Vacation In Peru

Vacationing in Peru is a wonderful way to experience many things: history, culture, beach life, hiking, and more. There are thousands of reasons to book your vacation in Peru. People are friendly and the food is delicious! I hope we can help you discover why Peru should be part of your next vacation.

The last time I visited Peru was: one year ago. The following are the reasons I went there when I did: they have the best food, they have the best weather, the parks were magnificent and the largest rainforest except Panama. But, most importantly, it doesn’t matter where you go or what you do, tourism is their greatest product contributing to approximately 7% of GDP.

South America is home to some of the most beautiful countries in the world. Peru is one of those countries, and it happens to be incredibly rich in beautiful landscapes, culture and historical areas. However, while South America can be an interesting place to visit there are several vacation destinations you will want to avoid. The travel tips below should help you choose the best destination for your vacation.

Vacation In Peru

South America is viewed today as one region, but Peru was the part of the world first discovered by Europeans and therefore it is rightfully named the “cradle of civilizations”. With their glistening blue lakes, shimmering white-sand beaches, astonishing exotic wildlife and beautifully dramatic landscapes, Peru has a diverse variety of tourist attractions. It embodies a professional culture that will amaze you with its wonders along with its colorful traditional festivals that make it so appealing to tourists.

Imagine, if you will, a place combining the magic of an ancient culture with the comforts of modern amenities, where no two days are ever the same. Row after row of glaciers and mists in the mountains, but instead of snow caps, these are covered in deep green foliage that ends at emerald ocean shores lined with white sands. Add a tropical rainforest to this equation, and you have a picture painted by Mother Nature herself!

Home to an abundance of cultural and archaeological sites, many of which are surrounded by breath-taking nature, Peru is guaranteed to exceed your expectations. And then there’s the local cuisine: many agree Peru’s culinary scene is one of the best in the world.

Whether you’ve got a week or two weeks in Peru (or perhaps even more), there’s plenty of time to explore the country’s famed archeological sites, hit the beach or head into the jungle, all the while treating yourself to the country’s unique offering of traditional coastal and Andean dishes.

Machu Picchu is on everyone’s list when it comes to a vacation in Peru, and it’s to understand why. In fact, all of our four Peru travel itineraries include a visit to what is by far the country’s premier tourist attraction. But there’s plenty more to add to your Peru vacation itinerary.

Often forgotten, northern Peru also offers big adventure, from surfing to archeological sites that are significantly older – and perhaps more impressive – than better-known Machu Picchu. Luckily, these different Peru itineraries can help you explore the country’s most acclaimed destinations and get you off the-beaten-trail.

What’s in this article:

What should you consider before planning your itinerary?

• Altitude sickness is no joke in Peru, especially if you plan to hike or trek. Our itinerary focuses on helping you adjust to the altitude slowly while exploring the best of Peru. Generally, your body needs two weeks to get used to it completely. However, a couple of days of adjustment is better than nothing. Drinking plenty of water and having enough sleep usually help with altitude sickness. You can also consume coca leaf tea and apply herbal oil made for this type of sickness; both are available in most local markets in Peru. Alternatively, consult your doctor before departing your home country as they can prescribe you medication, such as acetazolamide, to ease symptoms of altitude sickness. It’s worth noting that eating spicy, sour, and greasy seafood combined with alcohol can exacerbate the symptoms of altitude sickness. Drinking a cup of coca or muña tea in the morning and after a big meal is one of the known remedies for stomach discomfort.
• Instead of doing both the Colca Canyon hike and the Inca Trail, it’s best to choose only one, no matter how long your itinerary is. There are so many cool things to do in Peru other than just trekking, and it would be a loss to miss them while you’re here. Besides, both trails are strenuous – especially considering the altitude – and you may end up spending the rest of your vacation recovering – rather than enjoying Peru.https://47779cc808655a4704f2dc7f9d8eabbb.safeframe.googlesyndication.com/safeframe/1-0-38/html/container.html
• Different regions in Peru usually have different weather conditions. For example, Arequipa is a high-altitude desert where the sun is quite intense, yet Lima and its shores have their own microclimate where winter days are mostly cloudy, but it almost never rains. With that in mind, before you finalize your itinerary, it’s worth reading our article on the best time to go to Peru to learn when’s the best time of the year to travel there.
• Peru is an affordable destination. Dining at a fancy restaurant generally costs less than $50 USD for two, even in the capital city, Lima, while you can expect to spend around $70 USD per night for a decent mid-range hotel, or around $15 USD per night for a bed in a dorm room. Transportation is also very affordable: flights between Lima and Cusco can cost as little as $100 USD one-way, while a bus covering this route can cost as little as $45 USD. As a result, you can cover a lot of distance during even a shorter trip.
• There are only a few direct domestic flights within Peru that don’t travel through Lima. Most flights have at least one stop in the capital city. There are plentiful bus routes throughout the country, although many routes wind through the mountains and it’s wise to always pay for a more expensive bus company, as cheaper operators can be dangerous; we recommend using companies such as Cruz del Sur, Oltursa, TEPSA, Movil and Civa for their higher safety credentials. Bus Bud is a great site for finding bus tickets before you travel, but they are often cheaper bought at the bus station directly. If you have significant issues with motion sickness, do bring medication.
• Public transport in Peru is accessible and affordable. Buses routes pass each city’s popular places, while taxis are cheap, too. A one-kilometre trip usually costs around S/4 ($1 USD) or less. Note that most taxis are unmetered, so it’s best to agree upon the fare before you get into one.
• Packing for your trip to Peru depends a lot on what you plan on doing. To visit Machu Picchu, pack light and comfortable clothing, alongside a waterproof jacket as there’s a high chance of rain. Medication to help you deal with altitude sickness (and motion sickness if you plan on taking long bus rides) is always helpful. Sunblock is very important, particularly in high-altitude destinations such as Cusco where the sun is more powerful. Packing a wide-brim hat is also useful. Check out our complete South America packing list for more details.