Everything You Need to Know About Planning a Trip to Peru

My first visit to Peru was in 2024 and I was impressed.  I had seen photos and videos splashed across social media, but I’d always wondered was Machu Picchu really worth the hype?  Is Peruvian food really that good?  Luckily – the answer to both of those questions is yes.  After traveling around the country for five weeks, this is everything you need to know about planning a trip to Peru!

 

If you’re traveling to Peru, don’t miss…

• The Ultimate Peru Packing List

 

Is Peru Worth Visiting?

Hands down, yes – Peru is worth visiting.  The Peruvian people are incredible, the food is out of this world, and the history and culture has been well preserved so there are endless things to do and learn when visiting Peru.  Not to mention the diversity of the country.  In Peru you can visit beautiful beaches, hike stunning mountain-scapes, visit vineyards; there is truly something for everyone!

 

Brief History of Peru

Peru’s history is a rich mosaic of ancient civilizations, conquests, and cultural transformations.  The region was inhabited by various indigenous groups for thousands of years, with the Inca Empire rising as the most formidable in the 15th century, celebrated for its advanced society, engineering, and architecture.  However, the arrival of Spanish conquistador Francisco Pizarro in 1532 marked the onset of colonial rule, leading to significant social and cultural upheaval.  Peru declared independence from Spain in 1821, a movement led by liberators José de San Martín and Simón Bolívar.  Throughout the 20th century, Peru experienced notable political fluctuations, including military coups and the emergence of insurgent groups.  Today, Peru is known for its profound cultural heritage, from the ancient splendors of Machu Picchu to its diverse culinary traditions, painting a picture of a nation rich in history and complexity.

 

Safety Tips for Visiting Peru

As of 2023, Peru ranks 103rd out of 163 countries and territories on the Global Peace Index (for reference, the United States holds the 131st spot).   I visited Peru with my boyfriend who is Peruvian so luckily, I didn’t have had to deal with any scary/sketchy issues due to being with a local.  However, here are some general safety tips and things that my boyfriend mentioned that can be common in Peru…

• Make two copies your passport; keep one copy in a separate place from where you keep your passport, and leave the second copy at home with a loved one
• Forward all hotel reservations to a family member/friend so they can track where you’re supposed to be at all times
• Don’t carry all of your cash and credit/debit cards on you – keep some in your hotel room in case your purse was to be taken
• Know the number and address of the US Embassy (or whatever country you’re from).  In this case, the US Embassy is located in Lima, the number is +51 1 6182000 and the address is Avenida la Encalada cdra. 17 s/n, Santiago de Surco 33, Peru
• Know how to dial out – the code for Peru is +51
• Know how to contact emergency services – 105 (you should also know that police are oftentimes corrupt in Peru; I suggest keeping cash on you in case you run into any issues with police)
• Petty theft – watch your belongings and if needed, I recommend bringing an anti-theft waist bag
• Taxi scams – negotiate price ahead of time and beware of taxi drivers dropping you off at the wrong hotel and then charging you more to take you to the right hotel (to avoid this keep your Google Maps route on and make sure that they are going to the right hotel); if possible – take a ride share before taking a taxi
• Currency exchange – don’t exchange currency on the streets, only do this at a bank or exchange office
• Tour scams – don’t hire a random guy off the street, this can oftentimes be a scam where the tour is shoddy or ends abruptly after payment

 

Vaccines to Get Before Visiting Peru

I highly recommend checking out the CDC recommendations for vaccines to get before visiting Peru, and making an appointment with an infectious disease doctor before traveling.  As of 2024, the recommended vaccines to travel to Peru include…

• Typhoid
• Hepatitis A
• Polio
• Yellow Fever
• Chikungunya
• Rabies
• Hepatitis B
• Influenza
• COVID-19
• Pneumonia
• Meningitis
• Chickenpox
• Shingles
• Tdap (tetanus, diphtheria, pertussis)
• MMR (measles, mumps, rubella)

Some of the vaccine recommendations will vary depending on where in Peru you’re traveling to.  This is why it’s important to see an infectious disease doctor before traveling.

