r/GoingToPeru

Sorry this is so wordy. I am 40f solo traveler, unable to decide which country to go to for 3 weeks.

Things I like nature, culture, archeology (seems like Peru should be an obvious choice but it's not for some reason).

In like to travel slow, stay longer in a spot rather than a new accommodation nightly. I want to see a lot, but chill a lot.

I like hiking and also just walking around town, botanical gardens, museums, eating, drinking, reading a book in the park.

Making friends would be nice but I'm not traveling to party.

My spanish is mediocre. Ive traveled to several other spanish speaking countries and i manage. (On that note considering spanish school in medellin or cusco)

I am indecisive ( can't you tell from this post) Peru sounds like an easier itenerary to make with all the must sees.

Colombia

looks beautiful and the weather is perfect temperature. Not too hot not too cold. I would fly to medellin and mostly stay in that region of the country. Rio clara, guatepe, jardin, etc. Fly to bogota at the end and explore around that area of the country for several days.

Cons: I hear the food is meh, seems harder to get around??

Peru

either fly to Lima, stay a couple days, fly to Cusco. (Unless anyone would recommend a slow journey by bus to cusco staying in towns along the way, do not want to do one 20 hour bus ride)

Spend several days in cusco, sacred valley, Machu Piccu. I am considering the Inca trail, but a little worried about it. I am fit and a hiker but also my aging back might have something else to say about that journey)

Then I'm not sure what else in Peru. I would love suggestions. I'd like to keep it budget friendly and everything seems so spread out and thus needing to fly.

Cons: I'm a Texan, packing light and for cold weather is a struggle for me. That's actually a legit concern for me. Lol. Compared to Colombia, i will spend significantly more on accommodations over the entirety of the trip. I can do it, but as an underpaid teacher its more of a stretch to my budget.

Also i know this is very personal to everyone, but would you recommend solo or with a friend? I have done most of my trips solo, mostly because nobody ever commits to going, but I have a friend (easy going, easy to get along with) who wants to join. Im apprehensive as someone who is used to just doing whatever i want on my schedule, but solo traveling also can get lonely from time to time.

Hey folks, my dad and I booked some last minute flights to Lima June 1-8, and I’m having a hard time planning the trip.

Unfortunately my dad (74) is terrified of heights and isn’t much of a hiker any more. This means Cusco is out of the question. We both love road trips and exploring rural areas. Right now here is what we have planned. Lima for 2 nights, renting a car June 3rd, driving down to ica/paracas for 2 nights, and then back to Lima as our home base for day trips within 2-3h drives away. We originally wanted to do the nazca lines, but it does seem far and all the tours or reviews online that I’ve seen are saying it’s worth going if you’re passing through but not worth it otherwise.

Here are things we can do:
- love to eat unique and interesting food
- love wine
- love history and culture

Here are things I (31m) would love to see
- mountains and valleys (if accessible by well paved road that would be amazing)
- picturesque views
- unique experiences not found anywhere else.

I know we’re missing out on a lot of major attractions, but since we’re limited by our mobility and ability I’m trying to find things that are still truly Peruvian.

I will also add that we’re both well travelled, and have had the opportunity to see most of the world (my first time in South America though!)

Thank you in advance, any helpful suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

Detailed and for most, spicy take coming -

I went with my elderly divorced parents and fiancée last week. My partner and I have been traveling together for 7 years. My mom and dad have traveled in their lives (father less so; he is also Brazilian). As for me, I have been traveling and living in different countries for 24 years.

Never, and I mean Never, have I seen a more exploitative and poorly run system to see a world site in my entire life. Everything from Ollantaytambo onwards is designed to separate you from your money in order to see Machu Picchu. It starts with the extremely overpriced train ride, the only way to get there besides hiking.

If you cannot obtain next day tickets for MP, you are forced to wander Aguas endlessly looking at souvenirs and paying for overpriced food which vacillates between middling and poor. The accommodations, which are not expensive, are also quite poor and there is little in the way of anything decent. $24 round trip bus tickets up and back is not terrible but a bit pricey for two 30 minute rides.

