Peru Highlights: Planning a trip to Peru

This travel guide includes all of my recommended Peru highlights and essential information when planning a trip to Peru. Graham and I visited Peru and were amazed by the spectacular views overlooking Machu Picchu and the Sacred Valley. I was looking for an adventure, so we travelled to a Peru Amazon jungle lodge near Puerto Maldonado for three days and stayed in a thatched roofed hut and trekked through the jungle at night. We finished our trip in Lima and visited communities of San Isidro, Miraflores, and Barranco and walked along the seafront as we watched people parasailing over the city and surfing in the ocean.

Peru Highlights: Top Places to Go

• Lima
• Machu Picchu
• Cusco
• Sacred Valley
• Amazon Basin – Puerto Maldonado or Iquitos
• Puno
• Lake Titicaca

Peru Highlights: Top Experiences and Activities

Puno and Lake Titicaca

Other experiences

• Rainbow Mountain – Marvel at the awe inspiring views of the Andes mountains during a hike on one of the wonders of nature, a seven coloured mountain.

Paragliding – Thrill seekers will enjoy a paragliding adventure with an aerial view of Lima’s coastline and skyscapers.

• Surfing – Surfers can catch a wave in Miraflores or Barranquito beaches (Lima), or on the central or northern beaches of Lobitos, Huanchaco, Mancora, Cabo Blanco, Cerro Azul, or Chicama.

• Archeological Sites – Peru has numerous and varied archeological sites that represent different ancient cultures. You can find these sites across the country in the form of temples, pyramids, fortresses and ancient ruins.

• Beaches – Relax on an off the beaten path tropical sun-drenched white sand beach year round. Top Peruvian beaches include Punta Sal, Mancora, Camana, Los Organos, Playa De La Mina, and Las Pocitas.

• Cooking – Join a Peruvian cooking class to learn how to cook the delicious cuisine.

• Photograph animals – Snap a photo of an adorable llama or alpaca or creepy crawlies in the amazon.

• Shop – Purchase Peruvian textiles, music, and high quality baby Alpaca sweaters, shawls, or scarfs.

Peru: Best Time to Visit

• There are two seasons in Peru, the wet or the dry season. Most people go to Peru between June and September which is dry season for Machu Picchu and the Amazon Basin but the spring or fall (April, May, October or November) is less busy with weather that is still pleasant.
• The rainy season extends from November to May in the Peruvian Andes so North American summer is high season. Avoid Machu Picchu in January and February which is the peak rainy season. Lake Titicaca can be uncomfortable to visit in the rainy season.
• Peru is the opposite season of North America, during Peru’s summer months (December to April) beach towns on West coast are busy and Lima is sunny. The north coast has temperate weather year round but it is sunnier during the summer months.

Peru: Best Way to Get Around

• Fly – Air travel is reasonable and although quick trains are available on a few tourist routes they are not widely available throughout the country.
• Trains go from Cusco to Machu Picchu, Cusco to Lake Titicaca, Huancayo and Lima, Huancayo and Huancavelica).
• Intercity busses are available with reasonable fares but must pass through mountainous ranges which will take a long time. Use busses only for shorter trips or if you have a lot of time to spend travelling slowly.
• Renting a car is not recommended.
• Uber and taxis are reasonably priced and readily available in the main tourist areas.

Peru: Essential Information

Visa	Tourist Visa is not required for Canadians, Americans, UK, Australia and New Zealand citizens.
Time Zone	UTC – 5 hours or the same as Eastern Standard Time (GMT=0500) year-round with no daylight savings time.
Electricity	220 volts, 50 – 60 hertz. US/Canadian style flat prongs or European round style prongs fit most outlets but you need a converter for appliances that are 110 voltage (unless they are dual voltage). Type A or Type C plugs may be used in Peru.
Capital City	Lima (Population over 10 Million).
Sports	Futbol is the most popular sport.

Peru Highlights: Local Taboos and Customs

• Its common to greet friends with a kiss on the cheek (but not the Indigenous population)
• Avoid talking politics in Peru.
• Peru is a country with religious views and traditions. Show respect by avoiding revealing clothes and covering shoulders and knees before entering a place of worship. Shorts are not typically worn outside of beach areas.
• Peruvian personal space is closer than is common in North America. Peruvians might lean in close when speaking to you or stand close.
• Never beckon someone with a single finger and fist as this is considered very rude in Peru.
• Home remedies are common in Peru and may be taken for minor illness instead of seeking medical help.
• Peruvian time means sometimes things can run a bit later than schedule. Don’t panic if things are not exactly on time or if they end later than expected.