 

Travel Insurance

Another way to ensure safety during a trip is by purchasing travel insurance.  Travel insurance can cover illness, theft, airplane and hotel cancellation, and emergency evacuation services if something arises (each plan is different so make sure to see what your insurance covers before purchasing).  I used SafetyWing while traveling through Peru and would highly recommend it.

 

Read more about why I recommend travel insurance…

• Why You Need Travel Insurance… From a Nurse’s Perspective

 

GET YOUR TRAVEL INSURANCE HERE!

 

Visa Requirements for Visiting Peru

If you’re traveling to Peru as a United States citizen, you do not need a visa to visit.  If you’re traveling from elsewhere, you can check out iVisa to see what your requirements are.

 

The Best Time to Visit Peru

Peru offers a diverse climate, making the best time to visit dependent on the region.  The dry season, from May to September, is ideal for exploring the Andes and popular destinations like Machu Picchu, Cusco, and Lake Titicaca.  Coastal regions, including Lima, are warm and sunny from December to March, making it perfect for beach activities.  The Amazon experiences its wet season from December to May, resulting in high water levels ideal for wildlife spotting but with frequent rain.  For a comprehensive experience, consider visiting from April to November, balancing good weather and fewer crowds.

 

How Many Days Do You Need in Peru?

You could spend an entire year traveling through Peru and not see it all.  But with that being said, you could see the highlights of Peru (Cusco, Sacred Valley, Machu Picchu) in a week.  However if you wanted to add on Lima, Arequipa, visit the beach, or vineyards – I would recommend at least 10-14 days in Peru.

 

Cost of Visiting Peru

Peru is a very affordable country.  If you’re planning a trip to Peru, I would say that you can expect to spend (on food, accommodation, and tours)…

• Budget:  $30-$50/day
• Mid-Range:  $60-$90/day
• Luxury:  $100+/day

 

Currency in Peru

Peru operates on the Sol (PEN).  At time of writing in 2024, 1 USD = 3.74 PEN.

 

Cash vs Credit/Debit

Almost everywhere I went in Peru took credit/debit.  However, I do suggest having cash on hand just in case.  The ATMs in Peru do charge fees, so make sure that you take an adequate amount of money out so you’re not continuously paying high fees.  Lastly, if you hire a tour guide, they usually request that they are paid in USD.  This shouldn’t be an issue because most of the ATMs in Peru allow you to choose between PEN or USD when withdrawing cash.

 

Tipping Practices

Tipping is not common in Peru but it is appreciated.  If you want to add a tip onto your restaurant bill, make sure to ask before swiping your card or leave cash.  A normal tip amount is about 10% of your bill.

Tipping for tour operators is a bit more common, but again, about 10% is normal in Peru.

 

How to Get to Peru

Currently, there are 234 domestic and international airports in Peru (5 of these are international airports).  Chances are, if you fly to Peru you will at some point connect in Lima (depending on where you’re traveling from).  The 5 international airports can be found in…

• Arequipa (AQP)
• Chiclayo (CIX)
• Cusco (CUZ)
• Lima (LIM)
• Trujillo (TRU)

 

Tips for Getting to Peru from the USA

If you’re planning a trip to Peru from the USA your journey can be relatively long!  To make your journey more comfortable, and maybe even more affordable, here are some simple tips…

• If you live in a small city, buy a flight out of a bigger city to save money
  • For example, I live in Omaha, NE so I use points to fly to Chicago in the morning, then get a night flight out of Chicago to my destination
• If you’re flexible on travel dates, play around with dates when it comes to arriving/departing for the cheapest flight
• Look at flight prices/times if you fly from the East Coast vs the West Coast
• Open a travel credit card to earn points to potentially use for your flight
• Sign up for Going (there is a free version) for cheap flight notifications
• Compare flight prices on a big search engine
• Purchase travel insurance (before traveling) in case anything goes wrong with your flight
• Bring a good eye mask on the airplane for a chance at some shut eye

 

BOOK YOUR FLIGHT TO PERU HERE!

