Our top 15 Peru travel tips

In this blog we share 15 expert pieces of advice to help you plan the perfect getaway. We have tips for travel in Peru in general, as well as some regional tips. If you follow all of the advice below, we're confident that you're going to enjoy the Peruvian adventure of a lifetime!

Peru is one of the world's most climatically and geographically diverse countries. This is because it has:

Peru's diversity isn't, however, limited to its climates and landscapes, but also extends to its flora and fauna, and its history and cultures.

In fact, Peru ranks second in the world for animal biodiversity! It's pipped to the post only by Brazil, and think about how much bigger Brazil is. Of course much of that biodiversity can be found in the rainforest, where you can hope to see river dolphins, capybaras and various colourful macaws, among other weird and wonderful creatures. But you've also get some real tourist favourites to look forward to in the Andes, like llamas, alpacas and vicuñas, as well as condors and pumas if you're lucky.

Peru also has a fascinating and very ancient history that's often little-known to those living outside of South America. For those in the know, its history is an astonishing story of advanced and often vast civilisations whose merits aren't contained in writing but rather can be observed in the pyramids, irrigation systems, cities, geoglyphs and more embedded in the landscape.

Today, Peru's different cultural and ethnic groups often have very strong emotional ties to the past, such as the sense of pride many Andeans feel in their Inca past. These connections are kept alive in many ways, from traditional recipes and medicines to music, intricate festivals and more.

So to truly appreciate all of the different aspects of Peru's diversity, it's vital to visit not only the coastal desert but also the mountains and the rainforest.

Cristo Rey statue above Cusco in the Andes

The best time to visit Peru if you wish to explore all three of its major climate zones is April or May. April and May together form the shoulder season where the country transitions from summer to winter. This shoulder season is a sweet spot in Peru as it offers good weather conditions in all three zones! Tourist numbers also aren't as high as they are during peak season.

More specifically, here's why April or May is a great time to visit Peru if you're planning to visit more than one of its three different geographic regions:

South America is famous for its carnivals, and so attending one is often a highlight for visitors to the continent.

Peru is no different, and has a staggering number of festivals, some national and others regional or highly localised. In fact, there are around 3,000 festivals every year! Some are religious in nature, others folkloric, others historical, and still others about food and wine.

This being the case, there's a good chance you could find a festival to attend regardless of your travel dates and destinations. But in order to be present for one of the bigger festivals or for one that's more to your taste (pun intended, because: food festivals), you might like to find out the dates beforehand to see if you can align your holiday itinerary accordingly.

Festivals are big in the Andes, in particular. Here they often blend Catholic religious celebrations with pre-Columbian Andean rituals.

By far the biggest festival in Cusco, the capital of the Andes, is the Inti Raymi, or Festival of the Sun. It's celebrated every year on June 24th. This is a centuries-old festival that originated with the Incas, who used it to honour Inti, the Sun God, on the day of the winter solstice. The citywide festival features elaborate reenactments of Inca rituals, colourful street parades involving traditional music and dancing, and church ceremonies. Finally, a grand ceremony takes place at the Inca Sacsayhuamán ruins above Cusco.

Inti Raymi is one of the biggest celebrations in all Peru, not just the Andes, and we highly recommend trying to be there to enjoy the unique atmosphere and festivities if you're planning to visit the Andes. (You can learn more in Travelling to Cusco? Time your visit to attend a festival!)

Santa Catalina Monastery in Arequipa

Most tourists to Peru visit Lima and Cusco. But not everyone has heard of or travels to these three other cities, all of which are incredibly rewarding places to visit: Iquitos, Arequipa and Trujillo.

Iquitos is the largest city in the Peruvian Amazon, but interestingly can only be reached by air or boat. The city is not only the perfect starting point for exploring the Amazon River and Pacaya–Samiria National Reserve, it's also a fascinating destination in its own right. For instance, it has a 'floating' sector where everything is built on stilts, and its colonial and rubber boom plazas and buildings are the backdrop for fascinating history tours.

Arequipa is a gorgeous city in southern Peru that sits in the shadow of Misti Volcano. Many of its buildings are made from white stone from the nearby quarry, and so the city has been dubbed 'The White City'. This Andean settlement is known for its stellar regional cuisine, the red-walled Santa Catalina Monastery, its beautiful historical plazas, and much more besides.

Trujillo is a desert city in the north that offers a wholly different sort of Peruvian experience. It's the perfect destination for anyone wanting to venture off the beaten tourist track. A highlight of a Trujillo stay is visiting the Huacas del Sol y la Luna, pyramids built by the Moche civilisation between 100 and 800 AD. You might also watch a traditional Marinera dance or paddle out onto the ocean in a long and pointed traditional totora (reed) boat.

You can learn more about Iquitos, Arequipa and Trujillo in Discover the 5 best cities in Peru: a traveller's guide.

