Peru Travel Guide

Peru

Peru is one of the most popular countries in South America. There is so much more to this country than Machu Picchu – although it is pretty spectacular! With all the delicious cuisine, local culture, and beautiful natural landscapes, it is hard not to include Peru in every traveler’s ultimate travel bucket list.

If you are planning on visiting Peru, use this travel guide to help you create the perfect trip.

Let’s dive in…

Travel Guide Contents

Important Info   |   Best Time to Visit   |   Things to Do   |   What to Eat   |   Typical Budget

Travel Tips   |   What to Pack   |   Peru Articles   |   Book Now

Peru Travel Guide | Two Wandering Soles

Important Information About Peru

Peru at a Glance: Peru boasts of several stunning landscapes. From the stretch of a desert on the west coast to famed highlands and jungles, the country’s colonial architecture invites every traveler who’s looking for an adventure of a lifetime.

Most popular places to visit in Peru:

  • Machu Picchu This is probably Peru’s most popular tourist destination and one of the famous archeological wonders of the world.

  • LimaLima is one of the largest cities in South America, as well as the capital of Peru. It is a business metropolis and home to a collection of pre-Colombian art. 

  • Arequipa Surrounded by three volcanoes, Arequipa boasts of Spanish colonial and indigenous cultures.

  • Nazca Desert – Who wouldn’t want to get a closer look at the famous Nazca Lines? It’ll make you wonder how they were created.

  • CuscoLocated in southeastern Peru, Cusco used to be the Inca Empire’s historic capital.

Currency in Peru: Sol | 2019 Conversion Rate: 1 Sol = $0.30 USD

Tipping in Peru: In restaurants and bars, your bill will already include a 10% gratuity. It is up to you to add extra if you find the service exceptional. Taxis, on the other hand, do not expect tips. But you should tip hotel bellhops and porters a $1 tip per bag.

 Language & Helpful Phrases: Spanish

  • Hello = hola

  • Thank you = gracias

  • Beer = cerveza

  • Delicious = delicioso

  • Bathroom = baño

  • How much? = Cuánto cuesta?

  • Too expensive = muy caro

  • Don’t want = no quiero

Religion and Culture: Most Peruvians are Roman Catholic, while the rest are a mix of other Christian faiths. The country’s culture has multiple layers of great civilizations from the ancient Incan Empire to the Conquistadors, and many more.

Transportation around Peru: The transit system in Peru is the most reliable and easiest method of public transportation. Throughout the country you can get around via airplane, bus, minibus, and taxis and even Uber in the larger cities like Lima.

Peru Travel Guide | Two Wandering Soles

Best Time to Visit Peru

For an in-depth guide on the regional seasons, weather patterns and other factors, check out our complete guide on the best time to visit Peru. We’ve also listed out some of the basics below to give you a general idea.

Climate in Peru

Peru’s climate is very diverse. There’s a large variety of climates and microclimates throughout the country. The Andes mountains have a cool-cold climate with dry winters and rainy summers. The coastal climate is arid and semi-arid with very little rainfall. Lastly, the eastern lowlands have hot weather with rainfall distributed throughout the year.

  • Driest Season: May to September (Winter)

  • Wettest season: December to March (Summer)

Peak season for tourists is May through October during the driest months. However, hotels and airlines consider mid-December to mid-January as the peak season. The prices during these times are the highest.

Times to avoid traveling in Peru

As much as possible, avoid traveling around July 28 during Peru’s national holiday since Peruvians tend to travel in huge numbers during this time. It may be difficult for you to find an accommodation in popular tourist areas.

Major Festivals in Peru

  • Fiesta de la Candelaria, February: This is the most colorful and most awaited festival in Peru. Around 140,000 musicians and dancers will take to the streets to celebrate.

  • Inti Raymi, June 24: Also called the Festival of the Sun, the Inti Raymi festival is a colorful celebration with lots of singing, dancing, feasts, and cultural re-enactments.

  • Festival Internacional de la Vendimia, March: Celebrated in the Ica region, the International Harvest Festival honors the wine producers of Peru and the Queen ceremoniously stomps the first grapes of the harvest.

*These festivals follow the Lunar calendar, so the exact dates vary each year

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Peru Travel Guide | Two Wandering Soles

Top Things to Do in Peru

Hike the Inca Trail to Machu Picchu

A trip to Peru wouldn’t be complete without a visit to Machu Picchu. This Inca ruin is Peru’s most popular attraction. To get to Machu Picchu, you can opt to use the Inca Trail.

Go Trekking in Cordillera Blanca

If you love to hike, you will fall in love with the Cordillera Blanca. There are around 80 mountain peaks that compose the mountain range. And the most popular hike is the 4-day Santa Cruz trek. 

