DestinationsPeruTravel guide

Peru

Click on a city to start planning a trip there.

Plan my trip All destinations

Live conditions

Regions & cities

Discover Peru

Click on a city to start planning a trip there.

🏔️

Cusco & Sacred Valley

Cusco Ollantaytambo Pisac Aguas Calientes

🌊

Lima & Coast

Lima Paracas Huacachina Nazca

🌋

Arequipa & South

Arequipa Colca Canyon Puno Lake Titicaca

🌿

Amazon Basin

Iquitos Puerto Maldonado Manu

Every region tells its own story — you don't have to hear them all in one trip.

Trip plans

Popular routes

Pre-planned routes for Peru. Use one as a starting point or let Wayloha create something custom for you.

Peru Classic

10–14d

Lima, Cusco, Sacred Valley, and Machu Picchu

LimaCuscoSacred ValleyMachu Picchu

Flight Lima–Cusco; train to Machu Picchu; private transfers in Sacred Valley

Plan this route

Peru Grand Tour

18–25d

Coast, highlands, and the Amazon in one trip

LimaParacasNazcaArequipaColca Canyon+4 more

Domestic flights + Peru Rail + buses

Plan this route

Getting around Peru

No car needed — domestic flights, Peru Rail, and comfortable buses cover all routes. Altitude acclimatisation needed in Cusco (3,400m).

Travel information

Before you go to Peru

✈️

Airports & entry

Peru has 3 major international airports. Consider Lima (LIM) as your main entry point, or fly in and out from different cities to see more.

🗓️

Best trip length

Most visitors spend 10–25 days in Peru. Shorter trips work well for focused regions; longer trips let you explore more deeply.

🗺️

Regions to know

Peru has 4 distinct regions. Cusco & Sacred Valley and Lima & Coast are the most popular starting points for first-time visitors.

🚗

Getting around

No car needed — domestic flights, Peru Rail, and comfortable buses cover all routes. Altitude acclimatisation needed in Cusco (3,400m).

💡

Smart planning tip

Generate a personalised trip plan with Wayloha — just enter your budget, travel style and travel dates. Our AI reads 50+ travel blogs to build your perfect route.

📋

Preparation guide

After generating your trip plan, Wayloha creates a full preparation guide — including packing list, visa info, SIM card tips, money advice and local customs tailored to your trip.

Accommodation

Accommodation in Peru

From luxury riads to budget hostels — find the right place to stay for your travel style.

🏨

Boutique hotels

Colonial stays in Cusco & Lima

Search on Booking.com

🌿

Eco lodges

Amazon jungle lodges

Search on Booking.com

🏔️

Mountain lodges

Inca Trail and Sacred Valley stays

Search on Booking.com

🎒

Hostels

Backpacker circuit staples

Search on Booking.com

View all accommodation in Peru

Booking.com affiliate links — Wayloha earns a small commission at no extra cost to you

Travel inspiration

See Peru through the eyes of travellers

Real travel content from the community. See the latest photos, videos and stories from people who've already been.

Instagram

Photos & Reels

#PeruTravel#VisitPeru#PeruTrip

View on Instagram

TikTok

Travel videos

#PeruTravel#Peru#traveltoPeru

View on TikTok

YouTube

Travel vlogs

"Peru travel vlog""Peru travel guide""things to do in Peru"

View on YouTube

Content is hosted on third-party platforms. Wayloha links to public hashtag pages and does not store any social media content.

Ready to visit Peru?

Tell Wayloha your travel style, budget and travel dates. We'll build your complete day-by-day trip plan — your first draft is on your screen within a minute.

Plan my trip to Peru

Travel guide

All about Peru

Peru is one of South America's cheapest destinations, making it perfect for backpackers who want to see plenty without emptying their wallet. Whether you're trekking through jungle, hunting for archaeological treasures, or simply soaking up authentic Peruvian culture, this country has something for everyone. With one of the region's fastest-growing economies, Peru feels like a land in full transformation, where tradition and modernity meet.

Why visit Peru

Peru isn't just a destination: it's an adventure that changes you. The country stands out for its sheer diversity: you can camp in the Amazon where indigenous peoples still live their traditional way of life, explore the Andes with breathtaking mountain landscapes, and wander through cheap local markets where real Peruvian culture still lives and breathes. This is a place where budget travel doesn't mean sacrificing comfort: it means experiencing more. Families and solo travellers come here because you can go anywhere, whether you're embracing Lima's food scene or heading deep into the jungle. Peru feels like an escape to somewhere genuine, where you stay connected to the land and its people.

