Peru

Peru Travel Guide for First-Time Visitors

Peru is the classic South American trip: Machu Picchu at sunrise, llama-dotted Andean terraces, colonial plazas, rainforest lodges in the Amazon, and food so good it has become a reason to visit on its own. The country blends Inca, pre-Inca, Spanish, and modern Peruvian cultures, and every region feels different—Lima’s Pacific coast, the highlands of Cusco and the Sacred Valley, the floating islands on Lake Titicaca, the desert around Huacachina, and the wildlife-rich Amazon basin. Because Peru’s main sights sit at altitude and long distances are common, first-time visitors really benefit from planning around acclimatization, transport, and money. This guide focuses on practical, SEO-friendly information to help you decide when to go, where to base yourself, how much to budget, and how to stay safe while experiencing Peru’s top attractions.

Cities, Towns & Attractions Popular with Tourists

Lima: Likely entry point. Miraflores and Barranco for hotels, dining, and nightlife; historic center for colonial architecture; widely considered the food capital of South America.
Cusco: Former Inca capital and the main base for Machu Picchu and the Sacred Valley. Beautiful plazas, markets, museums, and day trips.
Sacred Valley (Urubamba, Ollantaytambo, Pisac, Chinchero, Maras): Lower altitude than Cusco, full of ruins, weaving communities, and great boutique hotels.
Machu Picchu: Peru’s headline attraction. Most visitors go by train to Aguas Calientes (Machu Picchu Pueblo) and take the bus up.
Rainbow Mountain / Palccoyo: High-altitude day trips from Cusco—spectacular but demanding.
Arequipa & Colca Canyon: White volcanic-city architecture plus one of the world’s deepest canyons, home to condors.
Lake Titicaca (Puno): Uros floating islands, Taquile, and local homestays.
Peruvian Amazon (Puerto Maldonado, Iquitos): Jungle lodges, wildlife, river cruises.
Paracas, Ballestas Islands & Huacachina: Pacific coast wildlife and desert oasis, popular short trips from Lima.

Good to Know

Altitude: Cusco is around 3,400 m/11,150 ft; many travelers feel it. If possible, fly into Cusco and head straight to the Sacred Valley (lower altitude) for the first nights, then visit Cusco.
Best time to visit: Dry season in the highlands is roughly May–Sept (great for Machu Picchu and trekking). Dec–Mar is wetter in the Andes but is warmer on the coast.
Machu Picchu tickets: Daily visitor limits apply and ticket types change occasionally—book entry and train/bus well in advance, especially June–Aug.
Strikes & protests: Peru sometimes has roadblocks or strikes that affect transport in the south—check locally the day before a long journey.
Food safety: Peru’s cuisine is amazing (ceviche, causa, lomo saltado), but always choose busy, reputable restaurants, especially for raw seafood.

Currency & Budget

Currency: Peruvian Sol (PEN), sometimes written as S/.

Exchange rate: In 2025, the sol typically trades somewhere around 3.6–4.0 PEN to 1 USD, but it moves—check a live rate just before your trip.

Average daily budget (approx.):

Backpacker: 35–60 USD/day – hostels or simple guesthouses, local menus (“menu del día”), colectivos/buses, shared tours.
Midrange: 80–150 USD/day – nice hotels in Cusco/Sacred Valley, train to Machu Picchu, domestic flights, good restaurants.
Luxury: 180–350+ USD/day – boutique or heritage hotels, premium trains, private guides, Amazon lodges.

Tipping: Many restaurants in tourist areas expect around 10% if service is not already included. Tip guides, drivers, and porters (especially on treks).

Credit card acceptance: Good in Lima, Cusco, Aguas Calientes, and major tourist restaurants/shops. Smaller hostales, markets, colectivos, and rural communities are cash-only.

ATMs: ATMs are common in cities and tourist hubs (BCP, BBVA, Interbank, Scotiabank). Some allow larger withdrawals and lower local fees—try a couple of banks. Use ATMs in secure, well-lit locations.

Best way to get local cash: Withdraw PEN from an ATM with a no/low-foreign-fee card and keep some USD as backup. Avoid street money changers unless recommended by your hotel; always count bills.

Language & Communication

Official languages: Spanish (the most widely spoken), Quechua, and Aymara in certain regions.
English: Widely spoken in tourist-facing businesses in Lima, Cusco, Sacred Valley, and on tours; less so in local markets and remote towns—basic Spanish helps a lot.

SIM cards / eSIM

Main operators: Claro, Movistar, Entel, and Bitel.
Where to buy: Lima airport kiosks, official stores in Miraflores or city centers, and shopping malls—bring your passport for registration.
Tourist eSIM: Easiest option if your phone supports it—buy online before landing.
Coverage: Good in Lima, Cusco, Sacred Valley, and most main highways; data can be slow or absent in the Amazon, high Andes, and remote trekking areas—download offline maps.

Power Plugs & Voltage

Voltage: 220V, 60 Hz.
Plugs: Primarily Type A and C. Many hotels accept U.S.-style flat plugs, but Europeans should bring an adapter. Check that your devices handle 220V.

Getting Around

Domestic flights: The fastest way to move between Lima, Cusco, Arequipa, Juliaca (Titicaca), and Iquitos/Puerto Maldonado (Amazon). Book ahead in high season.
Trains to Machu Picchu: From Ollantaytambo or Poroy (near Cusco). Tickets sell out—buy early.
Buses: Comfortable long-distance buses (Cruz del Sur and others) connect major cities; they are a good budget alternative to flights.
Colectivos / combis: Shared minivans for shorter distances—very common but can be crowded.
Within cities: Licensed taxis and ride-hailing apps work in Lima and Cusco. Always agree the fare before you get in if the taxi has no meter.
Tours & transfers: In the Sacred Valley, booking a private driver or group tour for the day is efficient and affordable for small groups.

Safety

Overall: Peru is one of South America’s most visited countries. Most trips are trouble-free, especially on the Lima–Cusco–Machu Picchu route.
Petty crime: The main issue is pickpocketing or bag-snatching in busy areas (Lima’s downtown, markets, bus terminals). Keep valuables close and use hotel safes.
Altitude & health: Take it easy your first days at elevation, drink water, avoid heavy alcohol, and consider coca tea or medication (ask your doctor first).
Transport safety: Use reputable bus companies and official airport taxis. In Lima, traffic can be intense—cross carefully.
Nature & trekking: For Inca Trail, Salkantay, or high Andes hikes, go with licensed operators and respect weather/landslide warnings.

Common Tourist Scams & Annoyances

Taxi overcharging: Always agree the price before riding, especially from airports/bus stations. Better yet, use official or app-based services.
Fake or oversold tours: Book Machu Picchu, Rainbow Mountain, and Amazon tours with established agencies or via your hotel to avoid last-minute changes or poor equipment.
ATM/card cloning: Use ATMs inside banks or malls and check for tampering.
“Accidental” spills or distractions: Someone distracts you and an accomplice takes your bag—move away and secure your belongings.
Currency change issues: Always count your change; some scammers mix in damaged or out-of-circulation bills.

Plan for altitude, book Machu Picchu early, and leave time for Peru’s food scene—you will understand quickly why so many travelers come back.