Peru was the very first country we visited in South America, and despite the initial culture shock, we absolutely loved it. We started our journey in Lima, from where we headed north into the mountains surrounding Huaraz. After that, our route turned south: through coastal Paracas, the desert of Ica, mysterious Nazca, and colonial Arequipa all the way to Cusco, the former capital of the Inca Empire. Of course, we couldn’t miss the legendary Machu Picchu. Later, we took a detour into the Amazon (Puerto Maldonado) and finished our journey at Lake Titicaca, where we crossed the border into Bolivia. In total, we spent 58 days in this diverse country.

Why visit Peru?

If you think Peru offers “only” Machu Picchu, you couldn’t be further from the truth. There is so much more to see—from glaciers and high mountains to deserts and jungles. Additionally, Peruvian gastronomy is rightfully considered the best in all of South America.

You can read more details about our journey here:

  1. Lima - the first days
  2. Huaraz and Huascarán NP
  3. Heading south - Paracas, Ica (Huacachina), Nazca, Arequipa
  4. Cusco and surroundings (+ Machu Picchu)
  5. The Amazon and Lake Titicaca

How we traveled

We tried to travel on a budget, but at the same time, we told ourselves we might never return, so we wanted to see as much as possible. Our only regret is skipping the north of Peru (the Trujillo area and the Kuelap temples), but the distances were simply enormous. Just for reference: we traveled over 4000 km on the ground.

  • Buses: We didn’t take a single domestic flight and we didn’t rent a car. Long-distance buses in Peru are comfortable and safe. We mostly chose night transfers, which saved us both exploration time and money for accommodation. “Cama” or “Semi-cama” seats can be reclined to an angle of 140° to 160°, making it possible to get a decent night’s sleep.
  • People and language: Peruvians are very friendly, but in tourist areas (especially Paracas), expect people to try to earn money from you whenever they can. Basic Spanish is an absolute necessity—you won’t get by with English alone.

Practical tips for survival (and saving money) - 2025 version:

  • Gastro tip – Menu del día: The best way to eat well and cheaply. Almost every restaurant offers a lunch menu that includes a soup, a main course, and a drink. It usually isn’t in the printed menu; look for the boards outside or inside the restaurant. Prices range between 8–20 PEN (approx. 2.5–6 USD). It is typically available every day except Sunday.
  • Transport – Peru Hop vs. Local busses: Peru Hop is heavily promoted on blogs as the safest option for tourists. While it might be more social (if that’s what you’re looking for) and better tailored to foreign tourists, it is also significantly more expensive. We used regular long-distance lines the entire time, felt perfectly safe, and a rough estimate is that it cost us less than half the price.
  • ATM withdrawals: Banco de la Nación ATMs (Multired network) allow withdrawals with foreign payment cards without a fee. You can usually withdraw a maximum of 400 PEN (approx. 120 USD) at a time, and from some machines, you can do this repeatedly. Cash is still a necessity in Peru—many accommodations and smaller businesses do not accept cards at all (or charge an extra fee).