Peru is one of the world's culinary epicentres. It really doesn't get any better than this! But remember our discussion on diversity? Its cuisine varies greatly by both region and city. So you need to try the delicacies and specialities of each for a fuller picture of Peru's food story.

For instance, in Lima, we recommend trying some of the city's famous fusion cuisine, whether from a street cart or while dining at one of the world's finest restaurants. Nikkei cuisine is one of Lima's most popular fusion food trends. It blends Peruvian and Japanese cooking styles and flavours. The most iconic Nikkei dish to try is tiradito, which sees you being served slices of raw fish (à la sashimi style) in a citrus-based marinade. You can learn more in Lima in a day – the very best things to do, see and eat.

In the Andes, cuy chactado (fried guinea pig) is a time-honoured delicacy dating back to the Inca Empire. But as mentioned, each city also has its own specialities. So while in Arequipa, try cuy, but maybe also try adobo arequipeño, a smokey pork stew marinated with pisco (grape brandy), vinegar and ají panca (red chilli). And while in Cusco, consider also tasting chicharrón, which is pork that's been braised and then baked or fried until crispy on the outside. (You can learn more about Cusqueño fare in Culinary Cusco – the best foods and restaurants.)

In coastal Trujillo, by contrast, seafood reigns. Here, flavours are bold and range from the citrusy to the umami. A popular dish is udado de pescado, which is steamed fish served with tomatoes, onions and chicha de jora (a fermented corn drink).

Finally, wherever you wind up in Peru, why not attend one of its ubiquitous chocolate-making workshops? Peru is renowned for its decadent chocolates, which isn't surprising given cacao originated here, after all. Also be sure to indulge in some local coffee. The beans are grown in the Andes and often have chocolatey, nutty or floral notes.

Peru's currency is the nuevo sol

Moving on to some more practical advice ... you want to always have some cash and toilet paper with you when travelling around Peru, especially in remote or rural areas.

Firstly, street vendors and small establishments often won't take card payments. So cash is king. Also, not everyone will be able to break big banknotes, so try to have coins on you whenever possible, not just paper money.

Not that you will often have to pay a small amount to use a public toilet. And so speaking of that, do yourself the favour of carrying some bog roll of your own, for just in case. More often than not, you'll be given a bit of toilet paper when you pay to use a toilet. But we said "a bit" for a reason: you'll only be given a few sheets, so you might like to have your own supply for occasions when you need more.

As a final aside, a hand sanitiser or disinfecting wipes are also a good backpack staple.

Speaking of carrying cash on your person, you want to be cautious (though not scared) of thieves and pickpockets when in Peru.

Ideally, keep your valuables like your passport, bankcards and big banknotes in the safe in your hotel room. If you want or need to take them with you, put them in a money belt or lanyard pouch that's kept under your shirt or otherwise hidden from view.

Please don't wear a backpack on your back nor carry a camera or handbag draped over one shoulder. It's so easy for a thief to grab and make off with such things. Rather wear your backpack on your front or your handbag or camera like you would a crossbody bag.

Note too that some pickpockets are wildly deft at slipping a hand into a bag without your noticing. So be careful of course when walking in crowded plazas and markets but also when seated on a bus, standing in a queue at a railway station, and so on.

Next, please also be alert for these common financial scams, particularly in cities:

Finally, and not to scare you, be aware that sometimes tourists are kidnapped and taken to different ATMs where they're made to withdraw all of their money. There are various ways to safeguard yourself against this, a key one of which is travelling in a group or in the company of a local tour guide.

You can learn more detail and advice on these money-related scams in Follow these 8 tips to stay healthy and safe when travelling in Peru.

When it comes to visiting Peru's coastal desert, the one tip we want to offer concerns the infamous garúa ...

A view from Lima of the sun setting over the Pacific Ocean

It doesn't rain over the coastal desert of Peru. But sometimes a thick mist (known as garúa) rolls in from the Pacific Ocean. This mist can obscure the views and make certain fun activities a no-go.

For instance, in Lima, where the mist is infamous, you want clear skies so that you can:

Garúa is most prevalent in winter, between late May and September. The phenomenon is stronger along the southern Peruvian coastline and in Lima, but can also be experienced farther north in places like Trujillo.

We suggest that you either consider exploring the coastal region outside of these misty months, or ensure you allocate at least two days to each special location to increase your chances of enjoying clear weather while there.

We have a handful of important safety tips for heading into the Andean mountains of Peru ...

Vinicunca Rainbow Mountain is a popular destination within the Peruvian Andes

Whether or not you're planning some trekking or mountaineering, you still need to come prepared for the high altitude when visiting the Andes. Many towns and cities, even those located along valley floors, are well above 3,000 m (9,000 ft), which is the rough altitude at which some people can start to feel iffy from the thinner air.

For instance, the city of Cusco in the southern Andes is a whopping 3,399 m (11,152 ft) above sea level. That's a very high altitude for a major settlement. What's more, most visitors fly here from Lima, which is at sea level, and so the elevation jump can cause their bodies to have a bad reaction.

