After ample research and went-there-did-that experience, RealFoodTraveler.com’s Eco-Friendly Food and Travel Adventure Editor, Jimmy McDonough, shares his best Peru tips in the first of a three-part series. 

Save this article with practical Peru Tips to Pinterest to keep them handy. Photos by Jimmy McDonough. Graphic by RealFoodTraveler.com.

Travel to Peru: Tips and Recommendations

For an affordable country to visit filled with beauty, welcoming people, cultural treasures, fascinating history – and delicious foods – Peru is hard to beat. You’ll see links to the other two articles I’ve written below, where I share more of my Peruvian adventures. But here, I provide these travel tips (developed with the help of my three sisters on a siblings trip) to plan your memorable visit to Peru! Please note, these recommendations are based on travel done in June, 2023.

Prepare in Advance

Before you depart your home country…

Check the U.S. State Dept website for travel safety warnings. Some Peruvian regions may be experiencing unrest.

Popular archeological sites may require reservations made far in advance; do not assume you can walk up and buy a ticket to enter. Visiting Machu Picchu requires special advance planning; see our upcoming “Machu Picchu Travel Tips.”

Pack an extra empty travel bag. Peru’s artisans will tempt you to take home irresistible gifts and beautiful treasures to remind you of this magical place. Give in and buy lots of gifts for friends and family and support the local economy. That said, budget for gifts. Stick to it. You’ll be tempted to buy more. Trust me.

Gorgeous locally-made artisanal crafts tempt you to overspend your budget.

Obtain some of Peru’s currency (Soles) in advance, before arriving in Peru. Many vendors do not accept credit cards. Banks can be few, extremely busy, and have reduced hours. ATMs are more widely available; be cautious to avoid high fees and potentially nefarious technology. Some small shops may also change money. Be sure to break the 100 Sole bills (shown as “100/s,” about $26-$27 US) that money changers give you as this may be too high for many small vendors (street, cafes, taxis, etc.) to accept and provide change.

Do not drive yourself. Aggressive drivers, narrow roads, minimal signage, etc., make Peru a difficult place to negotiate. Relax, sit back, and enjoy your trip by hiring a local driver and guide.

Pack carefully for self-care. A practical sunhat (crushable for EZ packing), sunglasses, lip balm (SPF), band-aids and moleskin (for blisters), sunscreen and bug spray. High altitudes and intense sunshine can quickly damage skin, lips, and eyes; paths at archeological sites and cobblestoned streets may be slippery.

Have some of Peru’s cash on hand at all times. It’s got to be the cutest currency in the world!

Loose, breathable clothing is a must at any time of year. Dress in layers so you can be warm in chilly mountain mornings, then cool off as the sun rises.

Learn some Spanish – many Peruvians in the top destinations know other languages, but not in the villages and it is important to be respectful of their culture. When I spoke my tortured version of Spanish, Peruvians appreciated the effort with a smile. Knowing more Spanish would have been helpful.

Read up on Peru’s complex, fascinating history, and take a good guidebook. Don’t expect interpretive signage at any sights to fill you in.

Reserve rooms in smaller, locally-owned hotels with breakfast service. Cafes often do not open early, even in tourist areas; hotels serving tourists will provide a good breakfast and help you start your day early. Supporting smaller, local lodging businesses has a positive impact on Peru’s local communities.

Hungry for more? Get Tips for Visiting Machu Picchu.

Prepare your body for all the high altitude walking and stair climbing you will do when visiting Peru’s top scenic sights. Machu Picchu is above 7,000 feet, and the city of Cusco is at an incredible 11,000+ feet above sea level!

Get in shape for lots of climbing archeological wonders like Machu Picchu.

If you have mobility issues (wheelchair, walker, bum knee, etc.) extra planning is needed; some of Peru’s archeological sites may not be fully accessible and/or require specialty tour services – including Machu Picchu. Old colonial city streets are paved in large cobblestones and not always easy to navigate even without mobility challenges. Where there is a will, there is a way! For folks who use a wheelchair, Wheel the World may help you get around.

Buy sturdy, comfortable, sensible shoes. And moisture-wicking socks. Leave the stilettos and flip-flops at home.

Pack lightly. Peru’s picturesque cobblestoned streets make it impossible to pull luggage – or will quickly ruin the wheels. Assume you will have to carry your bags, so the lighter the better. Have your laundry washed locally – it’s easy and inexpensive – just ask your hotel’s front desk. Plus, packing lightly means you have more room to take home the treasures you purchased in the markets.

Check your tech. Every day in Peru will be filled with incredible sights and you will take so many pictures, so avoid running out of storage! Check with your cell phone service provider about service and cloud storage while in Peru. Hotels offer outlets that are compatible with US power; take a backup adapter just in case.

Hungry for more? Get 12 tips for traveling in Iceland.

Travel to Peru Tips: When you are there…

Keep some smaller Sole bills handy for quick transactions with street vendors and when asking to take a photo of people (locals dressed in eye-catching traditional clothing, sometimes carrying a baby alpaca, will expect a tip – this may be their primary way of earning money). Be respectful and ask first before taking photos!

Splurge on some special meals – specifically at lunch to avoid higher prices. Peru’s cuisine is spectacular – don’t miss it. Here are a few places we enjoyed memorable meals at reasonable prices:
Lima, Barranco Barrio: 73LA
Lima, Miraflores Barrio: Restaurante Huaca Pucllana 
Cusco: Morena   
Valle Sagrado: La Feria -Buffet Picantero 
Machu Picchu, archaeological site: Tinkuy

Touristy roadhouses offer tasty buffet options of homey, local fare like this one, La Feria – Buffet Picantero, in Valle Sagrado.

Hungry for more? Read about memorable Peruvian dining experiences.

Peruvians are outgoing and friendly. In small cities and villages, say “Ola” and smile as you pass someone on your path.

Watch where you step – free-range pooches’ poop is common on streets and sidewalks.

To start your day early, seek hotels that serve early breakfast. Local eateries and coffee shops may not open until 8 or later, even in big cities.

Do not assume credit cards are accepted at major tourist sites.  We found this out the hard way at an official state-run tourist site on the outskirts of Cusco, after a half hour steep climb. Have Soles (Peru’s currency) in your pocket every day.

Tip generously. Known as “propina,” tip your servers, drivers, guides etc. 10% is the norm. 15-20% is generous and very appreciated.

Pack your own TP. Some public toilets may not have TP. And do not flush it – look for a designated waste bin in the stall/bathroom. Peru’s plumbing (even in urban areas) can’t handle it. Get over the ick factor and just help the locals avoid plumbing problems!

Buy bottled water (although I hate to advocate doing that). I hadn’t planned ahead to take a filtering straw such as these and was forced to purchase bottled water. Tap water may not agree with your belly’s biome. This may be true of street vendor foods, too; I limited my purchases to fully cooked street foods and had no tummy troubles.

When you need breakfast early, hotels that offer on-site breakfast are your best bet. Later in the morning, bakeries offer good options.

For more information and Peru tips, visit the official tourism website. Stay tuned for my upcoming articles with practical tips for visiting Machu Picchu and for visiting unique restaurants serving delicious food. Try the Real Food Traveler affiliate link for Expedia to help plan your trip.

-Story and photos by Jimmy McDonough, Real Food Traveler Eco-Friendly Food, Travel and Adventure Editor

Please note: This article contains an affiliate link to Expedia.com. If you purchase through this link, Real Food Traveler may receive a small commission which aids in the running of this site. It does not change your options or pricing in any way.