Overview
Few places on earth are mystical as Peru. With its Inca and pre-Inca archaeological remains hidden beneath misty Andean clouds, dramatic mountain views, and rolling countryside, it is a revered destination for the iconic Machu Picchu, Sacred Valley, and Lake Titicaca. However, we believe the true delight of Peru is its people and colorful culture that extends beyond the popular landmarks.
With Adventure Unbound, itineraries blend renowned archaeological, religious, and astronomical landmarks with a cultural people-to-people experience. We kayak to man-made islands on Lake Titicaca, taste authentic Peruvian cuisine, and trek the ancient steps of Machu Picchu. There are endless opportunities for cultural enlightenment and exploration by vehicle, train, bicycle, foot, and kayak off the tourist path in Peru, and Adventures Unbound will take you there!
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FAQ's
What immunizations are recommended or required for travel to Peru?
All travelers should be up to date on their routine vaccinations before visiting Peru, including measles, mumps, and rubella, diphtheria-tetanus-pertussis, chickenpox, polio, and influenza. It’s also recommended that you are immunized against hepatitis A and typhoid (both of which can be contracted by consuming contaminated food and/or water) and hepatitis B, which you can get through blood products, contaminated needles or sexual contact.
If you’re planning on doing activities or visiting areas that will expose you to dogs, bats, and other mammals, you may also want to get a vaccine against rabies. Yellow fever vaccinations are recommended for those traveling to areas lower in elevation than 2,300 meters, although not required if you’re just visiting Lima, Cusco, Machu Picchu, and the Inca Trail. Some areas of Peru under 2,000 meters in elevation are also at risk of malaria. We recommend discussing your health history and upcoming travel plans with your health care provider well before your trip.
Are there any special events or festivals to look forward to?
Like most in South America, Peruvians love any excuse for a celebration and the country enjoys a huge number of religious ceremonies, festivals and local events. Carnival time (generally late Feb.) is especially lively almost everywhere in the country, with fiestas held every Sunday. Tours to Machu Picchu during these requires a bit more planning in advance for airfare prices calendar of major public holidays & festivals:
February Carnival - Celebrated most of the month prior to Lent throughout the whole country.
March/April Easter (Holy Week) - Fantastic parades all over Peru. ROW Adventures like the one in Cusco!
June 24 Inti Raymi - Cusco's main Inca Festival of the Sun. A great time to tour the Inca Trail and Machu Picchu.
August 13 - 19 Arequipa Week - Parades, firework displays, plenty of folklore, dancing, and craft markets.
September End of the month Festival of Spring - Involves dancing, particularly the local Marinera dance.
October 18 - 28 Lord of Miracles - Festival featuring large and solemn processions.
Can I drink the water in Peru?
You should avoid drinking tap water in Peru as it’s not considered potable by the U.S. Department of State. You can either purchase bottled water (ensuring the seal is not broken) or use purification/sterilizing tablets by following the instructions. Many Peruvian restaurants will wash their ingredients in tap water, so you may want to avoid eating raw foods that you haven’t washed yourself. If you’re concerned about water contamination, don’t order drinks served with ice and always check if refrescos bought from street vendors are made using tap water before ordering.
What type of currency is used and are US dollars accepted?
The currency of Peru is the sol, which is divided into 100 centimos. At the time of writing, 1 USD was equal to around 3.5 Peruvian soles. There are banknotes for 10, 20, 50, 100, and 200 soles, as well as coins for 1, 5, 10, 20, and 50 céntimos and 1, 2, and 5 sols.
US dollars are widely accepted at many hotels and tourist-oriented businesses in Peru and you can also withdraw US dollars from some ATMs. But the sol is still the preferred method of payment at smaller stores and by street vendors, as well as at local restaurants/bars and on public transport.
What time zone is Peru in?
Peru has only one time zone - Peru Standard Time (GMT-5) and does not observe daylight savings. During the Peruvian winter, the time is the same as North American Central Time while in the Peruvian summer, it is the same as Eastern Time.
