Handling High Altitude: Take It Easy!
Heading to high places in Peru like Cusco (around 3,399m / 11,152ft). Plan for at least a full day, maybe two, just taking it easy before doing anything strenuous, especially if you fly straight in from somewhere low like Lima (coastal, near sea level).
Tips to Avoid Soroche:
- Go Slow: When trekking, don’t push yourself too hard on the first days
- Rest Up: Build rest days into your itinerary.
- Hydrate: Drink plenty of water.
- Eat Light: Avoid big heavy meals and alcohol when you first arrive at altitude.
- Local Remedies: Locals often chew coca leaves or drink muña tea. Give them a try; they can help! You can also get altitude sickness pills (like Diamox, consult a doctor first).
Money Matters: Cash, Cards, and Condition
You’ll need Peruvian Soles (S/ PEN). You can exchange money back home or when you arrive in Peru.
- Cash is Handy: ATMs (cajeros automáticos), banks, and money exchange places (casas de cambio) are easy to find in cities and tourist areas. But in remote villages or at ancient sites? Not so much. Always carry some cash (efectivo) for small purchases like meals, souvenirs, entrance fees, or taxis. Just don’t carry huge wads of it.
- Cards Work Too: Major credit cards are accepted in many hotels, restaurants, and shops, especially in tourist zones. Just ask beforehand if they add any extra fees or what exchange rate they use – sometimes it’s not the best.
- Bill Condition: This is a thing in Peru! Make sure your Peruvian Soles bills are clean and not torn or damaged. Shops or vendors might refuse them if they look too beat up. Same applies if you happen to pay with US dollars (sometimes accepted, especially for tours) – use crisp, clean bills. Avoid the CB-B2 series of $100 US bills as they might not be accepted.
Peru’s Weather: What to Expect Where
Peru’s got three main zones, each with its own climate vibe. And remember: pack strong sunblock (high SPF), a hat, and sunglasses everywhere. The sun can be brutal, especially at altitude.
- The Coast (La Costa): Desert Vibes & Pacific Beaches
Stretching along the Pacific, Peru’s coast is mostly desert. Key spots:
- Lima (sea level):
- Tumbes (23 ft / 7 masl)
- Ica (1,332 ft / 406 m).
Must-sees: Ballestas Islands (dubbed “Budget Galapagos”), the ancient Pachacamac ruins near Lima, northern beaches, and the mind-blowing Nazca Lines.
Seasons:
- April–mid-Sept: Cooler (“winter”). Lima gets grey and misty (garúa fog).
- Mid-Sept–March: Hotter (“summer”), hitting 86°F (30°C). Rain’s rare except in the far north, which stays warm year-round.
- The Andes (La Sierra): High-Altitude Wonders
Think epic peaks and Inca history. Top spots:
- Cusco (11,152 ft / 3,399 m)
- Arequipa (7,661 ft / 2,335 m)
- Puno (12,556 ft / 3,827 m)
Seasons:
- Dry (April–Oct): Sunny days, freezing nights (below 32°F / 0°C).
- Wet (Nov–March): Afternoon rain bursts, muddy trails, but lush green views.
Pro tip: “Altitude hits hard. Take it slow, sip coca tea, and save that trek for Day 2!”
- The Amazon (La Selva): Jungle Heat & Wildlife
Steamy and wild. Main hubs:
- Iquitos (348 ft / 106 m).
- Puerto Maldonado (600 ft / 183).
Wildlife spots: Manu National Park (monkeys, macaws), Tambopata Reserve (river tours, jungle lodges).
Climate: Sweltering year-round (up to 104°F / 40°C). Rain comes in heavy bursts – quick-dry clothes are a must.
Packing Tips for Peru: Keep it Simple
Alright, packing for Peru? Less is definitely more here.
Luggage Limits: Heads up – domestic flights usually have a limit around 50 lbs (that’s 23 kg). Taking the train to Machu Picchu (Altitude: approx. 7,972 ft / 2,430 m)? You can generally only bring one medium bag plus your carry-on. Packing too much? It’ll cost you extra soles – those fees add up fast.
