The Best Travel Hacks in Perú
If you haven’t gone to Peru yet, you must make it or have travel hacks in your next trip destination. The bulk of people visit Peru to see Machu Picchu, which is stunningly beautiful. Despite the fact that we highly recommend seeing Machu Picchu in Peru, you should not pass up the chance to visit other great destinations such as Lima, Cusco, and the Sacred Valley. Each area of Peru has outstanding food, an unrivaled history, and magnificent beauty that is worth visiting.
Whether you’re seeing Machu Picchu, navigating the bustling streets of Lima, or immersing yourself in the vibrant culture of Cusco, these expert advice will help you make the most of your trip.
Travel Tips That Will Make Your Peru Experience Even More Exciting
1. Pay attention to your ATM and have cash on hand at all times
Pay close attention to the area from where you withdraw your hard-earned cash, since not all automated teller machines are created equal. Automated teller machines, commonly known as cajeros automáticos, are widely accessible at the airport and in all major towns in Peru. The first automated teller machines (ATMs) you’ll encounter at the airport, particularly those operated by GlobalNet, may charge you up to 10 dollars for each withdrawal. To avoid costs, use the automated teller machines (ATMs) supplied by Scotiabank or Multired (Banco de la Nación). You will be able to find them in all of the major cities, and they will not charge you any extra fees, so your money will be safe!
Keeping this in mind, you should always carry some local money, which is the Peruvian sole. Card payments are accepted in a variety of locations, including Lima; nevertheless, they are not accepted everywhere. Carrying a little quantity of cash, especially in the form of small dollars and coins, makes it easy to leave a tip and ensures that you can always buy what you want.
2. Buy your Machu Picchu Ticket or fee on the official website
If you want to travel to Machu Picchu, which you should of course do, you must plan ahead of time. If you book your ticket via the Official Site, you will be able to guarantee that you have a place, avoid any difficulties, and save the commission that other dealers pay.
When purchasing your ticket, be sure to choose Llaqta Machu Picchu. This is the name of the ruins inside the larger Machu Picchu archeological complex. Going to Circuit 2 (Alto Largo) will provide you with the most extensive view of Machu Picchu. If you are prepared to wake up early, consider going on one of the earlier excursions to escape the bulk of the crowd.
It is vital to understand that you will need to acquire a separate ticket if you wish to hike around Machu Picchu. There are many well-known climbs, including as the one to the summit of Huayna Picchu, which offers a unique view of the ruins itself. If you wish to do this, please see our Machu Picchu Tickets Guide. It will help you choose the best entry time and circuit for your visit!
3. Use the Time Between Seasons to Your Advantage
When it comes to vacation planning, time is everything, so be sure you get it right! The weather, the quantity of visitors, and your personal tastes all influence the best time to visit Machu Picchu (and Peru in general). In contrast, the months of October through April are marked by severe precipitation and high humidity levels.
Consider your preferences when deciding on a time to visit. Your travel experience may be impacted by a variety of factors throughout the year, including the weather, the amount of people present, the accessibility of tourist amenities and services, and festivals. We suggest traveling during the shoulder seasons, which are the periods immediately before or just after the peak seasons, if you want to avoid the peak season and get the best deals. The months of April and May, September and October, and even November are called shoulder seasons. For more information on this subject, see our page on the best time to visit Machu Picchu!
Please bear in mind that even during the off-season, you must book your tickets in advance! It is essential that you make reservations in advance in order to guarantee a space at a popular site.
4. Keep the altitudе out of it
When visiting high-altitude places like as Cusco or the Colca Canyon, the notion of altitude should be treated extremely seriously. This is not a hack, but it is crucial to remember. It is essential to take care of your body while going to greater heights over 3,000 meters, such as the Inca Trail, and even when ascending Rainbow Mountain, which reaches 5,000 meters.
Allow at least two days for your body to adjust to the lower altitude. Beginning this method at lower altitudes and gradually progressing to higher cities may aid in accomplishing this aim. Be patient and kind with yourself while your body adapts. Do not try to do too much since the increased altitude will quickly fatigue you. Consume a nutritious diet and drink enough of fluids (water or coca tea) to aid your body in gradually adjusting to the new environment.
By following these suggestions, you should be able to avoid severe altitude sickness (also known as soroche in Spanish). Always travel with guides who are familiar with the symptoms of severe altitude sickness. This will keep you as secure as possible. If you are suffering serious symptoms of disease, seeking local medical treatment is always an option; however, if you follow these rules, you should not be obliged to do so!