What is the official language of Peru?
Spanish is the official language of Peru and is spoken by around 84% of the population. It serves as the main language of the Peruvian government, the media, and the country’s education system, although there are some distinct regional variations in pronunciation.
Several indigenous languages are also recognized by the Constitution of Peru, including Quechua and Aymara. Quechua (the language of the Inca Empire) is the second-most common language and spoken by around 13% of the population, predominantly in the central and southern highlands. Aymara is the third-most widely spoken language in Peru, although only around 1.7% of the population speaks it. It is mainly confined to the southern part of the country along the border with Bolivia and along the shores of Lake Titicaca.
Do I need a visa or passport to travel to Peru?
Citizens of the United States, Canada, Europe, the United Kingdom, Australia, and New Zealand don’t require a tourist visa to enter Peru. You will, however, need a passport that’s valid for at least six months and has at least two free pages for entry and exit stamps. Citizens of some Central American and Asian countries, as well as South Africa are also exempt from needing a visa before arriving in Peru.
Most travelers are allowed to stay in Peru for up to 183 days on a tourist visa, although you should always check current requirements for citizens of your country while planning your trip.
Do I need Travel Insurance?
It’s not compulsory to have travel insurance when visiting Peru. However, we highly recommend that you do to cover the costs of any cancellations/delays, theft/loss, and medical expenses in case the unexpected happens. A comprehensive travel insurance policy will cover you for overseas medical and hospital expenses, as well as repatriation costs in case of an emergency. Always check what is covered by a travel insurance policy (and what’s not) before purchase, including any “known event” exemptions.
What is the best way to get around once I'm there?
Peru’s cities and towns are well-connected by a network of trains and buses that offer a cheap and relatively efficient way of getting around. Some of the train journeys are an experience in themselves, with highlights including the Central Railway from Lima to Huancayo and the Cusco-to-Machu Picchu line that winds its way through the spectacular Urubamba Valley.
In regions not served by trains, buses are the main means of getting around. They vary from rundown vehicles to luxurious fleets, depending on the routes and how much you’re willing to pay. You may also see colectivos (shared taxis), which connect along many of the popular bus routes and tend to be slightly faster, although more expensive. Several airlines offer domestic flight routes throughout Peru and this is the main means of reaching some destinations in the Amazon Jungle.
Taxis are an easy and convenient way of getting from A to B within cities or for short journeys. But it’s a good idea to agree on the price in advance, as few have meters. Mototaxis are common in many rural towns and are an affordable (although slightly uncomfortable) way to get around.
Boats are the main means of navigating the waters of Lake Titicaca and the waterways of the Amazon Jungle, with a cruise a highlight of any organized tour through these regions.
When are the best times to visit Peru?
With its diverse geography and climate zones, the best time to visit Peru depends on where you want to visit. The Andean highlands see heavy rains descend between December and March when trekking conditions can be muddy, and the Inca Trail closes altogether in February for maintenance. If you want to escape the crowds, avoid trekking between June and September when the trails are at their busiest.
The Amazon experiences heavy rainfall in the summer months (December to February) while the desert regions should be avoided during this period when temperatures soar. However, if you’re visiting Peru’s coastline, then the summer months are ideal, with warm temperatures and sunny skies that are perfect for being at the beach.
In general, there is no bad time to visit Peru! If you have specific questions or need help planning your journey our talented Adventure Consultants are standing by ready to help.
What kind of adapters will I need for my electronics?
Peru uses 220-volt, 60 cycle electricity, so be sure to pack a voltage converter if you are traveling with 110-volt devices. Plugs are typically the 2 pronged flat types used in the United States, although some establishments use the 2 rounded prongs instead.
How much should I tip in Peru?
Tipping is not a large part of Peruvian culture, particularly at local establishments. That being said, it is often expected at high-end hotels and tourist resorts. Some upscale restaurants will add a standard 10% to the bill while in mid-range restaurants, you may want to give your waiter a couple of soles as a “thank you” gesture. In high-end hotels, porters should be tipped 2 to 3 soles per bag while 15 to 30 soles per day is the standard tip for tour guides.