Travel Light: You’ll be dealing with stairs, hopping on buses, walking on bumpy cobblestone streets… trust me, you’ll be glad you didn’t bring that massive suitcase.
Daypack Stuff: What you really need easy access to is water, sunscreen, a rain jacket (just in case), and maybe some snacks. Pro tip: bring a reusable water bottle. Tap water’s a no-go for drinking, so you’ll want to refill from safe sources.
Lock Your Bag: Throw a small lock on your main bag. And make sure everything has a tag with your name – mix-ups can happen, especially on buses or tours.
Clothes: Think Layers
Peru’s weather is kinda crazy, especially up in the Andes like around Cusco (Altitude: approx. 11,152 ft / 3,399 m). Because of the altitude, it can go from sunny and warm to pretty chilly real quick when the sun dips or clouds appear.
So, what’s the secret? Layers! Pack stuff you can easily put on or take off:
- T-shirts (the quick-dry kind are awesome)
- Long-sleeved shirts (good for sun and when it gets cool)
- Comfy pants (hiking pants are great ’cause they work for almost everything)
- A warm fleece or sweater
- A decent jacket that blocks wind and rain
Basically, be ready for strong sun and chilly mornings or evenings. Oh yeah, and toss in a swimsuit if your hotel has a pool or you might hit up some hot springs (baños termales).
Shoes You’ll Need
You’re gonna walk a ton in Peru. A lot of it will be on uneven cobblestone streets in towns or dirt paths at ruins.
Hiking Boots/Shoes: Good, sturdy shoes with decent grip are essential. Seriously, don’t skimp here – you need them for safety and just being comfortable. Make sure they’re broken in before you leave home! Getting blisters miles from anywhere is the worst. A bit of ankle support is nice for rough trails.
Other Shoes: Closed-toe shoes are generally best. Maybe bring some comfy sneakers or sandals for walking around cities like Lima (Altitude: approx. 509 ft / 155 m) on the coast or just chilling out.
Your Important Papers
Don’t forget the essentials:
Passport: It must be valid for at least 6 months after the day you enter Peru. No wiggle room on this.
Carry Your ID: It’s actually the law in Peru to have your passport (or at least a clear copy) with you. You might get asked for it at checkpoints or when checking into hotels. Keep copies – paper and digital – separate from your real passport just in case.
Medical Notes: If you have any health stuff or allergies, bring a note from your doctor and a list of meds you take.
Don’t Forget Travel Insurance
Seriously, get travel insurance. Don’t leave home without it. Make sure it covers the important stuff like:
- If your trip gets canceled or cut short
- Doctor visits or hospital stays abroad
- Getting flown out in a serious emergency (super important if you’re hiking or way out there)
- Lost or stolen bags and passport
- Your bags being delayed
What is the Coca Leaves?
You’ll see coca leaves everywhere in the Andes. Locals have been chewing them or drinking coca tea (mate de coca) for ages.
Why? They give you a bit of energy (kinda like strong coffee) and are the traditional way to deal with altitude sickness symptoms. They also say it helps with hunger and tiredness.
Should you try it? Go for it! Especially if you’re feeling the altitude kicking in or going on a tough hike. Tour guides often offer them. It’s part of the culture and it might genuinely make you feel better.
Best Time to Visit Peru?
When to go really depends on Peru’s dry and rainy seasons, especially for the mountains and the jungle.
Dry Season (around April to October): This is your best shot for sunny days, especially up high. Perfect for hiking. It’s also peak tourist season
Rainy Season (around November to March): Expect rain, yeah, but usually it’s just heavy showers in the afternoon, not always raining all day. Everything looks super green and lush (they call it the “green season”). Usually fewer tourists, and sometimes you find better deals.
There’s no single “perfect” time it just depends on what matters most to you – weather, crowds, or cost – and where exactly you’re planning to go.
Shots and Health Stuff
Check the Basics: First off, make sure your routine shots (like Tetanus, MMR) are up to date.
Recommended: Most travel docs will tell you to get shots for Hepatitis A and Typhoid before traveling to Peru.