Peru: Food and Drink

In general, we found Peruvian foods to be very nicely presented, with unique and delicious savoury sauces (not too spicy), and lots of corn, potatoes, and eggs as ingredients. Lima had a lot of fresh seafood and Peruvian chifa, a unique fusion cuisine that includes dishes like chaufa (fried rice) influenced by a large wave of Chinese immigrants in the 19th century.

Adventurous eaters may want to try:

• Cuy (oven grilled or fried Guinea Pig that is supposed to taste like something between a rabbit and chicken) commonly found in Cusco and Sacred Valley
• Alpaca burgers or steaks commonly found in Puno, Cusco and Sacred Valley
• Grubs (grilled on a stick) found in Iquitos
• Cow heart anticuchos (skewered over flames) found across the country
• Lamb’s head soup found in Juliaca, Puno, Cusco, Huánuco, and Ancash
• Frog smoothies found across the country often in markets

Peru: Health and Safety

• Drink bottled water only – its widely available and inexpensive. Tap water may not be safe to drink or may cause tummy troubles for travellers.
• Emergency numbers to call in Peru are 105 for police, 116 for fire, and 106 for ambulance services.
• Quality of medical care varies throughout the country. Private hospitals and clinics in urban centres are well-staffed and -equipped to handle any emergency or medical issue. However in rural areas, even in some tourist destinations and major cities, healthcare may be inadequate to treat serious conditions and you may need to be evacuated to another location. Be aware that service providers may expect cash payment or confirmation from an insurance company for health services.
• If travelling to Cusco, Machu Picchu and the Sacred Valley be aware that altitude impacts most travellers and some may experience altitude sickness. Hotels will have oxygen and coco leaf tea readily available. It is best to allow yourself a couple of days extra to acclimatize to the area and to take it slow, especially when walking up the many hills.
• There are no mandatory vaccinations required to travel to Peru but it is recommended to have up to date vaccinations including Hepatitis A and B, measles, tetanus, and rabies. There is some risk of Malaria in Peru in certain areas or at certain times of year so protect yourself from insect bites.
• Pack mosquito spray with DEET for Machu Picchu and the Amazon. Yellow fever vaccination is highly recommended as there is a risk of contracting it but it is not mandatory in the Amazon Basin.
• Civil unrest and protests throughout Peru could impact travel and safety so be sure to research conditions in advance.
• Crime rates are high throughout the country particularly in Lima. There are areas that tourists should not travel to during the day or night. There have been instances of armed robberies, kidnapping, or extortion of tourists in Lima and pickpockets in congested areas. Many tourists stay in the Miraflores, Barranco, or San Isidro areas of Lima and other tourist centres, such as in Cusco, feel relatively safe.
• Penalties for possession, use or trafficking of illegal drugs are severe. If you are arrested in Peru, you should expect lengthy delays to resolve your case, pre-trial detention in harsh conditions and significant related expenses.

Peru Highlights: Things to Know

Tipping

• Tipping is not as ingrained in the culture as it is in many other parts of the world but it has become customary for tips to be provided in tourist areas.
  • A 10% tip at most restaurants is typical. At upscale restaurants tips may be between 10-15% and in some smaller or local owned family restaurants tips are not expected. Check if the tip is already added to the bill or not as you are not required to leave an additional tip if it is already included.
  • Tip about 1 sol per drink at bars.
  • Typically for tours tip your tour guide 20 sol/day and bus drivers 10 sol/day. For short tours of 1-2 hours tip 1-5 soles. For multiday tours with extensive services like porters, cooks, drivers, and guides tip 30-100 pesos per day to be shared by everyone (approximately 20-35 soles each).
  • Hotel porters and bellhops should be tipped 2-4 sol per bag.
  • Hotel concierge typically receive a tip of 5-10 soles.
  • Housekeepers are not always tipped but if they are it is usually about 1-3 soles a day.
  • Taxi drivers typically don’t receive tips but it you have good service 1-2 soles is appreciated.
  • Locals typically don’t tip at hair salons so it is not usually expected.
  • At upscale spas tip 10-20% or 1-5 soles per treatment.
• If you take someone’s photo be sure to ask for permission first and be aware that they may expect a tip. People who are dressed up in costumes who offer to take a picture with you will expect a tip, usually between 1-2 soles.
• If someone approaches you and offers directions or to guide you somewhere they will expect a tip if you accept. If you don’t want this you can politely decline.

