Article mis à jour le 2 Dec 2024
Top things to do in Peru
Peru is a country rich in gastronomy, landscapes and people. I’ve fallen in love with these warm lands, to which I’ll be returning one day, that’s for sure! In this article, we’ll take a look at what you can do in Peru and what you can’t miss.
Discovering one of the 7 wonders of the world: Machu Picchu
Machu Picchu, the Peruvian treasure
How can you visit Peru without seeing Machu Picchu? The ancient Inca city is truly a magical, incredible and mysterious place. Perched at an altitude of 2,430 m, Machu Picchu, which means “old mountain” in Inca, is one of the most visited sites in the world. And for good reason: it’s simply amazing!
My advice (which may seem obvious) is to get there as early as possible to avoid the crowds and feel like you’re at Disneyland. Of course, you won’t be alone in any case, but waking up at the crack of dawn will certainly work in your favor. And on the plus side, you’ll have the whole day to enjoy it and leave whenever you like! You’ll need to book your entry in advance, as the number of tickets available is limited to 2,500/day. Several sites offer entrance tickets, but I’d advise you to book a tour with or without a guide on GetYourGuide for greater peace of mind.
My other tip for visiting Machu Picchu
Check the weather forecast and equip yourself accordingly! Don’t forget that you’ll be climbing to almost 2,500 m, so if the weather’s fine, don’t forget sun cream, sunglasses and head coverings. If it’s raining, don’t forget your raincoat, appropriate footwear and warm clothes. And, of course, a water bottle!
Wayna Picchu, the forgotten mountain
Have you ever heard of Wayna Picchu? Personally, before I went to Machu Picchu, never! And yet, this is the mountain you see in the famous Machu Picchu photo, you know the one behind the ruins in the background?
Wayna Picchu, meaning “young mountain”, rises to 2693 m and offers a breathtaking view of Machu Picchu. The climb isn’t easy and is forbidden to under-12s, but with a little determination it can be done. Some passages have to be climbed with a rope, but nothing insurmountable (unless you’re afraid of heights, in which case I wouldn’t recommend it). Once you’ve reached the top, the views are even more fantastic than from Machu Picchu, and a sense of pride overwhelms you when you realize that you’re standing on top of one of the most magical places in the world. On top of that, I remember witnessing a marriage proposal – how could I resist shedding a tear at such a beautiful moment? You can also book your tickets in advance.
Where to stay when visiting Machu Picchu?
You’ll need to stay in the village of Aguas Calientes. I recommend the Hotel 911, at less than €50 a night with breakfast (from 4:30 a.m.). It’s very well located and quite modern compared to the village’s hotel offer.
If you want to treat yourself, you can book the Sumaq Machu Picchu Hotel, for a luxurious interlude before discovering the wonder of the world.
Cuzco, former capital of the Inca Empire
Not far from Aguas Calientes, some 100km away, lies Cuzco, the ancient capital of the Inca Empire. Disney fans are sure to want to go there, and rightly so, for Cuzco is well worth the detour! Known for its archaeological remains and Hispanic colonial architecture, it’s a city rich in history. It’s located at 3400m, so it’s advisable to spend several days there to let your body acclimatize to the altitude.
Personally, I didn’t feel unwell, just tired. A basic tip to guard against altitude sickness is to drink plenty of water and avoid alcohol. If you don’t feel well, you can always find sweets or infusions made from coca, the local plant that Peruvians have been using for hundreds of years (note: nothing to do with cocaine). My advice: go for a ceviche at San Pedro’s central market to get a feel for the local ambience and to treat yourself on a budget.
Other must-sees
What else is there to do in Peru besides Machu Picchu?
There’s no denying that Peru attracts thousands of people who want to visit the must-see Machu Picchu, but the country is full of nuggets just waiting to be explored. I was lucky enough to travel to Peru with a Peruvian friend, who took me to places that are still authentic. We visited her grandmother’s village in La Merced, in the Chanchamayo region. There I discovered the coffee culture and the local flora and fauna. Look at the size of this papaya, as big as two rugby balls!
Peru, land of coffee
Did you know that Peru is one of the world’s leading producers of Arabica coffee? The best Peruvian coffees come from the regions of Cuzco, Norte, Puno and Chanchamayo, where I visited. Numerous cooperatives open their doors to tourists curious to understand how this precious bean is grown. I visited Chanchamayo Highland Coffee, a cooperative that works directly with small local producers who have obtained fair trade certification. The cooperative opens its doors Monday to Friday, 9am to 7.30pm. All the info is on their website.
Peruvian flora and fauna
Still in the Chanchamayo region, you’ll find the country’s largest natural and wild area dedicated to butterflies, called the Mariposario Zhaveta Yard (mariposa meaning “butterfly” in Spanish). Open daily from 9 a.m. to 5.30 p.m. (7.30 p.m. on Saturdays), the visit is a truly instructive way to learn all about these little beauties. Finally, an hour’s drive away is the Bayoz waterfall, a real treasure hidden in the forest! I was very lucky when I went there, as I had the waterfall all to myself, and it was truly magnificent.
