Peru travel guide
Peru packs the Andes, the Amazon and a desert coast into one country, along with the legacy of the Inca and the cultures that came before them. Machu Picchu is the draw for most visitors, but Lima's food scene, Lake Titicaca and the canyons of the south are just as memorable. It suits active travellers, history lovers and anyone who plans a trip around eating well.
Places worth the trip
Machu Picchu
The Inca citadel on a ridge above the Urubamba river, reached by train and bus via Aguas Calientes or on foot along the Inca Trail. Entry is by timed ticket on set circuits, and Inca Trail permits sell out months ahead, so book early.
Cusco
The former Inca capital, where colonial churches stand on Inca stone walls. The Qorikancha temple, the San Pedro market and the hilltop fortress of Sacsayhuamán are within reach on foot, and the city is the base for the Sacred Valley.
The Sacred Valley
The Urubamba valley between Cusco and Machu Picchu, with the terraced ruins of Pisac and Ollantaytambo, the circular terraces of Moray and the hillside salt pans of Maras, still worked by local families.
Lima
The capital sits on cliffs above the Pacific and is one of South America's great food cities, known for ceviche and Nikkei and Chifa cooking. Miraflores and Barranco are the neighbourhoods to stay in, and the historic centre is UNESCO-listed.
Lake Titicaca
A high-altitude lake on the Bolivian border, at about 3,800 metres. From Puno, boats visit the floating reed islands of the Uros and the island of Taquile, known for its handwoven textiles.
Arequipa and Colca Canyon
Arequipa, the 'white city', is built from pale volcanic stone beneath the volcano El Misti, with the walled Santa Catalina Monastery at its heart. The Colca Canyon, a few hours away, is one of the deepest in the world and a place to watch Andean condors.
Nazca Lines
Giant figures and lines scratched into the desert floor more than 1,500 years ago, including a hummingbird, a monkey and a spider. They are best seen from a light aircraft or from roadside viewing towers.
The Amazon
Peru's rainforest covers a large part of the country. Puerto Maldonado gives access to the Tambopata reserve and its clay licks visited by macaws, while Iquitos is the largest city in the world that cannot be reached by road.
Interesting facts about Peru
- Peru has thousands of potato varieties, and the potato was first domesticated in the Andes of southern Peru and Bolivia.
- Quechua and Aymara are official languages alongside Spanish in the areas where they are predominant.
- The Inca road system, Qhapaq Ñan, extended across several modern countries and is a UNESCO World Heritage site.
- Caral, north of Lima, is one of the oldest cities in the Americas, contemporary with the pyramids of Egypt.
- Lake Titicaca is often described as the highest navigable lake in the world, and large boats have sailed on it since the nineteenth century.
Best time to visit Peru
In the Andes, the dry season from May to September brings clear skies, cold nights and the best trekking conditions; it is also the busiest time at Machu Picchu. The rainy season runs from about November to March, and the Inca Trail closes every February for maintenance. Lima and the coast are the opposite: sunny summers from December to March and grey, misty winters. The Amazon is humid all year, with higher rivers in the wetter months.
Getting around
Distances are large, so domestic flights save a lot of time between Lima, Cusco, Arequipa, Juliaca (for Lake Titicaca) and the Amazon. Comfortable long-distance buses with reclining seats cover the coast and the Andes. Trains run from Cusco and Ollantaytambo to Machu Picchu, and a scenic train links Cusco with Puno. In Lima, ride-hailing apps are easier and safer than hailing taxis on the street. Allow time to acclimatise: Cusco is at about 3,400 metres and altitude sickness is common.
Practical details
- Capital
- Lima
- Currency
- Peruvian sol (PEN)
- Languages
- Spanish, Quechua, Aymara
- Plug types
- A, B, C
- Voltage
- 220 V, 60 Hz
- Emergency
- 105 police, 116 fire, 106 ambulance
- Driving side
- right
- Tipping
- Around 10% in restaurants is customary if service is not included; tip guides, porters and drivers on tours.
Staying online in Peru
Coverage is good in Lima, Cusco, Arequipa and other cities, with 4G widespread and 5G in parts of Lima. In the Andes signal is patchy between towns and often absent on treks, including much of the Inca Trail. The Amazon lodges and Lake Titicaca islands may have little or no coverage. Wi-Fi is common in hotels, hostels and cafés in cities, but often slow in remote areas. Install an eSIM before you fly and switch it on when you land, so ride-hailing works from Lima's airport.
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Useful apps
- Uber: Widely used in Lima, Cusco and Arequipa, with prices agreed in advance.
- Cabify: An alternative ride-hailing app in Lima and other cities.
- inDrive: Popular ride-hailing app where you propose a fare.
- Google Maps: Download offline maps before treks and flights to the Andes or the Amazon.
- Google Translate: Spanish translation with an offline pack for areas without signal.
Peru travel FAQs
Ascend gradually if you can, for example by spending a night or two in the lower Sacred Valley before Cusco. Drink water, avoid heavy exertion on the first day and talk to a doctor before you travel if you have health concerns.
Yes. Daily visitor numbers are limited, and entry tickets and train seats sell out in the dry season. Inca Trail permits are limited even more and must be booked through a licensed operator.
Yes, in cities and most towns. Roaming on a home plan is usually expensive, so a travel eSIM gives you local data for maps and ride-hailing while your own number stays active. Expect no signal on many treks.
It is generally not recommended. Drink bottled or filtered water, and many hotels offer refill points.