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InternationalTravel.ai > Peru

Peru

Coastal Beaches

Best Season to Visit:

Best Off-Peak Month to Visit: February

Famous For: Machu Picchu, Amazon rainforest, Nazca Lines, Lake Titicaca

Train Access: Yes (perurail, inca rail, very safe)

Bus Service: Yes (Metropolitano, Corredores Complementarios, relatively safe)

Tourist Visa: Most Western passport holders (US, UK, EU, Canada, Australia) receive 90-day tourist visas upon arrival at Peruvian airports and land borders at no cost. No advance visa application is required for these nationalities. Travelers must present a valid passport with at least 6 months validity and may be asked about return tickets or accommodation plans.

Peru spans the Andes Mountains, Amazon rainforest, and Pacific coastal desert. Travelers trek to Machu Picchu in the Sacred Valley, explore the Nazca Lines geoglyphs etched into southern desert plains, and navigate the Amazon basin from Iquitos. The Colca Canyon in Arequipa region reaches depths twice that of the Grand Canyon. Lima's historic center and coastal neighborhoods serve as the primary entry point. Visitors hike Inca Trail routes, kayak Lake Titicaca between Peru and Bolivia, and visit colonial cities like Cusco and Arequipa. Regional cuisines feature ceviche along the coast, alpaca meat in highland areas, and river fish in jungle lodges. The country contains over 3,000 varieties of potatoes and produces world-class coffee in the cloud forests.

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Podcasts

Episode 8: Jake Barber - The Expat Finance Expert Returns

Jake Barber, the Founder and CEO of SJB Global, is a life-long expat and an expert in expat finance. Over the course of Expat Exchange's nearly 30 years online, there are few people we have met with as much lived experience and professional acumen as Jake. We were thrilled to welcome him back to the show and look forward to having him on again!

Episode 6: Jake Barber - Expat Finance Expert and Lifelong Expat

Jake Barber is an expat finance expert and the founder and principal of SJB Global. A lifelong expat currently living in Marbella, Spain, Jake has vast experience helping expats from the United States, the United Kingdom, and other countries manage their finances while living abroad. Get a primer on what you need to know both before and after you move abroad!

Planning Your Trip to Peru

Weather: Peru's weather varies dramatically by region and altitude due to its diverse topography. The coastal region experiences a dry, mild climate year-round with temperatures between 60-80°F (15-27°C). The Andes mountains have cooler temperatures that decrease with elevation, with some areas experiencing frost and snow, while the rainy season runs from November to March. The Amazon basin is hot and humid with heavy rainfall throughout the year, particularly during the wet season from December to April.

Festivals: Inti Raymi (June solstice festival in Cusco), Qoyllur Rit'i (star snow pilgrimage in Cusco region), Fiestas Patrias (July independence celebrations)

Best Destinations for Kids: The Cusco region offers the Ollantaytambo fortress and Sacred Valley train rides to Machu Picchu. Lake Titicaca near Puno features boat tours to the Uros floating islands. The Lima Zoo and Larco Museum provide indoor cultural experiences suitable for younger children.

Hidden Gem: The Huancayo region in the central highlands offers indigenous markets, textile weaving communities, and access to the Mantaro Valley without the crowds of Cusco. The area provides authentic Andean culture and high-altitude trekking through less-touristed mountain passes.

Budget-Friendly Advice: Budget accommodations range from S/. 40-80 per night in hostels in Cusco, Lima, and Arequipa. Meals at local markets and small restaurants cost S/. 15-30. Intercity buses via companies like Oltursa and Cruz del Sur range S/. 30-100 depending on distance. Machu Picchu entrance fees run S/. 152 for foreign adults. Multi-day treks and jungle tours typically cost $400-800 USD through local operators in Cusco and Puerto Maldonado.

Accessibility: Lima and Cusco have improved accessibility in some hotels and museums, but infrastructure remains inconsistent outside major cities. Machu Picchu involves steep stone steps and narrow pathways unsuitable for wheelchair users. Public transport lacks accessible features; private taxis and hired drivers offer more reliable options for mobility-limited travelers.

For the Solo Traveler: Solo travel in Peru is generally safe in major tourist areas and cities like Lima, Cusco, and Arequipa. Public transportation is reliable and affordable, with frequent buses and organized group tours available. Women travelers report fewer issues in established tourist zones but should avoid displaying valuables and traveling alone at night in unfamiliar areas. The Inca Trail and jungle lodges operate group tours where solo travelers easily meet others. Cusco and the Sacred Valley have well-esta

Planning a 1 Week Stay: A 7-day itinerary covers Lima (2 days exploring colonial center and museums), Cusco (2 days acclimatizing and exploring the city), and the Sacred Valley with Machu Picchu (3 days including the train journey and site visit). This route follows the primary tourist corridor but requires advance Machu Picchu ticket booking.

Planning a 1 Month Stay: A 30-day trip can begin in Lima, move to Cusco and Machu Picchu (10 days), then venture to Lake Titicaca and Puno (5 days), explore Arequipa and Colca Canyon (5 days), and dedicate 10 days to the Amazon from Puerto Maldonado or Iquitos. This pacing allows acclimatization to altitude and visits to lesser-known sites like the Huancayo highlands or the cloud forests near Machu Picchu.

Delving into the Culture

Movies Set: The Motorcycle Diaries, Touching the Void, The Dancer Upstairs

Popular Foods: Peruvian cuisine is diverse and rich in flavors, reflecting the country's varied geography and cultural heritage. Some of the most popular dishes include ceviche, which is raw fish marinated in citrus juices; lomo saltado, a stir-fry that combines marinated strips of sirloin with onions, tomatoes, and other ingredients; and aji de gallina, a creamy chicken stew. For dessert, suspiro a la limeña, a sweet and creamy concoction topped with meringue, is a beloved choice.

Unusual Eats: Cuy, or guinea pig, is a traditional Andean dish that may seem unusual to visitors. It is often roasted whole and served with potatoes and salad. Another unique food is anticuchos, which are skewers of grilled cow heart marinated in spices.

Popular Sports: football (soccer), volleyball, surfing

Popular Teams: Universitario de Deportes (football), Alianza Lima (football), Sporting Cristal (football)

Cultural Faux Pas to Avoid: Pointing with your fingers is considered rude in Peru; it's better to gesture with your whole hand. Also, be aware that being on time for social events is not always expected, and arriving "fashionably late" is often the norm. Avoid discussing sensitive topics such as politics, religion, and poverty, as these can be seen as intrusive or disrespectful.