If you’re planning your first trip to Peru, you will find this little cheat sheet useful. Just the most important Peru travel tips that you’d otherwise either have to comb the internet for, plus insider info that you’d never know unless you’ve been to the country. Like what alpaca meat tastes like. Want more insights? Learn more about Peru.
One key insight from me: There is one song that you’ll hear all day every day everywhere in Peru, so if you really want to get into the Peruvian spirit, crank up Simon & Garfunkel’s El Condor Pasa, sit back, relax, and imagine you’re sipping coca tea. And then start reading this article.
I’ll let you prepare...
Ready? Ok, let’s start:
Peru acts all inconspicuous over there just chilling by the ocean, a few mountains here and some jungle there. But it delivered stunner after stunner. There was so much still waiting to be seen after my first venture to the country, I wanted to go back asap!
Peru is amazing!
Overall, I’m giving Peru a 10/10. It’s now on top of the list of our favorite countries to travel to right next to Chile, South Africa, USA and Spain. This is what I thought about other categories that are interesting to travelers:
Weather 10/10
Infrastructure 6/10
Services 8/10
Food 9/10
Price level 9/10
Hotels 5/10
Landscape 10/10
Cities 7/10
Hikes 10/10
Overall 10/10
You’re welcome!
Peru has beautiful museums and urban centers, but also some great hikes
Was it shady, scary, with everyone and their dog side-eying us? Not a chance. Safety was not something I was too worried about in Peru. It’s infinitely less bad than the government advisories want you to believe.
Did I occasionally feel like Peruvians were maniacs that are out to get me? Yes, but that was limited to my driving experience in Lima and to a lesser degree in Arequipa. You can get all the juicy details about driving in Peru in my other article.
Otherwise, I felt good everywhere I went, even in cities. Disclaimer: Keep in mind I don’t purposefully go out looking for dark alleys, neither am I a party animal that ends up visibly intoxicated at 2 am offering my iPhone up for grabs to opportunists.
Avoid driving in Lima at all costs!
There is a policía turismo presence in all larger towns. In Cusco, for example, they monitor the Plaza de Armas 24/7. They keep an eye on any shady behaviors and can answer tourist questions (mostly in Spanish). Their uniforms are sand color with a green vest.
The basic rule of thumb that will save you an unpleasant surprise is: when the women and children disappear, it’s time to turn back.
First things first: summer and winter are flipped in Peru (for those of us from the northern hemisphere). Summer is December to February and winter coincides with the northern hemisphere’s summer holidays, which makes the winter the most popular months to visit Peru.
Rainbow Mountain
The weather in Peru is different depending on whether you’re in the mountains, on the coast, or in the jungle.
On the coast, it rarely rains, but the area around Lima is shrouded in fog from April to September. The fog keeps the temperatures mild in the winters: a daytime average of 20°C (68°F). Summers are hot with averages in the daytime at 27°C (80°F). In the northernmost parts of Peru’s coast, it’s summer all year long.
If you’re coming to Peru in the summer hoping to treat it as a beach vacation, think again. The Humboldt Current keeps the water nice and chilly year-round.
In the Andes Mountains, which is where you’ll find Machu Picchu, Cusco, Rainbow Mountain and Sacred Valley (among other gems), you’re looking at temperatures around 20°C (68°F) year-round during the day—slightly more in the summer, less in the winter, but nothing extreme unless you’re on an actual mountain trek.
Machu Picchu
What’s important to consider in the mountains weather-wise is the rain. Summer in Peru is the dry season, winter is rain season. The rain in wet season will usually come in hard and fast, but you could be unlucky and be witness to one of those all-day rains that don’t happen as often.
Weather in the jungle is as you’d expect—either humid or very humid, rainy or very rainy, and always hot. Again, the rain increases in the summer, but you’ll be drenched in your own sweat anyway, so who cares. Average daytime temperatures hover around 32°C (89°F) year-round.
All I can say is this: no matter when you’re visiting Peru, bring layers and SPF lotion.
The people of Peru are unbelievably sweet! Sometimes it felt almost bizarre to me how helpful everyone was being without expecting something in return. I know, how cynical am I?! But you can’t be mad, it all comes from experience in some other parts of the world.
Coca tea for free! Goodbye, altitude sickness
Peruvians are friendly, generous, and—if they aren’t driving—they generally follow the rules.
