BEST Sites to Visit in Peru

Listen, Peru is way more than just that famous spot. Lucky for us, more and more travelers are wising up. They’re ditching the usual tourist traps and digging into the real Peru. Ancient ruins that’ll make your jaw drop, landscapes that look like they’re straight outta a movie, cities stuck in time… and the food? Forget about it! World-class grub, no question.

After we did Peru on our own – yeah, we even wrote a whole guidebook about it – we figured we’d spill the beans on the best advice we could give anyone heading that way. Ready to get started? Let’s dive in!

1. Best Time to Visit Peru, huh?

Alright, so the first thing you gotta sort out for your Peruvian adventure is when to go, yeah? ‘Cause depending on when you can make it, your whole trip vibe changes. Peru’s massive, right? So, weather-wise, it’s a whole different ball game depending where you’re heading. Think about Cusco (11,200 ft / 3,400 m), Puno (12,600 ft / 3,840 m), or Huaraz (10,013 ft / 3,052 m) – seasons really matter there, ya know? Gotta keep it real.

• Peak Season (June to August): These months? Gold for hitting up the Cusco, Puno, and Huaraz areas. Plus, it’s dry season up in the Andean Highlands and the eastern jungle. Bonus! Just a heads-up though, prices jump during these months. Book ahead, seriously.
• Shoulder Season (March to May & September to November): Think spring and fall vibes up in the Highlands. Jungle weather’s pretty sweet too. And? Cheaper flights and hotels. Score!
• Low Season (December to February): Okay, straight up, this is kinda the worst time for Peru travel. Rainy season in the Highlands and the Amazon. Bummer. But hey, coast’s poppin’ off, if that’s your jam. Just depends on what you’re after, right? Oh, and FYI, the Inca Trail? Closed in February. Major cleanup and fix-it month due to the heavy rains. Machu Picchu itself? Still open for business, just no Inca Trail trekking.

2. Safety – Keep it Smart, Keep it Real

Even though you might catch some scary stories on the news, chill out. Peru? Totally safe to travel. Seriously. Still, gotta use your head, same as anywhere on this planet. Don’t flash your fancy gear, avoid dodgy areas after dark, and always ask your hotel or hostel if there are any no-go zones in town. Basic street smarts, you know?

Bus travel’s big in Peru, it’s how most people get around. Word of advice we got? Stick to the reputable bus companies, like Cruz del Sur. They’re all over the place and known for being safer.

These guys? They take security seriously. Luggage checks, the whole deal. Sometimes they even film everyone getting on the bus. Don’t freak, it’s normal. Just part of the safety drill.

Now, some folks online will tell you to skip overnight buses. We rolled the dice from Puno to Cusco (11,200 ft / 3,400 m) overnight, no sweat. Got some sleep, woke up in Cusco ready to roll. Other travelers we met? Same vibe, no dramas.

3. Entry Requirements – Paperwork Schmaperwork

If you’re from Spain or any EU country, good news! No visa hassles for Peru, as long as you’re just traveling for fun. Tourist visa? They got you covered for up to 90 days.

Not from the EU? Best bet? Hit up the Peruvian Consulate nearest you and get the lowdown on what you need to do.

Pro-tip for Peru travel? Cloud storage, my friend. Make digital copies of your passport, vax card, driver’s license, travel insurance… If you lose the hard copies, you’re still golden. Makes life way easier, trust me.

4. Vaccines and Travel Insurance – Health First, Adventure Second

Crucial info alert! Vaccines. What you need depends big time on where you’re headed in Peru. Just sticking to Lima and Cusco (11,200 ft / 3,400 m)? Probably no extra shots needed. But, if you’re doing a grand tour of the country? Think about typhoid, dengue, hepatitis A and B, rabies, the works. Standard travel vax stuff plus a bit extra.

Amazon trip on the cards? Malaria zones exist. Definitely something to think about and chat with a doc about.

Bottom line? Get yourself to a travel health clinic. A real pro needs to look at your medical history, your trip plans, how long you’re going for, and tell you exactly what jabs you need for Peru. Don’t mess around with this stuff.

And speaking of not messing around, travel insurance. Non-negotiable, people. For Peru? Absolutely essential.

We always roll with Heymondo. Their plans are solid, cover what you actually need on a trip like this. Bonus for you guys reading this? Click through from Viajeros Callejeros and you snag a sweet 5% discount on Heymondo insurance. Sweet deal, right?

Now, listen up, Peru’s got altitude. Big time. Lake Titicaca (12,507 ft / 3,812 m)? Way up there. Hitting places over 3,000 meters (9,843 ft)? Gotta grab extra adventure sports coverage. Covers altitude sickness and all that jazz. Heymondo and Mondo both offer it. Worth it for peace of mind.

Current health climate? Yeah, Heymondo’s got you covered for COVID-19 too. Medical costs, extra hotel if you gotta quarantine, even the COVID test if it’s needed. They’re on it.

