Peru

Peru is a vibrant and diverse country within South America. It is one of the most well known countries to visit in this continent due to the iconic archaeological site of Machu Picchu and the amazing fine dining of Lima. But there is so much more to discover!

Regions of Peru

Peru's Fast Facts

Language

Spanish

Capital City

Lima

Currency

Sol

Budget Range

$ - $$

Visa Info (Learn More Here)

Find out more about the visa requirements for Peru here. You can also check this information on your country's state department website for Peru.

Know Before You Go to Peru

hola

OH-la

hello

gracias

GRAH-see-ahs

thank you

por favor

POHR FAH-vohr

please

no entiendo

NOH ehn-tyEN-doh

I don’t understand

¿Hablas inglés?

hah-BLAHS een-GLEHS

do you speak english?

buenos días, buen día (inf.)

BWEN-hos  DEE-as, BWEN DEE-a

good morning

buenas tardes, buenas (inf.)

BWEN-ahs  TAR-des, BWEN-ahs

good afternoon (until sunset)

¡chau! / hasta luego

CHOW / AH-sta loo-EH-goh

bye! / see you later (also used as “bye”)

buenas noches, buenas (inf.)

BWEN-ahs  NOH-ches, BWEN-ahs

good evening or goodnight

¿Dónde está el baño?

DOH-ndeh ehs-TAH EHL BAH-nyoh

where is the bathroom? (IMPORTANT: women’s restrooms are often indicated with an M (mujer=woman)

¿Me da ___, por favor?

MEH DA ___ POHR FAH-vohr

Can i have ___ please? (casual but polite way to order food and drinks)

Quisiera ___, por favor

KEE-see-yehr-ah ___ POHR FAH-vohr

I would like ___ please. (formal and polite way to order food and drinks)

buen provecho

BWEN proh-VE-choh

Enjoy your food or meal. People may use the phrase as they walk by someone eating when in a restaurant. Waiters will say this phrase when they serve you your meal.

Top Destinations in Peru

Urban exploration

cuisine

Hiking

Culture

amazing nature

archaeology

Lima

Walking

Urban

Wine

Wine

Machu Picchu

Walking

Beach

Beach

Arequipa

Road Trip

Hiking

Hiking

Cusco

Culture

Hiking

Hiking

Huacachina

snorkeling

Lake Titicaca

Walking

Walking

Itineraries to Help You Plan Your Trip to Peru (By Region)

Peru is a culturally dense country. For a 16 day itinerary (2 weeks) consider visiting 2-3 regions to be able to best enjoy and maximize your vacation time and really take in the various destinations within Peru. 

All Peru Travel Guides + Articles

Everything You Need to Know About the Short Inca Trail

The answers to the frequently asked questions about hiking the Short Inca Trail to Machu Picchu as an alternative to the classic Inca trail.

The Best Inca Trail Tour Operators for Hiking to and around Machu Picchu

Visit Machu Picchu and the surrounding mountains from the one of the best Inca Trail tour operators to provides elevated hiking experiences.

Transportation Options to Get from Lima to Paracas or Huacachina

Different options for transportation from Lima to Paracas and Huacachina, with a tour or independently to experience the unique landscapes.

The Different Things to Do in Huacachina and Paracas (A 4 Day Itinerary)

Here are the things to do in Huacachina and Paracas, an adventure junkie’s paradise with unique activities and landscapes to explore.

Your Guide to the Lima Food Scene: Where to Eat and What to Try

Different food and food types to look for when eating in Lima, Peru, and some restaurants to try in one of the best culinary cities in the world.

The Perfect 3 Day Lima Itinerary to Best Enjoy the Capital of Peru

Is Lima, Peru worth visiting? Yes! This article will guide you through a Lima itinerary that focuses on culinary, archaeological, and entertainment aspects.

The Lares Trek vs Inca Trail: Why You Should Consider the Alternative Hike

Considering the Lares trek vs Inca Trail? This article will answer your questions to help you decide if this is the right hike for you.

Your Options for Visiting Machu Picchu, from Day Tours to Multi-Day Hikes

The various options for visiting Machu Picchu ranging from day trips to multi-day hikes, including the Short Inca Trail (recommended).