From my experience, Peruvians are remarkably rule-abiding, especially in public spaces. Whether it’s lining up patiently, adhering to guidelines, or showing respect for shared spaces, their sense of community shines through. As a traveler, you might find their approach inspiring—or even humbling—especially when your fellow tourists seem to disregard the same rules.
As far as touting tourist services, the people of Peru were not pushy at all. Of course, they offer guide services here and an alpaca selfie there, but it was never annoying. They keep it real and can take a ‘no’ for an answer.
That said, hiring an official tourist guide can truly elevate your experience, especially at sites like Machu Picchu. Guides in Peru undergo extensive study and rigorous testing to earn their licenses, which ensures they have a deep understanding of history, culture, and the significance of these locations.
Me and the Cusco Cathedral
They just don’t speak much English. Do the “radio test”, as I like to call it: Before hiring a guide, ask him/her some questions to see if they are able to answer. If not, they may have learned to recite some English text, but it may fall short of your expectations.
Altitude sickness is real, and you don’t need to be on a trek in the Peruvian mountains to prove it! In Peru, you’ll get to experience it even while chillaxing with a kebab in Cusco.
Actually, relaxing is pretty much all you’ll be doing in Cusco when you get there, because the 3,400 m (11,000 ft) altitude affects everybody. Fatigue is basically a given, and if you’re “lucky” (like I was), you’ll even feel nauseous and have a headache for days!
Take this into consideration when planning your trip and give yourself some time (ideally, a few days) of a more relaxed program to get used to being so close to the sky.
It may surprise you, but Cusco is located at an altitude of 3,400 m
Locals swear by coca leaves to fight altitude sickness, and they work wonders! Chew them (I like the chocolate-covered version) or sip on coca tea to alleviate symptoms. Staying hydrated and avoiding alcohol and fatty meals can also help you acclimatize more comfortably. Some hotels, like the Hilton Garden Inn in Cusco, even offer acclimatization massages!
The further you move away from the coast, the higher up you are. Cusco is the hub for trips to Sacred Valley, Lake Humantay, Rainbow Mountain, etc., and all of these are at high altitudes.
Acclimatization is key. You’ll need to spend at least 4–5 days in Cusco and Sacred Valley to get used to the thinner air before you go any higher (like to Rainbow Mountain). Ditto for treks around Arequipa and Huaraz.
Read my article dedicated to mountain sickness before you set out or you’ll be scrambling to read it only after you come back down from Rainbow Mountain feeling like an absolute mess like I did. It’s easier to read when your head isn’t about to explode.
This thing is a life saver
For all the juicy details about my driving experience in Peru and a little story about how I was driving in the wrong direction on the highway because I didn’t have change for the toll booth, see my article about driving in Peru:
Peru is probably the only country I’ve been to where I think it might make sense to just take taxis instead of renting a car. Taxis are cheap, rentals are expensive, and driving in Lima is a nightmare. I’m not even exaggerating—they drive like maniacs!
Everywhere else though, driving is fine once you get used to the speeding trucks and constant honking.
Gas prices are low at something like 1 USD per liter, even in 2024. Gas stations are sometimes few and far between, so keep that in mind and fill up when you can.
The roads are mostly good, but occasionally and suddenly the asphalt turns into dirt and sometimes there are these tiny mountain roads that don’t even look like they’re expecting to be driven on (like the road to Rainbow Mountain). A 4x4 isn’t necessary.
Driving in Peru is challenging but as always, the most flexible and comfortable option of moving around
When renting a car in Peru, don’t automatically go with the big brand companies. In Peru, it’s only a franchise and nothing but the name of the company is what you’d expect. Every company I rented at tried the old “So sorry, we don’t have the car you booked” scam and tried to get me to pay for a f’ing Hummer or give me a pile of crap for the same price as the car I’d booked.
Check online reviews and choose your company based on those instead. And get collision insurance.
The one rental company that we were very happy with was Alkila Rent a Car in Arequipa and Cusco. They were professional and accommodating, no scams. If you’re going to Peru and looking for a good place to rent a car, these guys are it.
The distances in Peru are huge, so plan on taking flights between your main hubs. Internal flights are cheap at about USD 100 per person.
Sacred Valley
Tip: Don’t fly from Lima to Cusco, you will face the wrath of altitude sickness the moment you step off the plane. Instead, ease your body in slowly and first fly to Arequipa, do your thing there, and move on to Cusco later.