Depends Where You Go:
- Yellow Fever: Good idea (and sometimes you need proof you got it) if you’re heading into the Amazon jungle regions below 7,546 ft (2,300 m), like near Iquitos (Altitude: approx. 348 ft / 106 m) or Puerto Maldonado (Altitude: approx. 607 ft / 185 m).
- Malaria: There’s a risk in jungle areas below about 4,921 ft (1,500 m), mainly the Amazon basin. Talk to your doctor about pills or bug spray if you’re going there. The risk is super low or basically zero in Lima, Cusco, Machu Picchu, Lake Titicaca (Altitude: approx. 12,507 ft / 3,812 m), and Arequipa (Altitude: approx. 7,661 ft / 2,335 m).
- Rabies: Think about this one if you’ll be spending a lot of time way out in the countryside or working near animals.
Talk to a Pro: Best thing is to see your doctor or a travel clinic 4-6 weeks before your trip. They can give you advice based on exactly where you’re going and your health.
Handling High Altitude: Sun & Stuff
Up high, the sun is no joke, even when it feels cool or looks cloudy. The air is also really dry, and the wind can chap your skin bad.
Skin & Lips: Use lots of sunscreen with a high SPF often. Don’t forget your ears, neck, and hands! Lip balm with SPF is a must. Wear a hat with a wide brim. It’s smart to pack a good moisturizer for night time too. Maybe bring some aloe vera gel just in case you get burned.
Eyes: Those UV rays are strong. Wear good quality sunglasses. The wrap-around kind are best because they block glare from the sides. This is extra important if you’ll be near snow or salt flats where the reflection is super bright.
Seriously, Get Good Travel Insurance (Worth Saying Twice!)
Yeah, we mentioned it, but it’s super important: you need good travel insurance.
What It Needs to Cover: Make sure it includes the big things: medical emergencies (including getting evacuated if needed!), trip cancellation/interruption, and lost, stolen, or damaged bags.
Medical is Key: Your regular health insurance back home probably won’t cover you in Peru. If something bad happens, medical costs can be massive. Make sure your policy covers getting you to a decent hospital and even flying you home if necessary.
Luggage Cover: If the airline loses your bag, insurance helps you buy clothes and toiletries. This is extra important if you packed special hiking gear. (Hot tip travelers share: wear your hiking boots on the plane and keep medicine or anything critical in your carry-on!)
Credit Card Insurance: Some credit cards give you travel insurance if you book your trip with them. Check what it covers – it’s often pretty basic and might not be enough by itself, but it could be a helpful extra layer.
Keeping Safe in Peru: The Basics
So you’re heading to Peru awesome! Generally it’s a safe spot for travelers yeah? But like anywhere else you gotta keep your wits about you.
- Be Aware: Pay attention when you’re in those busy areas. Keep your phone money and passport zipped up and hidden Dont flash cash or expensive gadgets around it just makes you look like a target you know?
- Traveling Solo: If you’re on your own just be a little extra watchful Stick to well-lit streets at night maybe shoot a message to someone back home letting them know your rough plans. Peruvian people are often super helpful like “¡qué amable!” (how kind!) but remember your safety is mainly up to you.
- Taxis: Getting a taxi? Its usually safer if your hotel or restaurant calls a registered one for you or if you use a ride app you trust just make sure the driver and car match the app! Always agree on the price before you get in ask “cuánto cuesta?” (how much does it cost?) cause taxis here dont really use meters. Try not to just hail a random cab off the street especially late at night it can sometimes be iffy.
Tips for Women Traveling Alone
Okay ladies if you’re traveling solo you might sometimes get unwanted comments from guys maybe whistles or call-outs (“piropos”). It’s mostly just annoying honestly. Dressing a bit more modestly especially when you leave big cities like Lima (approx. 150m / 492ft) might cut down on it maybe maybe not its hard to say for sure.
Gotta be real though unfortunately sexual assault can happen even in tourist areas. So please be extra careful:
- Try not to walk around alone after dark.
- Be aware when getting taxis or hanging around bus terminals.
- Be smart about strangers or people you just met especially if they’re offering drinks rides or inviting you somewhere private. Trust your gut feeling if something feels off it probably is.
- In some very rare cases even tour guides have been involved in bad situations so try to pick tour companies with a solid reputation.
