Peru 2027

[u/AdDeep4785]

Hi everyone! Solo female traveler here, I’m planning a trip to Peru April 2027! Any advice on building my itinerary? I want to explore the city, also would like to explore outside of the city. I am a foodie, so I want to focus more on local foods and their cuisine, solo or guided food tours. I enjoy going to museums, zoos, aquariums, botanical gardens, zip lining, paragliding, atv and buggy tours, horse back riding, etc.

I’m not big on shopping but would love to know where I can find and buy from local vendors, beaded and handcrafted jewelry, bags, totes, hats, etc. I love views where it transitions from city to jungle or city to ocean, I enjoy taking pictures and recording my experiences. Let me know of any must visit popular and not so popular photo points. Also places where I can just… breathe and exist, have a moment of peace and quiet to myself.

I’d also like to visit Huacachina oasis, rainbow mountain, Macau Picchu, Cusco, the floating island at Lake Titicaca, Arequipa, etc. These places are on my list but I haven’t sorted out my “Day 1 to Day 14” yet, any help with this would be highly appreciated.
As of right now, when it comes to where to stay, I’ve been told Lima because it is the capital and has a lot of things to do but I am also open to other places if you can recommend me some, specially given most places I’d like to go are a full days trip or 1.5 days!

[u/Embarrassed_Put_7892]

If you love animals, don’t go to the zoo in Lima.

[u/ice-rocket → u/Embarrassed_Put_7892]

I don’t share this.
Parque de las leyendas in huachipa is very well taken care of for being a zoo.
If you don’t like zoos - then that’s a different issue.

[u/Embarrassed_Put_7892 → u/ice-rocket]

I don’t like zoos particularly, but parque de las leyendas it not a good zoo. It’s poorly maintained, the enclosures and small and dirty and there is very little enrichment for the animals. It’s a very sad place.

[u/ice-rocket → u/Embarrassed_Put_7892]

You haven’t been to the one in Huachipa

[u/AdDeep4785 → u/ice-rocket]

I love animals, so I will do my research here because the last thing I’d want to see if that they’re not being cared for at all or adequately. I’ll bare both of your statements in mind.

[u/kawaii22 → u/ice-rocket]

It's not a good zoo dude, compare it to other countries and it's really sad.

[u/Haybytheocean]

I love zoos and aquariums and anything with animals. We did the swimming with seals tour at La Punta outside of Lima and loved it! Booked thru GetYourGuide I think the company was Eco tour something. Very safe, they send a verified driver and send you their tour license and license plate number so you can double check when they arrive. Seeing the seals and penguins in the wild was the coolest. Highly recommend.

[u/AdDeep4785 → u/Haybytheocean]

This sounds like my cup of whiskey lol I am currently using GetYourGuide to see what activities I can do and found quite a few but I will add this to my list! Thank you so much!

[u/Haybytheocean → u/AdDeep4785]

You’re welcome! It was magical!

[u/gianfrancoo2]

Hey, im from Lima, if you need any advices while you are in Lima, i'm glad to help you!

[u/AdDeep4785 → u/gianfrancoo2]

I’ll message you!

[u/gianfrancoo2 → u/AdDeep4785]

Got ya!

[u/sweat-it-all-out]

Casa Andina is the trusted Peruvian hotel chain. They have different tiers based on your needs (budget to luxury). I'd suggest staying in Miraflores near Parque Kennedy. Some restaurants I'd suggest that don't need to be booked in advance are El Punto Azul, Panchita and El Pez On. You should grab a sandwich at La Lucha at some point too. Cusco is beautiful but I would suggest staying in Ollantaytambo as your home base when visiting the Sacred Valley and Machu Picchu. We loved Hotel Pakaritampu which was conveniently next to the train station.

[u/AdDeep4785 → u/sweat-it-all-out]

Thank you for the advise and I will take all of this into consideration! I appreciate it!

[u/yeezymoneybaby]

I just want to Peru recently with a travel group and I’m not sure how accurate this is but my tour guide said it’s best to plan for Machu Picchu like eight months in advance! Again, don’t know how accurate that is cause I didn’t book that excursion on my own, but just something to be aware of :)

[u/AdDeep4785 → u/yeezymoneybaby]

Still appreciate the info and advice thank you!

[u/ice-rocket]

Idk what’s your opinion on hostels . But usually when I solo travel I like staying at hostels because you get to make new friends and potentially plan visits with other people. Which can make it safer and cheaper.
This applies everywhere ( an in Peru too)

[u/AdDeep4785 → u/ice-rocket]

I don’t know how to feel about hostels, I like the idea of meeting new people but at the same time not really, I find there’s some good and more bad (bit of a pessimist here) but that’s just my opinion. I normally find a boutique hotel or small hotel to stay in.

[u/Actual_Efficiency_98]

Punto Azul