Money and payments
Cards and cash
ATMs are available in most cities and larger towns, upmarket hotels, and tourist areas.
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Americas · South AmericaOutline guideCountry in South America
Photo: Ministerio de Defensa del Perú, CC BY 2.0 via Wikimedia Commons
Peru (Spanish: Perú) is without a doubt one of the most captivating countries in South America. Home of the epic lost Inca citadel of Machu Picchu and the mind-blowing Nazca Lines, this country's unique past awakens the adventurer in travellers of all sorts. Its awe-inspiring scenery varies from the wild Amazon jungles to vast coastal deserts and the icy peaks of the Andes. Peru hosts a biodiversity rarely seen within the limits of a single country, with a list of spectacular wildlife far beyond the well-known llamas and circling condors. On top of all that, Peru's friendly, multi-ethnic people are a cultural treasure on their own. The enchanting mix of dozens of distinct indigenous groups, mestizos and criollos, all with their own colourful traditions and food delicacies, is an encounter you won't easily forget.
Answers to what travellers most often look up about Peru.
Cards and cash
ATMs are available in most cities and larger towns, upmarket hotels, and tourist areas.
Aymara, Quechua, Spanish
The official language of Peru is Spanish, as in most South American countries. It's worth getting familiar with some basic Spanish words, as you'll need them to make your way around outside the main tourist centres.
Mobile networks
Integratel Perú
Claro PerúTap water Tap water is unsafe to drink or use for brushing your teeth in Peru, unless you boil it.
Food safety Enjoy the food, but be judicious, lest you contract diarrhea, dysentery, or a more serious disease such as a parasitic infestation that could ruin your trip. Thoroughly cooked food is most likely to be safe.
Covered in the guide
Don't use the word indio, even though it's Spanish. For natives, it's very much like the English n-word, since it was used by Spanish conquerors.
Attractions, food, stays and travel essentials, with ratings, reviews, opening hours and directions.
the capital and largest city of the country has a mix of modern and colonial architecture, and is the best place to enjoy Peruvian cuisine
a UNESCO World Heritage site that embodies a rich mix of the indigenous and Spanish colonial cultures
home of the Morocucho people, a group of the Quechua
well known for its fine cheeses, churches, and significance in the Spanish conquest of Peru
a lively city with several archaeological sites and museums
one of Peru's most visited cities as it is the largest and most comfortable city from which you can begin visits to Machu Picchu, the Sacred Valley, and other Inca sites in the region
gateway to some of the top national parks and reserves for ecological conservation and wildlife viewing, and for Amazon boat rides, and a destination for those who are interested in the ancient shamanic ways of plant healing
a departure point for the famous floating islands on the Peruvian side of Lake Titicaca, close to the Bolivian border
impressive set of ruins of an ancient Chimor mud city, and a UNESCO World Heritage site
UNESCO World Heritage Site from the pre-Incan Chavin culture of around 900 BC
this UNESCO World Heritage site is one of the most familiar symbols of the Incan Empire, and is one of the most famous and spectacular sets of ruins in the world
world-famous for its geometrical figures and giant drawings in the desert sand
high mountain park in Cordillera Blanca range
one of the most diverse areas in Peru
a popular nature reserve on the Southern Coast
considered to be the highest commercially navigable body of water in the world
Places in Peru on the World Heritage List.
Cusco
Listed 1983
Nazca Lines
Listed 1994
Chan Chan
Listed 1986
Inca road system
Listed 2014
List from Wikidata (CC0). Photos from Wikimedia Commons.
It includes the area around Lima. It is a very densely populated area and the largest metropolitan area on the Pacific coast of South America.
A barren steppe landscape that merges into the Atacama Desert in the south, with many seaside resorts on the coast
It offers many archaeological sites, beaches, surfing, and thermal baths.
It is characterized by high mountains, deep valleys, and amazing scenery.
A mountainous region east of in the center of Peru.
An Andean region with many waterfalls and some pre-Inca ruins.
The area of the Andes above 3500 m around Lake Titicaca.
On the upper part of the Peruvian Amazon rainforest.
A vast jungle region in the Amazon basin.
A tropical area bordering Bolivia.
Public transport and paid services in Peru.
By bus
Some main roads, especially along the coastal strip, are paved, but there are still a lot of dirt roads in very poor condition. In the rainy season, landslides may block even major roads.
By train
Even when going by train, it's best to buy the ticket in advance. Buy first class or buffet class (still higher), or you risk getting completely covered by luggage.
By plane
Because of the distances involved and the conditions of the roads in some remote locales (or lack of) it may be better to fly, which most people do, especially in traveling between Lima and Cuzco.
By car
It is also possible to tour the interior of the country by car. This gives you a chance to get "off the beaten track" and explore some of the areas that haven't been transformed by tourism.
Apps for booking a taxi or a ride in Peru.
Finding apps for Peru…
Other ways to travel:In cities and aroundBy footBy bicycleTouting
Operators checked against their official websites in October 2026; services that have stopped running are not listed. Logos and Wikipedia links: Wikidata (CC0)
Choose an airport to see hotels, stations, taxi ranks and car rental desks around it.