Cabify is available in all the main cities, and it’s your best bet for taxis. Make sure to choose the premium vehicle category. Not because you’re hoping for a limo, but because you at least want seat belts.
Otherwise, regular taxis are easy to come by as well, though you might need to do some haggling if you catch one on the street. Drivers do turn on the meter if you ask them to.
The tourist infrastructure in Peru is good!
There is English signage in most places that are frequented by tourists, so even though almost nobody in Peru speaks English, at least you can read English.
It isn’t perfect, like in the Inca Museum in Cusco where the English descriptions of artifacts kind of taper out in the second half of the museum, but it’s not terrible.
This is photo from Paracas National Reserve
It might seem that everything is disorganized, but it’s only a feeling. We had no trouble with punctuality, timetables, and opening hours weren’t ignored, and as a bonus, most places of interest have websites, so you are able to get information beforehand.
Hikes are well signedposted for the most part. Heck, even Italy could learn a thing or two from Peru in that regard.
The clear trail markers are a big help, especially on popular routes like Rainbow Mountain, Colca Canyon, and Lake Humantay.
That said, some less-trodden paths may lack signage, so downloading offline maps and hiking apps (I like Alltrails) is still a good idea.
Pro tip: If you’re planning multi-day treks, such as the Salkantay or Ausangate treks, consider hiring a guide or going with a reputable tour operator—they’ll handle permits, logistics, and altitude-related precautions. You can go inependently if you choose to though.
And don’t forget that many trails, especially those leading to Machu Picchu, require permits in advance.
This is a physical map of Paracas
Peruvian guides are fantastic, and at most sites they have to study extensively to be able to provide these services for tourists. The fact that everybody was always trying to do their very best to help out did a lot as well.
The only possible downside is the guides’ limited English language skills. On the other hand, if you’re lucky like us at the Inca Museum in Cusco, you’ll get the best guide ever and they’ll elevate your experience in ways not possible if you were just wandering around on your own.
A guide is mandatory at Machu Picchu, and you’ll be spending at least 1.5 hours with this person at Peru’s top site, so choose wisely.
The food in Peru is great. Be ready for a lot of vegetables, potatoes, beans and meat. Chicken and beef mostly, but I had to try alpaca, too—it’s kind of like pork, but less fatty.
In general, serving sizes are huge and prices are low.
Colca Canyon
My experience: I’ve come to the conclusion that the universe is maliciously teasing me for my love of good food, because whenever I’m between the Tropic of Capricorn and the Tropic of Cancer I get food poisoning. Every. Single. Time. This time, I had a wonderful rocotto relleno in Arequipa, only to turn a wonderful green color and hate every minute of Colca Canyon visit the next day.
I generally like to drink beer and coffee. In Peru, the coffee sucks and the beer is undrinkable.
Peruvian coffee beans, of course, are some of the best on the planet. The “expresso” they make out of them, though, is another story. Tiny americano, anyone? Go to the more hipster-type places for a good cup of coffee.
And skip the beer altogether. Go for the pisco sour and try to get your hands on a chicha—a pink-colored corn beer— in the villages of Sacred Valley.
There are some truly magnificent luxury hotels to be found in Peru
If you’ve read any of my Peru articles, you’ve probably caught on by now that I stayed in a whole lotta Hiltons. I usually don’t stay in international hotel chains, not as a rule at least, but in Peru, I totally stayed in international hotel chains, because everything else just wasn’t up to standard. The prices were the same, but the services weren’t... by a long shot.
If you want super fast wifi, great massages, and outstanding hotel restaurants, along with English-speaking staff that know what they’re doing and plenty of extras included in your room rate, choose a Hilton or comparable hotel group.
My tip: My favorite hotel experience in Peru was hands down the DoubleTree Resort by Hilton in Paracas… which is now (since mid-2024) known as The Legend Paracas Resort by Hyatt Hotels. When I close my eyes tight, I can still taste all those fantastic cocktails by the pool (beachside) and remember how fun those free paddle boards and kayaks were. Here’s hoping Hyatt keeps up the good reputation the Hilton made for itself in Paracas!
If you’re looking for a resort experience, take a look at the luxury resort options in Sacred Valley—mostly around Urubamba and Ollantaytambo. There are many and they are fabulous. You won’t even notice the altitude sickness you may be experiencing because those views are second to none.
Our article on Ollantaytambo includes recommendations for some spectacular resorts and even hanging glass pods on the side of a mountain. Check it out!