Ultimate Guide to the Lares Trek Peru: Unveiling the Authentic Countryside

Looking for a cultural experience to Machu Picchu? Read about the value of the Lares Trek as an alternative to the Classic Inca Trail.

What to Know About the Boleto Turistico Cusco and Other Parts of Peru

All your questions about the Boleto Turistico Cusco and Colca Canyon, the ticket packages for visiting various sites in Peru

A Glimpse into the Things to Do in Cusco, Peru with a Sample Itinerary

Here are the different things to do in Cusco, the time frame required for each activity, and sample itineraries based on your interests.

How to Get from Arequipa to Colca Canyon in Peru

Looking to go from Arequipa to Colca Canyon with or without a tour group? This article clears up the confusion around visiting the canyon.

The Top Things to Do in Arequipa and Colca Canyon for a 4+ Day Itinerary

A flexible itinerary with the things to do in Arequipa and the Colca Canyon, breaking down the different options and details to visit them.

An Amantani Island Homestay in Lake Titicaca: Everything You Need to Know

An explanation of an Amantani Island homestay experience on Lake Titicaca and the best way to find the appropriate tour and homestay.

The Top Things to Do at Lake Titicaca: A Peru and Bolivia Itinerary

The various things to do at Lake Titicaca in both Peru and Bolivia, with an itinerary to visit islands and cross the border between the two.

Everything You Need to Know About the Short Inca Trail

The answers to the frequently asked questions about hiking the Short Inca Trail to Machu Picchu as an alternative to the classic Inca trail.

The Best Inca Trail Tour Operators for Hiking to and around Machu Picchu

Visit Machu Picchu and the surrounding mountains from the one of the best Inca Trail tour operators to provides elevated hiking experiences.

Transportation Options to Get from Lima to Paracas or Huacachina

Different options for transportation from Lima to Paracas and Huacachina, with a tour or independently to experience the unique landscapes.

The Different Things to Do in Huacachina and Paracas (A 4 Day Itinerary)

Here are the things to do in Huacachina and Paracas, an adventure junkie’s paradise with unique activities and landscapes to explore.

Your Guide to the Lima Food Scene: Where to Eat and What to Try

Different food and food types to look for when eating in Lima, Peru, and some restaurants to try in one of the best culinary cities in the world.

The Perfect 3 Day Lima Itinerary to Best Enjoy the Capital of Peru

Is Lima, Peru worth visiting? Yes! This article will guide you through a Lima itinerary that focuses on culinary, archaeological, and entertainment aspects.

The Lares Trek vs Inca Trail: Why You Should Consider the Alternative Hike

Considering the Lares trek vs Inca Trail? This article will answer your questions to help you decide if this is the right hike for you.

Your Options for Visiting Machu Picchu, from Day Tours to Multi-Day Hikes

The various options for visiting Machu Picchu ranging from day trips to multi-day hikes, including the Short Inca Trail (recommended).

Ultimate Guide to the Lares Trek Peru: Unveiling the Authentic Countryside

Looking for a cultural experience to Machu Picchu? Read about the value of the Lares Trek as an alternative to the Classic Inca Trail.

What to Know About the Boleto Turistico Cusco and Other Parts of Peru

All your questions about the Boleto Turistico Cusco and Colca Canyon, the ticket packages for visiting various sites in Peru

A Glimpse into the Things to Do in Cusco, Peru with a Sample Itinerary

Here are the different things to do in Cusco, the time frame required for each activity, and sample itineraries based on your interests.

How to Get from Arequipa to Colca Canyon in Peru

Looking to go from Arequipa to Colca Canyon with or without a tour group? This article clears up the confusion around visiting the canyon.

The Top Things to Do in Arequipa and Colca Canyon for a 4+ Day Itinerary

A flexible itinerary with the things to do in Arequipa and the Colca Canyon, breaking down the different options and details to visit them.

An Amantani Island Homestay in Lake Titicaca: Everything You Need to Know

An explanation of an Amantani Island homestay experience on Lake Titicaca and the best way to find the appropriate tour and homestay.

The Top Things to Do at Lake Titicaca: A Peru and Bolivia Itinerary

The various things to do at Lake Titicaca in both Peru and Bolivia, with an itinerary to visit islands and cross the border between the two.