Islands near Paracas to spot these coastal penguins and sea lions.
Vicuñas
Spot the wild, elegant relative of the alpaca roaming the high-altitude plains of the Salinas and Aguada Blanca National Reserve.
Pink River Dolphins
Take a skiff out on the Amazon River near Iquitos to spot these unique freshwater dolphins surfacing.
Spectacled Bears
Look out for South America's only bear species in the cloud forests surrounding the Machu Picchu sanctuary.
Hidden Gems
Off-the-beaten-path spots most tourists miss.
Kuélap Fortress
Ride a cable car to this massive pre-Inca walled city built by the Chachapoyas culture in the northern cloud forest.
Huacachina Oasis
A tiny village built around a desert lagoon near Ica, perfect for dune buggy rides and sandboarding.
Choquequirao Trek
Hike to a remote, massive Inca site that receives a fraction of Machu Picchu's visitors due to the grueling approach.
Santa Catalina Monastery
Get lost in a sprawling, brightly painted citadel within Arequipa, once home to cloistered nuns for centuries.
Food & Drink
Ceviche
Fresh raw fish cured in citrus juices, spiced with ají peppers, and served with corn and sweet potato.
Lomo Saltado
A Chinese-Peruvian stir-fry combining marinated beef strips, onions, tomatoes, and soy sauce, served over chips and rice.
Cuy al Horno
Roasted guinea pig, a traditional Andean delicacy usually served whole with potatoes and a rich herb sauce.
Ají de Gallina
Shredded chicken in a creamy, mildly spicy sauce made from yellow ají peppers, walnuts, and cheese.
Pisco Sour
Peru’s national cocktail, blending Pisco liquor, lime juice, simple syrup, egg white, and Angostura bitters.
Rocoto Relleno
A spicy Arequipan dish of red rocoto peppers stuffed with minced meat, hard-boiled eggs, and melted cheese.
Where to Stay
Our handpicked recommendations across every budget tier.
Shopping & Souvenirs
Alpaca wool jumpers
Soft, warm Andean knitwear.
Pisco
Traditional Peruvian grape brandy.
Retablos
Colourful wooden diorama boxes.
Maras pink salt
Harvested from ancient Sacred Valley terraces.
Woven textiles
Brightly patterned blankets and runners.
Silver jewellery
High-quality silver with Inca motifs.
Festivals & Events
| Month | Festival / Holiday | Where | What to Expect |
|---|---|---|---|
| February | Virgen de la Candelaria | Puno | Massive folkloric parades and dances. |
| March / April | Semana Santa | Cusco & Ayacucho | Elaborate Easter week processions and flower carpets. |
| June | Inti Raymi | Cusco | Reenactment of the Inca Festival of the Sun on June 24. |
| July | Fiestas Patrias | Nationwide | Independence Day celebrations (July 28-29) with parades. |
| October | El Señor de los Milagros | Lima | Huge religious procession honoring the Lord of Miracles. |
| November | Puno Week | Puno | Celebrates the mythical founding of the Inca Empire. |
Language & Useful Phrases
| English | Local (Spanish) | Pronunciation |
|---|---|---|
| Hello | Hola | OH-lah |
| Thank you | Gracias | GRAH-syahs |
| Please | Por favor | pohr fah-VOHR |
| Yes | Sí | see |
| No | No | noh |
| How much? | ¿Cuánto cuesta? | KWAN-toh KWES-tah |
| Where is...? | ¿Dónde está...? | DOHN-deh ehs-TAH |
| Excuse me | Disculpe | dees-KOOL-peh |
| Goodbye | Adiós | ah-DYOHS |
| Cheers | ¡Salud! | sah-LOOD |
Safety
Overview
- Overall
- Moderate risk; exercise caution
- Petty Crime
- High in crowded tourist areas
- Health Risks
- Altitude sickness, traveller's diarrhoea
- Solo Female
- Generally safe, avoid walking alone at night
- At Night
- No
Emergency Numbers
- Police
- 105
- Ambulance
- 106
- Fire
- 116
- Tourist Help
- 1800 (iPeru)
Culture & Etiquette
Do: Acclimatise properly
Spend at least two days in Cusco or the Sacred Valley resting before attempting strenuous hikes like the Inca Trail.
Don't: Photograph locals without asking
Always request permission before taking photos of indigenous people, and expect to give a small tip in tourist areas.
Do: Carry small change
Exact change is necessary for public toilets, small market purchases, and tipping guides or porters.
Don't: Flush toilet paper
Plumbing in Peru is sensitive; always place used toilet paper in the provided bin next to the toilet.
Packing Checklist
- Layered clothing (Andes)
- Waterproof jacket
- Sturdy hiking boots
- High-SPF sunscreen
- Insect repellent (Amazon/Machu Picchu)
- Altitude sickness medication
- Universal travel adapter
- Portable power bank
- Daypack for treks
- Reusable water bottle with filter
- Warm fleece or down jacket
- Sun hat and sunglasses
- Swimwear (hot springs)
- Travel toilet paper
- Basic first aid kit
- Passport and printed tickets
Sample Itineraries
01
Arrive in Lima
Settle into Miraflores or Barranco and enjoy coastal views.
02
Explore Lima
Take a food tour and visit the historic centre and catacombs.
03
Fly to Cusco
Arrive in the Andes and rest to begin acclimatising to the 3,400m altitude.
04
Sacred Valley Tour
Visit the Pisac ruins and market, then head to Ollantaytambo.
05
Inca Trail / Trek Day 1
Begin your multi-day trek or take the scenic train to Aguas Calientes.
06
Inca Trail / Trek Day 2
Cross high mountain passes or explore the cloud forest surroundings.
07
Inca Trail / Trek Day 3
Descend past Inca ruins toward the Machu Picchu sanctuary.
08
Explore Machu Picchu
Enter the citadel early, follow your designated circuit, and return to Cusco.
09
Rainbow Mountain
Take a challenging, early-morning day trip to Vinicunca.
10
Bus to Puno
Travel across the scenic altiplano via the Route of the Sun to Lake Titicaca.
11
Lake Titicaca
Take a boat to the Uros floating islands and Taquile Island.
12
Fly to Arequipa
Arrive in the 'White City' and explore the Santa Catalina Monastery.
13
Colca Canyon
Take a day or overnight trip to spot Andean condors in the deep canyon.
14
Return to Lima
Fly back to the capital for a final ceviche dinner before departure.
Beyond Peru
Suggested Budget Breakdown
How to allocate your daily travel budget in Peru.
Combine Peru With
Popular multi-country trip combinations.
🇵🇪 Peru + 🇧🇴 Bolivia
Travel overland from Cusco to Lake Titicaca, crossing the border to explore the Uyuni Salt Flats and La Paz. Duration: 14–21 days.
🇵🇪 Peru + 🇪🇨 Ecuador
Combine the Inca history of the Andes with a flight north to explore Quito and cruise the Galapagos Islands. Duration: 18–24 days.
🇵🇪 Peru + 🇨🇱 Chile
Contrast the lush Sacred Valley and Machu Picchu with the otherworldly, arid landscapes of the Atacama Desert. Duration: 14–20 days.
Common Questions