Peru Travel Guide for Americans
Everything you need to plan your trip to Peru: when to go, how much it costs, and where to fly from.
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About Peru
Peru is the heavyweight champion of South American travel, and for good reason. You've got Machu Picchu (yes, it's worth the hype), Lima's world-class food scene that ranks alongside Tokyo and Copenhagen, the Amazon rainforest in your backyard, and Lake Titicaca straddling the Bolivia border. The country sits on the spine of the Andes, which means dramatic elevation changes, incredible hiking, and the kind of cultural immersion you don't get in other parts of Latin America. Indigenous Quechua traditions run deep here—you'll see it in markets, textiles, and the way locals navigate the mountains like they own them (because their ancestors did). Americans often skip Peru thinking it's just Machu Picchu, then realize too late they should've spent two weeks instead of five days. The food alone—ceviche, causa, anticuchos, lomo saltado—will change your relationship with what you thought Peruvian food was. Logistically, it's straightforward: Lima is your main hub, Cusco is the gateway to the Sacred Valley and Machu Picchu, and everything else branches from there. Yes, altitude sickness is real if you fly straight to Cusco, but it's manageable with proper acclimatization. Currency is the Peruvian sol (PEN); the exchange rate hovers around 3.5-3.8 soles per dollar.
At a Glance
Trip Cost: What to Expect
Getting Around
Domestic flights are your best friend. LATAM and Avianca connect Lima-Cusco-Arequipa regularly (1-hour flights, $50-120 each way off-peak). Book 2-3 weeks ahead for better prices. Buses are the budget option but brutal—Lima to Cusco is 22+ hours; fly instead. Within regions, long-distance buses (Oltursa, Cruz del Sur) are reliable but slow. Trains are scenic: the Cusco-Machu Picchu train (PeruRail or Inca Rail) is stunning but pricey ($60-180 one-way depending on class). For Sacred Valley exploration, hire a private driver ($40-60/day) or join group tours ($30-50/person/day). Taxis in cities are cheap ($2-5 for most rides) but negotiate price beforehand or use Uber (available in Lima, Cusco, Arequipa). Avoid driving yourself unless you have serious mountain driving experience—locals drive like they're racing. Collective minibuses (combis) are chaotic but cheap ($1-3 for most routes) if you're comfortable with organized chaos.
Practical Tips
Buy a SIM card immediately upon arrival at the airport or at any Movistar/Claro store. Movistar and Claro are the two main carriers; both are equally good. Cost: SIM card is free, then load credit. Get a 10GB data plan for 50 PEN (~$14 USD) lasting 30 days—more than enough for maps, messaging, and streaming. Activation takes 5 minutes. Bring your passport. Coverage is excellent in cities and Sacred Valley, spotty in the Amazon. WhatsApp and Telegram are standard for communication. 4G/LTE is fast and reliable in urban areas. Don't bother with international roaming from a US carrier—it's a rip-off at $10/day.
Tipping is not required but appreciated. Restaurants: tip 10% if service is good, 15% if excellent (more common in upscale places). Many restaurants add a 10% service charge automatically—check the bill. Taxis: round up to the nearest sol or add 5%—drivers don't expect it but appreciate it. Hotel staff: 5-10 PEN per night if they do good work. Guides on tours: 50-100 PEN ($14-27) per day expected if they're knowledgeable and personable. Porters/luggage handlers: 5-10 PEN. Street vendors and small shops: no tip expected. Hostels and budget accommodations: tipping is rare but nice. Basically, tip 10-15% in restaurants, spare change everywhere else, and guides based on satisfaction.
Peru is safe for tourists in the areas you'll visit—Lima, Cusco, Sacred Valley, Machu Picchu, Lake Titicaca, Arequipa. Violent crime targeting tourists is rare. That said, petty theft (pickpocketing, bag snatching) happens, especially in Lima's dense neighborhoods and on crowded buses. Use common sense: avoid flashing expensive electronics or jewelry, don't carry large amounts of cash, watch your belongings in crowded markets, and avoid walking alone at night in unfamiliar areas. Taxis from the airport are safer if booked through your hotel. The Inca Trail is heavily regulated and patrolled—extremely safe. Jungle tours with established operators are fine. Skip the coca leaf tea (it's mildly stimulating and won't cause problems, but some travelers get jittery). The coca leaf chewing gum sold everywhere is harmless. Altitude sickness is your actual health concern—hydrate, go slow, and consider coca tea or medication. Tap water in Lima and Cusco is potable for most people, but stick to bottled water if you have a sensitive stomach. Healthcare in Lima is excellent; outside the city it's basic but adequate.
Skip the organized Inca Trail trek unless you're a serious hiker. Instead, hire a private guide in Cusco ($60-80/day) for a custom 2-3 day trek that hits lesser-known ruins, acclimates you properly, and costs half as much. You'll see more, sweat less, and actually talk to your guide instead of marching with 15 strangers. Book your guide through your hotel concierge day-of or contact local guide associations—they're all certified. Second: eat lunch at Lima's local markets (Mercado Central, Surquillo) instead of restaurants. You'll get ceviche, causa, and fresh juices for 20-30 PEN ($6-8) versus 50-100 PEN at tourist spots. Markets open 8am-2pm. Third: the Sacred Valley town of Ollantaytambo is where you should base yourself for 2-3 days, not Cusco. It's at lower elevation (easier acclimatization), has stunning ruins, better restaurants, and is the actual train station for Machu Picchu. Cusco is touristy overload. Fourth: fly into Lima and spend 3 days eating before heading to Cusco—the food culture shock works the other way if you reverse it, and Lima's restaurants need reservation weeks ahead.
Frequently Asked Questions
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