12 Things to Know Before Traveling to Peru
We’ve already covered the basics of Peru travel preparation, as well as six key tips for getting the most out of your trip. Now we’ll run through a few more practical things you should know before traveling to Peru, all of which will help you hit the ground running once you set foot on Peruvian soil…
Peru is traditionally a hotspot for budget backpackers, but luxury options are far more commonplace these days. If you want to travel in style, you can normally find hotels and tours to fit your luxurious needs. But if you prefer to travel as an independent shoestringer, Peru is still a great place for you -- especially once you figure out how to travel in Peru on a tight budget.
Peru is a safe place to travel, but opportunistic theft is rife. If you leave something unattended in a public space, it will normally disappear with surprising swiftness. Always keep an eye on your belongings, while securing bags, laptops, cameras etc. against snatch theft.
The climate differs greatly across Peru’s three main geographic regions, taking you from parched coastal deserts to chilly Andean peaks and sweltering jungle cities. Keep this in mind when it comes to packing. Clothing is reasonably cheap in Peru, so you can always pack light and buy more layers when needed.
If your mental image of bus travel in Peru involves rough roads and dirty “chicken buses,” then Peru’s top-end bus companies will be a pleasant surprise. These companies have modern fleets of long distance buses with comfortable reclining seats, air conditioning and onboard movies. If you really want to travel on a chicken bus, you’ll find them too (sometimes as the only option) -- but don’t expect reliability or any great concern for passenger safety.
Peruvian cuisine is riding a wave of international attention and acclaim right now, which is fair enough. But don’t expect every meal you eat in Peru to be great; some meals will leave you wondering what all the fuss is about, and some might be just plain awful. Pick restaurants carefully (full of locals is always a good sign) and splurge occasionally. While expensive doesn’t necessarily mean better, Peru's cheap S/.6 set-lunch menús rarely represent the best of Peruvian gastronomy.
Peru’s public toilets range from bearable to awful, and very few have toilet paper (if they do, you have to pay for it). It’s a good idea to carry a supply of toilet paper in your bag or back pocket, just in case of emergencies. And remember that used paper should not be flushed, but goes in the waste basket next to the toilet.
As someone who has suffered from altitude sickness in Potosí, Bolivia, I can assure you that it’s worth taking things slowly when you pass the 8,000 feet (2,500 m) mark. For most travelers in Peru, this will be in Cusco, but plenty of other popular Peruvian cities and tourists attractions are also located above this altitude.
Too many people arrive in Lima and leave almost immediately, never giving the Peruvian capital the chance it deserves. It’s easy to understand why people are eager to spend their often limited travel time in Cusco and Machu Picchu, Arequipa and Colca Canyon, Puno and Lake Titicaca, but don’t dismiss Lima too quickly. The historic city has plenty of things to see and do (for kids, too), as well as excellent restaurants and colorful nightlife.
Stores, services and other businesses often have a shortage of change. This can lead to frequent delays when you want to pay for something, as well as people simply refusing to take your maney. To avoid this annoying situation, always carry small bills -- 10 and 20 nuevo sol notes rather than 50 and 100 sol notes -- and a stash of coins (particularly one, two and five nuevo sol coins).
If you think you can book a spot on the classic Inca Trail when you arrive in Cusco, think again. While you might find a space on one of the alternative trails, any trek along the classic Inca Trail should be booked at least a few months in advance (six months if possible, especially during high season).
As a foreigner, there’s a good chance you’ll stand out a mile among the local Peruvian population. This obviously draws attention, be it neutral, positive or negative. Peruvians are normally friendly, welcoming and respectful when interacting with foreign tourists, but expect some unwanted attention. This could be in the form of aggressive vendors, petty thieves, and -- for female travelers -- street harassment (typically juvenile rather than aggressive).
Before you arrive in Peru, brace yourself for some cultural differences that you simply won’t like. These could include a lack of respect for your personal space, a total lack of respect when it comes to making noise, and various other things that you -- and your home culture -- might deem frustrating, inappropriate or rude. Rest assured that a Peruvian would probably pick out various annoying cultural quirks while traveling in your home country, too. Embrace the differences -- even if it's through gritted teeth…
1. Peru is for Budget Backpackers and Luxury Travelers
Peru is traditionally a hotspot for budget backpackers, but luxury options are far more commonplace these days. If you want to travel in style, you can normally find hotels and tours to fit your luxurious needs. But if you prefer to travel as an independent shoestringer, Peru is still a great place for you -- especially once you figure out how to travel in Peru on a tight budget.
