Travel Guide to Peru 2026: Machu Picchu, Cusco, Lima & the Amazon
Planning to visit Peru? This travel guide to Peru covers everything for a first trip: where Peru is, the best time to go, entry rules, Machu Picchu tickets, the 10 best places to visit, a 7-day itinerary, realistic costs, altitude and safety tips, and the best hotels and universities. From the Inca citadel of Machu Picchu and the old Inca capital of Cusco to the food scene of Lima, Lake Titicaca, the Colca Canyon, the Nazca Lines and the Amazon rainforest, Peru is one of South America's great adventures.
Last updated: October 2026 · Entry rules and taxes in this travel guide to Peru were checked against official sources
📊 Quick Facts for Your Travel guide to Peru
- Capital: Lima💡 South America's food capital
- Currency: Peruvian sol (PEN)💡 Carry small notes in the Andes. Check today's rate
- Languages: Spanish, Quechua and Aymara💡 Quechua is widely spoken in the Andes
- Population: About 34.5 million💡 2026 estimate
- Area: 1,285,216 km²💡 The third-largest country in South America
- Time zone: UTC−5💡 No daylight saving. Convert times
- UNESCO sites: 13💡 Including Machu Picchu, Cusco, the Nazca Lines and Arequipa
- Power: 220 V, plug types A and C💡 Bring a universal adapter
ℹ️ Figures in this travel guide to Peru are 2026 estimates from official and international sources.
📍 Where Is Peru?
Peru is on the Pacific coast of South America, just south of the Equator. It borders Ecuador and Colombia to the north, Brazil to the east, and Bolivia and Chile to the south-east and south. The country has three zones: a narrow desert coast (with Lima), the high Andes (with Cusco, Arequipa and Lake Titicaca) and the Amazon rainforest, which covers about 60% of the land.
Most visitors fly into Lima and take a short flight (about 1 hour 20 minutes) to Cusco. Machu Picchu is reached by train from Cusco or Ollantaytambo to Aguas Calientes, then a bus up the mountain. Check the distance from your city with our distance calculator.
📅 Best Time to Visit Peru
The best time to visit Peru's Andes and Machu Picchu is the dry season, May to September, with sunny days and cold nights; it is also the busiest, especially June to August. April and October are good shoulder months. The wet season (November–March) brings afternoon rain to the mountains, and the Inca Trail closes every February for maintenance. Lima's coast is sunny from December to April and grey (the "garúa") from June to October. In the Amazon, it is drier and easier to explore from May to October.
Best for Machu Picchu, Cusco and trekking; book early.
Green mountains, afternoon rain; Inca Trail closed in February.
Sunny Lima, Paracas and Huacachina.
The Inca Festival of the Sun in Cusco.
📅 Use the seasons in this travel guide to Peru to match your trip to the weather, festivals and prices you want.
🛂 Peru Visa & Entry Requirements (2026)
Visa-free for many visitors: citizens of the USA, UK, EU countries, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Japan and most of Latin America can visit Peru for tourism without a visa. The immigration officer decides the length of stay, usually up to 90 days and in some cases up to 183 days, so ask for the number of days you need.
- PassportValid for at least 6 months on arrival.
- Onward ticketAirlines may ask for proof of return or onward travel.
- Yellow feverVaccination is recommended for parts of the Amazon.
- OverstaysA daily fine is charged when you leave, so keep track of your days.
🔗 Official sources: Migraciones Perú · Official Machu Picchu tickets (Ministry of Culture). Entry rules change, so always confirm before booking.
🛂 Entry rules in this travel guide to Peru were last checked in October 2026.
🏔️ 10 Best Places to Visit in Peru
These are the places we recommend most in this travel guide to Peru, with the best months to see each one.
The Inca citadel in the clouds; hike the Inca Trail or take the train.
💡 Best time: Apr–OctThe Inca capital: Plaza de Armas, Qorikancha and Sacsayhuamán.
💡 Best time: Apr–OctPisac market, Ollantaytambo, Moray's terraces and the Maras salt pans.
💡 Best time: Apr–OctStriped mountain slopes at over 5,000 m, a tough day hike.
💡 Best time: May–SepWorld-class restaurants, the colonial centre and the cliffs of Miraflores and Barranco.
💡 Best time: Dec–AprThe floating Uros islands and Taquile island at 3,800 m.
💡 Best time: May–OctThe "White City" and condors soaring over one of the world's deepest canyons.
💡 Best time: Apr–NovGiant ancient drawings in the desert, best seen from a light aircraft.
💡 Best time: All yearSea lions on the Ballestas Islands and sandboarding at a desert oasis.
💡 Best time: Dec–AprJungle lodges, river trips and wildlife.
💡 Best time: May–Oct🗺️ 7-Day Peru Itinerary for First-Time Visitors
A classic first trip focused on Cusco and Machu Picchu, with time to adjust to the altitude.
Follow this route from our travel guide to Peru day by day, or shorten it to fit your trip.
- Lima: arrive; Miraflores clifftops and a ceviche lunch or a top restaurant.
- Sacred Valley: fly to Cusco and go straight down to the lower valley (2,800 m) to acclimatise; Pisac.
- Sacred Valley: Moray, Maras salt pans and Ollantaytambo's fortress.
- Aguas Calientes: scenic train from Ollantaytambo; hot springs in the evening.
- Machu Picchu: early bus to your timed slot, then train back to Cusco.
- Cusco: Plaza de Armas, Qorikancha, San Pedro Market and Sacsayhuamán.
- Rainbow Mountain or Cusco: a day hike if you feel well, then fly home via Lima.
➕ With more time: add the 4-day Inca Trail, Lake Titicaca, Arequipa and the Colca Canyon, or a few days in the Amazon.
