Peru is a diverse country with breathtaking natural scenery, cities embracing their historic culture, and welcoming locals ready to show off their country. With stunning landscapes ranging from multi-colored mountain areas (Rainbow Mountain) to lush rainforests filled with ample (often oversized wildlife critters) to Lake Titicaca, a unique location with artificial floating islands, Peru is a must-visit destination.
This Peru travel guide includes up-to-date information on the country, from the top activities (as noted by a local) to advice for an enjoyable trip. Delve into Peru’s exciting cuisine, sites, and more with this comprehensive guide for first-time visitors.
Best Activities to Do as You Visit Peru
Hike the Inca Trail to Machu Picchu
Whether you’ve lived in Peru for years or are just visiting for the first time, visiting Machu Picchu is a must-do. The Incans built this famous archaeological site near the Sacred Valley in the 1400s. It was used as a fortress for the tribe members and has remained fairly well intact, likely since archaeologists did not discover it until the early 1900s.
When you visit Machu Picchu, expect cultural insights into Peru’s history and incredible views of the surrounding mountains and valleys. Most people take a 3-5 day hike to this historical site, though you can ride a train there if you prefer.
Local tip: Only head to Machu Picchu during the dry season, as certain trails and routes close during the rainy season, making it challenging to reach the site.
Visit Huaca Pucllana and Its Museum
Peru is chock full of interesting museums and archaeological sites which explore the country’s history with mummification. Among these museums and sites is Huaca Pucllana in Miraflores, a ceremonial center for a pre-Incan civilization. These impressive pyramids were crafted from adobe and clay and were built around 400 CE. There are free walking tour Peru options, which include a visit to Huaca Pucllana (entrance fee not included).
Local tip: Be sure to visit the small museum at the base of the pyramids for more information on the site’s history and to view some of the archaeological finds uncovered at Huaca Pucllana.
Fly Over the Nazca Lines
One of the most breathtaking experiences in Peru is flying over the incredible Nazca Lines, mysterious geometric images that have been around for about 2,000 years. It’s unclear why the lines were made, though they remain an exciting UNESCO World Heritage Site to check out. A few Nazca drawings can be seen from a nearby tower, but the best viewing experience is via plane.
Local tip: This activity is for adventurous individuals, as the planes are quite small, so you’ll feel any turbulence the plane experiences quite strongly.
Shop at Surquillo Market for Local Produce
One of the best spots to find local produce like granadilla, lucuma, and chirimoya are at the local markets. Among the top options, you’ll find Surquillo Market in Lima, a popular spot for locals. This market features an array of food stall vendors and delicious indigenous produce you won’t find outside the country. Additionally, the market includes fresh fish, meat, seafood, baked Peruvian goods, and other tasty items. Instead of eating at restaurants your entire visit, consider stocking your living space with fresh items from the market for a more authentic experience.
Local tip: The vendors are happy to chat about their offerings if you have any questions. Here’s where Spanish comes in handy. However, you can also use translating apps to help you get along in the market.
Peru Travel Guide Tips for First-Time Visitors
Below, you’ll find additional Peru travel guide tips for a smoother experience while in the country.
1. Only hop in registered taxis.
While you can use ride apps to explore the country, you’ll often find it easier to hop in a taxi, especially if you’re staying in Lima. There are some unregistered taxis that will offer rides to unsuspecting tourists, hoping to make extra money. You will often come across these taxis at the airport when you arrive. Ensure you only get into official, registered taxis for all your excursions.
As an extra note, there are no meters in Peruvian taxis. So, you’ll need to negotiate the price before heading to your destination. While it’s not necessary to know Spanish before traveling to Peru, it can help in these instances.
2. Use official government sites to buy tickets to Machu Picchu.
Since Machu Picchu is a highly trafficked spot for tourists, there are also some individuals who want to take advantage of visitors here. Some will say you have to purchase a ticket at the entrance or have a guide to enter the UNESCO World Heritage Site. Neither is true. You do need an entry ticket to Machu Picchu, but you’ll want to purchase that before visiting from an official government website.
3. Avoid altitude sickness in Cusco with plenty of water.
Locations like Cusco and Lake Titicaca are above the threshold for elevation, where travelers usually get altitude sickness. It is said about 50% of people who visit Cusco will get sick from the altitude change. Do your best to avoid this by drinking plenty of water, taking a few days to adjust to the altitude before doing any long hikes, and avoiding heavy meals.
4. Bring cash for activities/outings.
If you plan on traveling to smaller towns or outside the larger cities, ensure you bring cash. While you can pay by credit card in most restaurants, attractions, etc., in Lima, other areas may only accept cash. Always be sure you have at least a small amount of local currency on hand (to save money due to the currency exchange rate).
You can also find ATMs for extra cash near larger cities (like downtown Lima) in the main squares (also known as Plaza de Armas). Be sure to only use ATMs that appear to be well-kept and are in safer locations.
5. Always carry a form of ID with you.
It’s always a good idea to carry a form of ID while traveling outside the country. However, you are required to have a form of ID on you at all times while in Peru. The only exception for this is when you’re hiking the Inca Trail. You do not need to carry your physical passport; you can instead carry a paper copy of your passport and keep the original in a safe in your Airbnb or hotel room.
Writer: Krystina Quintana
Byline: Krystina Quintana is a 31-year-old freelance writer living outside of Chicago, IL. With a passion for food and travel, she seeks to help businesses bring traffic to their page by writing blog posts that are engaging and fun to read.