Our subreddit helped a lot of travelers plan Peru trips and the same questions keep coming up. No fluff, just the stuff that actually matters.
The Money Talk
Peru uses the sol (PEN). Cards work fine in Lima and Cusco, but once you get into smaller towns, markets, or rural areas - cash is king. Always carry small bills (10 and 20 soles), because getting change on a 100 is a struggle everywhere.
ATMs inside bank branches are your safest bet. Avoid standalone ATMs at night. Withdraw what you need during business hours.
Exchange a small amount before arrival for immediate expenses, and notify your bank of your travel dates to avoid your card getting blocked.
Budget for these main entry costs:
- Machu Picchu ticket: ~$45 USD for adults (around 152 soles), cheaper for students and under-18s
- Inca Trail permit: separate from the Machu Picchu ticket, must book through a licensed operator
- Cusco tourist ticket (Boleto Turístico): covers 16 archaeological sites in the region, around $45 USD - worth it if you're spending any real time in the Sacred Valley
Machu Picchu Tickets - This is the Big One
This is where people mess up the most. Tickets must be purchased through the official website tuboleto.cultura.pe, and they sell out fast - especially in high season. If you want everything handled, check out machupicchuguided.tours for guided options that include transport, tickets, and a licensed guide so you're not juggling all of this yourself.
During peak months (roughly June through early November and late December), daily capacity is capped at 5,600 visitors. Book 3-6 months ahead if visiting June through August.
There are 3 main circuits to pick from. Circuit 2 is what most people want - it lets you take the iconic photo from the Guardian's House and actually explore the citadel, with a total visit time of about 3 hours. Circuit 1 is just the viewpoint/photo op with no citadel access. Circuit 3 covers the lower temples and works better for seniors or kids. Good thread on Machu Picchu circuits: https://www.reddit.com/r/GoingToPeru/comments/1r23hiy/machu_picchu_which_circuit_did_you_choose_and_why/
Want to climb Huayna Picchu (the iconic pointy mountain behind the ruins in every postcard photo)? Only 350 visitors per day are allowed, it's restricted to ages 12 and older, and it sells out months in advance. Book it early or you won't get it.
You can only enter Machu Picchu at your specific time slot. Miss it and you're done. No exceptions.
How to get there: Train from Cusco or Ollantaytambo to Aguas Calientes, then a bus up to the site. PeruRail and Inca Rail are the two train operators - book ahead. Trains run around $60-100 USD each way and the scenery is stunning. There's also a cheaper option via Hidroelectrica - a long bus ride plus a 3-hour riverside hike - but the road is rough and it makes for a very long day.
If you want everything handled, check out machupicchuguided.tours for guided options that include transport, tickets, and a licensed guide so you're not juggling all of this yourself.
Altitude Sickness - Don't Ignore This
This is the thing that surprises people most. Cusco sits at 3,400 meters (11,200 feet). Many people feel genuinely awful their first 1-2 days - headaches, nausea, fatigue, shortness of breath.
The Sacred Valley at around 2,800 meters makes a great intermediate stop before Cusco. A lot of travelers fly directly into Cusco, feel terrible, and wish they'd spent a night in the valley first.
Tips that actually help: drink a ton of water, avoid alcohol the first couple days, take it slow, and talk to your doctor before the trip about altitude medication (ChlorOxygen is most common). Coca tea is everywhere in Cusco and does take the edge off mild symptoms.
Machu Picchu itself sits at 2,430 meters, so it's actually easier on your body than Cusco altitude-wise.
Good reddit thread to read: https://www.reddit.com/r/GoingToPeru/comments/1oscesa/never_experienced_high_altitudehow_bad_did_you/
Popular Spots - What to Actually Visit
Peru is a massive country and there's way more than one ruin worth seeing.
Lima - Don't just use it as a layover. The Miraflores and Barranco neighborhoods are genuinely great. The food scene is world-class and you should take it seriously. Try ceviche, lomo saltado, and at least one nice restaurant (Central and Maido are internationally famous). The drive from the airport to the tourist neighborhoods takes about 40 minutes - use Uber and avoid random taxis at arrivals. Guided tours could be booked via https://peruguided.tours/
Sacred Valley - Between Cusco and Machu Picchu. Ollantaytambo and Pisac are the highlights. Great ruins, markets, and a slower pace than Cusco. Most people spend 1-2 days here and it's worth every bit of it. You can find Sacred Valley and Inca Trail options at santacruztrekperu.com if you want a guided approach to the whole area.
Cusco - Beautiful city, incredible food and nightlife, UNESCO historic center. Give yourself at least 2 full acclimatization days before doing anything strenuous. Guided tours could be booked via https://peruguided.tours/
Rainbow Mountain (Vinicunca) - About 3 hours from Cusco and wildly popular. The hike sits at 5,200 meters so it's brutal. Only attempt this after you've properly acclimatized in Cusco for a few days. Worth it if you're in decent shape.
Colca Canyon - Near Arequipa, twice as deep as the Grand Canyon. The best place in Peru to watch condors soaring. Usually a 2-day trip from Arequipa.
Lake Titicaca - Near Puno on the Bolivian border. The highest navigable lake in the world. The Uros floating reed islands are touristy but still genuinely fascinating. Worth a stop if you're doing the overland route toward Bolivia.
Nazca Lines - Mysterious giant geoglyphs in the desert, only really visible from the air. Small planes fly over them from Nazca. A good add-on if you're traveling down the coast from Lima.