That said, after a small medical issue with my father at the entrance, which delayed our 6:00 am entry time to 7:20, we were greeted with less dense crowds (the doc onsite recommended we try to go between hours), mist and clouds streaming over the site, and the llamas were out. We were able to find an incredible guide via my partner who had met another guide at the market. He was excellent and made the experience better, constantly making sure the family was ok, taking great photos and videos, and even performed a coca leaf ceremony where we released some of my brother’s ashes. He was also able to show us a few other things off our primary route.

Overall, Machu Picchu was incredible and something you should see if you are able. But, the confusion and exploitation with the ticket system as well as there being little to do in AC made it challenging. I checked every day for two weeks and there were tickets available into afternoon. Many people spoke of pre-tickets to come purchase tickets later in the day which is why we split our group by two different trains. When we arrived, after waiting in line for hours, tickets were sold out by 10:30 and they were being sold directly, not by queuing for a time to purchase tickets later. The next day, my parents were in line by 4:30 am, and there were about 370 people ahead of them by my estimates. We secured route 2A. Also, it should be noted that you can buy tickets for a different route on the same day if you get back in line but only IF you have a second passport.

Essentially, check the posts here as often as possible as well as the live ticket counter, as it seems the rules and systems change weekly. Get in line as early as possible.

As for Aguas, above the main market where people buy meat and produce, there is a food court that was 90% locals and the food was way better and cheaper than anywhere in town. Other off the beaten path things we did was hike down to a secret beach on the river for a few hours. If you leave the butterfly enclosure and head back to town, there’s a steep path down to the river through the brush just off the road. We also walked up the incline where people were finishing the trek just past the butterfly enclosure and walked along the train tracks back to town. While there are signs discouraging it, locals we met on it told us everyone does it and it’s fine, just be wary walking through the tunnels. I also got a shape up at a barbershop and watched locals play sports on the main field.

TLDR: AC sucks but there is stuff off the beaten path, MP is incredible but the cost and logistical nightmare almost makes it not worth it

Hello, I am visiting Peru for the first time in 2 weeks and I am wondering where I can go get vaccines? I need yellow fever and typhoid. I’ve heard the airport does yellow fever but I have not seen anyone mention typhoid. I am also going to Ecuador right after so if anyone has experience/recs with vaccines from there I’d love to hear!

I might receive a lot of heat. But my reason to come to Peru is not to visit Machu Picchu. I will be spending 2 weeks in the amazon rain forest in the north of Peru/Colombia. That sounds way more exciting to me.

I am flying back to Colombia/Mexico from Cusco and my purpose in Cusco is to go mountain biking and do some hikes. However, I hate big crowded places where there are tons of tourists. Since I live in Mexico I have access to tons of beautiful Aztec/Mayan sites. And trust me visiting Chitzen Itcha is not something I enjoy considering the amounts of tourists.

Machu Picchu will be there in 5 or more years and it is such a hustle to go there, let alone if you even got a ticket. Now I already found a ticket for the time I will be in Cusco, but haven't decided yet. All in all with train/bus it cost me 250 USD just for a day trip. Definitely not planning to line up like lots of people are doing.

Anyway, just wondering if there are other people that feel the same and have/are skipping Machu Picchu.

Hi everyone!

I just wrapped up a trip through Peru and wanted to share some updated money and payment tips for May 2026.

💰 Currency & Exchange Rates (May 2026)

The Peruvian Sol (PEN) is stable. You don’t need to worry about "black market" rates like in other neighboring countries.

• Current Rate: $1 USD ≈ 3.43 PEN | €1 EUR ≈ 3.71 PEN.

• The Spread: Exchanging cash usually involves a 2–5% spread. You’ll see rates around 3.40–3.50 PEN per USD at official houses.

• Where to Exchange: Use authorized "cambistas" (street exchangers with official vests) or casas de cambio in Lima/Cusco. Avoid airport booths—their rates are significantly worse.

