Peru travel guide

Peru rewards a trip built around a few well-chosen regions: Lima’s food and coastal neighbourhoods, Cusco’s historic streets, the Sacred Valley and Machu Picchu, or a longer journey into the Andes and Amazon. Distances, altitude and different weather patterns make a realistic route more useful than a long checklist.

Why visit Peru?

Choose Peru for archaeological heritage, mountain landscapes, regional food and rainforest experiences. A first visit can focus on Lima, Cusco, the Sacred Valley and Machu Picchu. With more time, add one region that matches your interests: Arequipa and Colca Canyon, Lake Titicaca, the Amazon, Huaraz’s trekking country or the northern archaeological route.

Best time to visit: coast, Andes and Amazon

• Cusco, Machu Picchu and the Andes: May–September is generally drier, with cold nights and busy popular routes. April and October can suit travellers who accept more variable conditions.
• Lima and the central coast: December–April is usually warmer and sunnier. Coastal winter can be cool, humid and overcast even while the mountains have clearer skies.
• Amazon: Expect warmth, humidity and rain throughout the year. Rainfall and river levels change the experience; choose your lodge and activities before deciding on dates.

Check regional forecasts through SENAMHI. The forecast for Lima does not represent Cusco, high-altitude trekking routes or rainforest lodges.

Where to go in Peru

Lima: food, museums and the Pacific coast

Allow two to four days for the historic centre, museums, Miraflores and Barranco. Group sightseeing by neighbourhood to leave time for meals and avoid unnecessary cross-city journeys.

Cusco, the Sacred Valley and Machu Picchu

Plan several days in the Cusco region, allowing time to adjust to altitude before demanding activities. Combine historic streets with selected Sacred Valley stops such as Pisac or Ollantaytambo, then build the Machu Picchu journey around your confirmed entry ticket.

Book through the Ministry of Culture’s official Tu Boleto portal. Check the chosen circuit, route and entry time carefully: an entry ticket does not automatically include every viewpoint, mountain hike, train or bus. Confirm transport and any trekking permits separately.

Arequipa and Colca Canyon

Use Arequipa for white-stone architecture and regional food before heading into the Colca Valley. A viewpoint tour and a trek into the canyon have very different demands; compare walking, altitude and road time when choosing. Check visitor guidance with AUTOCOLCA.

Puno and Lake Titicaca

Puno is a base for lake and island visits. Leave space for the high altitude, confirm boat arrangements and choose respectful community experiences. Ask before taking portraits and follow local guidance during village visits.

Iquitos or Puerto Maldonado: choose one Amazon gateway

Iquitos and Puerto Maldonado serve different rainforest regions. Compare the actual lodge location, transfer arrangements, guiding and activities rather than choosing on the city name alone. For Tambopata, consult SERNANP’s visitor information and use an authorized operator. Reserve several days for a lodge stay.

Huaraz, the northern coast and Paracas

Huaraz suits travellers making mountain walking a major part of the trip. Trujillo and Chiclayo suit archaeology, museums and northern food. Paracas offers desert-coast scenery; the land reserve and Ballestas Islands boat excursions are separate experiences. Nazca is a further southern stop, so allow time for the journey rather than treating it as part of Paracas itself.

A practical first-trip route

Seven days: keep to Lima and the Cusco–Sacred Valley–Machu Picchu region, with travel and altitude adjustment built in. Ten to fourteen days: slow that route down or add one additional region. Two to three weeks: consider a wider circuit, while preserving buffer days for transfers and weather. These are planning suggestions, not fixed tour schedules.

Getting around Peru

Compare domestic flights for long distances. For buses, use reputable operators, favour daytime road travel and allow buffers. Arrange airport transfers through authorized services or your accommodation; avoid street-hailed taxis. Confirm train services directly with PeruRail or Inca Rail. Strikes, roadblocks and weather can disrupt connections, including access to Machu Picchu.

Money and everyday planning

The currency is the Peruvian sol (PEN). Carry smaller notes for markets, small businesses and rural stops, and check payment arrangements before lodge stays or excursions. Keep a second payment method separately. Budget for the complete experience: entry tickets, guides, transport, park access and transfers can be separate purchases.

Power plugs and charging

Peru’s standard supply is 220 V, 60 Hz. Type A and C outlets are common, and Type B can also be encountered. Bring an adapter appropriate to your accommodation and devices. A plug adapter changes the fit; it does not change voltage. Check each charger’s input label: equipment marked 100–240 V, 50/60 Hz is generally voltage-compatible, while 120 V-only appliances need a suitable voltage solution.

Entry, altitude and safety

Check official entry information for your passport before departure. Requirements depend on nationality and trip purpose; do not assume that another traveller’s permitted stay applies to you.

Review the current Peru travel advisory, including regional restrictions. Avoid demonstrations, protect valuables and confirm local conditions before departure. For high-altitude activities, plan gradual adjustment and obtain travel-health advice appropriate to your itinerary. Choose insurance that covers your planned activities and altitude.

Emergency contacts include police 105 and fire 116. SAMU medical assistance uses 106 where available; confirm local arrangements with your accommodation or operator. A data-only eSIM does not provide a standard local voice number.

Staying connected: Peru eSIM or regional plan?

For a Peru-only trip, compare Peru fixed-data eSIM plans and Peru unlimited data eSIM plans. Fixed data suits a known allowance; unlimited plans have a selected daily high-speed allowance and fair-use conditions, so check the exact variant before buying.

For a multi-country route, compare South America (6 areas) fixed-data plans or South America (6 areas) unlimited plans. These cover Peru, Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Ecuador and Uruguay. Check every destination on your route; this six-country option does not cover all of South America.

As a starting estimate, consider 5–15 GB for maps, messages, bookings and browsing during a typical trip, then adjust for trip length and usage. Video, cloud backups and hotspot use can increase consumption substantially. Use our travel data guide to size your plan.

• Confirm your phone supports eSIM and is carrier-unlocked.
• Install with reliable Wi-Fi before departure and follow the selected plan’s activation instructions.
• Select the TravelFi eSIM for mobile data and enable data roaming on that eSIM as instructed; check roaming settings on your home SIM separately.
• Download maps, tickets, hotel details and translation packs before remote journeys.
• Do not rely on continuous mobile service on mountain trails, across the lake or at rainforest lodges. Ask your operator about communication arrangements.

If setup fails, see eSIM troubleshooting.

Frequently asked questions

How many days do I need in Peru?

Ten to fourteen days is a useful starting point for Lima and the Cusco region, with room to slow down or add one region. A seven-day trip works better with fewer stops.

Is there one best season for all of Peru?

No. The coast, Andes and Amazon have different patterns. Match your dates to the activities that matter most, then check forecasts close to departure.

What should I book first for Machu Picchu?

Check official ticket availability and the circuit you want before committing to the surrounding itinerary. Coordinate trains, transfers and accommodation with the confirmed entry details.

Will my eSIM work on remote treks or in the rainforest?

Service depends on local network coverage and terrain. Plan for gaps and keep essential information offline; a travel eSIM is not an emergency satellite service.

Can I use one plan across several countries?

Yes, if the regional plan explicitly covers every country you will visit. Compare the supported-country list, validity, high-speed allowance and hotspot terms for the selected plan.

Official resources

Use Peru Travel for official tourism planning, Tu Boleto for cultural-site tickets, SERNANP for protected areas and SENAMHI for weather. Recheck access, transport and official advice before travelling.

Reviewed 22 October 2026. TravelFi planning suggestions are editorial guidance; conditions and availability can change.