5. Give Couchsurfing a chance.
Couchsurfing is the icing on the cake if you’re looking for a cost-effective way to stay in Peru throughout your visit. It is possible to stay for free with a local host, which will allow you to save money on hotel accommodations. Tourists may utilize this website to contact local hosts who are eager to offer housing for visiting visitors. In return, the hosts converse with their guests, who often bring little gifts to share, and establish friendships.
You will not only save money on accommodation by staying at a local institution, but you will also get a flavor of the local culture. When you’re a tourist, it’s tough to avoid tourist traps. Couchsurfing enables your host to share local expertise and lead you toward the most attractive areas. The majority of the time, these encounters turn into actual friendships and incredible travel experiences that you would not be able to have at a hotel or even a hostel where you would be exposed to people from various countries.
You should review the profiles before sending out requests to ensure that you get the best experience possible. If you want to have a great experience on Couchsurfing, you should stay with one of the hosts we recommend.
6. Have an extra copy of your passport on hand
You may be aware of this, but trust me when I tell that every hotel will demand you to show your passport. We understand that having to show your passport so often may be annoying, and it can even be stressful if you are worried about losing it or are not accustomed to having important documents on available.
Consider having a copy of your passport with you when you go to Peru. You may either email or WhatsApp a scanned copy to yourself, or print two or three physical copies and put them in separate bags.
It is not a good idea to rely on a picture of your passport since it is likely to be denied. Make a mental or written note of your arrival date in Peru for future reference. Because passports are no longer stamped, it may be difficult to remember the day you arrived; yet, you may be expected to provide this information when booking a trip or staying at a hotel.
7. Important items to bring to Peru
Packing wisely is an important step in preparing for your vacation in Peru. Here are eleven things that should be in every traveler’s bag:
- Your passport and any other important papers: In case of an emergency, make sure your travel documents are up to date and preserve duplicates of them. If you are going with another person, you may consider suggesting that they also keep a copy of your passport secure.
- Weather-appropriate clothing: Lightweight and breathable clothing should be packed for warmer areas, while thick layers should be brought for high-altitude places.
- Wear comfortable footwear: If you’re going trekking or walking in the mountains, you should wear hiking boots or walking shoes that are both tough and comfy. You should make care to break them in at first.
- Always have a universal power adaptor with you to charge your electrical gadgets. 220 volts is the standard voltage in Peru.
- Make sure you have enough travel insurance that covers medical emergencies, trip cancellations, and delays. This is an important aspect of travel insurance.
- Cash and credit cards: Although credit cards are generally accepted, it is best to carry cash when visiting rural regions or marketplaces where card payments may not be readily accessible.
- Guidebooks and maps: Bring guidebooks or maps from the internet onto your phone to familiarize yourself with the local culture, sights, and travel routes.
- Personal medication, such as motion sickness and altitude sickness medication. If you have any troubles, you should carry some stomach ailment medicine, such as Pepto Bismol, with you.
- Wear sunscreen, sunglasses, and a hat since the sun may be harsh in Peru owing to the country’s high altitude and closeness to the equator. It is critical that you carry these items with you to protect yourself from the sun.
- Crossbody bag or pack: whether in Lima or other cities, we recommend bringing a bag that you can easily hold in front of you. This is particularly true while trekking or traveling. By doing so, you can avoid pickpocketing and keep your belongings from being taken in busy places.
8. Cuisine from Peru that you must taste
When it comes to the culinary arts, Peru is a genuine jewel. If you ever find yourself in Lima, you must try the fish. The following are some ways to sample the area cuisine:
Going to local markets is one of the finest ways to get a taste of Peruvian food. This is one of the greatest methods to travel throughout the nation. However, in addition to being a source of fresh vegetables and ingredients, they also have a diverse range of food sellers on the street. Enjoy empanadas, cuy, anticuchos, and ceviche, among other Peruvian specialties!
- Be experimental with street food: Street food in Peru is not only tasty, but it also provides an excellent opportunity to sample unique regional flavors. Uncooked fruits and vegetables, on the other hand, should be avoided to avoid stomach upset.
- If you are not a fan of spicy meals, bring your medications: Because Peruvian cuisine may be rather hot or heavy, it is vital to remember to carry some antacids or digestive aids with you.
If you are intending to stay the night in Lima and want to soak in the magnificent surroundings, it is strongly advised that you visit the La Vista Restaurant situated in the JW Marriott hotel in Miraflores. The restaurant, known as “The View,” is noted for its spectacular food as well as its breathtaking views of the coastline.
9. Pick a reputable cab service or other means of transportation
We highly urge you to avoid leasing a car in Peru and instead utilize trusted forms of transportation such as Uber or Cabify. This is particularly true in Lima. It is also advised to choose reputable cab services or ride-sharing apps to ensure a comfortable journey. They give convenience and peace of mind by letting you to explore the city without having to worry about traffic or taking unfamiliar routes. When deciding whether or not to use apps, bear in mind that you must have cell service in order to track your progress as you travel. Make sure you always have the address of your lodging as well as a map with the location underlined on it.