• USD Quality (Crucial!): Bring crisp, new, unbent USD bills. Peruvian banks and exchangers are notorious for rejecting bills with even a tiny tear, ink mark, or heavy fold.

🏧 The ATM Situation & Fees

ATMs are plentiful in cities but can be a "fee trap" if you aren't careful.

• The MultiRed Hack:Banco de la Nación (MultiRed) is still the only one with zero local fees for international cards.

◦ The Catch: Limit of 400 PEN (~`$117 USD) per session. You can repeat sessions, but read the next point!

• ⚠️ Watch Your Own Bank Fees: This was my biggest mistake. Even if the ATM says "S/ 0 Fee," your home bank might charge an International Withdrawal Fee. After 5 withdrawals at MultiRed, I realized I’d wasted €15. Check your bank's app before doing multiple small sessions!

• Other ATMs: BCP, BBVA, and Scotiabank charge between S/ 18 and S/ 36 (`$5–10 USD) per withdrawal.

• Rural Warning: Coastal surf villages (Máncora, Chicama) and remote Andean towns often have zero working ATMs. Stock up on cash in big cities first.

💸 Western Union: The Alternative

If you don't want to carry a stack of cash or deal with ATM limits:

• Rates: Often very competitive (approx. 3.37 PEN).

• Fees: Low or even zero transfer fees depending on your country of origin. It’s a solid backup if you need a large amount of cash at once without the S/ 400 ATM limit.

Cards vs. Cash

• Cards: Widely accepted in mid/big shops, rentals, accomodations (especially in bigger cities/towns).

• The 5% Surcharge: Many local businesses add a 5% fee for card use. Always ask: “¿Hay un recargo por pagar con tarjeta?”

• Cash is Mandatory for: Small "tiendas," local rentals (surfboards, bikes), street food, and taxis.

💡 Quick Summary Tips

1. Always carry "Sencillo" (Change): Breaking a 100 PEN bill in a taxi is impossible. Keep 10s and 20s.

2. Decline the Conversion: If the ATM asks to charge you in your "Home Currency" vs. "Local Currency (PEN)," always choose PEN. Your bank’s rate is always better than the ATM's rate.

3. Cash Discounts: You can often negotiate a small discount at hostels or for tours if you offer to pay the total in cash (PEN) upfront.

Also I gave a try to TUTAI app (someone mentioned it in a group - thank you!) and I must say it provided me some real-time safety alerts and cultural payment tips that were quite useful and saved me a few headaches.

Safe travels! If you have questions on this topic feel free to ask. I will post some other points soon, especially bargaining tips since I am testing a few methods on the field to see what works best.

I'm looking for luxury or unique accommodation recommendations in Cusco. For those who've stayed at high-end or special places there, what would you recommend?

I want something memorable for my time in Cusco, not just a standard hotel. Whether it's a beautifully restored colonial building, a boutique property with incredible views, a hotel with exceptional service and amenities, or something truly unique to the area.

I’m going to the Sacred Valley for a week this month but was wondering what to pack. This is my first time experiencing high altitude, the weather looks mostly sunny and low 60s. I assume this means layers, but I could use some insight from people that recently went or know the temps better.

Hi all,

We are a couple visiting Peru in September for 25 days and looking for some advice. We don't like to rush and altough we travel with a backpack we are no budget travellers. We rather skip some things and travel "slow". We would rather visit the somewhat less visited places and have fewer crowds. That being said, we have absolutely no problem with meeting other tourists or going to touristy places. It's the real masses we would like to avoid (like MP)

With this in mind we've come up with the following itinerary with still some holes in it.

The main topic's will be 2 treks. For the Cusco region we are thinking of the Choquequirao trek and for the Huarez region we are thinking of the Santa Cruz trek. Any other suggestions?

