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Peru

Capital

Lima

Currency

Peruvian Sol (PEN)

Language

Spanish

Best Time

May–Sep

Time Zone

PET (UTC−5)

Sustainability Politics
Flag of Peru
Welcome to Peru

Peru's Lost City in the Clouds

Welcome to Peru, a South American country home to the legendary lost city of Machu Picchu, perched dramatically among Andean peaks. Cusco's cobblestone streets reveal a fascinating blend of Incan and Spanish colonial architecture. The Sacred Valley offers terraced ruins, vibrant markets, and stunning mountain scenery throughout the Incan heartland. Peru's Amazon rainforest teems with extraordinary biodiversity, accessible through jungle lodges near Iquitos and Puerto Maldonado. The Nazca Lines, mysterious ancient geoglyphs etched into the desert, remain visible only from the air. Lake Titicaca's floating reed islands offer a fascinating glimpse into traditional Uros culture. Peruvian cuisine, blending Indigenous, Spanish, and Asian influences, has become celebrated worldwide. Peru invites travelers to discover ancient wonders amid extraordinary Andean and Amazonian landscapes.

Popular City

Lima

Lima’s Miraflores district lines dramatic clifftops above the Pacific, its Parque del Amor and coastal boardwalk offering ocean views and paragliders drifting overhead. Barranco, the city’s bohemian quarter, fills its colorful streets with street art, galleries, and the picturesque Bridge of Sighs. The Larco Museum, set in an eighteenth-century mansion, holds one of the finest collections of pre-Columbian art in the world, including an extensive gallery of Moche erotic pottery. Lima’s historic center, a UNESCO World Heritage site, centers on the Plaza Mayor and the ornate Cathedral of Lima. The city has become South America’s culinary capital, with restaurants like Central and Maido drawing global attention alongside classic ceviche stands throughout the city. Lima’s mix of colonial history and world-class dining make it far more than a stopover en route to Machu Picchu.

Travel News

Popular City

Cusco

Cusco, the former capital of the Inca Empire, retains massive Inca stone walls throughout its historic center, their precisely fitted blocks visible along streets like Hatun Rumiyoc. The Plaza de Armas, ringed by colonial churches built atop Inca foundations, anchors the city’s UNESCO World Heritage old town. Sacsayhuaman, an Inca fortress overlooking the city, showcases some of the largest stone blocks ever moved by the Inca, some weighing well over a hundred tons. Cusco serves as the essential gateway to the Sacred Valley and Machu Picchu, with trains and treks departing regularly for the ancient citadel. San Pedro Market offers a lively look at Andean produce, textiles, and traditional dishes like alpaca skewers. Cusco’s blend of Inca engineering and colonial architecture makes it one of South America’s most historically layered cities.

Travel Tips

Helpful information to consider before and during your visit.

Before You Go

  • Confirm passport validity and entry requirements.
  • Check whether a tourist visa is required.
  • Keep digital copies of important documents.
  • Consider purchasing travel insurance.

Money & Payments

  • Review the local currency and exchange rate.
  • Carry some cash for small businesses and markets.
  • Check for international bank transaction fees.
  • Learn the country's customary tipping practices.

Stay Connected

  • Review your mobile carrier's international plan.
  • Consider purchasing a local SIM or eSIM.
  • Download maps for offline use before traveling.
  • Avoid sensitive transactions on unsecured Wi-Fi.

Transportation

  • Research public transportation before arrival.
  • Use licensed taxis or reputable rideshare services.
  • Check which side of the road vehicles use.
  • Confirm whether an international permit is needed.

Electricity

  • Check the country's voltage and outlet type.
  • Bring the correct plug adapter for your devices.
  • Use a voltage converter when required.
  • Pack a portable charger for longer excursions.

Weather & Clothing

  • Review the seasonal weather before packing.
  • Bring layers for changing temperatures.
  • Pack rain protection when appropriate.
  • Use sunscreen even on cool or cloudy days.

Food & Water

  • Research whether tap water is safe to drink.
  • Communicate food allergies clearly.
  • Try traditional dishes from reputable vendors.
  • Observe local dining customs and meal times.