Buses are another wonderful mode of transportation to consider if you need to go a little farther. Long-distance buses are reputed to be significantly more pleasant than buses in the United States. Some even have seats that can be lowered to create totally horizontal sleeping chambers! PeruHop is a popular alternative among visitors since its timings and services are customized to the demands of tourists rather than inhabitants.
10. Apply WhatsApp
Given that WhatsApp is the most popular messaging app in Peru, you should definitely have it loaded on your mobile device. You will be able to communicate with other travelers, as well as tour providers and hotels, by using this app. Furthermore, it does not need cellular service, so you may interact with your Whatsapp contacts using just WiFi. Because this is the case, it is an excellent alternative for staying in touch with friends and family back home.
Furthermore, WhatsApp is particularly excellent for sending important documents such as passports and checks from one person to another. You should bear in mind that if you wish to use WhatsApp while traveling, you need consider getting a local SIM card or international mobile service for your phone. This will help you to avoid relying on wifi providers.
11. Learn key words in Spanish
Furthermore, if you are not proficient in Spanish, it is essential to get acquainted with specific key terms in order to maximize your experience in Peru. If you are acquainted with some key terminology, it will be much easier for you to traverse the region on your own and connect with the people.
The following are some key terms that can come in handy when touring:
Hello!…………………………………………. ¡Hola!
How are you?……………………………… ¿Cómo está usted? (formal)
Yes / No……………………………………… Sí / No.
How are you?……………………………….¿Cómo estás? (informal) ¿Qué tal?
Good morning………………………………Buenos días. (til lunch)
Fine, thanks, and you?…………………. ¿Bien, gracias, y usted? (frm)
Good evening……………………………… Buenas tardes. (after lunch)
Fine, thanks, and you?…………………. ¿Bien, gracias, y tu? (inf)
Good night………………………………….. Buenas noches. (after 6-7pm)
Thank you (very much)………………… (Muchas) gracias.
Goodbye……………………………………… Adios.
OK / Good……………………………………. Bien or De acuerdo.
See you later!/Goodbye……………………¡Hastaluego!
(Very)good……………………………………(Muy)bien.
See you tomorrow!……………………….. ¡Hasta mañana!
Excellent!…………………………………….. ¡Estupendo!
Cheers! (toast)…………………………….. ¡Salud!
Please…………………………………………. Por favor.
pull / push*…………………………………… tirar / empujar*
You’re welcome……………………………. De nada. (It was nothing)
open / closed*………………………………..abierto / cerrado*
Sorry……………………………………………..¡Perdón! / Lo siento.
small / big*……………………………………. pequeño / grande*
Excuse me, please get past…………….¿Me hace el favor?
Do you speak English?……………………¿Habla usted inglés?
A little………………………………………….. Un poco.
I don’t speak Spanish………………………………………. No hablo español.
I only speak a little Spanish………………………………. Hablo sólo un poco español.
I didn’t understand…………………………………………… (No) comprendo.
Please say that again………………………………………… Repítamelo, por favor.
Please speak more slowly……………………………………Por favor, hable más despacio.
Please write that down………………………………………. Por favor, escríbamelo.
Could you write that down?……………………………….. ¿Puede escribírmelo?
Excuse me? What?……………………………………………. ¿Cómo?
My bag / wallet / passport was stolen!………………….¡Me han robado el bolso / la billetera / el pasaporte !
I need a doctor!…………………………………………………. Llame a una ambulancia! un doctor!
Call the police!…………………………………………………… Llame a la policía!
12. Suggestions for being safe in Peru
- When visiting Peru, it is critical to prioritize your safety above everything else. Here are some key safety precautions to keep in mind throughout your visit:
- You should avoid carrying significant amounts of cash and make certain that your valuables are secure.
- Always be alert of your surroundings, but particularly in congested locations.
- Wearing costly stuff such as jewelry or cameras is strongly discouraged.
- It is important to examine the weather conditions before going to steep areas.
- Keep a minimal first aid kit on hand to respond to any minor medical requirements that may occur.
This is your Peruvian adventure!
Peru offers several opportunities for an instructive and remarkable trip. Discovering ancient ruins and enjoying in the city’s burgeoning culinary scene are just two of the numerous activities accessible to anyone. So grab your stuff, go on a journey of exploration, and let Peru’s magic to mesmerize your whole being and very existence.
Would you want to share any more travel tricks you discovered while in Peru? Make a comment and tell us about your best hidden secrets.