Surf the Dunes of Huacachina

Visit this tiny oasis in the middle of the desert to use as a homebase as you take part in all kinds of desert adventures such as dunebuggy cruising and sand boarding. Huacacina is a small village with surrounding a lagoon lined with palm trees, smack dab in the middle of a sandy desert. A popular stop on backpackers’ itineraries.

Visit Arequipa

Nicknamed as the white city or ‘La Ciudad Blanca’, Arequipa has pretty unique and impressive buildings. Most of the structures were constructed using a white volcanic rock called sillar.

Explore Cusco

As the historical capital of the Inca Empire, Cusco is pretty famous as the gateway to Machu Picchu. Get lost in its quaint alleys and spend a day in the city center.

Peru Travel Guide | Two Wandering Soles

Best Food to Eat in Peru

Peru has some of the best flavors and dishes that you can’t find anywhere else in the world.  Its cuisine is a mix of indigenous ingredients and flavors from all around the world, creating a whole new flavor of delicious food.

Here are some of our favorites:

  • Ceviche: You’ll easily get obsessed with ceviche, the country’s national dish, in Peru. The taste of the sea bass, onion, lime juice, salt, and hot chiles will make you want to eat some more.

  • Lomo Saltado: Fusing Chinese stir-fry and Peruvian ingredients, the Lomo Saltado is something you shouldn’t miss!

  • Aji de Gallina: Made with ground walnuts, aji amarillo, cheese, cream, and shredded chicken, this is a dish that reflects the Peruvians love of chilies, cream, and cheese.

  • Papas a la Huancaina: Often served as a side dish, the Papas a la Huancaina is a common appetizer that you’ll wish was the main dish!

  • Causa: Potato casseroles, anyone? The Causa is a Quechan dish that starts with potatoes blended with oil, lime, and spicy aji amarillo sauce.

  • Rocoto Relleno: The rocoto dish consists of stuffed red aji rocoto chilies. What you will find inside are raisins, olives, garlic, onions, ground beef, herbs, and spices. The queso fresco on top will get you addicted.

Peru Travel Guide | Two Wandering Soles

Typical Budget for Peru

When compared to Europe and the US, Peru is cheap. This makes it one of the greatest backpacking destinations in the world. With so many opportunities for adventure and rich culture, the place offers an affordable adventure for every traveler.

How Much to Budget in Peru Per Day

Budget traveler: If you are on a tight budget and watch your spending closely, $25 – $30 could be a sufficient budget. 

Mid-range traveler: If you want to have a few splurges and stay in nicer accommodation, plan to budget $35 – $50 per day. 

Travel Guide | Two Wandering Soles

Dorm bed = $5-$8

Budget room = $9-$28

Mid-range = $40-$60

Luxury hotel = $200+

Travel Guide | Two Wandering Soles

Street food = $1-$3

Mid-range restaurant = $4-$10

Fancy restaurant = $15-$35

Local beer = $1.20-$2

Travel Guide | Two Wandering Soles

Short Public Bus Ride = $0.50-$1.20 (one hour or less)

Long Distance Bus  = $8-$15 for an 8 hours ride trip

Taxi (per 1km) = $0.89-$1.71

Travel Guide | Two Wandering Soles

Inca Trail + Machu Picchu= $776+ 

Cusco Tourist Ticket = $40

Peru Travel Guide | Two Wandering Soles

Responsible Travel Tips for Peru

We are passionate about sharing tips anyone can use to travel more responsibly. Here are some easy ways you can travel better in Peru.

1. Be sensitive to local customs

Be a smart traveler and know how important it is to follow the customs and traditions of the place. Display proper travel etiquette. Ignorance is not an excuse. Do some research before you travel to understand the history and culture of your destination.

2. Tread lightly

Always aim for minimal environmental impact especially when you trek through the Andes. Help preserve the beauty of the place and as much as possible and leave nothing but footprints. Be prepared to carry your trash with your and dispose of it properly after completing your trek.

3. Give gifts wisely

It is not bad practice to give gifts to locals, but such generosity can create side effects like introducing a begging mentality, corruption, and jealousy. While it feels good to give, consider the implications of your actions and what this means to the traditional communities.

4. Use local public transport

If possible, use local public transport to reduce your carbon footprint. When booking tours, also opt for a local guide. This way, you are both helping and giving to the local communities in the area.

5. Avoid plastic

Bring your own reusable drinking bottles and reusable bags during trips to reduce plastic usage

Related Article: 36 Responsible Travel Tips

Peru Travel Guide | Two Wandering Soles

What to Pack for Peru

It can be pretty confusing and complicated to pack for Peru. With its hot coastal beaches, temperate capital city, wet Amazon forest, and cold Andean highlands, Peru is one destination that can be stressful to pack for.

