Peru: Where the Inca Empire Never Really Left
Machu Picchu is just the start. Here’s how to see the rest.
Peru does not ease you in gently. You land in Lima, eat the best ceviche of your life, and think you’ve got it figured out. Then you fly to Cusco, step outside the airport at 3,400 metres and immediately feel like you’ve been winded by a ghost. That’s Peru – beautiful, unpredictable, slightly humbling. Ancient Inca stonework sits under Spanish colonial churches. The Amazon begins an hour’s flight from an Andean glacier. Lima’s restaurant scene would hold its own in any city on earth. And then there’s Machu Picchu, which somehow still exceeds the hype. This guide covers all of it.
12-14 hrs
From the UK
May-Oct
Best time (Dry)
Spanish
Main language
PEN (Sol)
Currency
Best Time To Visit
Peru’s climate varies greatly due to its diverse geography, from coastal deserts to high Andean peaks and lush Amazon rainforest. The best time to visit Peru depends on the region you plan to explore, but generally, the dry season between May and October is ideal, particularly for trekking in the Andes, including the Inca Trail to Machu Picchu.
While June through August are Peru’s peak months for visitors, temperatures in the highlands remain mild, ranging from 15-20°C (59-68°F) during the day, though nights can be chilly, especially at higher altitudes. You’ll need to pack layers for warmth in the evenings, but days are perfect for exploring the country’s rich cultural heritage and stunning landscapes.
For a month-by-month guide, click here.
What To Expect
Capital: Lima
Language: The official language of Peru is Spanish. ‘Hello’ and ‘Thank You’ in Spanish are “Hola” and “Gracias.”
Currency: The official currency of Peru is the Peruvian Sol (PEN). £1 GBP is approximately equivalent to 4.80 PEN. Check the latest rates here
Credit Cards & ATMs: Credit and debit cards are widely accepted in Peru, especially in major cities and tourist areas. ATMs are also readily available. However, it’s a good idea to carry some cash for smaller establishments or more remote areas where card payments might not be accepted. Inform your bank about your travel plans to avoid any issues.
Plugs: In Peru, the power plugs are type A and C, the standard voltage is 220 V, and the standard frequency is 60 Hz. I recommend buying a universal adapter
Safety: Peru is generally safe for tourists, but like any destination, petty theft such as pickpocketing or bag snatching can occur, especially in crowded areas or public transportation. Stay vigilant and secure your belongings.
Random useful tip: Bring printouts of important documents! Internet access can be limited in some areas, so having physical copies of your boarding passes, vaccination certificates, visas, accommodation bookings, health insurance, and onward flight booking can be very helpful.
Dont’s: Avoid drinking tap water; stick to bottled water to prevent illnesses. Be cautious with your belongings, especially in crowded areas, to avoid theft.
Explore Peru
From Lima’s ceviche to the Inca Trail — everything you need to plan your trip.
City Guides (coming soon)
Itineraries + Maps (coming soon)
Best Places to Visit & Things to Do (coming soon)
Best Time to Visit
Travel Tips
Everything Else (coming soon)
How Much Does Peru Cost?
Peru is one of South America’s best-value destinations — but costs vary wildly depending on where you go and how you travel.