Taxes

Peru has a 18% general sales tax (IGV) but the government declared that Peru will be tax free, meaning that the general sales tax will be refunded to foreign tourists for purchases at authorized establishments.

To be eligible you must not be a resident of Peru, the purchase must be a minimum of $30USD (or the equivalent in Peruvian currency) in a single establishment, and you need to request a tax-free voucher and present it at the airport for reimbursement when leaving the country. The tax-free voucher will have your name, passport number, the date of purchase, amount of the purchase and the tax paid.

Before you buy look for the sign in the establishment confirming it is an authorized tax-free organization and be aware that the refund does not apply to services. You must request your refund within 30 days of the date of purchase.

Toilets

• You normally have to pay a small fee (around 0.50 Sol) to use public toilets in public spaces like markets and bus terminals. They may offer you toilet paper for this price but they may not. Keep tissue paper with you just in case.
• Peruvian septic systems and plumbing may not be equipped to handle toilet paper. In some toilets there will be a wastebasket for you to deposit your toilet paper in and this means they do not want you to flush it. In a higher end hotel in Lima this may not be a problem but it could be in a smaller town or AirBnB.
• Depending on where you are, toilets may not be what you would expect in North America. For example, toilets may not have seats or squat toilets may be the only option.

Peruvian Cuisine

Peruvian cuisine is exquisite with several seafood specialties, mouthwatering sauces, and fusion dishes. I was not aware that Peru, and particularly Lima, has had large waves of Chinese immigrants who inspired a fusion of Peruvian and Chinese food called “chifa”. I was pleasantly surprised by the wide variety of options, the beautifully presented dishes, and how delicious everything was.

Peruvians love to drink Inca Cola and Chicha and they are proud of their Incan heritage. Chicha is an ancient drink made from purple corn and is frequently found in supermarkets or street vendors. If you don’t care for the drinks it would be polite to keep that to yourself.

Planning Your Visit

You need a minimum of one week in Peru and will only see part of it in that time. The travel time to Peru is lengthy so give yourself plenty of time to explore when you arrive and decide on what your “must see” locations and activities will be or consider extending your stay.

Money

Credit cards and debit are not as common for payment so always ensure that you have cash on you. Breaking large bills will be very difficult in Peru and you will frequently be told that someone does not have small change. Use your larger bills at more upscale places. Many places will simply refuse service if you can only pay with a large bill.

Facilitiies

Some places in smaller towns or even larger cities like Cusco will not have air conditioning or heating. Be prepared to dress accordingly.

Music

Peru has a unique traditional style of music using the pan flute and you will hear these beautiful melodies throughout the country. The music is influenced by Andean, Spanish and African roots in the country.

Ayahuasca

Some people who travel to Peru do so solely to get an experience with ayahuasca. Ayahuasca is a psychoactive brewed drink traditionally used as a ceremonial or shamanic spiritual medicine amongst Indigenous people in Peru. Ayahuasca can cause psychedelic experiences which include hallucinations and altered perceptions of reality. Some people have claimed that consuming ayahuasca has resulted in profound positive changes in their life. There can also be adverse symptoms such as vomiting, diarrhea, hot and cold flashes, and temporary emotional distress. Those who are interested should research options carefully before partaking and consult a physician about any potential interactions with other prescription drugs or pre-existing conditions.

Street Vendors

One thing you should expect, particularly in the main square of Cusco, is that you will be stopped continuously by street vendors who want to sell you something. It is a bit overwhelming and we were approached repeatedly with offers of massages, arts and crafts, clothing or photos with traditionally dressed people and alpacas. Haggling is normal but keep in mind that the vendors make a living off of tourist dollars and they are not wealthy. If you are not interested in buying, politely decline and you will be left alone.

Peru Highlights: Additional Resources

www.peru.info

www.peru.travel

www.frommers.com/destinations/peru

www.lonelyplanet.com/peru