MOST BEAUTIFUL PLACES IN PERU TO VISIT
Peru is an amazing country filled with a variety of deserts, cities, mountains, and rainforests. Peru is so rich in stunning places that it is almost impossible to see them all – so here is a list of the best places to visit in Peru + some important travel information.
A mixture of ancient Incan history and modern cities await – you will see ruins in the mountains that date back thousands of years, pink river dolphins in the Amazon that exist nowhere else in the world, and oases in the desert that seem to pop up out of nowhere.
This post was written by Cassandra.
Important Travel Information for Peru
Find a quick pre-travel guide with the most important travel information before talking about the most unique places in Peru.
Travel Tips For Peru
- Do not drink tap water- drink bottled water only!
- Although coca tea and leaves are common here (and do help with altitude sickness), remember you cannot bring any home with you, and if drug tested shortly after, you will show positive for cocaine.
- There is a good chance of you getting altitude sickness and you should be prepared. I personally developed very severe altitude sickness, which escalated to altitude poisoning and was violently ill for about 24 hours. My suggestions are to take altitude sickness pills ahead of time if you have access to them. If not, be sure to take a few days in Cuzco to adjust. Take it easy with resting and early nights.
- Avoid drinking alcohol for the first 24 hours at a high altitude and aim for large lunch and small dinner since digestion can be affected. Bringing over-the-counter meds like Pepto and Dramamine can help a bit, as can local remedies of coca tea if needed.
- Be sure to get any necessary travel vaccinations especially if you plan to visit the Amazon jungle, requiring anti-malarial pills.
- Carry a hidden money belt and be aware of pickpocketing, especially in urban areas.
- When shopping, always haggle! Like most places in the USA, tipping is expected (I generally go with a 10% rule).
Safety as a Female in Peru
- Most importantly, be aware of your surroundings– always.
- Don’t walk around alone late at night, be careful not to expose your money/valuables, and trust your gut if a person or situation doesn‘t feel right- leave.
- Don’t go out drinking alone and don’t share your hotel information with people you don’t trust.
- If you don’t feel comfortable walking, grab a taxi and establish the price before getting in.
- Be conscious that every city has good and bad areas- research before you go so you know your good areas and stay in them.
- Knowing some Spanish (even just the basics) is also beneficial. I do not speak Spanish fluently, but over the years have gained enough to ask for directions, have basic conversations and understanding, which can be incredibly helpful, pick up a phrasebook, and practice before going. If you are staying mainly in coastal areas where tourism is more common, English is more widely spoken.
- Aim to blend in – don’t wear/ flash designer items and expensive jewelry, for example, and don’t dress too revealingly. The Incan culture is more conservative.
- Be sure to wear a bra (this will help avoid unwanted sexual attention in Latin America). Catcalling is common, but always ignore it and continue walking. It’s best to avoid confrontation.
How to Get Around in Peru
In the cities, you would mainly walk or can use taxi services.
- Making your way between regions depends. Getting from Lima to Iquitos to see the Amazon requires a flight.
- If you make your way to Machu Picchu, you will want to fly from Lima to Cuzco, then make your way to Ollantaytambo – the easiest way to do so is to take a collectivo taxi service and then from Ollantaytambo take the train to Aguas Calientes and then the bus goes daily up to Machu Picchu (round trip).
- The smaller side trips like Ballestas islands or Maras salt flats are best done with a small tour group via Peru Hop or Viator.
Things to Pack
- Be sure to pack a variety of clothing. I found layering to be best to adjust to temperature as needed.
- In Cuzco, I found myself wearing a sweater and scarf but wearing a summer dress in Agua Calientes, for example. Of course, comfortable walking shoes and hiking shoes for Machu Picchu.
- Bug spray, sunblock, sunglasses, and a basic first aid kit with over-the-counter meds. Cities here can be loud, so be sure to grab some earplugs for sleeping.
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Where to Stay in Peru
- Lima: Miraflores is the best area of Lima to stay and I recommend the Hotel Antigua Miraflores. It’s a classic South American-style hotel, cozy and in a good location.
- Cusco: Taypikala Hotel Cusco, this hotel is a nice spot to be in, only about a 10-minute walk from Plaza de Armas so you get some quiet at night but can easily explore and access restaurants and the town center on foot.