🎒
Backpacker
~£35 / €40 / $48/day
- Hostel dorms from £8 / €9 / $11/night
- Street food & markets
- Colectivos & public buses
- Free ruins, plazas & viewpoints
🍜
Mid-Range
~£80 / €92 / $109/day
- Private rooms & guesthouses
- Restaurants & local cafés
- Guided tours & day trips
- Inca Trail, Sacred Valley experiences
🏨
Upscale
~£175+ / €201+ / $238+/day
- Boutique hotels & Sacred Valley retreats
- Fine dining in Lima’s Miraflores
- Private tours & helicopter flights
- Belmond Sanctuary Lodge at Machu Picchu
Detailed Cost Breakdown
Budget
- Hostel dorm: £8–16 / €9–18 / $11–22/night
- Budget guesthouse: £22–40 / €25–46 / $30–54/night
- Airbnb room: £25–45 / €29–52 / $34–61/night
Mid–Luxury
- Boutique hotel (Cusco): £60–120 / €69–138 / $81–163/night
- Sacred Valley retreat: £120–250 / €138–286 / $163–339/night
- Luxury lodge (Machu Picchu): £400+ / €458+ / $542+/night
City Travel
- City bus/metro (Lima): £0.30–0.60 / €0.34–0.69 / $0.41–0.81
- Uber (short Lima trip): £2–6 / €2–7 / $3–8
- Tuk-tuk (small towns): £0.50–2 / €0.57–2.29 / $0.68–2.71
Long Distance
- Intercity bus (Lima–Cusco): £22–65 / €25–74 / $30–88
- Domestic flight (Lima–Cusco): £45–120 / €52–138 / $61–163
- Train (Cusco–Aguas Calientes): £45–90 / €52–103 / $61–122
Eat Cheap
- Set lunch menu (menú del día): £2–4 / €2–5 / $3–5
- Street food / markets: £1–3 / €1–3 / $1–4
- Supermarket self-catering: £5–10 / €6–11 / $7–14/day
Eating Out
- Mid-range restaurant: £8–18 / €9–21 / $11–24
- Fine dining Lima: £25–60 / €29–69 / $34–81
- Pisco sour at a bar: £3–6 / €3–7 / $4–8
Budget Fun
- Free walking tours (tip-based): £5–10 / €6–11 / $7–14
- Plaza de Armas & cathedral: £2–5 / €2–6 / $3–7
- Huacachina sandboarding: £22–35 / €25–40 / $30–47
Big Experiences
- Inca Trail (4-day permit + guide): £350–500 / €401–573 / $475–678
- Machu Picchu entry + train: £80–130 / €92–149 / $108–176
- Amazon lodge (3 nights): £200–500 / €229–573 / $271–678
8 Ways to Save Money in Peru
🍽️ 1. Eat the menú del día — £3 for a 3-course lunch, every day
🎒 2. Book Inca Trail permits months ahead — they sell out and late prices spike
🚌 3. Take night buses between cities — saves a night’s accommodation
💵 4. Use ATMs in cities only — rural ATMs are rare and charge more
🌧️ 5. Travel shoulder season (Apr or Nov) — fewer crowds, lower prices
🏨 6. Stay in San Blas (Cusco) not the main square — half the price, twice the character
📱 7. Download offline maps before you go — roaming in the Sacred Valley is patchy
💊 8. Acclimatise in Cusco properly — one sick day costs more than the altitude pills
Getting Around Peru
Peru is bigger and more varied than most people expect. Here’s how to get between the mountains, jungle, coast, and ruins without losing your mind or your budget.
Domestic Flights
Best for saving time on long routes. Lima to Cusco is 1 hour vs 20+ on a bus.
✅ Fast — Lima to Cusco in 1hr
✅ Budget airlines from £45 / €52 / $61
❌ Book early — prices jump fast
Colectivos
Best for short hops between towns in the Sacred Valley and rural areas. Cheap as chips.
✅ Cheapest possible option — often under £1 / €1.15 / $1.36
✅ How locals actually travel
❌ Leave when full, not on schedule — budget extra time
Taxis & Uber
Best for city travel in Lima and Cusco. Uber works in both — use it over street taxis every time.
✅ Uber is safer, cheaper, no haggling
✅ Available in Lima, Cusco, Arequipa
❌ Unlicensed taxis are common — avoid them
Scenic Train
Best for the Cusco–Aguas Calientes route. The jungle closing in around the tracks is genuinely one of the great train journeys.
✅ Spectacular scenery
✅ Only route into Aguas Calientes (Machu Picchu)
❌ Expensive for what it is — budget £45–90 / €52–104 / $61–122 each way
Intercity Bus
Best for budget travel. Cruz del Sur and Oltursa are genuinely comfortable — reclining seats, meals, the works.
✅ Cheapest between cities from £18 / €21 / $24
✅ Overnight buses save hotel costs
❌ Lima to Cusco is 20+ hrs. Bring snacks, a pillow, and patience
Tours & Transfers
Best for bucket-list experiences. Nazca Lines flights, Amazon lodge transfers, helicopter over Machu Picchu.
✅ Access to places you can’t reach independently
✅ Worth it for the Nazca Lines especially
❌ Premium cost — but some things you just do
Which Is Right For You?