Day 1-2 Lima

Day 3-5 Arequipa

Day 6 Arequipa - Cusco - Ollantaytambo

Day 7 Ollantaytambo

Day 8 Pisac

Day 9-10 Cusco day trips

Day 11- 15 Choquequirao trek

Day 16 Cusco

Day 17 Cusco - Lima - Huarez

Day 18-19 Huarez day trips

Day 20-23 Santa Cruz trek

Day 24 Huarez - Lima

Day 25 Lima - Home

Ok, so a few questions: 1. what are your thoughts on the treks? Any alternatives we should consider? 2. We like to book good guides and are willing to pay for some comfort like good meals and accommodations. Any recommendations? 3. Any must do's we should add to the itinerary?

Thanks a lot guys!

Hi,
I’m going to Peru for a month this August. Honestly, after Brasil and Colombia, I really wanna avoid usual spots (even Machu Picchu, to be clear). What do you guys recommend for an authentic experience? I’d also focus on the Amazons: which one is better, northern or southern bit?
Thank you very much

Hi guys, booked my train to arrive at MP by 2pm Tuesday May 18th, get in line in the early hours of Wednesday and hope to get tickets for Thursday. I’m now hearing that MP last minute tickets are no longer next day but two days in advance?? If that’s the case does this mean I’ve fully missed out on this experience as my flight back to Lima is on Friday at 11am and our train is booked for 7am from AC.

Does anyone know if this is now the norm or if it’s just because of the holiday weekend?

[supprimé]

Hey guys !
Leaving to Peru end of May for the month of June. I am doing Lima-paracas-Arequipa-colca-Cusco&around-amazon(from PM)-Lima-north surfing spots. Initially i wanted to split the month in 2 and do the Amazon and surfing part in Ecuador but with the security situation getting worse, i decided to stay in Peru.

I have a question regarding the passage Arequipa-colca-Cusco. I would love to do 2days in Arequipa and 2 days in colca, and then leave right away to Cusco. Is this possible without having to go back to Arequipa to take the bus ? And how? Any advices on how to optimize this part? Also, if you think it’s best to do more time in Arequipa and spend one day in colca only, let me know. Thank you 🙏🙏

Hi everyone. Has anyone taken coca tea, if so how long does it take to clear out of your system?
Has anyone also had experience transporting it the the US? I’ve seen that deco-canized coca teas are legal, also heard that they’re legal if you declare it.

Just asking for any tips.

Hey

I find pretty cheap tickets to Lima on February. Is it worth to visit on February? I read about less tourists, but rain season in Andes. How weather in Rainbow mountains, Red Valley?

I am trying to plan our trip to Peru (LIMA to CUSCO back to LIMA) for our honeymoon. I am a little stressed about the day breakdown and logistics to get from place to place for the first part of our Cusco side where we ant to be more active and relax once we go back to Lima. We are trying to do sacred valley and Machu Pichu but do not know anyone who has been before.

Can anyone help give advice for October 26th-28th and if we are biting off more than we can chew? Links to good food places, activities, travel sites etc.

We are very adventurous people and want to make the most of our special post wedding trip.

LODGING SUMMARY (AT A GLANCE) 

Date	Day	City You Sleep In
Oct 25^(th)	Mon-Travel Day	Cusco  https://www.antiguacusco.com/
Oct 26^(th)	Tue-Inca Jungle Adventure	Jungle Lodge  https://ecoquechua.com/en/lodge
Oct 27^(th)	Wed-Machu Picchu Day	Machu Pichu  https://www.marriott.com/reservation/rateListMenu.mi
Oct 28^(th)	Thurs-Sacred Valley + Rafting	Sacred Valley  https://www.marriott.com/en-us/hotels/cuzlc-tambo-del-inka-a-luxury-collection-resort-and-spa/overview/
Oct 29^(th)	Friday-Cusco → Lima	Cusco  https://www.belmond.com/hotels/south-america/peru/cusco/belmond-palacio-nazarenas/
Oct 30^(th)	Sat	Lima Airbnb
Oct 31^(st)	Sun	Lima  Airbnb
Nov 1^(st)	Mon	Lima  Airbnb
Nov 2^(nd)	Tues-Travel Day	Lima  Airbnb

