All you need to know before visiting Peru

Budget

Prices in Peru vary from low to considerably high in tourist areas.

• Prices for private rooms for two start at 20 USD (17 EUR) in Machupicchu Pueblo (aka. Aguas Calientes), 15 USD (13 EUR) in Tumbes, Trujillo, and Paracas, 12 USD (10 EUR) in Nazca, and 10 USD (8.6 EUR) in Lima, Cusco, and Puno.

• Food prices are generally low. Prices for a budget dinner vary from 3 to 13 USD (2.6 – 11 EUR). Street food is generally the cheapest (starting at 1 USD).

• Transportation costs are affordable in Peru. Public transportation fares within the cities vary from 0.15 to 0.9 USD (0.13 to 0.77 EUR). A 10-hour intercity bus ride costs around 12 USD (10 EUR).

To save some more money, check out our Budget cutting tips.

Where to stay

You can find great accommodation options on Booking. Make sure to search for private rooms popular for romance. 😉 On Airbnb you can rent furnished apartments – those are usually cheaper than most hotels and they offer you the real Peruvian experience. Hospedajes (small, family-owned hotels) are the cheapest accommodation.

Best time to go

In Peru, temperatures vary greatly by region. The best time to visit the coast is in January, the mountains and jungles, on the other hand, are at their best from May to September – after the rainy season. Summer months (June to August) are considered the high season. That being said, try not to worry about the weather, Peru is beautiful any time of year. For a low-cost trip, consider visiting Peru in April/May or September/October.

Other information

♦ Planning and preparation: check out our planning routine here.

♦ Packing: check out the honeymoon adventurers’ ultimate packing list here.

If you are planning on visiting Machu Picchu, make sure to wear warm, comfortable and waterproof clothes and shoes and to take a small backpack, where you can put all your daily essentials, like water, snacks, sunglasses, and sunscreen. Always make sure to take your trash back to the valley!

♦ For other travel tips check out Travel like a pro, Travel for couples, Honeymoon styles, Honeymoon activities, Responsible tourism, and Travel resources.

♦ Language: The official language in Peru is Spanish. Check out the typical travel vocabulary (in English) here. Learn useful travel phrases in Spanish here.

♦ Currency: Peruvian Sol (PEN)

♦ Visa or other entry requirements: All visitors to Peru are required to have a valid travel document. Visa requirements depend on the traveler’s nationality. For more information check out their official website.

♦ Electricity standards: The power plug types in Peru are A, B, and C, the standard voltage is 220 V and the standard frequency is 60 Hz.

♦ Time zone: UTC-05:00

♦ Immunization recommendations and requirements: There are no vaccination requirements for visitors to Peru. However, it is recommended to get travel vaccines and medicines for tetanus, hepatitis B, typhoid, hepatitis A, rabies, yellow fever, and malaria. To prevent malaria avoid mosquito bites. Currently, Zika virus is a risk in Peru.

♦ Health and safety tips:

You should always make sure to follow the usual travel safety precautions:

• Leave your jewelry and other valuable belongings in the hotel safe.
• Keep your emergency cash apart from the rest of your money.
• Dress comfortably and carry only the items you will need for the day.
• Don’t carry a lot of money.
• Always make sure to lock your room before leaving the hotel.
• Be aware of your surroundings at all times.
• Stay in well-lit areas.
• Try to maintain a low profile and do your best to fit in.
• Carry a travel wallet/money belt/money pouch for carrying money and documents safely.
• Avoid contact with potential scam artists.
• Avoid showing off valuable belongings (like cameras) in public.
• Don’t count your money in public.
• Keep an eye on your belongings at all times.

For other common safety concerns in Peru, check out Lonely Planet’s safety tips. For common health concerns check out Lonely Planet’s health tips.

To stay healthy while traveling, check out our health travel tips.

• Tap water in Peru is not safe to drink. Drink boiled, bottled or filtered water instead.
* Always make sure to reuse a water bottle to cut down on waste.

• Peru is very close to the equator and the sun is very strong. Therefore, always make sure to use sunscreen.

♦ Local Customs: Peruvians are friendly, welcoming, polite and conservative. Address strangers with usted instead of tu. When entering a room, it’s customary to say hello to everyone (buenos días or buenas tardes). When meeting someone personally a friendly handshake is customary; friends kiss on one cheek. There is no particular dress code required on the streets of Peru. Avoid wearing a bikini elsewhere than on the beach. Revealing clothes may be frowned upon. Always make sure to ask permission before taking someone’s picture. Some people may ask you for a tip in return for taking their photo. Bargaining is acceptable at street markets, taxis and sometimes even in hotels, but don’t overdo it. Be tactful when discussing local politics, drugs, and religion.

Check out top things to see and do in Peru, as well as top romantic experiences and adventures here.