27 Things You Need to Know Before Visiting Peru
Peru is one of the most popular destinations in South America, but this country is still a mystery for many first-time travelers. Here’s our travel guide, where we share things you need to know before visiting Peru. If you started to plan your ultimate trip to Peru, read this post before your travels!
Have you heard that Peru is a fascinating country? Well, you’ve heard it right. Without even planning it, we spent a bit over two months in this country, which was the advantage of being long-term travelers.
Although it was not the first South American country we visited, we knew we must approach it differently, learn new things, and keep our minds open because it would be the biggest mistake to expect Peru to be the same as, for example, Colombia or Ecuador.
And despite the fact that some of the customs and ways of life are very similar, Peru was in many ways special, and it quickly stole our hearts.
What is the first thing you need to know about Peru? First of all, it is a large, diverse country and it is not possible to see everything in just one trip. We realize we were lucky to spend two months in Peru during our first trip around South America, but there are still numerous places left on our bucket list we did not manage to see.
If you do not have that much time, the planning part before your trip starts is super-important, especially if you want to avoid unpleasant surprises along the way.
Therefore, we would like to steal a few minutes of your time and share with you 27 things you need to know before visiting Peru.
Traveling to a foreign country with an absolutely different culture can often be a daunting task. We believe that every piece of information is valuable, even though nothing can ever replace the actual experience, which you are about to get hopefully soon.
THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE VISITING PERU
High mountains, cloud forests, Incan ruins, ruins founded even before the most famous civilization ruled over the country, Amazon jungle, colorful markets, colonial towns, waterfalls, blue lagoons, long overnight journeys, coca tea, crazy traffic, or friendly people.
Peru evokes many memories, but before our trip, we, probably the same as you, had the country connected with its most popular attraction, Machu Picchu, and could not imagine much beyond.
And although the citadel high in the rolling hills is certainly worth your attention, we have good news – Peru is much more than that.
Feel free to get inspired and read detailed posts we’ve written about Peru, but now we would like to share with you the knowledge we gained on the road that we think you might find helpful.
ALTITUDE SICKNESS IS A REAL THING
It is a bit different when you see this information on paper. Still, the reality is that once you arrive in Cusco, Huaraz, or any other must-visit destination that is not located by the sea, you’ll instantly realize that the air is thinner.
You might be even welcomed by a mild headache.
The truth is that in other countries, we felt that we have a choice if we wanted to visit places at high altitudes because they were usually slightly off the beaten path, such as Los Nevados National Park in Colombia or Cajas National Park in Ecuador.
On the other hand, we found out that here in Peru we had no choice to avoid hiking in the altitude if we really wanted to see the absolute best the country has to offer.
Renowned treks like Inca Trail, Salkantay Trek, hike to Laguna 69, Laguna Churup or Laguna Paron, visiting Pastoruri Glacier, but also Lake Titicaca, Colca Canyon, or already mentioned cities such as Huaraz and Cusco.
These are places where you’ll have to stay above 3000 meters line, but be prepared to climb mountain passes at 4000 meters, sometimes even attacking 5000 meters!
This means only one thing. Before you start planning your perfect Peru itinerary, make sure to incorporate a few acclimatization days to lower the chance to suffer from altitude sickness.
Although there’s no way how to prepare yourself for the altitude except for being in the altitude, we’ve written an in-depth post about hiking in the altitude, where you can find a few helpful tips and learn more about what to expect.
DRINK COCA TEA
No worries, we really do not want to encourage you here to try drugs, but coca tea is a part of everyday life in Peru, and it is only up to you if you want to try it or not – the tea is usually served in hotels during breakfast or on hiking tours during a break.
Coca tea tastes like a normal herbal hot drink; the only difference is that it helps people deal with altitude better.
For a better effect, it is even possible to chew coca – this is what porters who carry backpacks for travelers high in the mountains do. It is possible to buy coca leaves on markets or even in the supermarket.
It is not recommended to travel with a bag of coca leaves in your backpack if you plan on crossing borders by land, and definitely not if you’re coming back by plane to your home country.