 

MONDAY — OCTOBER 25 

✈️ Travel Day 

• Fly Charlotte → Lima 
• Evening connection Lima → Cusco 
• Late‑night arrival in Cusco

 

🏨 Night 1 Lodging: 
Cusco (Historic Center / San Blas) 

TUESDAY — OCTOBER 26 

🌿 Inca Jungle Adventure – Day 1 

• Inca Jungle Trek – 2–3 Day Variants (Private / Premium)  This covers: 
• Mountain biking 
• Jungle trekking 
• Zip‑lining 
• Transport to Machu Picchu corridor 
• Jungle lodge stay

 

🔗 Reputable Operators 

• Inca Jungle Trek (Premium)  https://www.inca-jungle-trek.com

 

https://www.incaexpert.com/packages/2-day-inca-trail 

• Peru Eco Expeditions (Private, higher‑end)  https://www.peruecoexpeditions.com

 

✅ Book at least 1–2 months ahead. 

WEDNESDAY — OCTOBER 27 

🏔️ Machu Picchu Day 

• Sleep: Sacred Valley (Urubamba / Ollantaytambo)

 

✅ Mandatory Booking 

You must book Machu Picchu in advance. 

1. Machu Picchu Entrance Ticket (Official)

 

👉 https://www.machupicchu.gob.pe 

✅ Choose: 

• Circuit 1 or 2 (most complete views) 
• Morning entry (paired with your tour)

 

1. Train: Aguas Calientes → Ollantaytambo

 

• PeruRail  👉 https://www.perurail.com 
• Inca Rail  👉 https://www.incarail.com

 

✅ Your jungle operator may bundle this — confirm before double‑booking. 

 

THURSDAY — OCTOBER 28 

🚣‍♂️ Sacred Valley + Rafting 

• Sacred Valley Tour + Urubamba River Rafting  Sleep: Tambo del Inka (Urubamba)

 

✅ Sacred Valley Tour Options 

(Private or small‑group) 

• Moray + Maras + Pisac 👉 https://www.cuscobesttours.com

 

or 

👉 https://www.valenciatravelcusco.com 

✅ Recommend private tour this day to control timing before rafting. 

 

✅ Urubamba River Rafting (Top Operator) 

River Explorers – Sacred Valley Rafting (Class II–III) 
This is the gold standard operator. 

👉 https://www.riverexplorers.com/rafting-sacred-valley 

• Transport included 
• All gear included 
• Excellent safety record

 

✅ Book 1–2 weeks ahead. 

 

FRIDAY — OCTOBER 29 

✈️ Cusco → Lima 

• Cusco Morning → Lima Flight  Sleep: Belmond Palacio Nazarenas (Cusco)

 

Optional Morning Activities (Choose One) 

✅ Horseback Riding (Easy Morning Option) 

👉 https://www.culturavivaperu.com 

✅ Walking Tour (Light, Flexible) 

👉 https://www.cuscotours.com/free-walking-tour 

✅ These can also be booked last‑minute via hotel concierge. 

SATURDAY — OCTOBER 30 

🌊 Lima — Culture & Relaxation 

• Historic Center 
• Museums 
• Huaca Pucllana 
• Fine dining

 

🏨 Night 6 Lodging: 
Lima (same hotel) 

 

SUNDAY — OCTOBER 31 

🌅 Lima — Leisure Day 

• Spa morning 
• Barranco art walk 
• Ocean views & sunset cocktails

 

🏨 Night 7 Lodging: 
Lima (same hotel) 

 

MONDAY — NOVEMBER 1 

🌊 Lima — Final Full Day 

• Shopping 
• Beach walk 
• Farewell honeymoon dinner

 

🏨 Night 8 Lodging: 
Lima (same hotel) 

 

TUESDAY — NOVEMBER 2 → EARLY NOV 3 

✈️ Return Travel 

• Late‑night departure Lima → Charlotte 
• Arrival early Tuesday, Nov 3

 

❌ No lodging needed this night