 

How to Get Around Peru

Getting around Peru is relatively easy.  Here are some great resources…

• “Uber” or “Cabify” for scheduled taxi’s
• Bookaway or 12Go for bus/train travel
• LATAM or Sky Airlines for affordable flight tickets throughout Peru

Unfortunately, there isn’t great public transportation in Peru so you can’t rely on that as an option.

 

Peruvian Food & Drink

Peruvian cuisine is known for its incredible variety and flavors, heavily influenced by the Incan legacy and later Spanish, African, Asian, and Italian immigrants.

The coast of Peru offers an abundance of seafood, with ceviche being the star—fresh fish marinated in citrus juices, spiced with chili peppers, and often accompanied by sweet potatoes and corn.  The highlands tell a different story, where staples like potatoes and corn form the basis of hearty meals, and guinea pig is a traditional dish.

In the cities, especially Lima, which is often referred to as the gastronomic capital of Latin America, you’ll find a dynamic food scene.  Here, world-renowned chefs blend traditional Peruvian ingredients with international culinary techniques to create innovative dishes that are drawing global attention.

Pisco, a grape brandy, is the national spirit of Peru and serves as the base for the famous Pisco Sour, a must-try cocktail combining the smooth liquor with lime juice, syrup, egg white, and a dash of bitters.  This drink perfectly encapsulates the Peruvian spirit of innovation and tradition.

 

Fun fact:  Peru has more than 4,000 potato varieties!  The most potato varieties in the world!

 

Language in Peru/Simple Phrases to Know

The official language in Peru is Spanish; and I would say most locals – especially those in the hospitality industry – know a good amount of English.  When traveling, I always think it’s polite to learn a few phrases in the language of the country that you’re visiting.  Here are a few Spanish words that will help you get by…

• Thank you = Gracias
• Hello = Hola
• Goodbye = Adios
• Toilet = Bano

 

Accommodation in Peru

By far, the easiest way to book accommodation in Peru is using Booking.com.  Not only will you find a plethora of hotels but you’re also able to filter through options.  Before browsing accommodations, I always make sure that I have “free wifi”, “very good 8+ reviews”  and “A/C” toggled ON.  From there, I browse through accommodations and choose the best one for me.

 

BOOK YOUR STAY IN PERU HERE!

 

The Best Places to Visit in Peru

There are no shortage of places to visit when you travel to Peru.  When deciding your route through the country, my advice would be to decide whether you want a trip for lounging or an active trip.  If you want to lounge, focus on the western coast where you can stay on the beach or Lake Titicaca.  If you want a more active trip, the obvious choice would be to visit Cusco, the Sacred Valley, and Machu Picchu.

Here are some of the most popular places to visit in Peru (I did not visit every place mentioned, this is just to give you an idea of places to visit)…

• Arequipa
• Colca
• Cusco
• Huacachina
• Lake Titcaca
• Lima
• Machu Picchu
• Piura

 

To help plan your travels around Peru, don’t miss…

• Is Lima Worth Visiting?  A Complete Lima Travel Guide!
• 11 Things You Need to Know About Visiting Machu Picchu
• How to Spend 2 Days in Cusco
• Everything You Need to Know About Visiting Colca Canyon in Peru
• How to Spend 1 Day in Arequipa, Peru

 

Peru Essentials – What You Need & What You Need to Know About Visiting Peru

 

I hope that this guide to planning a trip to Peru helps you make the most out of your vacation.  If you have any questions about visiting Peru, let me know in a comment below!

 

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For more information on things to see and do in Peru, make sure to check out my Instagram page/highlight reel by searching “#ppinperu” or under my highlights for “Peru”; alternatively, head to my TikTok and search for the saved “Peru” highlight

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