Your friendly Peru travel guide
The honest, practical stuff — money, visas, getting around, the best time to visit and how to handle the altitude — so you can relax and enjoy the adventure.
The quick facts
How much will I need?
Peru is wonderfully good value. Your daily spend depends on your style — here’s a rough guide per person, per day (excluding international flights).
| Style | Per day | What it looks like |
|---|---|---|
| Backpacker | US$40–55 | Hostels, set-menu lunches (menú del día), public transport. |
| Mid-range | US$90–160 | Boutique hotels, guided day tours, nice restaurants, the odd flight. |
| Comfort | US$220+ | Top hotels, private guides, premium trains and domestic flights. |
Visas & entry
Most visitors — including the US, UK, EU, Canada, Australia and New Zealand — don’t need a visa for tourism and can stay up to 90–183 days. Your passport should be valid for at least 6 months. You’ll get an entry stamp (or digital record) on arrival; keep it for check-out.
⚠️ Rules change — always confirm with the official Peruvian immigration site or your embassy before you fly.
Getting around
- Flights (LATAM, Sky, JetSmart) save days on long hops like Lima–Cusco.
- Comfy long-distance buses (Cruz del Sur, Oltursa) connect every city.
- Scenic trains (PeruRail, Inca Rail) to Machu Picchu.
- In cities use Uber/Cabify or agree the fare before you ride.
Timing your trip
Peru is a year-round destination — it just depends which Peru you’re after.
☀️ Dry season · May–Sep
Best for the Andes, Inca Trail and Machu Picchu — clear skies, cool nights, peak crowds.
🌧️ Wet season · Nov–Mar
Green landscapes and fewer people; afternoon rain in the highlands. Inca Trail closed in February.
🏖️ Coast summer · Dec–Mar
Hot, sunny beach weather in Lima and the north — perfect for surf and seafood.
🌴 Amazon · year-round
Warm and humid always; drier June–Oct, higher rivers and great wildlife Nov–May.
Altitude — take it easy
Cusco sits at 3,400m and Lake Titicaca higher still. Spend your first day or two taking it slow, drink plenty of water, go easy on alcohol, and sip coca tea like the locals. If you can, acclimatise in the Sacred Valley (lower than Cusco) before Machu Picchu.
Health & water
- Drink bottled or filtered water, not tap.
- Ask your doctor about Hep A & typhoid; yellow-fever shot for the jungle.
- Pack sunscreen — the high-altitude sun is fierce.
- Bring any personal meds; travel insurance is a must.
Staying safe & connected
Peru is welcoming and safe for travellers who use common sense — watch your bag in crowds and markets, use registered taxis or apps at night, and keep valuables out of sight. A local SIM (Claro, Movistar or Entel) is cheap, and Wi-Fi is widespread in hotels and cafés.
What to pack
Layers! Andean days are warm and nights cold. Bring a light down jacket, rain shell, comfy hiking shoes, sun hat and sunglasses, a refillable water bottle, a power adapter, and a small daypack. Throw in flip-flops for the coast and jungle.
Still have questions?
We answer these all day long — ask us anything and we’ll help you plan a smooth, sunny, stress-free trip.
Ask our team →