5. Kickstarting Your Peru Trip – Let’s Get This Show on the Road

First things first, how long are you playing with in Peru? Our take? If you wanna hit the major sights? Minimum three weeks to squeeze in the Amazon. Tight on time? Two weeks, skip the Amazon, focus on the rest. 15 days? Doable, but you gotta hustle.

Got your dates sorted? Flight time. Skyscanner is your friend. Best flight search engine out there, hands down. Domestic flights within Peru too, you can scope them on Skyscanner.

Typical move? Fly into Lima (505 ft / 154 m), the capital. Explore the “must-sees” in Lima, then bus it down to Paracas National Reserve (elevation varies). Killer coastal scenery there, seriously beautiful.

From Paracas, cruise over to the Ballestas Islands and Huacachina Oasis (1,247 ft / 380 m) – that desert oasis you see blowing up on Insta? Yeah, that’s the one. Buses get you there no problem.

Next stop? Mind-blowing Nazca Lines and the Chauchilla Cemetery. One day is plenty to soak it in. Then, bus it again to Arequipa (7,641 ft / 2,329 m), one of Peru’s prettiest cities. Explore Arequipa’s highlights, then day trip to Colca Canyon. Seriously unforgettable views.

Done with that leg? Lake Titicaca (12,507 ft / 3,812 m) is calling. Island hop to Uros and Taquile Islands. After that? Head to Cusco (11,200 ft / 3,400 m). Cusco in a day? Totally doable – hit the main spots, then check out Tambomachay, Pukapukara, Qenqo, Cristo Blanco, Sacsayhuaman. Day trips from Cusco to Pisac and Ollantaytambo are also a must.

And then… the grand finale. Machu Picchu. Boom. Next day? Maras Salt Mines, Moray, and Chinchero – do it by car, easy peasy.

Got another 5-7 days to play with? Seriously consider flying from Cusco (11,200 ft / 3,400 m) to Iquitos (331 ft / 101 m). Amazon adventure time! Trust us on this – Muyuna Lodge in the Peruvian Amazon is the real deal. Check out their packages and just do it. You won’t regret it.

6. Money Talk – Cash, Cards, and Soles

Peru’s currency is the Sol (PEN). Worth about 0.26 Euros right now. Been around the block a few times, and my advice? ATMs are your friend. Pay with card as much as you can. Saves you from bank fees and dodgy exchange rates.

Revolut and N26 cards? Game changers. We use them all the time. Free, and they save you a ton on fees.

Look it up – “best travel cards no fees” and do a little digging.

Even though cards are great, always carry some cash. Especially in spots where plastic ain’t king, like Lake Titicaca (12,507 ft / 3,812 m) or the Amazon. Small bills are your friend.

7. Staying Connected – WiFi in Peru

Gotta get online in Peru, right? Essential these days. Travel apps, staying in touch with folks back home, the whole shebang. Few ways to do it:

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8. DIY Peru or Tour Group? Your Call

Like we said earlier, Peru’s a breeze to travel solo. Public transport is solid, gets you to all the tourist hotspots.

Heard of folks renting cars in Peru? Yeah, some do it. But after seeing how smooth the buses run, we think buses are the way to go for comfort and safety. Plus, you can just chill and watch the scenery roll by.

9. Day Trips and Excursions – Pre-book and Prosper

Beyond those multi-day tours we mentioned, here’s a hot tip for Peru: Book your activities and day trips ahead of time. Especially if you’re traveling in peak season. Saves you cash and time.

Tons of tours out there, but here are some killer ones that hit the major sights, from our experience:

• Paracas National Reserve and Ballestas Islands: Stunning spot, Paracas National Reserve. Some of the most jaw-dropping coastal views in Peru. Red Beach, Lagunillas, Yumaque, La Catedral – even a fossil site! The Ballestas Islands, just off Paracas and Pisco (elevation varies), are wildlife central. Tons of marine animals. And on the boat tour, you’ll spot the Candelabra, a massive geoglyph etched into a cliff face on the Paracas Peninsula.

10. Machu Picchu – The Big One

Yep, Machu Picchu. No doubt, it’s a major reason folks fly to Peru.

Might seem like a mission to get there at first glance – complicated transport and all that, right? But trust us, we’ve cracked the code. Here’s the best way to hit Machu Picchu, in our book:

• From Poroy station near Cusco (11,200 ft / 3,400 m) (3 hours 15 min ride), Urubamba (9,420 ft / 2,870 m) (2 hours 30 min ride), or Ollantaytambo (9,160 ft / 2,792 m) (2 hour ride), hop on a train to Aguas Calientes (6,699 ft / 2,042 m).

Two train companies run this route: Peru Rail and Inca Rail. Services, schedules, prices – they vary depending on who you roll with.

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