It is also good to know that you can have traces of coca in your blood after drinking the tea for a few days, so stop drinking or chewing the leaves if you must undergo tests at your work.
KEEP CASH ON YOU
Peru is a country with a developing economy, which can mean many things, but it brings a small complication for travelers.
If you’re like us, you probably haven’t seen cash for a while, because we normally pay everything by credit card (one of the reasons why we loved our trip to Iceland so much).
It is important to know it does not work this way in Peru (the same as in most South American countries). Cash is the king here, and although the situation has already slightly improved, it is necessary to withdraw money and carry cash with you all the time.
We recommend you always check out first if your next destination has ATM, so you avoid carrying too much cash around.
More established companies offer the possibility to pay by credit card (especially in Cusco, where you can book multi-day treks that are slightly more expensive) but always check the often unfavorable rates.
DO NOT FLUSH TOILET PAPER
Unless you booked a four or five-star hotel, be prepared that the plumbing system in your accommodation won’t be top-notch.
What does it mean? In most South American countries, you should not flush toilet paper in the toilet but throw it to a bin that usually stands next to it.
It does not seem very hygienic, but believe us, it is not worth it to forget this rule, not even once. If you are not sure, always ask at the front desk; it will save you many troubles later.
OVERNIGHT BUSES
We’ve already mentioned that Peru is a large country. What is even more important, those must-visit places are not centralized, they are rather scattered, so to see the true top attractions, you will have to travel from north to south, which means only one thing.
You will spend plenty of time on a bus.
Of course, it is possible to travel by plane if you are short on time, but many destinations are still not connected by air, so unless you decide to base yourself for the whole stay in Cusco and explore the Sacred Valley thoroughly, you’ll have to, at least from time to time, survive the bus journey.
Because of the country’s size and the distance between major tourist points, consider taking night buses. Although it might sound dangerous and uncomfortable, it is actually the best way to get around the country and not lose precious time.
We got used to traveling this way, and even though we definitely were not 100% fresh after arrival at the next destination, we saved this way plenty of time and money for accommodation.
We felt pretty safe traveling by buses in Peru (we usually used a company called MovilBus or Cruz del Sur).
Being said that, our bus was involved in a car accident on the way from Nazca Lines to Arequipa. Fortunately, there were no casualties (at least on our side), and we got safely to our final destination, with only a few hours of delay.
TRY A GUINEA PIG
It is not possible to travel to Peru and not to eat Guinea pig at least once. Guinea pig is a local delicacy. At first, the meat was eaten by indigenous people only, but nowadays, it is one of the most common meals in the entire country.
Despite the name, the Guinea pig has origin in the Andes of South America, not in Guinea, and secondly, it is not a species of pig, but a rodent.
Although it does not sound somehow appealing (it does not look appealing on the plate either), the animal was domesticated, is raised solely for meat, and you would make a faux-pas if you spoke wrongly about this specialty.
Every family has its own original recipe, and in the touristy cities such as Cusco, you’ll hardly find a restaurant that does not have Guinea pig on the menu – you will find it under the local name cuy. One more thing.
Our guide on the Inca Trail told us a trick on how to make sure you’ll get a fresh Guinea pig on the table. He told us the food is perfect when the meat is fresh, but unfortunately, most restaurants use the meat they have in the freezer.
You have to call to a restaurant and simply order fresh Guinea pig and make a reservation, do not just show up. Of course, it means you must go to a bit upscale restaurant, not a local eatery, but we think this delicacy is worth the effort.
If you’re a foodie, another meal you should not miss when in Peru is ceviche. This meal is also served almost everywhere, but the culture is the most significant in Lima.
VISIT AMAZON
Visiting Amazon usually requires many hours spent on the road or even a flight to a remote area. Often this trip does not come cheap, but it is once in a lifetime experience you should not miss.
We were in Brazil, Colombia, or Ecuador, but the country where we decided to include Amazon in our itinerary, was Peru. And boy, it did not disappoint.
There are a few places to choose from, but in the end, we opted for Pacaya Samiria, a reserve that is accessible from Iquitos (we had to take a flight from Lima to Iquitos).
