Peru is one of the most popular countries to travel around in South America.
Travelers spend months backpacking Peru. People flock here to hike the Inca Trail and see Machu Picchu. Vacationers devour their way through the incredible food scene of Lima.
But, while those areas of the country get the most attention, the entire country is incredible and has a ton of things to see and do.
Come explore the jungles, see the Amazon, head to Lake Titicaca, or to the beaches in the north. Learn about the local indigenous culture, try the coca tea, and practice your Spanish.
Thankfully traveling around Peru is also very inexpensive. You don’t need a lot of money to visit here (even if you do the Inca trail). You get a lot of bang for your buck whether you backpack Peru or just come for a two-week trip!
Use this travel guide to plan your next trip to Peru and get the low down on what to do, my suggestions on where to stay, how to save money, and much more!
1. Hike the Inca Trail Getting to Machu Picchu is best via the famed Inca Trail. This multi-day 26-mile (43 kilometers) hike allows you to see the mountains, jungles, and follow the route the Incas used to take. It is a truly spectacular hike, but it is certainly challenging and you may suffer from altitude sickness. There are two ways to do this hike: you can sign up to be part of an organized tour, or you can hire your own private guide. You cannot hike the trail independently. Tours start around 2,165 PEN ($650 USD) though you will want to spend money and invest in a reliable, reputable company. Recommended companies are listed at the end of the page. 2. Visit the Islas Flotantes de los Uros The Floating Islands of the Uros may sound like an Indiana Jones title but it is actually the name of the group of handmade islands in Lake Titicaca. The Islands are home to the indigenous Uros people who have built their own houses, islands and boats from the tortora reeds which grow along the banks of the lake. This is an extremely touristy site and is a bit exploited as such, so it’s not for everyone. 3. Surf at Máncora Beach Seafood, watersports, horse riding and relaxation are the order of the day at this popular beach resort. Máncora is one of the finest beaches in South America and its year-round sunshine and huge waves also make it Peru’s surfing Mecca. Prices here can be expensive December to March so it’s best to book in advance. 4. Step back through time at Batán Grande Batán Grande is an archaeological site comprised of 50 pyramids and tombs, which are thought to date back to between 100-1000 AD. This site was once the Sicán capital and has had its fair share of impressive pre-Columbian artifacts recovered over the years – for example, a gold Tumi weighing almost seven pounds which was recovered from one of the royal tombs. 5. Discover Cuzco This colonial city is a major tourist destination and sits on Inca-built stone foundations not far from Peru’s major attraction of Machu Picchu. The area is popular with trail walkers, history lovers, and party-goers who come to enjoy the city’s many colorful festivals. Cuzco is the undisputed archaeological capital of the Americas and an essential part of your trip to Peru. Be sure to visit Coricancha and Sacsayhuaman during your visit. For great food, head to Green Point. 6. Get Your Amazon Fix in Iquitos Accessible only by boat or plane, jungle-locked Iquitos is the largest city within the Peruvian rainforest. The city sits at the mouth of the Amazon and so is the perfect destination for fans of eco-tourism. The nearby Pacaya Samiria National Reserve is Peru’s largest Reverse and at two million hectares, it is home to a huge range of nearly 1000 birds, mammals, fish, and reptiles. 7. Sandboard in Huacachina This little town is a desert oasis and a welcome relief after hiking through Machu Picchu. It’s very affordable for travelers looking to relax and are running out of funds. Hostels offer great deals for sandboarding and sandbuggies around the dunes that surround this idyllic town. Sandboarding costs about 50 PEN ($15 USD) and you don´t have to book in advance. There is also a lagoon surrounded by palm trees here too. You can rent a rowboat to go around. A half-hour trip costs around 5 PEN ($1.50) per person. 8. See penguins in Paracas Paracas is in the south of Peru and is sometimes called the “Poor Man’s Galapagos” for its impressive wildlife: thousands of birds, as well as large sea lion and penguin populations, live along the water. You can visit the Paracas National Reserve via an organized boat tour. Be sure to go early (around 8 am). A full day organized tour of Paracas includes a boat trip to the Islas Ballestas and a bus trip around the national reserve in the afternoon. It cost about 115 PEN ($34 USD). 9. Walk through the White City Arequipa is a beautiful city with a historical center that was constructed primarily from volcanic ash from the nearby volcanoes. Come to visit the gorgeous Santa Catalina Monastery, see a frozen Inca mummy, or just to take in the city’s architecture over a glass of wine in the main square. 10. Hike in Huaraz Not to be confused with Juarez in Mexico, Peru’s Huaraz is a great (and perfectly safe) destination for adventure-seekers. The mountains here are stunning, and there are fantastic multi-day trek options for those looking for some outdoor activity. 11. Go to El Parque de las Aguas This park in downtown Lima has a beautiful water fountain and is open from 3-10:30 pm, Tuesday-Sunday. There’s an amazing light show at night too! It costs 4 PEN ($1.20 USD) to get into. You’ll find a lot of events hosted here and it’s a popular place with dog owners. 12. Visit Chachapoyas This region lies in the Andean mountains and is home to the Chachapoya civilization that lived there between 500 and 1432. Today, you can visit Kuelap, the fortified city at known as “The Machu Picchu of the North”. Be sure to also visit Gocta, a beautiful waterfall that is one of the highest in the world. You can get there by taking a tour from Chachapoyas. 13. Visit Trujillo Head to Trujillo, the second oldest Spanish city in Peru. While here, visit the archaeological site of Chan Chan, the world’s biggest adobe city ever built. It was built by the Chimu civilization that live before the Incas from 850 and 1534. Be sure to also visit Huanchaco, a small fishing town directly on the beach. 14. See Rainbow Mountain Chances are you’ve seen these colorful mountains on social media. Over the past few years, Rainbow Mountain has become a huge tourist draw. Day trips and multi-day hikes are available from Cusco, usually starting around 135 PEN per person. There is also an “Alternative” Rainbow Mountain if you want to beat the crowds!
15. Hike the Salkantay
If you want an alternative to the busy Inca Trail, try hiking the Salkantay. It sees a fraction of the tourists and is half the price of the Inca Trail — but just as stunning! There aren’t as many ruins but there are epic mountain views and summits of up to 5,200m!
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