Peru

Overview

Peru's own tourism authority describes the country in three bands rather than one climate: coast, highlands and Amazon. The northern coast is sunnier, the central and southern coast is temperate and humid with very little rain, the Andes are dry and temperate with large day-to-night temperature swings, and the Amazon is hot, tropical and rainy. Most trips combine Lima, the Cusco region and one contrasting area — a canyon, the Amazon or Lake Titicaca.

Climate: Three distinct bands: a sunnier northern coast, a temperate and humid central/southern coast with little rain, dry temperate Andes with large day-night temperature swings, and a hot, rainy Amazon.

Plan 10–16 days to see Peru without rushing. Shorter trips work best from a single base; longer trips justify a second region.

Plan & book

Flights, stays and activities for Peru will be bookable here soon. For now, check how Peru fits your budget and dates with the trip finder.

Why go to Peru

• Rated 10/10 for food (editorial score)
• Rated 10/10 for culture (editorial score)
• Rated 10/10 for adventure (editorial score)
• Affordable for daily spending
• Works best on trips of 10–16 days

Travel-style scores

• Beach5/10
• Nature9/10
• Food10/10
• Nightlife6/10
• Culture10/10
• Adventure10/10
• Romance7/10
• Family7/10
• Backpacking10/10
• Luxury8/10

These are WhereWeGo editorial scores — our own calibration of what Peru is good for, not an external measurement.

Budget

Typical independent-travel estimates, excluding international flights. Planning estimates, not quotes.

Guidance, not guarantees. Cusco, Machu Picchu entry and rail, and Amazon lodges push costs well above the national average, while Lima neighbourhoods and the highlands can be much cheaper.

Flights are not included. We only show flight prices once they come from a live fare source.

Practical information

Language

Spanish, with Quechua and Aymara widely spoken in the highlands; English is limited outside tourism

Currency

Peruvian sol (PEN)

Power

Type A/C, 220V

Safety

Take normal city precautions with valuables and check current official travel advice for specific regions and overland routes

Tipping

Around 10% in restaurants where no service charge is included

Entry

Entry rules depend on nationality — verify current official requirements before booking.

Where to go in Peru

Pick a city or region to see when to go, how long to stay and what it is good for.

Lima

City

Coastal capital with landmark restaurants, clifftop districts and pre-Columbian museums.

Explore Lima

Cusco

City

Inca capital at altitude, the base for the Sacred Valley and Machu Picchu.

Explore Cusco

Sacred Valley

Region

Lower-altitude valley of Inca sites, markets and terraces between Cusco and Machu Picchu.

Explore Sacred Valley

Machu Picchu

Park

The Inca citadel above the Urubamba — ticketed, capped entry with timed circuits.

Explore Machu Picchu

Arequipa & Colca Canyon

City

White volcanic-stone city with volcano views and a deep canyon known for condors.

Explore Arequipa & Colca Canyon

Huaraz & Cordillera Blanca

Mountain

High-altitude trekking base for glacial lakes and multi-day Andean circuits.

Explore Huaraz & Cordillera Blanca

Iquitos & the Amazon

Region

River-lodge gateway to the Peruvian Amazon, reachable only by air or boat.

Explore Iquitos & the Amazon

Lake Titicaca & Puno

Lake

High-altitude lake with island communities and Andean-Aymara culture on the Bolivian border.

Explore Lake Titicaca & Puno

Máncora

Coast

Northern-coast beach town with the country's sunniest weather and consistent surf.

Explore Máncora

When to go to Peru

Highlighted months balance weather, crowds and price for most travellers.

Suggested itineraries

• Peru classic

  12 days

  Lima food, the Sacred Valley and Machu Picchu.

  Route: Lima → Sacred Valley → Machu Picchu → Cusco

• Andes and canyon

  14 days

  Adds Arequipa, Colca and the high lake to the classic loop.

  Route: Lima → Arequipa & Colca Canyon → Lake Titicaca & Puno → Cusco

• Andes to Amazon

  13 days

  Highland sites plus a rainforest lodge stay.

  Route: Cusco → Machu Picchu → Iquitos & the Amazon

Getting around Peru

• Domestic flights link Lima with Cusco, Arequipa, Iquitos and the north quickly
• Long-distance buses are extensive and much cheaper, but Andean routes are slow
• Trains serve the Sacred Valley to Aguas Calientes for Machu Picchu, and a scenic route to Puno
• Iquitos has no road connection — access is by air or river only
• Colectivos and taxis handle short highland hops; agree fares in advance

Major airports

• LIM · Lima

  Jorge Chávez International — the country's main hub

• CUZ · Cusco

  Alejandro Velasco Astete International

• AQP · Arequipa

  Rodríguez Ballón International

• IQT · Iquitos

  Coronel FAP Francisco Secada Vignetta International — Amazon gateway

• JUL · Juliaca

  Inca Manco Cápac International — Lake Titicaca access

Peru guides

• Best time to visit

  Best time to visit Peru

  When to go to Peru: the months that balance weather, crowds and price, plus what each season actually feels like.

• Trip costs

  How much does a trip to Peru cost?

  A structured breakdown of flights, lodging, transport and food for a 16-day trip to Peru at three budget levels.

• Where to go

  Where to go in Peru

  Matching Peru's regions and cities to trip types — first-timers, beach weeks, food trips and family holidays.

• Budget guide

  Peru on a budget

  How to travel Peru cheaply without gutting the trip — daily numbers, cheaper months and where the savings actually are.

• Itinerary

  16 days in Peru: itinerary

  A realistic 16-day route through Peru with sensible stop lengths, travel days and costs.

• Seasonal guide

  Peru in May

  What Peru is like in May: weather, crowds, prices and the trips that work best that month.