Best Tips For Peru Travel

Last Updated on September 26, 2021 by James Bustamante

So you’re preparing for an upcoming vacation and want to know what are some of the best tips for Peru travel. We have put together several helpful tips below to make sure you have the best vacation in Peru possible. 

Money Exchange During Peru Travel

We always recommend exchanging currency before you officially have to actually spend money in Peru. Once you arrive in Peru and get past the customs desk you will find several money exchange booths in the Jorge Chavez Airport. This is a good place to exchange some of your local currency for the Peruvian coin, Nuevos Soles Peruanos. 

Having said that, there are ATMs, currency exchange booths, banks, and even people whose sole job is to exchange currency (usually Euros, Dollars to Soles) standing near banks. If you go to a restaurant you can also pay using your credit or debit card however, it is always a good idea to have some local currency for certain shops, to give tips, when visiting remote areas in the Andes, etc. 

One tip is to make sure you always exchange currency at an official place. Make sure your bills are clean and have no tears in them. Many places in Peru will not accept ripped bills and you’ll have to find a bank to get new ones, 

Weather and Climate Tips For Peru Travel

Peru has varied geographical zones and each of them come with their own weather and seasons. It can actually be tricky to plan a trip where you intend on visiting all locations and making sure there are good weather conditions in all of them. Let’s go over some weather tips for Peru travel planning. 

The Peruvian coast has desert-like geography which is met by the Pacific ocean. It is a strange climate though, Lima can be considered a desert however it does rain in the winter, just not very much. Lima is also incredibly humid, during the winter humidity might be as high as 90% without it raining.

The main cities that run along the coast are Lima, Ica, Tumbes further up north and there are quite a few interesting places to visit. These include Paracas and the Palomino Islands. The Nazca Lines are also along the southern coast and provide a great destination to visit and a once-in-a-lifetime activity, The Nazca lines plane tour. If you prefer a warmer climate and warmer waters, head to northern Peru near Tumbes.  

The weather in places like Lima will be rather warm from December to late March and sometimes April, this period would be considered the spring and summer months. If you are looking for the peak hot season in Lima then you would have to visit in February when temperatures can reach up to 92 degrees Fahrenheit (32 degrees Celsius). During the colder months of the year temperatures in Lima can get as cold as 55 degrees Fahrenheit (13 degrees centigrade). 

The highland region in Peru is quite different from the coast. The dry season which ranges from around April to October is when you’ll want to visit places like Cusco, Huaraz, Lake Titicaca, The Sacred Valley, and when you’ll want to take the Machu Picchu hike as well.

The rainy season on the other hand can range from November to around early March with January and February being the months with the highest rainfall. You’ll want to avoid the rainy season for the most part but February, in particular, is the month to make sure you are not planning a Machu Picchu tour. 

The Amazon region also has its own weather patterns. For the most part, the Amazon will have hot days and very hot days, 104 degrees Fahrenheit can be a daily average (40 degrees centigrade). The Amazon is a rainforest so you can expect heavy and unpredictable rains almost all year as well. Some of the most important destinations in the Amazon rainforest are Puerto Maldonado, Iquitos, The Tambopata Wildlife reserve, the Manu national park, and a few more. 

Best Peru Travel Tips For Packing

Packing is an important part of any vacation, making sure you are well prepared for the adventure ahead will make your trip a more enjoyable one. One important thing to consider is that airlines, as well as the trains in Peru, have the size and weight restrictions. This is not just for your international flight, remember that you will also be taking a domestic flight to Cusco that has its own restrictions. Most flights, both international and domestic, will have a limit on luggage weighing 50 lbs (23 kg)

What about the train to Aguas Calientes? Well, the trains don’t have much room for a lot of luggage. Besides, one medium-sized piece of luggage or a good backpack will be enough for the trip to Aguas Calientes and Machu Picchu. Your luggage will stay back at your hotel in Cusco, once you return and check back in your bags will be waiting for you. 

The best route to take is to bring a good backpack for the Aguas Calientes and Machu Picchu portion of the trip. In most cases, this will be either a Machu Picchu full-day tour or a 2-day experience, so you won’t really need a lot other than the basics. Include comfortable clothing and whatever you need for a little bit of shopping and sightseeing. 

We always advise travelers to keep their luggage locked and properly identified with tags during their entire stay in Peru. This will help to avoid any issues with bag misidentification in places like Aguas Calientes. It’s actually quite common to see travelers from different groups using the same or similar luggage and backpacks. 

Clothing Tips For Peru Travel

What type of clothing to pack for your Peru travel package can depend on exactly which time of the year you are visiting the country and where you will be heading. As a general rule, expect to encounter some rain and dry heat in the Peruvian highlands, where most people plan to visit in the first place. 

There will also be a bit of a temperature variation from daytime to nighttime in the same region. For example, in Cusco, you could visit in August where during the day it might be sunny, then rainy and in the evening quite cold. Make sure to bring t-shirts, comfortable pants, spare socks, raincoat or poncho, long-sleeved tops, and whatever else that might feel comfortable during full-day activities, 

We always recommend that travelers dress in layers during full-day trips. This is to make sure you are prepared for changes in temperatures and weather while we are hiking and sightseeing. 

Shoes For Peru Travel and Trekking

For Peru travel in general you will want to wear comfortable shoes, remember that for the most part you’ll be visiting ancient sites that are part of a full-day excursion. If you are taking a long trek like the Inca trail to Machu Picchu the same applies, you definitely won’t want to bring heavy steel toe boots, comfortable shoes with a good grip will be just fine. Sandals can be used for city excursions like the Cusco tour or when you visit the capital, Lima. 