The Amazon is accessible via Leticia at the border with Colombia and Brazil, perfect if you want jungle experience without travelling far
Peru is known for its immense cultural heritage, offering history and stories that truly move you
The country attracts families who want to save money without compromising on quality of experience

Best time to go

Peru doesn't have a sharply defined tourist season like some destinations, but there are differences that shape your planning. The dry season (May to October) is ideal for trekking in the Andes, with clear weather and less rain. This is also when you can spot humpback whales around Gorgona Island (August to October), a bonus if you're planning coastal trips. The wet season brings lower prices, so if your budget is tight and you don't mind rain, you can save significantly. Travel feels quieter in the wet months, with fewer backpackers on the beaten track. It's also an excellent time to experience village life and local traditions without tourist crowds. When you visit Peru matters less than how you prepare. The country welcomes you in any season.

May to October brings dry weather, perfect for Andes trekking and mountain activities
August to October is whale season, a unique addition to your Peruvian adventure if you're spending time on the coast
Wet months mean lower prices and fewer crowds for those who can be flexible

Getting there and getting around

Peru is reached most easily by international flights into Lima, the capital. From other South American countries, you can travel by bus: many backpackers combine Peru with neighbouring countries like Colombia. Overland from Colombia goes through the south-eastern part of the Amazon, which means you can explore areas like Leticia before entering Peru. This makes it easy to cover a stretch of Amazon before moving on. Once in Peru, most people travel between cities by local bus, which is incredibly cheap and perfect for budget backpacking. For the Amazon itself, you take boat trips, usually organised from larger villages. The infrastructure is good enough to travel independently without excessive planning, making Peru ideal for flexible travel schedules.

Local buses are your cheapest option for travel between cities and connect you with real Peruvians
Leticia at the three-way border (Peru-Colombia-Brazil) is the launch point for Amazon tours and river boat trips
Boat trips in the Amazon cost from 150,000 COP upwards and offer intensive jungle experience with indigenous communities

Must-do experiences

The heart of a Peruvian trip beats in the Amazon, where you go beyond tourist schedules and make real contact with the jungle and indigenous peoples. Many tours leave by boat upriver from Leticia and stop at indigenous villages before reaching places where serious trekking begins, such as Amacayacu National Park. This isn't a theme park: it's genuine adventure with authentic cultural encounters. For those who love heights, the Andes offer a contrasting but equally rewarding experience. Huaraz is widely known as a walker's paradise, with routes for every level. Whether you organise it yourself or hire a guide depends on your comfort level, but both are available. For those wanting to take it slower: local markets in cities like Lima show you how Peruvians actually live and what food means here. These are the experiences you'll tell stories about for years.

Amazon trekking costs at least 150,000 COP but gives you access to indigenous culture and pristine nature
Huaraz is Peru's trekking hub with routes for beginners through to experts
Local markets and village life reveal authentic insights you won't find in guidebooks

Practical information

Money: Peru is one of South America's cheapest destinations: only Bolivia and possibly Paraguay are cheaper. For backpackers sleeping in hostel beds, eating local and using public transport, your daily budget can be remarkably low. Prices vary by season; dry months cost slightly more as trekkers arrive. Safety: Peru is generally safe for tourists who use common sense. Avoid empty streets at night, don't make money deals with strangers, and stick to recognisable tourist areas if you're unsure. Visas: many nationalities don't need a visa for Peru if you're visiting as a tourist. Sort this before you leave. Language: Spanish is primary, with Quechua in mountain areas. Many young people in tourist zones speak English, but learn a few basic Spanish phrases: it genuinely changes how locals engage with you. Health: get vaccinated, especially for yellow fever if you're heading into the Amazon. Altitude sickness (soroche) is real in the Andes; acclimatise slowly and drink plenty of water.

Budget 10-30 USD per day for food, accommodation and local transport if you're careful
Get yellow fever vaccination before Amazon adventures; altitude sickness needs gradual acclimatisation
Basic Spanish phrases open doors; locals value the effort more than perfection

Generated from 8 travel guides and experiences · Sources

Broke Backpacker — Colombia
Reisjunk
Earth Trekkers
Nomadic Matt — Colombia
Travel Dudes
Nomadic Matt — Thailand Guide
Nomadic Matt — Netherlands Guide
Nomadic Matt — Spain Guide