Overview
Peru is an incredibly diverse country with top restaurants, jungles, and of course Machu Picchu, one of the Wonders of the World. Whether you are a backpacker looking to explore the full Inca Trail or this is your first more adventurous location – Peru has so much to offer and at a relatively inexpensive cost.
When To Visit
There are two main season in Peru – the Dry Season, which runs from May to October, and the Wet Season, which runs November through April. Dry season is has clearer skies, the best weather, and consequently higher crowds (especially at the main tourist attractions like Machu Picchu). January / February are the rainiest months with the Inca Trail closed for hikers.
We recommend visiting in shoulder season, avoiding the peak months of July/August and aiming for May or late September where you still get good temperatures but lower crowds. We visited in late September with warm, sunny days and chilly nights. This was also an ideal time to head to Iquitos & the Amazon River, with mosquitos being less intense.
General Tips & Facts
Country Entry / Exit: Upon arrival we had to show proof of two covid vaccine doses or a negative molecular covid test within 48 hours of arrival. Previously you also had to submit a health declaration form, but as of Oct 2020 this is no longer required.
Money: We brought USD and Peruvian Sols with us, but if you are arriving and need to exchange currency there is a foreign currency exchange in the arrivals section. There is also an ATM for taking out cash, but fees can be steep so we recommend bringing Sols or USD if you can.
Domestic Travel: Travel by air is the quickest way to travel internally within Peru. There are five main international airports (Lima, Cusco, Iquitos, Arequipa, Piura) with LATAM, Avianca, and Star Peru being the main options for internal flights. If looking for a cheaper way to travel, Peru Hop is a popular bus company used by many international backpackers offering both day tours and inter-city transit.
In-City Transportation: We recommend using Uber or Cabify for transportation in Lima – it’s safe, cheap, eliminates the risk of taxi-scams and avoids you having to haggle down the ‘tourist price’. In smaller cities like Cusco and Iquitos, we recommend organizing transport through your tour company or hotel. If you need to get a taxi directly from the airport when you land, hire a driver that is waiting inside the terminal with a license badge or book one at a travel deck (many of the reputable taxi companies have service desks inside the arrivals terminal before you exit).
Safety: The main concern while travelling in Peru is theft, particularly in Lima and Cusco. Keep in mind standard travelling best practices (don’t flash expensive jewelry / belongings, don’t travel alone at night, etc.). In Lima, the safest neighbourhoods are Miraflores and Barranco.
What To Eat & Drink
- Ceviche: Fresh, raw fish cured in lime juice and mixed with onions and other seasonings
- Cuy (Guinea Pig): A local delicacy, popular for celebrations. You can even see a painting of the Last Supper in Cusco where Jesus is being served Cuy for his last meal. Tastes like the dark meat from a chicken.
- Alpaca: A very common meat in Peru, it is served & tastes like steak.
- Pollo A La Brasa: Full roasted chicken. You can try this in sandwich form at La Lucha Sangucheria Criolla, a popular Lima-based sandwich chain with an outlet in Lima airport.
- Lomo Saltado: A beef stir-fry dish with soy sauce, onions, and tomatoes
- Pisco Sour: A classic cocktail mixing Peruvian Pisco, a colorless brandy, with egg whites, lemon juice, simple syrup, and Angostura bitters
Souvenirs: Best Gifts To Bring Home
- Alpaca Clothing: You will find Alpaca clothing (sweaters, blankets, hats) in every market you visit – it is hypoallergenic, lightweight, and known not to itch. Many products in these markets will be advertised as “100% Alpaca” or “100% baby Alpaca” when in reality they are mixed with other synthetic fibers (and hence so affordable). This makes for an affordable souvenir, but if you are looking for the real thing you should look to purchase from a more reputable vendor or established boutique. If you are really looking to go all out, Vicuña wool is the most expensive found in Peru and frequently goes for thousands of dollars for a sweater.
- Gourd Carvings: Gourd carving has been practiced in Peru for more than 4,000 years. Most famous for this art is the city of Huancayo, a 350,000 person city in the Quechua region of Peru. The gourds are carved with local folklore, imagery, and stories. These are all hand-carved and priced based on the complexity and time put into their creation. You can find lots of simple gourd carvings in stalls throughout Cusco, but we recommend finding Cristian Alfaro Nunez in the San Pedro market (when we visited his stall was located outside, near C. Sta. Clara). Cristian is an award-winning gourd carver who is happy to customize his gourds with the date of your trip and to string them as Christmas ornaments. You can find more about their products and their contact details here.
- Retablos: Wooden altar pieces which are designed to show local Peruvian activities or religious symbols. These are brightly colored and a great piece to put on your shelf.
- Pisco: Bring home a bottle of the local Peruvian spirit, Pisco. After trying the national drink, a Pisco Sour, bring home a bottle & try your hand at making one at home.
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