Is your next destination Peru? Then you can’t miss out on this information; here, you’ll find the best tips for traveling to Peru, in a list compiled with frequently asked questions that every traveler should know. So, let’s get started.
Recommendations for traveling to Peru
Best time to travel to Peru
A common question among many is, ‘What is the best time to travel to Peru?’ The answer depends a lot on the plans you have and the destinations you wish to visit. Peru has different climates due to its varied territory, divided into three main regions: Coast, Highlands, and Jungle. Therefore, the most suitable climates if you decide to go are:
- Coast: December to March, when the weather is sunny (Summer).
- Highlands: April to November, with sunnier days (Dry season without rains).
- Jungle: April to December, months when rains reduce.
Entering Peru
You might wonder how to enter Peru, what do I need? Well, don’t worry; here’s the information you need. If you decide to visit this country, you won’t have many difficulties entering since Peru is a country almost freely accessible to most countries in America and Western Europe, not requiring a tourist visa. Citizens of Argentina, Brazil, Paraguay, Uruguay, Ecuador, Colombia, Bolivia, Venezuela, and Chile can enter with their national identification document. If you are from another nationality, we recommend asking at your respective embassy or consulate. The Peruvian authorities grant a 183-day stay without the possibility of an extension. If you decide to stay in Peru for business, study, work, etc., it is necessary to previously request the corresponding visa from Peruvian consulates.
Safety in Peru
Peru is generally a safe country, but like most countries, it has dangerous areas. It is advisable, when traveling to Peru, to inform yourself about the places you plan to visit. Generally, all tourist destinations have police security, but if you decide to hike alone, you should take precautions. Here are some tips:
- Keep personal belongings under your supervision and care.
- Avoid taking taxis without identification or plates at night.
- Do not exchange money on the street or carry large amounts of cash. Use currency exchange houses.
Places to visit in Peru
Peru is a country with diverse tourist destinations, where you can enjoy countless excursions and tourist activities. The most requested destinations in Peru include Machu Picchu, the Sacred Valley of the Incas, the fortress of Kuelap, the ruins of Chan Chan, the Nazca Lines, the royal tombs of Sipan, Colca Canyon, Lake Titicaca and its islands, and Lima, the capital city.
Transportation in Peru
Peru has different means of transportation such as land, air, maritime, or river, connecting the different provinces and departments of the Peruvian territory, allowing anyone to move from one place to another. However, the most common means of transportation are land and air. Here is a list of some companies:
Bus Companies
- Oltursa
- Tepsa
- ITTSA
- PeruBus
- Palomino
- Cruz del Sur
- Inka Express
- Movil Tours
Airline Companies
- StarPerú
- LCPerú
- Peruvian Airlines
- LAN Perú
- TACA
- Airlines
What clothes to pack for my trip to Peru
This question is also very common and depends a lot on the destinations you wish to visit. Generally, if you travel to Peru, it would be ideal to pack various types of clothing. The climates in Peru vary greatly depending on the region. For example, if you go to the Coast, visiting cities like Lima, Paracas, or Ica, it is recommended to bring light clothing such as sportswear, sneakers, swimwear, etc. But from April to November, temperatures drop, so it would be ideal to pack warm clothing like sweaters, jackets, or raincoats. If you decide to travel to the Highlands and visit cities like Arequipa, Puno, or Cusco, it is advisable to bring light clothing for the day and warm clothing for the night since the weather in these places changes a lot. It is also recommended to use sunscreen because the UV radiation in these cities is very high. However, if you decide to go to the Jungle and visit Iquitos or Puerto Maldonado, it is recommended to wear light clothing, preferably long-sleeved shirts and long pants to avoid mosquito bites.
How to prevent altitude sickness
Altitude sickness, or ‘soroche,’ is a common ailment for most people traveling for the first time to high-altitude places. It causes discomfort in the body and hinders normal breathing. In some cases, it comes with other symptoms such as headaches, dizziness, nausea or vomiting, lack of appetite, or digestive disorders. To prevent altitude sickness, here are some practical tips:
- It is recommended to acclimatize for 1 to 2 days before starting any physical activity.
- Resting on the first day, eating lightly, and avoiding alcoholic beverages are advisable.
- You can use some local remedies, such as coca leaves. There are different ways to ingest them, like in drinks, chewing without swallowing them, just letting them sit there while they release their juice, or trying them in candies.
- Another helpful tip is to stay hydrated and drink plenty of water.
- Lastly, there are some medications to combat altitude sickness like Sorojchi Pills (available without a prescription).
Currency in Peru
The currency of Peru is the sol, and there are coins of various denominations such as 5, 10, 20, 50 cents, 1, 2, and 5 soles, and banknotes of 10, 20, 50, 100, and 200 soles. So, if you travel to Peru and don’t have local currency, it is recommended to exchange your money, whether dollars or euros, at exchange houses or a bank. Also, you can perfectly use credit cards depending on your bank’s conditions.
Food in Peru
Another reason to travel to Peru is undoubtedly its gastronomy. If you travel to Peru, you won’t have to worry about food because you’ll find a great variety of dishes to taste. Its rich cuisine is a fusion of flavors from different countries such as Spanish, African, Chinese, Japanese, and Italian, a culinary mixture of foods and flavors. But the standout dishes in Peru that I invite you to try are:
Most popular dishes
- Ceviche
- Chifa
- Rotisserie chicken
- Lomo saltado
- Ají de gallina
- Anticuchos
- Cuy
- Stuffed rocoto
- Papa a la huancaína
Soft drinks, sodas, and infusions
- Soft drinks (Coca-Cola, Inca Kola, Kola Real)
- Purple corn drink (Chicha morada)
- Fruit ice (Cremolada)
- Coca leaf tea (Mate de coca)
- Juices (cocona, camu camu, aguajina, etc.)
Liquors and cocktails
- Cachina
- Chicha de jora
- Masato
- Pisco
Hotels and Accommodations in Peru
If you’re wondering where to stay, in Peru, according to the demand from tourists, both national and foreign, this service has been growing. Therefore, accommodation and hotel prices vary greatly. Prices often increase depending on the location. You can find accommodations ranging from 20 soles to hotels with exorbitant prices, depending on the money you have available.
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