Jurisdiction Guide

May to September sees dry weather in the Andes, perfect for hiking and Machu Picchu. The coast is warmer from December to March, while the Amazon can be wet and humid year-round.

Small coins help for everyday purchases, many street vendors and taxis lack change. Tap water isn't safe to drink, so buy bottled or use a purifier. Download WhatsApp for easy local communication, and pick up a Claro or Movistar SIM for strong coverage. Spanish is key, but Quechua is still spoken in some regions outside Lima.

Greet people with a handshake, and in informal settings, a single cheek kiss. Dress modestly when visiting rural areas or churches. If invited to someone's home, bring a small gift like fruit or pastries. Wait for the host to begin eating before you start; leave a little food on your plate to signal you're finished.

Petty theft and bag snatching happen in bus terminals, markets, and on city buses, especially in Lima and Cusco. Watch out for fake taxi scams, use official apps or pre-book. Mosquito-borne illnesses like dengue can occur in the Amazon basin. Bus travel between mountain towns involves winding roads and unpredictable weather.

The northern beaches near Máncora offer surfing and quieter sands compared to the south. Kuelap, a pre-Inca fortress, sits above the Utcubamba Valley and gets far fewer crowds than Machu Picchu. Head to the Andean town of Ayacucho for Easter processions and unique highland crafts.

Citizens of the USA, EU, UK, Canada, Australia, and several other countries get up to 90 days visa-free for tourism. Check entry rules since regulations sometimes change. Long-term visas, including digital nomad or freelance options, are limited; most expats enter on a tourist visa and renew from abroad if needed.

Long-distance buses connect most towns, though rides are slow on mountain roads, try Cruz del Sur for comfort. Domestic flights save time, especially between Lima, Cusco, Arequipa, and the Amazon. Ride-hailing apps like Beat and Uber work in major cities. PeruRail and Inca Rail serve main tourist rail routes such as Ollantaytambo to Machu Picchu.

Ceviche (marinated fish) is a coastal favorite, while lomo saltado (beef stir-fry) shows Asian influences. Sample Andean dishes like cuy (guinea pig) or pachamanca (meat cooked underground) if offered. Chicha morada, a purple corn drink, is nonalcoholic; pisco sour is the local cocktail. Street food can be safe if cooked hot, but avoid raw salads. Vegetarians find options in larger cities, but smaller towns focus on meat and potatoes.

Backpackers spending $25–40 per day can get by, while mid-range travelers should plan $60–100. Lima and Cusco have higher costs, but rural areas are cheaper. A basic restaurant meal costs $3–6, a long-distance bus ticket $15–30, and hostel dorms start at $8.