One of the main tourist destinations in South America, Peru welcomes people from all over the world. With tours for all tastes and a tourist structure that leaves nothing to be desired, the country attracts people from Europeans to Asians, from backpackers to luxury tourists, from young people to families and the elderly. But make no mistake: although Machu Picchu is the biggest local attraction, our neighbors have much more to offer, whether on an ecotourism trip through the Peruvian Amazon, on the streets of historic Lima, on a tour of the intriguing Nazca Lines or Lake Titicaca .
Read all our posts about Peru:
How to buy entry to Machu Picchu step by step
Travel tips for Machu Picchu
What to do in Lima
Tour of the Sacred Valley in Cuzco
Tips for planning your trip to Peru:
How to get to Peru
Direct flights to Lima leave from São Paulo and are operated by TAM, LAN and Taca. Tickets start at US$450, but it all depends on the season and luck when purchasing. Some company promotions involving Latin American destinations can make this price plummet. You can also arrive by land. From São Paulo, the Ormeño bus takes a five-day trip to Lima for US$275. This is the longest bus line in South America.
Visa and vaccinations
Brazilians do not need a visa to enter Peru and can present a passport or ID upon entry. Anvisa recommends vaccination against yellow fever, especially for those who are going to visit forest areas.
Language
80% of the population speaks Spanish, but you can get by with good old Portunhol.
Time zone
The clocks in Peru show two hours less than those in Brasília. During Brazilian summer time this difference increases to three.
Telephony and internet in Peru
Peru’s international telephone code is 51. Wi-Fi internet is easily found in hotels and restaurants, especially in the most touristy regions, such as Aguas Calientes.
Coin
Novo Sole, worth R$0.99 (checked in June 2015).
Climate and when to go to Peru
The best time to visit Peru, especially if you are going to Machu Picchu, is from April to October, during winter. This is because the summer, which runs from November to March, is very rainy in these regions, which can lead to landslides and road closures. Who doesn’t remember the tourists who were trapped in Aguas Calientes in January 2010? As the country is located at a high altitude, winter temperatures are low, varying between 1ºC and 18ºC in Cuzco. In Lima, the climate is milder, with minimum temperatures of 17ºC during the winter.
Are you going to Cuzco or Machu Picchu? See our selection of hotels and hostels here
How to get around Peru
In Lima, you can use public transport. Despite the old buses, it is possible to get around the main parts of the city with them. As we were in a group of four people, it was almost always worth taking a taxi for us. In this case, the rule that applies here is the same as in Southeast Asia: negotiate before getting into the vehicle. Cars don’t have meters, so you run the risk of paying more than you should. Asking a local might be a good way to go.
To move between cities, a good idea for those who don’t want or can’t take a plane is to travel by bus. There are four main roads in the country: Cruz Del Sur, Expreso Cial, Civa and Tepsa. We tested the first one and recommend it: the buses are quite comfortable. But, if you are going on a longer trip, bring a snack.
Important tip: Don’t make the mistake of traveling to Peru without travel insurance. Understand the reason and find out how to get discounted insurance