💵 How Much Does a Trip to Peru Cost?
Peru is good value, though Machu Picchu (entry, train and bus) is a big expense. These are approximate daily costs per person in 2026, excluding international flights. Use our currency converter to see them in your own currency.
| Travel style | Per day (approx.) | What it covers |
|---|---|---|
| Budget | US$40–70 | Hostels, set lunch menus (menú del día) and buses |
| Mid-range | US$100–180 | Boutique hotels, restaurants, domestic flights and tours |
| Luxury | US$350 + | Luxury lodges, the Hiram Bingham train and private guides |
💡 All prices in this travel guide to Peru are per person, per day, and change with the season and exchange rates.
🚆 Budget around US$250–400 per person for a Machu Picchu day trip from Cusco, including the entry ticket, return train and the bus up to the site.
💡 Safety & Travel Tips for Your Travel guide to Peru
Peru is generally safe for tourists, but take care in big cities: use registered taxis or ride-hailing apps in Lima, watch your bags in markets and bus stations, and avoid walking alone at night in quiet areas. The biggest health issue is altitude sickness in Cusco (3,400 m) and Puno (3,800 m): rest on your first day, drink water and coca tea, and consider sleeping lower in the Sacred Valley first. Roadblocks and protests sometimes disrupt travel, so check local news.
Start in the Sacred Valley, below Cusco.
Especially June to August and Huayna Picchu.
Change for taxis, markets and toilets.
Mountain days are warm, nights freezing.
Avoid tap water and raw salads in rural areas.
"Gracias" in Spanish, "Sulpayki" in Quechua.
🏨 Best Hotels in Peru: 8 Top Picks
Stay in Miraflores or Barranco in Lima, in the historic centre in Cusco, and in the Sacred Valley for an easier start at altitude.
The only hotel beside the entrance to Machu Picchu.
Check prices on Booking.com →Casitas in orchid gardens below the citadel.
Check prices on Booking.com →A 16th-century manor house with only 11 suites.
Check prices on Booking.com →A restored convent with oxygen-enriched rooms.
Check prices on Booking.com →A riverside resort with its own train station.
Check prices on Booking.com →A colonial hacienda with gardens and a spa.
Check prices on Booking.com →A rooftop pool over the Pacific.
Check prices on Booking.com →A bayside base for the Ballestas Islands.
Check prices on Booking.com →🔎 How we chose for this travel guide to Peru: hotels are picked for location, reputation and a spread of regions and styles. Prices and availability change daily, so the buttons open live Booking.com results for each property.
🤝 Affiliate disclosure: hotel buttons are affiliate links. If you book through them, AtlasWise may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. It never changes which hotels we list.
🎓 Top Universities in Peru
Peru's universities include the oldest in the Americas, and Spanish-language courses are popular with visitors in Cusco and Lima.
| University | City | Type |
|---|---|---|
| Pontifical Catholic University of Peru (PUCP) | Lima | Private |
| National University of San Marcos (UNMSM) | Lima | Public |
| Cayetano Heredia University (UPCH) | Lima | Private |
| University of the Pacific (UP) | Lima | Private |
| National University of Engineering (UNI) | Lima | Public |
Peru's top-ranked university.
Visit website →Founded in 1551, the oldest university in the Americas.
Visit website →Peru's leading medical and health sciences university.
Visit website →Top for economics, finance and business.
Visit website →Peru's premier engineering school.
Visit website →🔎 How we chose for this travel guide to Peru: the leading universities in Peru by reputation and research. Last checked: October 2026.
🌺 Peruvian Culture & Food
Peruvian culture blends the heritage of the Inca and earlier civilisations such as the Nazca, Moche and Chavín with Spanish colonial traditions and Afro-Peruvian, Chinese and Japanese influences. In the Andes, you will see colourful hand-woven textiles, llamas and alpacas, and festivals such as Inti Raymi (24 June) and Qoyllur Rit'i.
Peru is one of the world's great food countries. Try ceviche, lomo saltado, ají de gallina, causa, anticuchos, Chinese-Peruvian chifa, Andean quinoa soups and, if you dare, roast cuy (guinea pig), with a pisco sour or a purple chicha morada.
❓ Travel Guide to Peru: FAQ
Do I need a visa for Peru?
Citizens of the USA, UK, EU, Canada, Australia and many other countries can visit visa-free, usually for up to 90 days (up to 183 days at the officer's discretion).
How do I get Machu Picchu tickets?
Buy timed tickets from the official Ministry of Culture website or a licensed agency; book weeks or months ahead for June–August.
What is the best time to visit Peru?
May to September, the dry season in the Andes; April and October are good shoulder months.
Is the Inca Trail open all year?
No. It closes every February for maintenance, and permits sell out months ahead.
How do I avoid altitude sickness in Cusco?
Start in the lower Sacred Valley, rest on day one, drink water and coca tea, and ask a doctor about medication.
Is Peru safe for tourists?
Generally yes. Use registered taxis, watch your belongings in cities and check for road protests.
How many days do you need in Peru?
Seven days for Lima, Cusco and Machu Picchu; two weeks to add Lake Titicaca, Arequipa or the Amazon.
What currency does Peru use?
The Peruvian sol (PEN); US dollars are accepted by some hotels and tour companies.
📚 Trusted Resources for Your Travel guide to Peru
- Peru Travel (PromPerú)Official tourism portal
- Machu Picchu ticketsOfficial Ministry of Culture ticket site
- UNESCO: PeruWorld Heritage Sites in Peru
Finished this travel guide to Peru? 🌍 More South American guides: Bolivia · Colombia · Brazil · Chile · All of South America
⚖️ Compare Peru with other countries in Compare Countries.
🏛️ Planning a bucket list? See the 20 best World Heritage Sites to visit.
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