- Agua Calientes: This is “Machu Picchu Town” – although very hilly, so be prepared to do a lot of walking on steep slopes. A great option here is Taypikala Boutique Machu Picchu
- Puno: This is the town you’ll stay in to access Lake Titicaca. I would recommend Casona Plaza Hotel Puno.
Best Time to Visit Peru
Peru is in the Southern Hemisphere, and they have a wet and dry season.
The dry season ranges June-August, with the wet season ranging December-February. I recommend avoiding the wet season. The dry season brings much less rain and brings big crowds, so I found the best time to go is during March-May or September-November.
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BEST PLACES IN PERU TO VISIT IN 2023/2024
Okay, let´s get started with the places to visit in Peru.
Visit Machu Picchu
One of the must-see places in Peru is…Machu Picchu.
Machu Picchu is an Incan citadel set high – at 7,000 feet above sea level, in the Andes Mountains. It was built in the 15th century and later abandoned, it is not very clear what exactly it was used for. It became a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1983 and was named one of the New Seven Wonders of the World in 2007
In the 16th century, the Spanish army and its allies started to gain ground over the Inca Empire, and Manco Inca abandoned Machu Picchu, fleeing to safer retreats. Today it has become the main tourist attraction in Peru.
Machu Picchu was always a major bucket list trip for me, and seeing it in person was absolutely awe-inspiring! It is one of the most beautiful sights I have seen in all my travels.
You can either hike the Inca trail (which takes 4 days), or you can take the bus from Agua Calientes (Machu Picchu town), which is what I did.
Being fairly fit myself, I personally found the amount of hiking during my trip and my altitude sickness quite exhausting and couldn’t imagine doing the 4-day trail, but if you are fit and want to do it, I have heard it is amazing!
Regardless of how you plan to get to Machu Picchu, make sure you get there and see it! It will be the highlight of any trip to Peru.
Check out Prices for Guided Machu Picchu Tours
Lima
Here is another top place to visit in Peru is actually Lima.
The city is right on the coast, and most people tend to skip it to get to the more “exciting” parts of their trip, but Lima actually has a lot to offer! I only spent 2 days here and wished I had had more time.
Miraflores is the best district in Lima to stay in. Still, for exploring, I recommend visiting the historic downtown to see some amazing architecture as well as the Saint Francisco Monastery and catacombs.
I also recommend visiting Barranco (one of my favorite areas) to try some great cuisine, experience the arts, and see amazing street art murals.
In addition to seeing the historic downtown and Barranco, I also recommend doing a food and or wine tour – there are some delicious things to try here! Ceviche, Pisco Sour, South American wine, and some amazing traditional dishes. You can also use Lima as a base to visit the Pachcamac pyramids.
Cucco
Cusco is another place for your Peru bucket list!
Cusco, also spelled Cuzco, is a city in the Andes – it was once the capital of the Inca Empire. Now, it is known for its archaeological remains and Spanish colonial architecture. Cusco was one of my favorite spots! Although it is most people’s first spot in the country with quite a high altitude (at about 3,399 meters – more than 11000 feet), be prepared.
The scenery is beautiful: cobblestone streets, the Andes mountains, Incan women walking llamas, and the Plaza de Armas featuring the gorgeous Cathedral Basilica of Our Lady of the Assumption.
It’s important to stay here a few days – explore the markets and soak everything in but also adjust to the altitude.
Ballestas Islands
The Ballestas Islands are also a beautiful place to see in Peru.
The Ballestas Islands are a group of small islands near the town of Paracas in the Ica Region, on the south coast of Peru.
The “poor man Galapagos”- the Ballestas Islands – makes an amazing day trip from Lima. The islands are full of wildlife, including pelicans, the Peruvian booby, and several other bird species. Also, colonies of sea lions inhabit the islands, and if you are lucky, you may see some whales, dolphins, and even penguins! Check out different tours to Ballestas Island.
Huacachina Desert Oasis
A must-see place in Peru is the Huacachina Desert Oasis.
Did you know that about 10% of the country is actually made up of sandy coastal deserts? Huacachina is in the Atacama desert and in the middle of the desert are a magical lagoon and a small-town forming Huacachina.