Visit the capital Lima
Lima, Peru’s largest city
Lima, Peru’s capital, is certainly a must-see, as you’re likely to be landing there and/or taking off from Jorge Chavez International Airport. This huge city of 9 million inhabitants is well worth a visit if you love history and gastronomy. Personally, as I’m not a big fan of metropolises, it wasn’t my favorite part of my stay. But I did enjoy the architecture of some of the monuments and their stories. As the city is quite spread out, I took a city tour by bus to enable me to discover the points of interest such as the coastal zone, the famous Miraflores district or the Huacas ruins, vestiges of civilizations predating the Incas.
Must-sees in the capital
Lima’s historic center is brimming with places to visit: palaces, cathedrals, museums, theaters, churches… Take a stroll through the narrow streets and be amazed by the architecture. To get there, take line A or C of the Metropolitano (bus that crosses the city from north to south) and get off at Colmena or Jiron de la Union. If you prefer to take a cab, simply ask it to drop you off at Plaza de Armas (also known as Plaza Mayor), the birthplace of Lima. It was here that Francisco Pizarro founded the city in 1535.
This square, the oldest in the capital, is home to the three main historical monuments: the Government Palace, Lima Cathedral and the Archbishop’s Palace. Just a few steps from the square is the impressive San Francisco Basilica, where you can visit the catacombs. At the risk of sounding a little creepy, and having made the visit myself, I recommend that you don’t miss out!
Don’t miss the Barranco district! This colorful neighborhood is Lima‘s most bohemian. You can even book a free tour.
Among the must-do activities in Lima, I recommend booking a cooking class. It’s the perfect way to immerse yourself in the local culture and indulge yourself at the same time!
Where to sleep in Lima?
Accommodation in Lima is often in apartments, and very affordable. I can only recommend the Hermoso Apart Barranco 1110, which is very well located, modern, with a rooftop pool and a price of 20€ per night!
What to eat in Peru
Peruvian cuisine is a true delight! Peruvian gastronomy is considered one of the best in the world, and the Central restaurant in Lima was voted best restaurant in the world in 2023, no less! I recommend you try the leche de tigre, which is in fact the ceviche juice served on its own. My favorite dish is aji de gallina, a chicken-based dish served with eggs and rice, cooked with aji, a Peruvian chili pepper that gives the dish its yellow color. Another typical dish is cuy, which you’ll find more inland (vegetarians please, as it’s guinea pig). Finally, when it comes to drinks, you absolutely must try the local Cusqueña beer, the local Inca Kola soda, a fluorescent yellow fizzy drink with a candy and chewing-gum taste, and the Pisco sour, a drink made from pisco (grape alcohol), lemon juice and egg white.
10 other must-sees in Peru that you can visit :
- Nazca Lines
- 7-colour mountain
- Mitzi Volcano
- Huaraz in the Peruvian Andes
- Arequipa, the white city
- Puno, on the banks of the Titicaca
- Puerto Maldonado, the Peruvian Amazon
- Paracas Nature Reserve and Ballestas Islands
- Gocta Falls
- Choquequirao Archaeological Park
The list could be long, but I’ve stopped at 10!
Practical information: planning your trip to Peru
The currency
The local currency is the Peruvian sol, and the exchange rate on 28/11/24 is as follows: 1 sol = 0.25cts euros.
To avoid ATM charges, withdraw money from Banco de la Nación or Multired. Before you leave, it’s important to make sure you don’t incur too many charges with your bank card.
➡️ When to go to Peru?
Generally speaking, the best time to visit Peru is between April and October. This is the dry season in places you can’t miss, such as the Andes (Machu Picchu) and the Amazon. For Lima and the coast, prefer December to April.
➡️ Where to buy your plane ticket?
We recommend that you compare the best offers and book your flights on Ulysse. You can save €10 on your first Ulysse flight booking by registering via our link!
How do I get internet on my phone?
The two recommended operators in Peru are Claro and Bitel. 20 GB with Claro and a local sim costs just 10€.
How do I get around Peru?
I advise you to opt for internal flights for long distances, and otherwise to take the bus, as the networks are very well developed. I don’t recommend renting a car, as the roads can be tedious and dangerous if you’re unfamiliar with them (especially the winding mountain roads).
- Domestic flights: Latam, Peruvian Airlines, Sky Peru, LC Peru
- Bus: Cruz del Sur, Civa, Oltursa, Movilbus, Transzela. You can book your tickets in advance for greater security.
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Je suis Aurélie, co-créatrice du blog et de l’Instagram Amoureux du Monde. Depuis 2016, j’ai eu la chance de visiter de nombreuses destinations et de me former à la photographie via ces expériences. Ce que je recherche en voyage, c’est l’apaisement devant un magnifique paysage, l’émerveillement devant la beauté de la nature et l’émotion devant un coucher de soleil.
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