Ollantaytambo
Peru is a gem. Besides a few standout places like Machu Picchu and Cusco, it’s an off-the-beaten-track destination, but I can’t understand why—it’s full of spectacular things to see and do!
You need more than one vacation in Peru to see it all. And it’s not the kind of place where the second time around will be a little slower and more exciting—you’ll literally have a full itinerary over and over again.
Peru is full of ruins, from the obvious highlight of Machu Picchu to less famous Inca sites in Sacred Valley like the salt terraces at Maras and agricultural experimental laboratory at Moray.
But there are non-Inca ruins, too. The wonderfully decorated walls of Chan Chan are way up north, and Pachacamac is a huge site right by Lima. See my full list of top ruins in Peru in another article.
You won’t know where to go first if you’re into hiking. You could be taking on the high altitudes at Rainbow Mountain, searching for condors at Colca Canyon and feeling humble at the sacred mountain of Ausangate. If you base yourself in Cusco or Huaraz, you won’t know which hike to take on first!
The Inca site of Mara
National parks and reserves are amazing in Peru—the flamingo-packed Salinas Lagoon was one of our favorite nature spots in Peru, but so were the sandy cliffs above the ocean at Paracas Nature Reserve.
If you’re more into jungles, there are myriad options up in Iquitos of how to see the Amazon. It’s so remote that there’s no road leading into it!
While I wasn’t crazy about Lima, it does have some fine spots (mostly in the Miraflores neighborhood, and of course the amazing Larco Museum), but cities like the former capital of the Inca Empire—Cusco—and the dazzling white city of Arequipa are definitely worth your time.
Peru is cheap—you can live it up like an Inca Emporer and barely make a dent in your account. Here's an updated overview of typical expenses in all budget levels:
Dining:
Drinks:
Cheers from Peru!
Accommodation:
Take these as a general idea of expenses in Peru. Actual costs may vary based on location and season.
Peru is a poor country, so tip! You can afford it, and everyone bends over backward to help you, so don’t be a Scrooge.
And don’t be offended that the family trying to take your pic with their alpaca wants some change for the privilege. Why shouldn’t they be able to profit from your visit to their country, showing off their cute animal is probably the only way they can earn some extra income.
Tipping is not in required or in any way pushed for, making it all the easier to do it. Nobody takes you around to their cousin’s gift shop and keeps you walking around awkwardly while everyone stares you down unless you buy something. So, tip.
Tiping is not required but some of the delicacies we ordered in Peru were definitely worthy of a tip
At gas stations, for example, if you tip the attendant pumping your gas they’ll probably go ahead and wash your windshield or check your tire pressure as a thank you.
Reception and wifi is available everywhere in Peru, which was super nice. It’s better than in the US. In hotels, we were able to stream movies with no trouble at all. That said, we did stay in international hotel chains. The internet in local hotels, no matter how many stars the hotel has, is spottier.
Buying a SIM card at the airport might seem like the easy option, but it’s a total rip-off. At Lima Airport, for example, prices start at an eye-watering USD 59. Yikes! Instead, wait until you’re in the city to buy one.
Head to the official stores of major operators like Claro, Movistar, Entel, or Bitel. A prepaid SIM card from Claro, for example, will set you back a mere PEN 5 (about USD 1.25). Once you’ve got that, you can load up on data packages that won’t break the bank—think 4 GB of data for around PEN 20 (USD 5.30).
Ballestas Islands
The process is super simple, though you’ll need your passport for registration.
Bonus tip: If your phone supports eSIMs, check out the options beforehand; you may be able to skip the whole physical SIM process altogether.
The funny thing is where you buy credit: We first went back to the mobile operator and they looked at us like we were stupid, because OBVIOUSLY you top up in the pharmacy. Also, only ask for PEN 20 or so in credit. I asked for PEN 50 but it felt like I asked for a golden poodle by the way they looked at me.
More likely than not, you’ll be entering Peru through Lima airport, otherwise known as the most frustrating airport in the world.
Imagine spending ages on a flight from god-knows-where and then when you finally get to Lima, you have to wait endlessly to get your passport checked, and then still have an extra 2 hours before your bags start twirling around on the carousel! Frustrating, I know!
That’s a true story, by the way. You could see everyone’s spirits slowly fall, and by the time the luggage finally made its way out, people were either on edge or ready to cry, dreading their decision to visit Peru in the first place.
