I hesitate to write guides these days because in the interest of being fully authentic, I find them extremely dull and besides the point. It’s nice to know things about a country but in my opinion the point of travel is mystery, connection and opening to the unknown, finding trust where previously you found only fear. My travel philosophy is jump first and ask questions later. I learned most of these things by doing, and other things through friendship.
I believe that we are drawn to certain countries for a reason. Our heart calls out to particular places for a reason. My heart was and is enamored of Peru. I will not claim to be an expert in the country, nor am I a tour guide. But I love Peru and hope that you might love it too. Here is an archive of some of the many things I learned about this amazing country.
Also I made some nice little maps and graphics and I would hate for them to go to waste.
Why Peru is a Great Destination
Peru is a great destination. I say this having traveled there myself twice, the second time spending almost three months there. I would say that Peru is a great vacation destination because it is both cost effective and astoundingly interesting. Peru has some very interesting sites from Iquitos (Amazon rainforest) in the north and Cusco and Machu Picchu in the south. Most people visit Peru to see Machu Picchu, one of the seven wonders of the world. This Incan site tucked high up in the Andes Mountains truly is a wonder to behold. There are very many other Incan sites to visit in Peru as well.
Best Places to Visit in Peru
- Lima, the capital city on the coast which is well known for its fresh ceviche and beautiful gray green cliffs bordering the Pacific Ocean.
- Arequipa, the white city. Most of the buildings are constructed from white volcanic stone, sillar. Arequipa is surrounded by three volcanoes.
- Colca Canyon, one of the largest canyons in the world, sits a few hours from Arequipa. This canyon is home to the Andean condor.
- Cusco, the imperial city to the south in the heart of the Andes. Cusco has the most beautiful colonial streets and architecture plus many Incan sites within the city. Many of the walls in Cusco are the original Incan walls.
- Machu Picchu and the Sacred Valley which lie a short distance from Cusco. Many people visit Machu Picchu, the last refuge of the Incas. Other cities in the Sacred Valley like Pisaq also contain the remains of the Incan civilization.
- Peruvian Amazon. If you are interested in seeing the Amazon rainforest you can head north to Iquitos which is probably best known, or south to Puerto Maldonado. During my stay in Peru I rode an overnight bus 10 hours from Cusco to Puerto Maldonado which is a very affordable and easy option.
- Lake Titicaca and Uros. Lake Titicaca lies at the southern border of Peru and shares a border with Bolivia. The lake is famous because of its islands constructed of reeds where people live, work, attend school and church. Uros is the largest of these reed islands. You can even book a night to stay out on the lake.
Cost Estimates for Peru
Lodging
During my trip to Peru I was able to find most accommodations under $50 per night. My first Airbnb ended up being around $26 per night and included a whole apartment. Hostels usually run from about $10-$25 a night for a room with a bunk (it depends on how many bunks are in the room). Lodgings are generally affordable.
Tours
Guided tours vary by place and type of tour. I find that it is much less expensive to book a tour while in Peru than to arrange something online ahead of time. Things generally cost twice as much if you book online.
Food
Food is generally affordable as well except in places that are very touristy, like the Plaza de Armas in any of the major cities. Usually you can find places that offer a “menu” which changes daily for 12-15 soles which amounts to about $4.
Transportation
Plane tickets can run around $100 round trip if you are heading from Lima to Cusco, for example. Taking taxis in Peru it is customary to arrange the price before you get in, and depends how far you are headed. Another reliable mode of transportation are overnight buses which can take you from city to city for about $30.
Best Time to Travel to Peru
If you’re a teacher like me the best time to travel to Peru has to be June or July! June and July in Peru are winter months and are part of the dry season. This is a great time to visit Machu Picchu. You can expect a very gray but still beautiful Lima, and good weather for visiting the locations of the Sacred Valley. When I visited in November through February I was treated to a sunny Lima (which I ADORED) but some rainy weather in the Sacred Valley.
Peru in Dry Season
The dry season in Peru is from May through October. If you visit during June or July you will be fairly certain to encounter dry weather which is great for visiting Machu Picchu. Peruvians consider June and July to be invierno, or winter. You will find cool weather in Lima, down to about the 60s. The Sacred Valley and Cusco is nearly always cold but the nights may be extra chilly. The perfect place to buy a sweater made from alpaca! The dry season is the best time to visit the Peruvian Amazon as well as wildlife retreats deeper into the rainforest when there is a lot of rain.
Peru in Rainy Season
The rainy season is from November to April. I have visited Peru during July and during November-February and I can tell you that they were both good in their own way. Cusco and the Sacred Valley are nearly always chilly so I did not notice a difference there. The big difference was in visiting Lima in July and in November. Lima in July is covered by a thick layer of clouds that the sun does not penetrate. If you visit during the rainy season you will get sunny weather in Lima.
Rainy Season in the Sacred Valley
One important consideration is that Machu Picchu is closed in February. I lived in Cusco in the month of December and what I noticed is that it would rain every day, but only part of the day. It would usually rain either in the morning or in the afternoon which still left plenty of opportunity to explore and do things. Machu Picchu during the rainy season is known to sometimes be covered with thick fog and mist and you may not get a good view.
Things to Know About Peru
There are some general things you may want to know about Peru before you travel there. Here are some general facts that come to mind as well as an overview of the culture of Peru.
Safety
Many people think of Latin American countries as being very dangerous for tourists but I would say that safety in Peru is not so different than in the United States. You will have to be on guard for theft of valuables or your cell phone. Local people have told me not to walk with a cell phone out, for instance. If you use common sense you can avoid having problems. I traveled in Peru as a couple and as a single woman and I never felt threatened or scared.
Covid Restrictions in Peru
Here are some resources to check current travel restrictions to Peru.
How Peru has Handled the Pandemic
I traveled to Peru most recently in November of 2020 just after the border opened to international flights. Peru was handling the pandemic by enforcing a curfew or “toque de queda” each night at 10:00 pm which I believe is still enforced. Every place of business required a mask for entry and also had someone stationed at the door to take temperatures and apply either an alcohol spray to the hands or hand sanitizer.
Visa Requirements
You don’t have to have a visa to enter Peru but you do need to have a health declaration form signed prior to entry as well as a negative Covid-19 test within a certain amount of time of your flight. The health declaration form is free here. Check the link below for details about the documents needed. It contains useful details about everything you need to enter. Note that you do not need to purchase through the company but it may be worth it if you don’t speak Spanish and are having difficulty navigating the official Peru website.