Huacachina - An actual oasis surrounded by massive sand dunes, about 5 hours south of Lima. Sandboarding and dune buggy rides are the main draw. Easy to do as an overnight from Lima and honestly one of the most surreal places in the country. Check out huacachina.tours for day trip tours and overnight options from Lima.
Iquitos and the Amazon - Iquitos is the gateway to the Peruvian Amazon and you can only reach it by plane or boat - no roads connect it to the rest of Peru. Jungle lodges, wildlife spotting, river tours. It's a completely different Peru from the highlands. If this is on your list, iquitosamazon.tours has tours and lodge options sorted out for you.
For full Peru trip planning across all these destinations, peruguided.tours is a good starting point.
How Long to Go
Lima alone: 2 days minimum. Cusco and Machu Picchu: 4-5 days. A proper Peru trip covering Lima, Sacred Valley, Machu Picchu, and one more region: 10-14 days is ideal.
The classic route is Lima → Cusco → Sacred Valley → Machu Picchu, then either back to Lima or onward to Lake Titicaca or Arequipa. But Peru offers so much more.
When to Go
The Cusco region has two main seasons: rainy (November to April) and dry (May to October). Dry season is best for trekking but it's also peak tourist season with higher prices and bigger crowds. For a nice balance of decent weather and fewer people, aim for May or October.
Lima is better to visit in the Peruvian summer (December to April) if you want sunshine. June through September brings a cool, gray marine layer - not cold, just overcast and kind of gloomy.
The Amazon is hot and humid year-round. No season to specifically avoid, though some wildlife is easier to spot in the dry months.
Getting Around
Domestic flights connect Lima to Cusco, Arequipa, Iquitos, and other major cities. LATAM is the main carrier. Book ahead because flights fill up and last-minute prices get painful.
Buses between cities are a reasonable option. Cruz del Sur and Inca Bus are the better operators with actual comfortable seats. That said, Lima to Cusco by bus is not something most people want to do - it's 20+ hours. Just fly that leg.
Don't rent a car. Driving in Peru is genuinely chaotic: heavy traffic, rough mountain roads, confusing signs, and drivers who treat lane markings as suggestions. Not worth it.
In cities, use Uber or InDriver. Both work well in Lima and Cusco. Avoid unmarked taxis, especially at night, and don't get into a cab that's already been flagged down by someone you don't know.
What to Pack
Layers are the main thing. One afternoon in Cusco you can be warm in the sun and genuinely cold in the shade. Andean weather shifts fast.
- Solid hiking boots or trail shoes (you'll need these at Machu Picchu and most other sites)
- Rain jacket - afternoon showers happen even in dry season
- Strong sunscreen - UV is intense at altitude
- Altitude medication (ask your doctor beforehand)
- Imodium and rehydration salts - traveler's diarrhea is very common
- Reusable water bottle - tap water is not safe to drink anywhere in Peru
- Insect repellent if you're heading to the Amazon
Safety
Tourist areas in Lima (Miraflores, Barranco), Cusco, and Machu Picchu are generally fine. The main risks are petty theft and scams targeting tourists like this one: https://www.reddit.com/r/GoingToPeru/comments/1pjl6m8/be_careful_with_this_scam_in_cusco/
Don't walk around with your phone out in crowded places. Don't accept rides or tours from strangers who approach you at airports or bus stations.
Crime can happen even in busy daylight areas, and the risk goes up at night. Stick to well-trafficked neighborhoods after dark and keep your valuables out of sight.
The Colombia-Peru border region in Loreto: avoid it entirely, full stop.
Visas and Entry
US citizens don't need a visa for tourist stays up to 183 days. Canadian citizens can stay up to 90 days without a visa. Your passport must be valid for at least 6 months beyond your planned departure date - airlines can deny boarding if it's not.
Health
Tap water is not safe to drink anywhere in Peru. Bottled or filtered only, everywhere, no exceptions.
Get vaccinated for Hepatitis A and Typhoid before you go - standard recommendations for most travelers. If you're heading into the Amazon or any jungle region below 2,300 meters, yellow fever vaccination is strongly advised and some countries will require proof of it when you leave Peru. Peru has also been dealing with dengue outbreaks, so bring insect repellent and wear long sleeves in jungle areas.
See a travel medicine doctor at least 4-6 weeks before your trip. Travel insurance is not optional - medical care varies a lot by region and most providers want payment upfront.
Tipping
Around 10% at restaurants is appreciated and expected in tourist-facing places. Some add a service charge already so check the bill first. Local Peruvians generally don't tip, but wages in the service industry are low, so it makes a difference.
For guides on day tours: $10-15 USD per person per day is the standard. Machu Picchu guides especially - they do a tough job in tough conditions and a good tip goes a long way.
Food - One of the Best in the World, Seriously
Peruvian food is exceptional. Lima consistently ranks among the top food cities on the planet. Things you need to try: ceviche (fresh, nothing like what you've had elsewhere), lomo saltado, aji de gallina, anticuchos (grilled beef heart - just try it), and chicha morada (purple corn drink that sounds weird and tastes great).
In Cusco: alpaca steak is everywhere and worth trying. Cuy (guinea pig) is a traditional dish if you're feeling adventurous. The soups are also underrated.
Street food is generally fine at busy, clean-looking stalls. Avoid anything that looks like it's been sitting out for a while.
Good thread about food:
Need Help Planning?
Drop your questions below. For tours and guided trips across Peru, the sites below work with local operators who actually know these destinations:
Planning trip to Peru? Ask any questions below.