Is travel to Peru safe?
As one of South America’s most-visited destinations, Peru is a relatively safe country to visit. But like any destination, you should always be vigilant, particularly in big cities such as Lima, Arequipa, and Cusco where petty crime is not uncommon.
Travelers should also be careful traveling on intercity buses and in unlicensed taxis where instances of robbery and assault have been reported by tourists. Avoid flashing any expensive jewelry or electronics outside of tourist hotspots and always trek with an experienced and licensed guide. Many of the dangers of visiting Peru can be avoided by traveling with a reputable tour company and by checking any current travel warnings issued by your government prior to leaving home.
Are there cultural sensitivities I should be aware of?
With around 80% of the country practicing Catholics, modesty is expected in Peru and most people cover their bodies when out in public. Even in the hot, summer months, you should avoid wearing particularly revealing clothing if you don’t want to draw unwanted attention to yourself.
Peruvians will usually kiss on the cheek when greeting one another and don’t be taken aback if they stand closer to you than you are accustomed to. To help break down barriers with the locals, it’s a good idea to learn a few basic Spanish phrases, even if it’s just “hello” and “how are you?” One thing to avoid is gesturing at someone with a fist and moving a finger to beckon them over, with this considered quite rude in Peru.
What is the food like? Are there any special dishes or local delicacies I should try?
Peru’s diversity of landscapes, climates, and colonial history has resulted in a unique cuisine that is a highlight of any visit. Meat is usually a big part of any meal, with a few animals like guinea pig and alpaca that you might not have tried before. Dishes not to miss include cau-cau - beef stomach served in a yellow sauce with potatoes - and aji de gallina - a creamy chicken dish.
Along the coastline and in some parts of the jungle you’ll find plenty of fish, with a highlight being ceviche, a dish of raw fish marinated in lime juice that differs slightly from region to region. Eating vegetarian and/or vegan in Peru can be more difficult, although you will find meat-free restaurants in most of the country’s major cities.
Peru is also famed for its pisco sour, a unique alcoholic drink that makes for an ideal sundowner and features lemon juice, syrup, and egg whites. For something non-alcoholic, you can’t go past coca tea, which is made from the leaves of the coca plant, as well as Peru’s version of Coca Cola - the bright yellow-colored Inca Kola!
For more infomraiton and ideas, see our blog, Peruvian Culinary Tour - 11 Must Try Dishes!
Do I need to be concerned about altitude sickness?
Altitude sickness is a concern for many travelers visiting Peru, particularly when you consider that Cusco, Puno and Lake Titicaca are all above 8,200 feet/2,500 meters in elevation (the height at which altitude sickness often occurs). While our bodies are capable of adjusting to high elevations, it takes time. If you ascend too fast, you may experience symptoms that include headaches, dizziness, nausea, fatigue, loss of appetite, sleeplessness, and shortness of breath. Altitude sickness can affect anyone, no matter their age or fitness level, although those with heart and lung conditions, diabetes, asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, epilepsy, or sickle cell disease may be more susceptible.
To avoid getting altitude sickness, it’s recommended that you don’t ascend more than 1,000 feet/300 meters a day. You should also avoid drinking alcohol when staying at high altitude destinations and stay hydrated by drinking plenty of water. Coca is a natural remedy for altitude sickness in Peru, with its leaves transformed into a delicious tea. Alternatively, you can find oxishots (small portable plastic cans filled with concentrated oxygen) in both Cusco and Aguas Calientes, the gateway to Machu Picchu.
Do I need a permit to visit Machu Picchu?
Yes, you need a permit to visit Machu Picchu, which can be purchased from the Dirección Desconcentrada de Cultura Cusco website. If you’re traveling as part of a tour, your permit will probably be secured for you ahead of time and just needs to be presented (along with your passport) at the entrance gates. Only a certain number of permits are issued each day (and numbers are set to change due to overcrowding) and you must be accompanied by an official tour guide.