ULTIMATE PERU TRAVEL GUIDE
Peru is a country located in South America. Lima is the capital and it is a country known for its high mountains, exceptional Incan ruins, culture, colors and landscapes. This Peru travel guide is laid out to help you plan the ultimate trip to this country.
Peru is easily one of the most visited countries in South America, with good reason as it is home to the wonder of the World, Machu Picchu. But there is so much more to the country than that one site.
There are deserts, there are rainforests, there are high altitude mountains and there are giant lakes. There's an abundance of culture, history and wildlife to learn about too.
Anything less than a 2-week trip will leave you wanting more and I think you could easily max out your 6-month visa exploring Peru’s many wonders.
We've been to Peru three times over the years and will not hesitate when an opportunity to go again presents itself. We hope you find our advice both helpful and inspiring.
DESTINATIONS
TRAVEL TO PERU: QUICK TIPS
Do you need a visa? US Citizens get a free 180 day Visa on Arrival
Currency: Peruvian Nuevo Sol (PEN)
Climate: Temperate, varying by region. Cooler at altitude, warm summers and cold winters
Primary Religion: Christianity
Local Languages: Spanish, English is widely spoken.
Etiquette Tips: Dress conservatively, ask permission to take photos of people, do not give money to begging children, do not flash valuables
WIFI: Available in most, if not all, accommodation throughout the country. Many restaurants and tourist offices offer free WIFI too.
SIM Cards: If you have an unlocked phone, it is possible to pick up a local SIM card at any Peru airport on arrival. This will enable you to have data like you would at home. Another alternative is a universal SIM card that works in multiple countries.
Travel Insurance: With all travel, we highly recommend you take out a travel insurance policy when you book your trip. This will cover your trip in case of any unforeseen events happen.
DON'T VISIT PERU WITHOUT:
UNIVERSAL TRAVEL ADAPTER
GET A GUIDEBOOK
REUSABLE WATER BOTTLE
Start planning your trip!
WHERE TO STAY IN PERU
Below you will find some of the places we have stayed during our travels in Peru. These are individual properties that we enjoyed and would recommend to other travelers.
Ibis Larco Miraflores (Lima)
Mariel Hotel Boutique (Lima)
Sonesta Hotel (Cusco)
Inkaterra Pueblo Hotel (Machu Picchu)
Wasai Eco Lodge (Puerto Maldonado)
Tambopata Research Center (Amazon)
TOP PERU TOURS
Decide which month you want to visit!
PERU TRAVEL: BOOKING RESOURCES
Skyscanner - A fantastic flight search engine that searches a lot of different airlines, including many of the budget carriers that larger sites miss. Every single flight search we do starts here.
Airbnb - A great accommodation alternative for renting out apartments, condos, townhouses and rooms while traveling. (If you’re new to Airbnb, get $35 off your first stay!)
Hotel Seach Engine – Our custom-built hotel search engine allows you to search hotels all over the world and compare prices before booking. It pulls the best prices from all the major online travel agents, such as Expedia, Priceline, Booking, etc. to one place.
Discover Car Hire - Allows you to search car rentals across multiple rental agencies worldwide.
Viator - The best trips are made up of multiple smaller tours to really dig in and get to know the places you are visiting. Our preferred place to book day tours, day trips and shorter multi-day tours is Viator.
G Adventures – If you want to do a group tour around Peru, go with G Adventures. They offer great small group tours that use local operators and leave a small environmental footprint. If you go on a tour with anyone, go with them.
World Nomads – We don't travel without insurance and you shouldn't either!
PERU TRAVEL GUIDE: RELATED ARTICLES
Looking for more info? Check out all the articles we’ve written on Peru travel and start planning your dream trip.