Peru Travel Tips on Documents and Travel Insurance

To travel to Peru international tourists will be required to have a valid passport, it must be valid for up to 6 months after entering Peru. We always advise our travelers to carry their passports at all times, it is Peruvian law after all. There are certain times when there might be random ID checks so it just makes it easier all around to always have your passport easily available to you. It is also advisable to have photocopies of your passport stored away in your luggage just in case you misplace the original. 

In terms of Visa requirements, it will depend on the traveler’s country of origin/citizenship to see what the requirements are to enter Peru. As a general rule, anyone that is a citizen of the United States, The European Union, and Canada will not need a visa to enter Peru.

It is always a good idea to have travel insurance when you travel to Peru. Getting travel insurance can sometimes be tricky so make sure it includes the following coverage: Trip cancellation and/or interruption, lost or stolen baggage and documents, baggage delay medical costs, and most importantly, emergency assistance during the trip. Make sure to print out a copy of your insurance policy and carry it with your other important travel documents.

Toiletries and Personal Item Tips For Peru Travel

 Over the course of your Peru trip hotels will for the most part provide necessary items such as soaps and shampoos, it is always a good idea to have your own items as well. Travel versions of personal care items can always be a welcome addition to your travel checklist. Some of the typical items you’ll want to carry in your toiletries bag will be: 

• Shampoo and Conditioner (Together or separate)
• A Small Bar of Soap
• A Toothbrush
• A Tube of Toothpaste
• Dental Floss
• Deodorant
• Razors and Shaving Gear
• Comb and/or brush
• Feminine hygiene products
• Insect Repellent

All of the mentioned items on the list can also be easily purchased in Peru in just about any market, supermarket, pharmacy, corner store, etc. 

There are certain times of the year in places like Machu Picchu (Cloud Forest region) where mosquitoes, flies, and other insects might be a nuisance. The repellent will be a necessary item that you’ll also want to include in your list. There are plenty of natural repellents that are unscented that you can bring along or purchase in Cusco.

I remember one particular time I took the Lares trek in late October back in 2008. The trek went perfectly and we arrived at Aguas Calientes for the night. The following morning we went up to Machu Picchu and I proceeded to almost be eaten alive by the number of mosquitoes and flies that emerge due to the beginning of the rainy season. I had plenty of time to purchase a good repellent but I decided not to (it was my first time going to Machu Picchu) and I instantly regretted it. 

Tips on Altitude Acclimatization in Cusco

The biggest hurdle for new arrivals into the Peruvian highlands is altitude sickness. It is quite common to some degree to have some issues with the elevation change, Cusco for example is 11,113 feet (3,399 meters) above sea level after all. 

Symptoms of elevation sickness, as well as degrees of symptoms, can vary greatly. From a light sense of pressure to light headaches, shortness of breath, some fatigue, insomnia, heart palpitations, nausea, stomach cramps, dizziness, etc. 

Personally, out of all the times I’ve been to the Peruvian highlands I’ve only really had insomnia and a slight headache. Other symptoms that are directly related to the high elevation and dryness of the region are chapped lips but this depends on the season. 

How Should I Approach Acclimatization?

A good tip for Peru travel and acclimatization is to first give 24-48 hours to properly acclimate. After the first day or so your body will begin to adjust to the high altitude. Remember that your body adjusts while you sleep so resting should be a priority. 

Smoking and alcohol should be avoided during your first two days. Coffee can actually help with the symptoms but try not to overdo it. It is also a good idea to avoid sugary drinks and just about anything that can resemble candy, sweets, or junk food. 

Staying hydrated is very important when acclimatizing so plenty of water is a must. Chewing coca leaves or drinking coca tea is a common practice for the locals when trying to alleviate symptoms. Coca leaves also act as a stimulant (similarly to coffee) and help get over the initial symptoms, most hotels will offer a cup as soon as you arrive. Keep meals light and try to stick to whole foods as well. Anything that seems too greasy might affect your stomach so it is best to avoid at the beginning. 

Electricity Outlets in Peru

So the electrical supply in Peru is higher than in places like North America, it is 220 volts at 60Hz. The pin plugs in Peru are round, similar to the ones found in the European continent. We’ve had a few travelers have issues with certain brands of hairdryers and some that brought their gaming consoles only to see them stop working in a cloud of smoke.

Modern phones, phone chargers, and laptops will all be fine since they have built-in energy converters. If you plan on bringing any other electrical device make sure you check the voltage on the chargers before plugin them into the wall or bring a small energy converter.

Tips For Eating in Peru

Peru has one of the most delicious cuisines out there, it has some of the best restaurants in the world (It is not an exaggeration, Maido and Central are in the top 10 in the world), there is also a wide variety of dishes to choose from. 

Having said that, you should try to limit the amount of mouth-watering Peruvian dishes during your initial days in the country, and slowly ease into the local condiments.  If you are not used to eating very condiment food and try to eat a Lomo Saltado, Ceviche, Aji de Gallina on the same day, well your stomach might have a thing or two to say. So to be short, Peru has amazing world-class cuisine but try not to overdo it. 

Tap water on the other hand is not recommended for drinking. Bottled water is available just about everywhere so there should be no issues with hydration. Hotels and restaurants will also offer purified water to drink. 

Conclusion

Traveling to Peru can be a once in a lifetime experience for most people. Follow the simple Tips for Peru travel and your trip will be more enjoyable and easier to plan for. If you have any questions about Peru tour packages, Machu Picchu guided tours, or anything related to visiting Peru make sure to contact our travel advisors today.

Main Cover Photo by Jessica Knowlden