Unless they're taking altitude meds.

Altitude meds are a preventative medication that you usually start taking around two days before entering a region of high elevation. They're especially important when you enter a high elevation zone quickly rather than working your way up towards it gradually.

Note that you can buy altitude meds across the counter in Peru, while you need a prescription for them in many other countries. It's always a good idea, in our opinion, to consult your GP before taking any medication since they know your personal medical history and so can consider any possible contraindications as well as make any other pertinent safety recommendations.

Finally, please note that even with altitude meds in your system you shouldn't plan any strenuous activities for your first 48 hours in the Andes. Rather, have loose plans that give you the wiggle room to take it easy or even just rest and sleep should your body need it.

The higher you are, the harsher the sun's rays, meaning you're more vulnerable to sunburn. Your eyes also become more vulnerable to glare, eye strain and radiation exposure at high elevations. In snowy conditions in the high Andes, you could even develop painful snow blindness if you aren't careful.

The main precautions in terms of skin and eye safety when travelling in the Andes are:

One of the main roads in Peru's Andean region

Outside of the cities, there aren't straight roads you can blaze along when travelling in most parts of the Andes. Rather, the main highways wind along valley floors and then zigzag up and over mountains, sometimes with the pinniest of hairpin bends.

If you're prone to motion sickness, the unceasingly winding roads of the Andes could be an issue for you. So please consider if some motion sickness medicine would be useful for your trip to the Andes. Also try to sit up front when possible so that you can see the road ahead, as this can help to mitigate motion sickness.

Also, note that many vehicles in Peru run on diesel, and drivers often travel with the windows down. This means you're going to be breathing in strong fumes, which can sometimes make those unused to the situation feel a bit ill. If you want an air-conditioned car that can be sealed up during travel, please ask your tour operator if this is provided.

If you're coming to the Andes for an outdoors adventure like trekking, you usually want to avoid the wettest months. This is especially the case on the Inca Trail, where you're navigating many steep paths made from stones, and these can become slick after heavy rain.

The rainy season in the Peruvian Andes typically lasts from November to March. So we recommend avoiding these months. By contrast, June to August (winter) offers the most stable weather, with mostly clear skies and sharp views. April and May and then September and October are the shoulder seasons in the Andes, and as such tend to offer reasonable weather. As mentioned before, many prefer the shoulder seasons as tourist meccas like Machu Picchu tend to be less crowded.

You can learn more about monthly weather patterns in the Andes in When is the best time to visit Machu Picchu?, as the climate patterns discussed here extend to the mountain range in general.

All that said, perhaps you'd like to experience a rainy and moody Andean landscape? Or you're keen to visit Machu Picchu and other iconic sites devoid of crowds? If this is the case, head to the mountains in the rainy season and have a blast! Please just note that you can't trek the Inca Trail in February as it's always closed during that month for maintenance.

We have three tips for visiting the Amazon rainforest, with the first two being the most important ...

An anti-insect netted hat

According to Malaria Journal, "Peru is considered a low-endemic transmission area for malaria". So the chances of contracting malaria while in the Peruvian Amazon isn't terribly high. That said, malaria is a serious disease, and we always recommend speaking with your own doctor about such matters.

Whether or not you decide to go the anti-malaria medication route, also please prepare for the situation by packing:

You might also consider bringing a hat with a dropdown, wrap-around mosquito net. Yes, they're a sexy treat, but they do ensure insects, including mozzies, can't reach your neck or face, which you might appreciate malaria aside.

Finally, we highly recommend that you research any potential accommodation to ensure they provide a mosquito net around your bed. They almost certainly will, but it doesn't hurt to check.

You can contract yellow fever in the Peruvian Amazon, and so you need to come prepared.

Firstly, we suggest you look into getting a yellow fever vaccination. Not only will the vaccine protect you from contracting the disease, but it might also be necessary in terms of flying in and out of Peru as most countries will check where you've travelled and have strict travel bans in place for those who are unvaccinated.

Please also be sure to visit your doctor well in advance of your Peru trip as the vaccine usually needs to be administered around two weeks before your flight date.

Yellow fever is transmitted via infected mosquitoes, much the same as malaria. So the same prevention techniques for malaria apply to yellow fever, namely:

One of the Amazon River tributaries near Iquitos

Here are some items you might consider packing for your Amazon visit to help you address the heat and humidity, especially if you're unused to them:

You might also like to investigate if the accommodation you're considering has a ceiling or floor fan, especially if the bedroom is a traditional, enclosed one (versus an open-sided one, which is common in the region since it allows greater airflow). A fan is helpful for cooling you down on steamy nights while also helping to keep insects at bay. Double win.

Finally, if you'd like to visit the Amazon (and who wouldn't?), check out our exciting Amazon adventure itineraries. We'd love to take you on a Peruvian adventure, which will always be epic because this is no ordinary country!