Lima · International · LIM
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Calculated from climate averages: mild daytime highs and lower rainfall. It does not account for festivals, crowds or prices.
Average conditions in Lima
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Avg. high | 23° | 23° | 23° | 23° | 22° | 22° | 21° | 21° | 22° | 21° | 22° | 22° |
| Avg. low | 16° | 17° | 17° | 16° | 14° | 13° | 12° | 13° | 13° | 14° | 14° | 15° |
| Rainfall (mm) | 3 | 5 | 4 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 3 |
| Humidity | 75% | 76% | 74% | 71% | 67% | 66% | 64% | 61% | 61% | 63% | 67% | 72% |
Choose your passport and destination to see whether you need a visa.
Budget
$55
Per person, per day
Mid-range
$150
Per person, per day
Luxury
$395
Per person, per day
| Budget | Mid-range | Luxury | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Accommodation | $25 | $85 | $230 |
| Food and drink | $15 | $30 | $75 |
| Local transport | $5 | $15 | $35 |
| Activities | $10 | $20 | $55 |
Estimate from World Bank price levels (2025). Actual costs vary by city and season. World Bank
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We do not label countries as safe or unsafe. Below is the official advice from two governments, with the date it was last updated. Always read the full advice before you travel.
US Department of State
Level 2 of 4Exercise increased caution
Exercise increased cautionin Peru due to risk of crime, unrest, kidnapping, and terrorism. Some areas have increased risk. Read the entire Travel Advisory. U.S. government employees working in Peru need special authorization to travel to the Colombia-Peru border area in the Loreto Region due to safety risks. U.S. government employees working in Peru need special authorization to travel to the Valley of the Apurímac, Ene, and Mantaro Rivers (VRAEM), due to safety risks. U.S. government employees working in Peru need special authorization to travel to the VRAEM’s boundary cities of Abancay, Ayacucho, Huancavelica, and Huancayo due to safety risks. Review our information on Travel to High-Risk Areas. Crime Crime is common in Peru. Petty theft, carjackings, muggings, assaults, and other violent crime often happen even in daylight hours and with many witnesses around. Although rare, “express kidnappings,” where the victim is taken to a banking institution and forced to remove funds from their own accounts, may occur. The risk of crime increases at night. Criminal groups sometimes set up roadblocks to rob people in areas outside of Lima. Unrest Demonstrations occur regularly throughout the country. Public demonstrations can take place for political and economic issues. Demonstrations can shut down local roads, trains, and major highways. This often happens without warning or clear information on reopening times. Road closures can limit access to public transportation and airports. Closures may also disrupt travel in and between cities. Restrictions for U.S.…
UK Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office
Advises against all but essential travel to parts of the country
Your travel insurance could be invalidated if you travel against advice from the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO). Areas where FCDO advises against all but essential travel Within 20km south of the Peru-Colombia border FCDO advises against all but essential travel to areas within 20km south of the Putumayo River and the border between Peru and Colombia (Loreto region) except for: the Amazon River the area of the triple border with Brazil and Colombia from and including the towns of Caballococha in Peru up to the actual triple border at Santa Rosa de Yavari town Valley of the Apurímac, Ene, and Mantaro Rivers (VRAEM) FCDO advises against all but essential travel to the Valley of the Apurímac, Ene, and Mantaro Rivers, also known as the VRAEM region. We advise against all but essential travel to these two areas for safety and security reasons. Find out more about why FCDO advises against travel. Before you travel No travel can be guaranteed safe. Read all the advice in this guide. If you have onward travel plans within the region, check travel advice for all destinations you plan to travel through. You may also find it helpful to: see general advice for women travellers read our guide on disability and travel abroad see general advice for LGBT+ travellers read about safety for solo and independent travel see advice on volunteering and adventure travel abroad Travel insurance If you choose to travel, research your destinations and get appropriate travel insurance. Insurance should cover your itinerary, planned activities and expenses in an…
Stories, itineraries and practical advice for travelling in Peru.
Nature & adventurePeru has some of the world's most spectacular national parks, protecting a range of different ecosystems including rain forests and cloud forests, remote beaches where sea turtles nest, dense jungles, and active…
Wikivoyage
Food & drinkPeruvian cuisine is among the most varied in the world.
Wikivoyage
ItinerariesThe Inca trail to Machu Picchu, the "Lost City of the Incas", is a world-famous 45 km (28 mi) trek in Peru. It's the best known part of the Inca road system, which was listed as a UNESCO World Heritage site in 2014.
Wikivoyage
ItinerariesThe Inca Highlands, the center of Inca civilization in Peru, features numerous attractions, notably the world-famous Machu Picchu (the "Lost City of the Incas") and the Inca Trail which leads to it.
Wikivoyage
Food & drinkCoca (Erythroxylum coca) is a plant whose leaves have been traditionally used in a number of Andean cultures, notably in tea, chewing, and rituals, and remains in wide, legal use in the corresponding modern countries in…
Wikivoyage
Culture & historyBefore Europeans arrived in South America, the continent was home to a variety of flourishing civilizations and cultures. Some of these cultures remain today; others have left incredible ruins.
Wikivoyage
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