Lima Cathedral
Even when things go smoothly, it seems 1 hour is the bare minimum the whole charade will take. Two hours is a more realistic expectation, and, if you’re me, 3 hours is reality!
My tip on how to cope: Come mentally prepared for the chaos and don’t plan anything close to your arrival time. That way, you’ll have to accept the misery but at least you won’t be stressed that you’re late to get somewhere. And no, there are no refreshment spots in the luggage area. You just sit around dreaming about bags on the conveyor belt.
If you’re renting a car, don’t. Not in Lima. Once you finally get your bags, just take a taxi to your hotel and save yourself the annoyance that is driving in Lima. If you don’t follow my advice (I warned you!), be prepared to hash it out with the rental company.
I rented a car at 4 different rental companies in Peru and in each and every one of them there was a problem. Refer to the Transportation section of this article to read more about that. So, not only is driving in Lima a pain, renting a car in Lima is bound to be a pain, too! Imagine all that nuisance after waiting for you bags for 2 hours. I just about lost my cool on the rental car guy.
The Peruvian Hairless Dog. Obviously called the Inca Orchid... isn’t he beautiful?
Peruvians love dogs. There are dogs all over the place, and it seems they mostly belong to someone and are just doing the rounds as they have collars and don’t look emaciated. They either ignore people or are friendly, coming over for a snack and a cuddle.
I’m allergic to dogs, so you can imagine how “happy” I was about this whole canine situation.
Those naked dogs you’ll see wandering around aren’t mangy strays with a skin condition—they’re Peru’s national treasure, the Peruvian Hairless Dog, or Inca Orchid. These pups have been around since pre-Inca times and were even considered sacred by ancient cultures.
So, why are they hairless? It’s a genetic trait that adapted them to Peru’s warm climate. The upside? They don’t shed, and they’re hypoallergenic (hoorah!). The downside? No fur means they get sunburned, so yes, they need sunscreen. I’m not joking.
You’ll definitely spot them at Pachacamac, an enormous archeological site south of Lima, where they strut around like they’ve been running the place since the Incas. Which, to be fair, they probably have.
This is not real Peru clothing
If I may, a little tip from me because this really annoyed me in Peru: please, especially if you’re American—because somehow it seemed you guys are the most excited about this—don’t buy a stupidly colorful alpaca hat and poncho on the second day of your trip and then promenade yourself all over Peru. It’s not something you’d wear at home, is it? Not even the locals wear these things. Keep it classy, this isn’t a circus!
So, what do locals actually wear? Women often wear layered skirts called polleras with colorful woven belts and shawls. The textiles carry patterns that symbolize their community or family heritage. The hats—yes, actual hats—are often unique to each region, from rounded bowler hats in Puno to wide-brimmed felt hats in Cusco.
The men might wear handwoven ponchos, but not the garish, rainbow-colored ones sold to tourists. These ponchos are usually muted, with intricate patterns representing their heritage, and are worn in colder mountain regions or for special occasions, not as a daily fashion statement.
Bottom line: If you’re buying something, invest in a quality piece you can actually use or display without looking like you’re starring in a llama-themed costume party.
Peru is a very colorful destination
There is a fantastic museum in Cusco, the Alpaca Mundo, where you can meet the alpacas and the ladies that make clothes out of alpaca wool. They have a branch in Arequipa, too.
You’ll learn about the process and then you can go crazy in the gift shop. Not crazy stupid, just crazy. We bought the most incredible coats and sweaters there! The quality is top notch. The price is obviously higher than at the tourist souvenir stalls, but hey, you pay for what you get. And none of them resemble Rainbow Mountain.
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Hi, I’m Jan. I travel fast and intensely, whether I’m exploring the buzz of Tokyo in 3 days or road-tripping through mountains and beaches on a 3-week Thailand adventure. And no matter where I am, you’ll always find me in a comfortable hotel at night and eating the best food.
If that sounds like your kind of journey, hop on board, and let’s explore the world together!
I started this blog after realizing how tough it can be to find reliable, authentic travel info. You wouldn’t believe how many “travel bloggers” never even visit the places they write about! On Next Level of Travel, you can count on my full honesty and insights drawn from my firsthand experiences.
Here’s the deal: not every destination is all superlatives and unicorns. I’ll let you know if a tourist attraction isn’t worth your time, like skipping overrated stops in my 2-week Spain itinerary. And when I find something truly special—like the perfect mix of culture and nature in Cape Town—you can trust that it’s worth adding to your itinerary.
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