As we wanted to get a unique experience, we booked a one-week Pacaya Samiria camping trip and could not be happier as fauna was abundant and the jungle as wild as we imagined.
If you still hesitate, whether this trip is worth it or not, we have only one recommendation – go for it. In our opinion, three days is a bare minimum.
PERU HAS TWO DISTINCTIVE SEASONS
If you’re seriously thinking that Peru will be your next travel destination, another thing you need to know is that you have to consider travel seasons.
In general, you can experience two distinctive seasons in Peru, wet and dry.
The dry season that lasts roughly between May and September (or mid-October) is super-popular among travelers, so it is often necessary to book accommodation or trips in advance.
On the other hand, you’ll be rewarded with almost perfect weather – blue skies and it also rarely rains, which is great, especially if you have only limited time for your Peru trip. It is important to take into account that the dry season is also Peruvian winter, so temperatures are lower, especially high in the mountains.
The wet season lasts between October and April, and as the name suggests, you can expect rain – the rainiest months are December, January, and February. February is probably the worst time to visit Peru if you plan on hiking – the Inca Trail is closed for maintenance, and other trails are prone to landslides.
The rainy season also has pros, though. There are not that many travelers, prices are lower, temperatures higher (it is summer), and it also does not rain all the time.
We were in Peru in November and usually enjoyed nice weather with occasional afternoon showers. If we had a chance to get to Peru again in the future, we would have opted for shoulder months – April and May or September and October.
Because the country is very diverse, it is often hard to figure out what to pack – you basically need a bit of everything.
INCA TRAIL
Inca Trail is a chapter on its own. It is the fabulous and ancient trail that leads from the Sacred Valley to one of the most famous places in the world, the mythical Incan citadel, Machu Picchu.
So, what do you need to know about Inca Trail?
First of all, the number of hikers is strictly regulated by the Peruvian government. The first-minute reservation is essential if you cannot imagine your trip without this adventure.
Secondly, this hike does not come cheap. On the other hand, it is the only trail that will take you directly to Machu Picchu – all other hikes end in Aguas Calientes, from where you must take a bus or hike to the ruins.
Do we think Inca Trail is worth it and live up the hype? Definitely. Does the world end if you cannot afford it, or if there are no spots available? Definitely not.
The landscape around Cusco is wonderful, and although no other hike boasts that many ruins along the way, they also have a lot to offer. One of the most popular alternatives is Salkantay Trek, which is also a multi-day trail that is equally wonderful.
TAP WATER IS NOT DRINKABLE
We do not buy water in the shop all year round in our home country because it is possible to drink only tap water.
First of all, we save a lot of money, but more importantly, this approach is also great for our environment as lowering plastic consumption is the easiest thing we can do to help our planet breathe.
Unfortunately, this is not possible in Peru because tap water is not drinkable for visitors.
Of course, some of you might object that it is just a matter of training, but simply put, our bellies are not used to the bacteria in South American water, and drinking the water out of the tap is always hit or miss.
And if you are on a short, two to three-week vacation, you certainly do not want to risk it and ruin your holiday.
Honestly, we did not want to risk it even when we had two months.
Buying bottled water is the easiest way to get water in Peru, but it is not environmentally friendly. Some hotels provide water to customers so you can refill your reusable water bottle, but it is also not possible all the time.
When we searched for the best options, we came across a modern solution for treating water, even in countries like Peru.
Consider investing in SteriPen or water bottle with integrated filter – we believe you’ll find this gear handy not only in this country but on your multiple future trips.
HOW TO GET TO MACHU PICCHU
It is impossible to write a post about things you need to know before traveling to Peru and not to talk more closely about Machu Picchu. We do not think there’s a single traveler who does not have Machu Picchu on the itinerary.
We know that every country has an overhyped attraction, but Machu Picchu is definitely not the one. We visited the place twice in a row and would come back in a heartbeat.
There are several ways to get to Machu Picchu, and you should consider all the options to make sure you choose the one that fits your schedule best same as your level of fitness.