2. Opportunistic Theft is Common
Peru is a safe place to travel, but opportunistic theft is rife. If you leave something unattended in a public space, it will normally disappear with surprising swiftness. Always keep an eye on your belongings, while securing bags, laptops, cameras etc. against snatch theft.
3. Peru is Geographically and Climatically Diverse
The climate differs greatly across Peru’s three main geographic regions, taking you from parched coastal deserts to chilly Andean peaks and sweltering jungle cities. Keep this in mind when it comes to packing. Clothing is reasonably cheap in Peru, so you can always pack light and buy more layers when needed.
4. Peru's Major Bus Companies are Refreshingly Modern
If your mental image of bus travel in Peru involves rough roads and dirty “chicken buses,” then Peru’s top-end bus companies will be a pleasant surprise. These companies have modern fleets of long distance buses with comfortable reclining seats, air conditioning and onboard movies. If you really want to travel on a chicken bus, you’ll find them too (sometimes as the only option) -- but don’t expect reliability or any great concern for passenger safety.
5. Peruvian Food is Not Always Good
Peruvian cuisine is riding a wave of international attention and acclaim right now, which is fair enough. But don’t expect every meal you eat in Peru to be great; some meals will leave you wondering what all the fuss is about, and some might be just plain awful. Pick restaurants carefully (full of locals is always a good sign) and splurge occasionally. While expensive doesn’t necessarily mean better, Peru's cheap S/.6 set-lunch menús rarely represent the best of Peruvian gastronomy.
6. Carry Toilet Paper (But Don’t Flush It)
Peru’s public toilets range from bearable to awful, and very few have toilet paper (if they do, you have to pay for it). It’s a good idea to carry a supply of toilet paper in your bag or back pocket, just in case of emergencies. And remember that used paper should not be flushed, but goes in the waste basket next to the toilet.
7. High Altitudes Deserve Respect
As someone who has suffered from altitude sickness in Potosí, Bolivia, I can assure you that it’s worth taking things slowly when you pass the 8,000 feet (2,500 m) mark. For most travelers in Peru, this will be in Cusco, but plenty of other popular Peruvian cities and tourists attractions are also located above this altitude.
8. Lima Deserves a Chance
Too many people arrive in Lima and leave almost immediately, never giving the Peruvian capital the chance it deserves. It’s easy to understand why people are eager to spend their often limited travel time in Cusco and Machu Picchu, Arequipa and Colca Canyon, Puno and Lake Titicaca, but don’t dismiss Lima too quickly. The historic city has plenty of things to see and do (for kids, too), as well as excellent restaurants and colorful nightlife.
9. Small Bills Keep Things Simple
Stores, services and other businesses often have a shortage of change. This can lead to frequent delays when you want to pay for something, as well as people simply refusing to take your maney. To avoid this annoying situation, always carry small bills -- 10 and 20 nuevo sol notes rather than 50 and 100 sol notes -- and a stash of coins (particularly one, two and five nuevo sol coins).
10. Book the Inca Trail in Advance
If you think you can book a spot on the classic Inca Trail when you arrive in Cusco, think again. While you might find a space on one of the alternative trails, any trek along the classic Inca Trail should be booked at least a few months in advance (six months if possible, especially during high season).
11. Foreigners Do Stand Out
As a foreigner, there’s a good chance you’ll stand out a mile among the local Peruvian population. This obviously draws attention, be it neutral, positive or negative. Peruvians are normally friendly, welcoming and respectful when interacting with foreign tourists, but expect some unwanted attention. This could be in the form of aggressive vendors, petty thieves, and -- for female travelers -- street harassment (typically juvenile rather than aggressive).
12. Cultural Quirks are Part of the Experience
Before you arrive in Peru, brace yourself for some cultural differences that you simply won’t like. These could include a lack of respect for your personal space, a total lack of respect when it comes to making noise, and various other things that you -- and your home culture -- might deem frustrating, inappropriate or rude. Rest assured that a Peruvian would probably pick out various annoying cultural quirks while traveling in your home country, too. Embrace the differences -- even if it's through gritted teeth…