Frequently Asked Questions — Travel to Peru

Most travelers do not need a visa. If you are a citizen of the Americas, European Union, UK, Australia, New Zealand or Japan, you only need a valid passport (minimum 6 months) and an outbound ticket. A tourist stay of up to 183 days is granted and documented in the digital TAM (Andean Migration Card) issued on arrival. If your nationality is not in those groups, check the official list at migraciones.gob.pe.

It depends on what you want to see:

• 7 days — minimum viable: Lima, Cusco and Machu Picchu.
• 10–14 days — ideal: add Sacred Valley, Rainbow Mountain and Lake Titicaca.
• 18–21 days — to include Arequipa, Colca Canyon, Nazca or the Amazon.

In fewer than 5 days you can only cover Cusco and Machu Picchu at a very intense pace — we do not recommend it.

Not essential if you travel with an agency. Spanish is the official language, spoken by 82% of the population. In Cusco and the south, Quechua is also widely spoken. If you travel independently outside tourist areas, basic Spanish helps. With Pacha Mama Spirit you will have bilingual guides in English, French, German, Italian and Chinese.

Peru is safe in its tourist zones: Cusco, Sacred Valley, Machu Picchu, Arequipa, Puno, Trujillo and central Lima. Basic precautions:

• Use app-based taxis — in Lima: Uber, Cabify or InDrive (avoid street taxis).
• Do not display valuables in public spaces.
• Keep a digital copy of your passport in the cloud.
• Cusco has POLTUR (Tourist Police) operating 24/7.
• Emergency number: 105.

Traveling with an agency reduces risk to virtually zero.

Cusco sits at 3,399 metres (11,152 ft). To prevent soroche:

• Acclimatize for at least 2 days before any demanding activity.
• Drink plenty of water and herbal infusions (coca-leaf tea, a traditional local remedy).
• Avoid alcohol for the first 48 hours.
• Eat light, avoid fatty or heavy meals.
• Rest well on your first night — do not plan trekking on day one.

Coca leaves are legal, ancestral and effective. If symptoms are severe (vomiting, intense headache, disorientation), seek medical attention — Cusco has 24/7 oxygen services and well-equipped clinics.

No vaccination is mandatory to enter Peru. Yellow fever is recommended if you plan to visit the Amazon jungle (Iquitos, Puerto Maldonado, Manu). For Cusco, Machu Picchu and the coast it is not required. Keep tetanus, hepatitis A and B up to date. Consult a travel medicine doctor 4–6 weeks before departure.

No. Tap water is not potable in most of the country, including Cusco and Lima. Always drink bottled or filtered water. Tourist lodges and hotels offer free filtered water. Bring a reusable filter bottle (LifeStraw, Grayl) — Machu Picchu has banned disposable plastic bottles since 2019.

May to September is the dry season with clear skies — ideal for trekking but very crowded. April and October offer the best balance of good weather, fewer tourists and reasonable prices. In February the Classic Inca Trail closes for maintenance — Machu Picchu and alternative routes (Salkantay, Lares) remain open.

Four main routes:

1. Tourist train from Ollantaytambo — most comfortable, 4 hours total.
2. Classic Inca Trail — 4 days hiking, permit required 6 months in advance.
3. Salkantay Trek — 5 days, no special permit, more affordable.
4. Hydroelectric route — van plus hike, 6 hours, cheapest option.

For 95% of travelers we recommend option 1 for comfort and time.

The official currency is the Peruvian Sol (PEN). 2026 reference exchange rate: 1 USD ≈ 3.75 soles; 1 EUR ≈ 4.10 soles.

Daily budget:

• Backpacker: 40–60 USD (hostel, public transport, market food).
• Mid-range: 80–120 USD (3-star hotel, restaurants, one tour per day).
• Luxury: 200+ USD (boutique hotel, private tours, fine dining).

US dollars are accepted at large hotels, tourist restaurants and agencies. For everyday use, pay in soles. Exchange money only at official exchange houses, never on the street.

2026 reference budget for 10 days covering Lima, Cusco, Sacred Valley and Machu Picchu:

• Backpacker: 700–900 USD
• Mid-range: 1,500–2,000 USD
• Luxury: 3,500–5,000 USD

International flights not included. All-inclusive tours with a local agency usually offer better value than booking everything independently from abroad.

Yes at hotels, tourist restaurants, supermarkets and agencies. Visa and MasterCard are the most widely accepted; American Express has limited coverage. At markets, local transport, taxis and small villages use cash or the local mobile apps Yape and Plin (require a Peruvian phone number). Always carry some cash in soles.

No, compared to Europe, the United States or Australia. Peru offers great variety: from hostels at 10 USD per night to luxury lodges at over 500 USD. Street market food: 3–5 USD; mid-range restaurant: 10–15 USD; fine dining: 40–80 USD. Local transport and tours are affordable.

The most expensive items are usually the train tickets to Machu Picchu and the citadel entrance fee.

Dress in layers. In Cusco you can have intense sunshine during the day and near-freezing temperatures at night. Essentials: thermal base layers, fleece or mid-layer, waterproof jacket, trekking trousers (avoid jeans), sun hat and wool hat, buff, light gloves, already broken-in hiking boots and comfortable trainers.

For the jungle, add lightweight breathable clothing and strong insect repellent. For the coast, summer clothes.

Yes, but with limitations. You can buy your ticket at tuboleto.cultura.pe and train tickets at perurail.com or incarail.com. Since 2024 all entries require a certified guide inside the citadel. The Classic Inca Trail requires a licensed agency by law. For other access routes, you can go independently if you have travel experience.

Must-tries:

• Ceviche — lime-marinated fresh fish. National cultural heritage dish.
• Lomo saltado — stir-fried beef with Chinese-Peruvian influence (chifa).
• Ají de gallina — creamy ají pepper sauce with shredded chicken.
• Causa limeña — layered yellow potato dish with filling.
• Anticuchos — grilled beef heart skewers.
• Cuy al horno — roasted guinea pig (traditional Andean, if you dare).
• Native potatoes — Peru has over 3,800 varieties.
• Chicha morada — purple corn drink.
• Pisco sour — the national cocktail.

In Cusco try chiri uchu in June. Peruvian cuisine ranks among the world's top three.

It is the most important ceremony of the Andean worldview. A master or paqo prepares an offering to Pachamama (Mother Earth) with coca leaves, seeds, wool, sweets and symbolic elements — each representing a petition or act of gratitude.

It is performed in August (the sacred month of Pachamama), before an important journey, or as thanks after a healing. At Pacha Mama Spirit we include authentic ceremonies led by community paqos — not tourist performances.

Yes, Peru is a very family-friendly destination. Recommendations:

• Avoid altitudes above 3,500m (11,480 ft) with children under 3 years old.
• Gradual acclimatization: Lima → Sacred Valley (2,800m) → Cusco (3,399m).
• Choose itineraries with more time and less intensity.
• Travel insurance with pediatric coverage.

Machu Picchu is suitable for the whole family — many travelers bring children from age 6. The Inca Trail is generally recommended from age 10. We design family tours with adapted activities.