Cusco, Lima, Arequipa city travel
Uber or city bus — fast and cheap
Lima → Cusco (and similar long routes)
Fly. 20 hrs on a bus isn’t a vibe
Sacred Valley, rural towns
Colectivo or rental car
Tight budget, flexible time
Overnight bus — saves a night’s hotel
Quick Tips
⛰️
Acclimatise First
Spend 2 days in Cusco before trekking. Non-negotiable.
📅
Book Inca Trail Early
Permits sell out months in advance — don’t leave this late
🌙
Travel Overnight
Bus Lima → Cusco overnight = you save a hotel night
🚕
Download Uber Before You Land
Set it up in Lima. You’ll use it constantly.
Travel Resources
Travel Problems
Missed flights, lost luggage, dodgy hotels. It happens. Here’s how to handle all of it without losing your mind.
Theft & Scams
Pickpockets, tourist traps, and cons you won’t see coming. We break down the most common ones and how to avoid every single one.
Travel Insurance
Don’t skip this one. Especially travelling solo. We compare the best policies and explain exactly what you actually need.
FAQs
Do I need a visa for Peru?
Most visitors don’t — UK, US, EU, Canadian, and Australian passport holders get 90 days on arrival, no visa required. You just need a valid passport (6 months beyond your travel dates) and a return ticket. That said, always double-check the current rules before you travel — things shift.
Is Peru safe for tourists?
Generally yes — millions of people visit every year without incident. The main things to watch: petty theft in Lima (especially Miraflores and Barranco at night), unlicensed taxis, and overpriced tour scams around Cusco. Use Uber instead of street cabs, keep valuables out of sight, and don’t flash expensive kit. The Inca Trail and main tourist routes are well-trodden and generally very safe.
How bad is altitude sickness in Peru?
Honestly? It catches more people off guard than they expect. Cusco sits at 3,400m and even fit, healthy travellers can feel it — headaches, nausea, fatigue. The fix is simple: spend 2 full days in Cusco before you do anything strenuous. Drink coca tea (genuinely helps), avoid alcohol for the first couple of days, and consider altitude pills (acetazolamide) if you’re prone. Don’t fly straight from Cusco to the Inca Trail start — your body needs time.
When is the best time to visit Peru?
May to October is dry season — the Andes are clear, the Inca Trail is at its best, and Machu Picchu actually looks like the photos. June to August is peak season so prices go up and permits go fast. April and November are the sweet spots — shoulder season, lower prices, fewer crowds, still mostly dry. December to March is wet season in the mountains. Not impossible, but the Inca Trail closes in February and the trails get muddy.
Do I need to book Inca Trail permits in advance?
Yes. And not just “a bit” in advance — we’re talking 3 to 6 months for peak season (June–August). There are only 500 permits issued per day on the Classic Inca Trail, and they sell out that fast. If you’ve left it too late, don’t panic — the Salkantay Trek and Choquequirao routes are genuinely excellent alternatives with no permit system.
How many days do I need in Peru?
Two weeks is the sweet spot for a first visit. That gets you: 2–3 days in Lima, a day or two in Cusco acclimatising, the Sacred Valley, Machu Picchu, and maybe Arequipa or Lake Titicaca if you move efficiently. Under 10 days and you’ll feel rushed. The Amazon and Rainbow Mountain deserve their own trip, honestly.
What currency does Peru use and can I use cards?
Peruvian Sol (PEN). Cards are accepted in most hotels, restaurants, and shops in Lima and Cusco — but once you’re in smaller towns, markets, or rural areas, it’s cash only. ATMs are easy to find in cities but rare outside them. Withdraw cash before heading to the Sacred Valley or the Amazon. Most ATMs charge a fee, so take out larger amounts less often rather than smaller amounts frequently.
Is the food in Peru good?
This might be the most undersold part of the whole trip. Lima has a serious claim to being one of the best food cities in the world — Gaston Acurio basically put Peruvian cuisine on the global map, and the ceviche alone is worth the flight. Outside Lima, the set lunch menus (menú del día) are a revelation — 3 courses for under £3. And the markets in Cusco and Arequipa are brilliant for trying local produce. Go hungry.
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