The Traveling Wellburys

Peru is seriously a bucket list destination! There is so much to see and do in this diverse country. Peru’s varying landscapes offer something for every type of traveler. It has amazing culture, delicious food, friendly people, epic landscapes, rich history, breathtaking adventures, and more! There are endless beautiful places in Peru.

• How to Get to Peru
• How to Get Around Peru
• Peru Safety
• When to Visit Peru
• Peru Cost
• 6 Beautiful Destinations in Peru
  • Lima
  • Cusco
  • Machu Picchu
  • Rainbow Mountain
  • Puno (Lake Titicaca)
  • Arequipa
• Peru Packing Guide

We spent 5 weeks in Peru and got to know some pretty magnificent parts of the country. Peru just might have been one of our favorite trips ever! Peru is home to the Andes Mountain, Amazon Rainforest, and the Pacific coast. There is so much natural beauty to be discovered!

Unfortunately, during our 5 weeks in the country, we did not make it to northern Peru or the Amazon Rainforest, but this ‘Peru Travel Guide’ showcases 6 beautiful Peru destinations from Lima to Arequipa!

Many people are wondering if Peru is safe to travel to right now. I’m sure that if you have researched visiting this country, you have read the news about political protests and travel bans in Peru… In light of the current situations in Peru, Jacob has worked very hard on creating a documentary podcast covering not only the current state of Peru, but the entire history of the country. If this is something you are interested in, be sure to give it a listen or watch the video on YouTube!

There are so many beautiful places in Peru, but we definitely did not make it to all of them! Below is a map of the trip that we took during our 5 weeks in Peru.

How to Get to Peru

Wherever you are coming from in the world, the quickest and cheapest way to get to Peru will most likely be to fly into the capital city, Lima. There are typically cost-effective flights from major international airports into Lima. If you are in the United States, there are direct flights from Miami, Florida to Lima, Peru.

Check Google Flights to compare prices, dates, and airlines.

How to Get Around Peru

We had discussed renting a car in certain parts of Peru, but ultimately decided against it. For one, the traffic can be pretty crazy here, especially if you are not used to South American traffic. Secondly, driving times between destinations can be a bit long and tedious.

There are 3 ways of transportation that we used to get around in Peru. While in cities, we used Uber when possible. When they weren’t, we opted for taxis. When getting a taxi here, you want to make sure you ask the price to get to your destination before accepting the ride. It is not uncommon for a taxi driver to overcharge a tourist- like by a lot. Make sure you agree upon a price before getting in the car.

To get from destination to destination, you will either want to fly or take a bus. Buses are very cheap and connect almost all major cities in Peru. Of course, if your time is limited, it will be quicker to fly from city to city, but it will be a little more costly.

We opted to fly from Lima to Cusco because flights are relatively reasonable, and it is over a 20 hour drive. Once in Cusco, we took bus routes to Puno, and then to Arequipa. To find and compare bus ticket prices we used Red Bus.

Peru Safety

If you are thinking about going to Peru, you probably have some questions about the safety of Peru. We felt very safe everywhere we went in Peru. With that being said, there are some basic safety measures you will want to follow and be aware of:

• The main language of Peru is Spanish
• Avoid walking alone at night time
• If taking a taxi, settle on a price before getting in the car
• Keep your money put away and hidden when in public (petty robbery and pick pocketing are not uncommon)
• Do not drink the tap water
• When visiting a city, look up the safest neighborhoods for tourists, and this is where you will want to book an accommodation
• Download the Smart Traveler phone app & upload your travel destination for information and government alerts.

When to Visit Peru

When is the best time to visit Peru for beautiful weather and blue skies? Peru’s dry season is from May to October, which sees sunny days and chilly nights.

We visited Peru in July and the weather was beautiful and sunny. Though, with it being in the heart of the dry season, and the best time to visit Machu Picchu, you will want to make sure to plan ahead to ensure availability.

Peru Cost

It is always helpful to know the cost of things and the exchange rate before visiting a new country. Peru’s currency is the Peruvian Sole and the current exchange rate is $1 USD to $3.76 Soles, which makes accommodations and eating at restaurants very reasonable for U.S. citizens.

While many places accept credit cards, especially in cities, you will need cash for many things. Be sure to exchange some cash in the airport, or that you have an international card that will work in Peru’s ATMs.

Beautiful Destinations in Peru

Lima

Lima is the capital city of Peru, and also the easiest and cheapest place to fly into. Many people mistakenly skip Lima altogether. While it is not as exciting as some destinations in Peru, you should definitely spend a few days getting to know the city! There is really a rich culture in the city, and we loved the restaurant scene so much! There is enough to do in the city to keep you occupied for a few days.

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Cusco

Cusco is an incredible, culturally rich city with so much to be experienced. Not only is it the gateway to Machu Picchu and part of the Sacred Valley, but there are also many other ruins and archeological sites that you do not want to miss! The city itself is a mix of Spanish and Incan influence, and it is truly a beautiful place.

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Machu Picchu

Of course, if you are going to Peru, you have to visit the Machu Picchu ruins. This might even be the reason you are planning a trip to Peru in the first place! After Machu Picchu became a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1983, the ruins have increased in popularity each year. They are now receiving hundreds of thousands of visitors per year! Of course you will also have to visit other sites in the Sacred Valley!

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Rainbow Mountain

Another famous Peru destination is Rainbow Mountain, and reasonably so. This mountain of 7 colors was first “discovered” around 2012. This is because the mountain was previously covered in snow and ice. The different layers of sediments and minerals create a rainbow like appearance. Many people wonder if Rainbow Mountain really looks like this in person, and I am here to tell you that it does! The site has become very touristy in the last few years, but it is still worth visiting because it is truly a unique and otherworldly place.

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Puno (Lake Titicaca)

Puno is the city where Lake Titicaca is located. In all honesty, we were not overly impressed with the city of Puno. We have always heard about Lake Titicaca and when the opportunity arose to visit, we jumped on it. The lake itself is very beautiful. We ended up doing an overnight boat tour to the islands on Lake Titicaca. I am sure there are great tours, however, we did not love the one we did.

The lake is actually the highest navigable lake in the world. It is said to be the birthplace of the Incas and is home to many ruins. There are many islands on Lake Titicaca, most notably the Uros “floating islands.” We spent the night with a local family on the island of Amantani, which is home to about 4,000 people who still speak Quechua, the indigenous language. I am not saying you shouldn’t visit Lake Titicaca because it really is an incredible place but do your research on tours before going to make sure you will have a great and authentic experience.

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Arequipa

Arequipa is the 2nd largest city in Peru, and a beautiful one at that! The city is surrounded by 3 large volcanoes. It was founded in 1540 and is now a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Many of the historical buildings are made from sillar, a white volcanic stone found in the region. It is truly a beautiful, historical city that offers epic day trips as well. For hiking and nature lovers, be sure to add the Colca Canyon trek to your Arequipa itinerary!

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Peru Packing Guide

Now to answer the question, what do I pack for a trip to Peru? It can be difficult figuring out what to pack because the weather and climates in the country are quite diverse, especially with the elevation changes between cities.

The main important thing is to pack versatile outfits that you can layer because the days are sunny and warm, and the nights can get quite chilly.

• Hiking Pants
• Jacket
• Leggings
• Short sleeves
• Shorts
• Sun block
• Sun hat & stocking hat
• Gloves
• Bug Spray
• Reusable water bottle or bladder bag

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Peru is an incredible and diverse country that should be at the top of your bucket list! Each place that we visited was unique and different from the last, but the people were always kind and willing to share their culture. Which Peru destination do you want to visit first? Leave a comment 🙂

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