We’ve already mentioned that hiking is one of the popular alternatives among backpackers and active travelers who want to combine history with the incredible scenery.
You can choose from famous treks to off-beaten paths, and these treks can take from two to seven days (or even longer if you want to customize a private trek).
All other alternatives mean you have to get first to Aguas Calientes, the town closest to Machu Picchu.
From Cusco, the most common, iconic, and safest way to get to Aguas Calientes is by train. Here, you can purchase train tickets in advance.
Once you get to Aguas Calientes, you can either spend here a night or go directly to Machu Picchu.
You can either take a round-trip bus or opt for a hike, which is budget-friendly, but we think it is better to save energy for the citadel itself.
The visit to Machu Picchu is strictly regulated, and rules change in time, so we recommend you to read our up-to-date post on Everything you need to know before visiting Machu Picchu. It is compulsory to book a ticket for a certain time.
TAXIS IN PERU
When we were in Colombia, we learned that Uber is illegal in this country, and although it works, it is better not to use it or act like a Colombian friend picked you up.
Fortunately, this is not the case in Peru, and not only Uber is legal here, but it also works well. If you prefer to know the cab’s price without bargaining, this might be the best option for you.
Overall, we found taxis in Peru safe and reasonably priced, but it is always necessary to agree on a price before the ride.
IS PERU SAFE?
We consider Peru a safe country. We visited quite many destinations and never had the slightest problem, but it is also necessary to say we did not walk around lightheaded, especially not at night.
There were a few sketchy places where we did not feel comfortable – one place was in the capital city of Peru, Lima, but it was rather our fault as we decided to find a cheap hotel in the city center than in the more touristy part called Miraflores.
The other place was Chiclayo – the bus driver dropped us off in the suburb further from the center, and one lady that saw us with a phone in hands told us we should rather keep it out of sight (we were warned about this area even when we first arrived in the city).
The rule of thumb is always to use your common sense.
It should go without saying it is better to keep your valuables such as laptops, passports, or cash in your hotel room.
We are aware that you want to carry a phone for navigation, a travel camera to take awesome pictures, and a credit card just in case – it is always better to store it in your backpack (not in a pocket) and use it only when necessary.
Solo travelers should also feel safe in Peru; just be careful when getting back to your hostel from a bar – it is always wiser to join fellow travelers.
Although the bag snatching on buses is not that common like in neighboring Ecuador, keep your hand luggage close and never leave it under the seat or in the overhead compartment.
Travel Insurance
We never leave home without travel insurance that was designed to cover our expenses if something goes wrong during the trip.
Travel insurance protects against theft, flight delays, injury, illness, cancellations, and much more.
World Nomads provides travel insurance for travelers to cover their trip essentials, including sports and adventure activities.
SafetyWing is affordable travel insurance for backpackers, long-term travelers, and digital nomads.
Travel smarter and safer!
AVOID AYAHUASCA
There are many travel styles and reasons to travel. What we actually did not know before our trip to Peru was that there’s a new trend and people who travel to this country solely to get an experience with ayahuasca.
Ayahuasca is a brew from a plant that is native to South America, and this brew has psychedelic effects on people, especially in combination with shaman rituals.
What we could read and hear, ayahuasca seemed to us as any other drug, and that’s why we would recommend you to avoid it.
We really do not think it’s cool; you are certainly not about to reach some sort of revelation, and last but not least, most of the people we met in a hostel in Iquitos (these ceremonies are common in the Amazon) who had the personal experience were not somehow excited.
If you want to be wasted for the whole day, puke, and suffer from diarrhea, you can drink tap water for free; this so-called ritual staged for Gringos is certainly something you should skip.
ENGLISH IS NOT WIDELY SPOKEN
If you plan on traveling to Peru and have more time for preparation, you won’t make a mistake when you start learning at least the most common phrases.
Although Peru is quite a well-established travel destination, English is not widely spoken.
It is a bit different in Cusco, where the market is very competitive, but in the more remote parts and even in bigger cities, you will have to either use your broken Spanish or hands and legs. We wish we realized it before our trip to South America.
The truth is we picked up quickly[……]