You can go sandboarding, dune buggy, or relax and explore this amazing spot. You can do the 1-day excursion from Lima that combines Ballestas Islands and Huacachina Oasis – add 1-2 overnight stays to catch more sights like a Pisco vineyard, Paracas National Reserve, and more.
Check out Tours and Prices for a Full-Day Tour to Ballestas Islands and Huacachina from Lima
Floating Villages of Lake Titicaca
One of the most fun things to do in Peru is to visit the floating islands.
The Uros Islands are a group of 70 man-made woven totora reed islands floating on Lake Titicaca. It is inhabited by the Uros tribe which is a pre-date Incan civilization. About 4,000 people live in the floating houses on the lake.
The Uros people created these floating villages to escape aggressive tribes on the mainland. When visiting, you can see the people continuously weaving to maintain the villages and reed islands. It’s a fascinating sight in Peru!
The Nazca Lines
When in Peru… the Nazca Lines are a must-see!
The Nazca Lines, in Southern Peru, are giant pre-Columbian geoglyphs etched into desert sands. How they were created is a mystery! There are about 300 different figures and they stretch more than 9 kilometers.
Some people even believe aliens created them – however, they were created between 500 BC and AD 500. These fascinating designs are so large they can only be seen by air as a whole.
Booking a flight over the lines is an amazing experience and 100% worth it. Just be sure to take motion sickness pills just if the turns of the plane circling over the lines can upset some travelers’ stomachs.
Check out Prices for Helicopter Flights Over the Nazca Lines
The Sacred Valley (Between Lima and Cuzco)
Another great place to visit in Peru is the Sacred Valley.
The Sacred Valley is an “in between” spot in the Andean Highlands filled with treasures of its own.
You can spot small villages, ancient ruins like Pisac, Moray, and Ollantaytambo, and weaving co-ops where you can visit local Incan communities weaving and selling their goods (which was one of my favorite stops). Here we learned the women’s traditional techniques today and watched as white wools were turned bright yellow by their dyes made from seeped flower petals. It was lovely.
Cruise Down the Amazon River (From Iquitos)
Although most of the treasures lay in the mountains, you won’t want to miss the Amazon jungle teeming with wildlife.
Flying into Iquitos and taking a short cruise down parts of the river is the best and easiest way to see this region.
You also have the option of staying in jungle lodges in Iquitos and doing daily excursions, but there’s nothing more magical than floating down the river itself.
You’ll get to witness the pink river dolphins found nowhere else in the world. Also, you take land trips from the boat to explore the jungle and local villages’ wildlife. Just be sure to properly prepare yourself for the Amazon with necessary vaccinations and anti-malarial pills.
You can find some great options for both Iquitos lodges and Amazon river cruises.
- Read more: 10 best things to do in Chile
- Read more: 11 best things to do in Sucre, Bolivia
Maras Salt Flats
Make sure to add the Maras Salt Flats to your itinerary.
The salt mines here were terraced on the mountain slopes and created an amazing effect and surreal scenery -the salt pans are still used exactly as they were at the time of the Incas.
You can do this as a day trip from Cuzco most easily via Viator and can combine it with a visit to the Moray Incan site. Depending on the time of year, sometimes the terraces catch water and create a mirror effect, which is quite beautiful. It’s a nice “off the beaten path” stop during any Peru itinerary.
Check out Rates for a Day Tour to Maras, Moray, and Salt Flats from Cusco
FINAL THOUGHTS ON THE BEST PLACES TO VISIT IN PERU
Peru is a country that offers an abundance of natural and cultural attractions for visitors to explore. From the stunning peaks of the Andes mountains to the lush jungles of the Amazon rainforest, there is no shortage of breathtaking landscapes to discover. Additionally, Peru’s rich cultural heritage, including the ancient Inca civilization and other pre-Columbian archaeological sites, provides visitors with a unique glimpse into the country’s fascinating history.
Whether you are an adventure seeker, a history buff, or simply looking for a relaxing vacation, Peru has something to offer. With its warm and welcoming people, and stunning landscapes, it is no wonder that Peru has become an increasingly popular travel destination in recent years.
PERU – don´t you think it is an amazing country with so many beautiful spots to visit?
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
“I hope to inspire you to see the world and not wait any longer.” Cassandra Londono
Cassandra is a US-female travel addict that loves traveling the world. She has made traveling her priority, and so she has traveled for the last few years.