- If anything bad does happen contact the police right away. The Tourist Police (“Policía de Turismo”) often have officers who speak some English.
Adventure Activities: Staying Safe
Peru is like a dream for adventure lovers right hiking trekking climbing! But these activities always have risks you gotta know that.
Hiking Trekking Climbing: Accidents do happen sometimes they’re really serious even fatal on popular spots like Huayna Picchu (that peak overlooking Machu Picchu) or while climbing in areas like the Cordillera Blanca mountains near Huaraz (around 3,052m / 10,013ft). Good info: the classic 4-day Inca Trail is closed for maintenance every February. Some other trails might not be marked super clearly people have gotten lost. Also watch out steep drop-offs often dont have fences or railings.
Sometimes getting to Rainbow Mountain (Vinicunca) can be tricky because of disputes between the local communities managing the routes. Best check the current situation with your tour operator before you go.
Water Fun:
White-water rafting is popular but accidents have happened especially on the Urubamba River near Cusco (Cusco city itself is high up around 3,399m / 11,152ft). Just be aware that the gear the guide training and the rescue services might not be exactly the same high standard you’re used to back home. Choose your rafting company carefully maybe ask around for recommendations.
Thinking About Ayahuasca? Be Careful
You might hear about ayahuasca tourism people going to ceremonies led by shamans. If this is something you’re considering please be extremely careful.
- The Risks: Taking ayahuasca can cause serious medical problems especially if you have existing health conditions or take certain medications. It can really mess with your thinking and physical coordination. There are documented cases where tourists have gotten very sick injured had severe psychological problems been sexually assaulted or even died during or after these ceremonies.
- No Rules: This stuff often happens in remote places with no easy access to doctors or mental health help if things go wrong. The facilities might lack even basic first aid or emergency plans. It’s an unregulated industry so it’s basically impossible to know for sure if an operator or shaman is safe or legit. It’s a complex thing approach with extreme caution or maybe just decide the risks aren’t worth it.
Getting Around Peru: Public Transport Tips
Buses (General): Buses are the main way people travel between cities and towns in Peru.
Local Buses: Inside cities like Lima you’ll see local buses called “micros” or “combis”. They can be old crowded and sometimes the drivers are pretty aggressive. Definitely keep an eye on your stuff for pickpockets on these – “¡Cuidado con los choros!” (Watch out for thieves!).
Intercity Buses: For longer trips between cities buses can be a good option. Try to stick with the well-known companies like Cruz del Sur Oltursa or Movil Tours people generally say they’re more reliable. Bus accidents are a concern though sometimes due to speed poor maintenance or tired drivers. Night buses used to have a slightly higher risk of robbery but the better companies have improved security. It’s always smart to book tickets ahead especially for popular routes.
Trains: Trains aren’t as common as buses. They mostly run on the big tourist routes: Cusco to Machu Picchu (the station’s in Aguas Calientes town approx 2,040m / 6,693ft) and the scenic route linking Cusco Puno (around 3,827m / 12,556ft) and Arequipa (around 2,335m / 7,661ft). Train services can sometimes be disrupted by strikes or technical problems. Definitely book your train tickets way in advance especially for Machu Picchu they sell out fast.
Taxis: Taxis are easy to find in cities. Remember no meters! Always agree on the fare before you get in (“cuánto cuesta?”). Asking at your hotel what a normal price should be is a good way to avoid getting ripped off paying “un ojo de la cara” (an arm and a leg). Try to carry small bills because drivers often claim they dont have change. Like mentioned before using registered taxis called by your hotel or a reliable app is generally safer than just flagging one down off the street especially at night.
Flying Within Peru
Flying is often the fastest way to cover the long distances here like Lima to Cusco or Lima to Iquitos way out in the Amazon jungle (Iquitos is pretty low altitude around 106m / 348ft). There are several domestic airlines that fly these routes.
Book flights ahead if you can especially during peak tourist season prices will be better. Pay attention to their rules for checked bags and carry-ons they can be quite strict. Its also worth knowing that international safety standards arent always independently checked for these domestic airlines like they are for major international carriers just something to keep in mind it’s hard to know the exact details on compliance.