Here are some Peru-specific items we’d recommend packing:

Ultimate Long Term Packing List

Peru Articles

From things to do to the best places to visit, find all kinds of information on traveling to Peru that will help you plan the perfect adventure!

Best Time to Visit Peru: When to Go & When to Avoid!

This captivating country is one of those places that actually lives up to the hype — there’s so much to explore! Comprising multiple distinct ecosystems, there’s a lot to consider when choosing the best time to visit Peru. We’ve broken down each region to help you plan!

Sacred Valley Peru: Ultimate Guide

The Sacred Valley in Peru is a popular destination due to the preservation of its ancestral cultures and its impressive natural scenery. In this guide to the Sacred Valley, we go over everything you need to know for your visit including the best things to do, when to go, and...

21 Things to Do in Peru You Can’t Miss

With such a wide-range of things to do in Peru—from adrenaline-pumping adventure to rich cultural experiences—it can all be a little overwhelming trying to plan what are the must-sees. With the help of our friend and fellow travel blogger, we’ve come up with the ultimate round up of the best...

17 Exciting Things to Do in Cusco, Peru

Cusco is a city bursting with life. There's both a large presence of foreigners (mostly on their way to Machu Picchu) and locals going about their daily life. It's a city with such a rich history that is worth more time than just a stop before the Inca Trail; there...

Inca Trail to Machu Picchu Hike: Ultimate Guide

Hiking the Inca Trail to Machu Picchu is one of the most incredible experiences of my life. Follow along as we describe how to book your Inca Trail tour, what to expect on the trail, and what you should pack for your trek.

How to Get to Machu Picchu: Guide to Visiting the Lost City of the Incas

In this guide we’re breaking down how to get to Machu Picchu in detail from the most convenient to the most adventurous ways. This guide includes where to buy tickets, the time slot system, what to pack and what prohibited items you should leave at home.

Rainbow Mountain Peru: How to Get There & What to Expect

The stratified sandstone layers of Rainbow Mountain in Peru have captured the curiosity of travelers in only six short years of being revealed. We put together a detailed guide of both Vinicunca and Palccoyo rainbow mountains to help you plan your trip to either of these spectacular sites in Peru.

How to get from Lima to Cusco, Peru

The Andean city of Cusco is a must-see on any trip to Peru. In this guide, we give you the full breakdown of the best routes, cost, travel time, and everything you’ll need to know to get from Lima to Cusco whether by plane, bus, car, or a guided tour.

19 Delicious Peruvian Foods to Try: A Guide for Eating in Peru

From ceviche to pisco sours, Peru has been voted the Best Culinary Destination in South America time and time again. In this guide, we’re sharing all the staple ingredients that make Peruvian food so unique, as well as the foods you must try when you visit.

13 Fun Things to Do in Arequipa, Peru

Arequipa, known as the White City, is the largest—and arguably the most beautiful—colonial city in Peru. With unique, Euro-influenced architecture and historic street corners, you’re bound to be drawn to explore all the best things to do in Arequipa’s corners.

15 Adventurous Things to Do in Huacachina, Peru

This tiny oasis in the Ica desert is a stop on most backpackers’ itineraries. In this guide to Huacachina, Peru, we cover the best things to do, where to stay, and how to make the most out of your visit.

27 Fun Things to Do in Lima, Peru

The bustling capital city of Peru is a blend of cultures, coastal vibes and metropolitan cityscape. We’ve visited a couple of times and put together this list of exciting things to do in Lima Peru to help you plan your trip.

Colca Canyon Peru Trekking Guide

The Colca Canyon is located in southern Peru and is the second deepest canyon in the world. Here's everything you need to know to do the Colca Canyon trek, either on your own or with a guided tour.

Cordillera Blanca: Peru’s Most Underrated Travel Destination

If you want to get off the beaten path in Peru, look no further. The Cordillera Blanca is a well-kept secret, and the hiking in this region of the Andes Mountains is known as some of the best in the world. Come along as guest author, Daniel Daniel Caracciolo, takes...

Border Crossing: Peru to Bolivia (and the joys of being American)

Being that this was our third border crossing in the past two and a half months, we thought we knew the drill. Oh man, were we wrong!

Border Crossing: Ecuador to Peru

Border crossings are not exactly on my list of favorite things to do. Crossing over from Ecuador to Peru wasn’t very eventful – but man, was that an uncomfortable journey.

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Book Your Trip to Peru Now!

Here are some helpful links for booking your trip to Peru…

To find the best airline deals: Skyscanner

Booking a rental car: Rentalcars.com

Finding tours in Peru: Get Your Guide

Don’t you dare travel without this!

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