Peru Travel Guide
Peru has a rich diversity in history, culture, and nature, from its desert coast up to the Amazon rainforest passing through the Andes. Peru has something for all types of travelers. For those traveling with the family, for couples in a romantic getaway celebrating their anniversary, for friends looking for fun or for solo travelers that want to check out of their bucket lists Inca Trail or Rainbow Mountain. Peru offers that and more… but if you ask a Peruvian what the best of Peru besides Machu Picchu is, the answer overwhelmingly and without hesitation will be “The food”. You might think it is some inflated nationalism but experts of tourism and gastronomy, the World Travel Award has granted Peru the World’s Leading Culinary Destination for 8 years in a row from 2012 to 2019.
How to get to Peru
Peru’s gateway is Lima. Jorge Chavez International Airport (code IATA: LIM) is the main door to all international flights. Daily international flights from Amsterdam, Atlanta, Bogota, Buenos Aires, Dallas, Fort Lauderdale, Houston, Los Angeles, Madrid, México, Miami, New York, Panama, Quito, and Santiago de Chile.
Also, daily domestic flights from all main touristic destinations in Peru.
Please verify before your trip all the traveling requirements. If you have any further question, please let us know and we will gladly help you.
When is the best time to visit Peru?
If your plan is to visit Machu Picchu, one of the Seven Wonders of the World, you need to know that it is open all year long. If you are wondering about the weather here some information. Peru is in an inter-tropical area of the Southern Hemisphere. This means it does not suffer from extreme temperatures but mostly mild weather. We have two defined seasons. Dry season (May to October) and Rainy season (December to March). April and December are transition months. Due to its diverse geography and proximity to the Equator you can find microclimates in all the regions. For further detail please check every destination or contact your local expert.
Where to go in Peru?
What to do in Peru
Peru is a large country and is divided into three distinctive geographic areas that offers the visitors a wide variety of activities: cultural, historical, mystical and spiritual, adventure, beaches, culinary experiences and much more.
Start exploring Peru to discover archeological sites, interesting museums as well as outdoor activities like hiking trails, mountain bike and horseback riding circuits, rafting, surfing, birdwatching, boat tours in the Pacific coast or in the rainforest rivers. These are some examples of living the Peru experience.
Most popular things to do in Peru, that you do not want to miss out:
- Visiting the Historic Sanctuary of Machu Picchu.
- Hiking the Inca Trail will leave you breathless, but it is such a rewarding experience.
- Hiking the Rainbow Mountain, Vinicunca or Palcoyo.
- Visiting Sacsayhuaman fortress built with huge, impressive stones.
- Visiting the Sacred Valley of the Incas.
- Flying over the famous and enigmatic Nazca Lines.
- Visiting the Amazon rainforest to appreciate its exotic flora and fauna in Iquitos, or Puerto Maldonado.
- Sailing Lake Titicaca, the world's highest lake navigable to large vessels.
- Visiting the floating islands of Uros in Lake Titicaca.
- Viewing the Andean Condors in Colca Canyon.
- Sand boarding and dune buggy ride in Huacachina or Paracas sand dunes.
- Lunch in a transparent dome hanging from a cliff.
- Swimming with sea lions in Palomino Islands.
- Enjoy the world class delicious Peruvian food.
For further information, contact our local experts.
In Peru, hotels are a plenty, for all types of travelers, for families and backpackers like mountain and jungle lodges up to boutique hotels and world class hotels for the most exclusive clients. Each one of these has a special something to fit your needs and budget.
Most recommended hotels:
- Aranwa Paracas Resort & Spa
- Aranwa Sacred Valley Hotel & Wellness
- Colca Lodge
- Inkaterra Machupicchu Pueblo
- Palacio del Inka Luxury Collection Hotel Cusco
- Sumaq Machupicchu Hotel
- Skylodge Adventure Suites
- Tambo del Inka Luxury Collection Resort & Spa
What to eat in Peru
If we talk about the food, Peruvian gastronomy is unsurpassed. Peruvian cuisine reflects the mix of cultures that have influenced it. Mainly from the indigenous population, and ingredients brought by Spanish conquerors. And with the coming immigrations along the years:
- From African influence, brought by the slaves during the XVI century you can try dishes like: carapulcra (dried potato and peanut sauce), tacu tacu (rice and beans), chanfainita, and others.
- From Chinese cuisine, in the middle of the XIX century, we received a very important number of Chinese immigrants, their cuisine melded with Peruvian traditional ingredients and created the super-popular Chifa.
- From Japanese influence, also thanks to immigration at the end of XIX century we created a Japanese- Peruvian fusion called Nikkei.
Traditional dishes in Peru, you do not want to miss out:
- Lomo saltado: From Chinese influence, sirloin sauté with onions, tomatoes, yellow Peruvian chili, soy sauce and vinegar. Served with fries and white rice.
- Causa Limeña: Cold entree made with mashed Peruvian yellow potatoes, lime juice and Peruvian yellow chili, it is served stuffed with tuna, chicken, or crab and avocado.
- Papa a la Huancaína: Peruvian yellow chili sauce made with cheese, milk and crackers served with boiled potatoes.
- Ceviche: The most famous Peruvian dish. Fresh raw diced fish marinated with lime juice “Limo” chili and onions.
- Tiradito: Laminated raw white fish with Peruvian Yellow chili sauce and lime juice.
- Ají de gallina: Peruvian spicy creamed chicken made with shredded chicken breast.
- Chicha morada: Purple corn beverage.
- Pisco Sour: Peruvian National cocktail made with Peruvian Pisco, egg whites, lime juice and sugar.
There are plenty of spectacular restaurants, but here a list of the most awarded and must-go:
- Central (Lima) – Ranks the 4th best restaurant in the world and 3rd best restaurant in Latin America. The World’s 50 Best Restaurants 2021. Virgilio Martinez proposal offers dishes that celebrate the unique landscapes, history and traditions of Peru by using locally sourced ingredients.
- Maido (Lima) – Ranks 7th best in the world and 2nd best restaurant in Latin America in The World’s 50 Best Restaurants 2021 ranking. Nikkei food which is a fusion between Japanese cuisine and Peruvian ingredients.
- Osso (Lima) – Ranks 10th best restaurant in Latin America in The Latin America’s 50 Best Restaurants. For meat lovers.
- Kjolle (Lima) – Ranks 18th best restaurant in Latin America in the Latin America’s 50 Best Restaurants. Peruvian creative cuisine. Also, we should mention the chef and owner Pia Leo was awarded Best Female Chef in World 2021.
- Isolina (Lima) – Ranks 20th best restaurant in Latin America in the Latin America’s 50 Best Restaurants. Traditional Peruvian cuisine.
- Astrid & Gastón (Lima) – Ranks 20th best restaurant in Latin America in the Latin America’s 50 Best Restaurants. Peruvian Gourmet food.
- Chez Wong (Lima) - A peculiar and unique restaurant, run by Javier Wong, a self-taught man, who thanks to his talent won the "Best Dish in the World" with his sole ceviche in the 50 Best Restaurants in the World contest in London. Seafood.
If you are a foodie or interested in cuisine, contact a local expert, all Peruvians love Peruvian food.
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