Safety

  • Secure valuables in crowded tourist areas.
  • Avoid displaying large amounts of cash.
  • Share your itinerary with someone you trust.
  • Review current government travel advisories.

Language & Etiquette

  • Learn a few polite words in the local language.
  • Respect dress requirements at religious sites.
  • Ask permission before photographing people.
  • Follow local traditions, laws and social customs.

Emergency Planning

  • Save the country's emergency telephone number.
  • Locate your nearest embassy or consulate.
  • Keep medication in its original packaging.
  • Store emergency contacts offline and on paper.

Smart Packing

  • Pack comfortable shoes for walking and tours.
  • Keep essential medication in your carry-on.
  • Bring a reusable bottle where appropriate.
  • Leave room for locally purchased items.

Local Research

  • Check attraction hours and reservation policies.
  • Review national holidays and local closures.
  • Download important addresses before departure.
  • Leave flexibility for unexpected discoveries.
Important: Entry requirements, transportation rules, weather conditions and safety guidance can change. Verify important information with official sources before traveling.

Popular City

Arequipa

Arequipa, known as the White City for its buildings constructed from pale volcanic sillar stone, sits beneath the snow-capped cone of El Misti volcano. The Santa Catalina Monastery, a walled city within the city, reveals cloistered colonial-era convent life across its colorful, maze-like streets and courtyards. The Plaza de Armas, framed by arcaded colonial buildings and the twin-towered cathedral, ranks among the most elegant in Peru. The Museum of Andean Sanctuaries displays the remarkably preserved mummy known as Juanita, discovered near the summit of a nearby volcano. Nearby, the Colca Canyon, one of the deepest canyons in the world, offers dramatic condor sightings and hiking through terraced Andean farmland. Arequipa’s volcanic architecture and proximity to the canyon make it a highlight of southern Peru.

Local Food to Try

Discover some of Peru's most popular flavors, traditional dishes and memorable local treats during your visit.

Ceviche

Ceviche is a signature Peru specialty known for its distinctive local ingredients, seasoning and traditional preparation.

Lomo Saltado

This popular Peru dish brings together familiar regional flavors and is commonly enjoyed in homes, markets or local restaurants.

Ají de Gallina

A well-loved part of Peru cuisine, Ají de Gallina reflects the country's culinary traditions and locally available ingredients.

Anticuchos

Anticuchos is a comforting regional favorite, prepared in styles that may vary between families, cities and different parts of Peru.

Causa Limeña

Visitors often seek out Causa Limeña for an authentic taste of Peru's everyday cooking and food culture.

Pachamanca

This traditional favorite highlights the bold, savory or gently spiced flavors associated with cooking in Peru.

Arroz con Pato

Arroz con Pato is widely recognized in Peru and is often served at casual meals, celebrations or community gatherings.

Papa a la Huancaína

A memorable choice for travelers, Papa a la Huancaína offers a flavorful introduction to the ingredients and techniques used across Peru.

Picarones

This classic food is an important part of Peru's culinary identity and is best sampled freshly prepared.

Dining tip: Regional specialties and preparation styles vary throughout Peru. Explore local markets, independent cafés and family-owned restaurants for an authentic taste of the destination.

Little-Known Facts

Peru

Peru is home to Machu Picchu, the 15th-century Inca citadel perched high in the Andes that remained unknown to the outside world until its rediscovery in 1911, despite being located just miles from Cusco, the former Inca capital. The country is also home to the Nazca Lines, enormous geoglyphs etched into the desert floor that depict animals and shapes so large they can only be fully appreciated from the air, and their exact purpose remains a subject of ongoing archaeological debate.

Peru is considered one of the birthplaces of the potato, with thousands of distinct potato varieties still cultivated in the Andean highlands today, far more than are commonly found anywhere else in the world. The country is also home to Lake Titicaca, the highest navigable lake in the world, shared with Bolivia, where the Uros people live on artificial floating islands constructed entirely from reeds, a practice that has continued for centuries.

Peru's coastline contains some of the driest deserts on Earth, yet the country simultaneously holds a significant share of the Amazon rainforest within its borders, giving it an extraordinarily diverse range of ecosystems packed within a single nation.