Peru Travel Guide

Peru attracts most visitors for one reason: Machu Picchu. Fair enough — it’s one of the greatest ruins in the world. But the country has so much more. Peru has the richest, most complex, and most innovative cuisine in Latin America. Its Amazon destinations rival Brazil, with flora and fauna you’ve only seen in documentaries. And the history goes far beyond the Inca. Ancient civilizations on the northern coast built sprawling ruins that rival — and in some ways surpass — the Inca in technological and artistic achievement. The culture is a layered mix of indigenous Quechua traditions and Spanish colonial influence, and you feel it everywhere — in the food, the architecture, the festivals.

In this Peru travel guide, you’ll find loads of tips, advice, and inspiration to help you plan your trip, including practical information on getting around and staying safe. The information is based on my two visits to Peru. The first was a tour of the southern highlights — Machu Picchu, Cusco, and the Amazon jungle. The second time, I spent three months traveling by local bus from north to south, coast to mountains, desert to jungle, hitting unexplored destinations like Chachapoyas and Chiclayo alongside more popular stops like Arequipa and Rainbow Mountain.