Peru travel guide: everything you need to know before you go
Peru is one of our favorite countries in the world for an unforgettable trip. Not only does Peru have a fascinating history and incredible nature, but it is also a relatively easy country to travel around. This makes Peru a great destination for couples as well as families.
Where is Peru?
Peru is located in South America on the Pacific Ocean and borders Bolivia, Chile, Colombia, Brazil and Ecuador. This also makes Peru a great destination to combine with one of its neighboring countries, particularly Bolivia and/or Chile.
Peru is a huge country, so you can easily spend several weeks exploring it. There is an incredible amount to see and do, with completely different climates and landscapes throughout the country. Around Lima, you will find the coastal desert, while Cusco and Machu Picchu are surrounded by the spectacular Andes Mountains. In the north and east of Peru, you will find the vast Amazon rainforest.
Do you need a visa for Peru?
This of course depends on your passport, but Dutch passport holders (like me) generally do not need a visa for a tourist stay in Peru. The permitted length of stay is determined upon arrival. Always check the latest entry requirements before traveling, as these can change.
What is the best time to visit Peru?
If you are planning to travel around Peru, one of the best times to visit is between May and October. This is the driest period in the Andes and generally a good time to visit the jungle as well. For Lima, December through February are the warmest months, although we had beautiful weather during our visit in July too. April and November can also be good months to travel around Peru. There is a slightly higher chance of rain, but these months are generally quieter than the peak travel season from June through August.
When traveling around Peru, keep in mind that you will experience very different climates and temperatures. Lima is generally warmer, although temperatures can drop in the evening. During our trip, shorts during the day and a sweater for the evening were often enough. The Andes are considerably colder, especially after sunset. We experienced several evenings with temperatures below freezing. During the day, however, it can feel surprisingly warm. Even when temperatures are only around 18°C (64°F), the sun at high altitude is very strong and can make it feel much warmer. The air is also considerably drier. The Amazon is warm throughout the year, with temperatures of around 30°C (86°F) and much higher humidity. Rain is possible year-round, although there are distinct wetter and drier periods.
How many days do you need in Peru?
To get a good impression of Peru, we recommend spending at least 1.5 to 2 weeks in the country. Wondering what your itinerary could look like? Read our complete 2-week Peru itinerary.
Peru is incredibly diverse and there is a lot to see, so you can easily extend your trip to three or even four weeks.
Is Peru expensive?
Although flights to Peru aren't exactly cheap, traveling around Peru itself doesn't have to be particularly expensive. We found hotel prices surprisingly reasonable. You can find lovely boutique hotels for around €75 per night, while there are also plenty of cheaper hostels and more luxurious hotels to choose from. Overnight buses are generally an affordable way to travel between destinations. Alternatively, you can take domestic flights. These are more expensive, but we still found the prices quite reasonable. For example, we paid around €65 for a one-way flight from Cusco to Puerto Maldonado.
There are plenty of options when it comes to food and drinks as well, so you can make your trip as cheap or expensive as you want. Machu Picchu, however, is relatively expensive to visit, especially compared with other New Seven Wonders of the World such as Chichén Itzá or Petra.
What currency is used in Peru?
The currency of Peru is the Peruvian sol (PEN). During our trip, €1 was worth approximately 4 soles. Exchange rates constantly change, so always check the current rate before your trip.
Having some cash with you is important in Peru, particularly when traveling in the jungle, taking taxis or buying something from smaller local shops and restaurants. ATMs are available in most cities. Whenever possible, we used Banco de la Nación ATMs, as they charged no or lower additional withdrawal fees during our trip. Other banks may charge considerably higher ATM fees.
What language do they speak in Peru?
Spanish is the main language spoken in Peru, although indigenous languages such as Quechua are also spoken in parts of the country. In tourist areas, hotel staff and tour operators often speak enough English to communicate easily. However, learning a few basic Spanish words and phrases before your trip is definitely useful and can make communicating with locals much easier.
Is Peru safe?
We personally never felt unsafe during our trip around Peru. The people we met were friendly and always happy to help. As with many popular tourist destinations, you should still be aware of pickpockets in larger cities and keep an eye on your belongings, particularly in busy areas. We also recommend checking the latest official travel advice before your trip, as the situation can always change.
Altitude sickness in Peru
If you are traveling to Cusco or other high-altitude destinations in Peru, there is a chance you may experience symptoms of altitude sickness. Symptoms can occur from around 2,500 meters (8,200 feet) above sea level, and the risk generally increases as you travel higher. Whenever possible, travel gradually from lower to higher elevations, take it easy during your first few days and give your body enough time to acclimatize.
Getting around Peru
Peru is an enormous country and the distances between many of its main attractions are considerable. For this reason, we didn't find renting a car the most practical way to travel around the country. For most travelers, there are two convenient options for covering longer distances: buses or domestic flights. Buses in Peru are generally well organized, comfortable and affordable. Many longer routes are operated overnight, which also means you can save the cost of a hotel for that night.
The alternative is to fly. Domestic flights are more expensive than buses but can save you a huge amount of travel time, especially if you only have two weeks in Peru.
What should you pack for Peru?
Pack clothes that you can easily layer, as temperatures can vary significantly throughout your trip. Good walking shoes are also useful, especially if you plan to do a lot of hiking. For the Amazon rainforest, lightweight but covering clothing is helpful, as well as insect repellent containing DEET because of the mosquitoes. We also brought electrolytes for our time around Cusco and found them particularly useful for staying hydrated during hikes.
Which places should you visit in Peru?
We chose to travel from Lima to Cusco and then continued to Ollantaytambo, where we spent a few days adjusting to the altitude before taking the train to Aguas Calientes.
From there, we visited Machu Picchu, of course! On the way back, we decided to spend a few days in the Sacred Valley before continuing to Cusco. We absolutely loved this part of Peru.
Once in Cusco, there is plenty to see and do, and we ended up liking the city much more than we expected. From Cusco, we also hiked the iconic Rainbow Mountain before flying to the Amazon for the final few days of our trip. If you are deciding between Puerto Maldonado and Iquitos for your Amazon experience, we personally preferred Puerto Maldonado. It was the perfect place to end our trip through Peru.
