Peru Guide

Comprehensive guide to traveling to Peru: entry requirements, visa types, transportation, safety, and all essential information.

Entry Requirements

Everything you need to know about entry: documents, packing, transportation, and safety.

Visa Types

Learn about different visa types and their requirements.

Peru Top 10 Attractions

Discover Peru's most important attractions: Machu Picchu, Nazca Lines, Lima, Huacachina and many other amazing places.

Weather in Peru

Learn about Peru's diverse climate: weather conditions of the coastal plains, Andes Mountains, and Amazon rainforest.

History of Peru

Discover Peru's long and rich history, from the Inca Empire to modern times.

Holidays and Celebrations

Learn about Peru's rich cultural heritage through numerous holidays and festivals.

Essential Information Before Traveling to Peru

We have compiled the most important information about Peru, a fascinating country. Whether you're just interested or already planning your trip, here you'll find all the useful information needed for a safe and worry-free Peruvian journey.

When is the best time to travel to Peru?

It's possible to travel to Peru at any time of year, but the ideal time depends on your destination and planned activities.

Coast and Lima: December – March

December – March

The Peruvian coast (e.g., Lima, Paracas, Mancora) is at its warmest and sunniest during this time, perfect for beach activities.

Lima is generally humid and foggy for much of the year, but in summer it's vibrant and sunny.

Machu Picchu and the Andes: May – September

May – September (dry season)

Advantages:

Rain is minimal, the sky is clear
Temperatures are pleasant during the day
Ideal weather for trekking and visiting

Disadvantages:

This is the peak season, tourist attractions are more crowded
Prices may be higher

Amazon: June – October

June – October

Less rainfall, making hiking and jungle travel easier
River levels are lower, so more hiking trails and hidden paths are accessible
Easier to observe wildlife, as animals gather around water sources

Peru Safety Guide

Peru is a beautiful and culturally rich country that attracts millions each year with attractions like Machu Picchu, Lake Titicaca, and the Nazca Lines. However, as with any country, it's worth considering safety aspects to ensure a pleasant and trouble-free experience.

Safety Tips for Travelers

Keep an eye on your valuables: Don't leave expensive cameras, phones, or wallets in visible places.
Use safe taxi services: Avoid hailing taxis on the street, instead order rides through apps (Uber, Didi).
Avoid dangerous areas: In Lima, for example, it's advisable to avoid the Callao and San Juan de Lurigancho districts, where crime occurs more frequently.
Be cautious at night: Walking alone after dark is less recommended, especially on less busy streets.

Peru periodically experiences protests and strikes that may involve road closures. Natural disasters such as earthquakes and floods are not uncommon, especially during the rainy season (December–March). It's advisable to follow local news and embassy advisories.

Peru can be a safe destination if you exercise appropriate caution. The greatest risk comes from petty crimes, but if you pay attention to your surroundings and follow basic travel advice, you can enjoy the country's stunning sights and hospitality without problems.

Health and Hygiene Information

In Peru, medications and medical care are generally easily accessible if needed. There are no mandatory vaccinations required for entry into the country.
Drinking water: Drinking water in Peru is not always safe, so it's recommended to consume bottled water and avoid tap water.
Yellow fever vaccination may be recommended for those who also visit the Amazon during their Peruvian journey.
Altitude sickness (acute mountain sickness): In Peru's high-altitude areas (e.g., Cusco, Machu Picchu), symptoms of altitude sickness may occur, such as headache, nausea, and fatigue. Acclimatization can help, so it's recommended to spend at least 1-2 days in the mountains before embarking on more serious treks.
In Peru's larger cities (Lima, Cusco), quality medical care is available. If necessary, use international health insurance that covers potential medical care.
In the Andes and other high-altitude areas, the sun can be stronger, so proper sun protection is important. Use sunscreen, wear sunglasses and a hat to avoid sunburn and sunstroke.

Currency

If you visit Peru or spend extended time here, it's worth familiarizing yourself with the country's official currency, the Peruvian sol (PEN). The sol is stable and widely accepted, introduced in 2015 to replace the previous 'nuevo sol'.

Banknotes and Coins

The Peruvian sol (PEN) is the official currency Banknotes are available in denominations of 10, 20, 50, 100, and 200 soles Coins are available in denominations of 1, 2, and 5 soles

Payment and Currency Exchange

In Peru, you can easily pay with credit and debit cards (Visa, Mastercard, American Express). QR code payments are also widely used. Very popular among locals (e.g., Yape or Plin). Surprisingly, even the smallest street or market vendors accept QR code payments. However, for safety, it's advisable to also carry cash. For currency exchange, official exchange offices ("casa de cambio"), banks, and ATMs are the safest options.

Electrical System

Peru's electrical system differs slightly from the European system. Here are the most important details:

Voltage and Frequency

In Peru, the network voltage is 220V, and the frequency is 60Hz. This is higher than the 110V used in the United States, but matches the European 220V. However, the frequency differs from the European 50Hz.

Plug Types

Two types of plugs are used in Peru: Type A: Two flat prongs (American style) Type C: Two round prongs (European style) Both types of plugs can be found in most places, but it's worth bringing a universal adapter.

Useful Tips

Check your device compatibility: Most modern electronic devices (laptops, phones, cameras) have chargers that automatically adapt to the 110-240V range.
Bring a universal adapter: Although European-style plugs can be found in many places, a universal adapter can be useful.

Transportation

Peru is a large country where various modes of transportation are available. Here are the most important details:

Domestic Flights

Peru is a large country, and domestic flights may be essential if you want to quickly get from one place to another. Flights between Lima and Cusco, Lima and Arequipa are the most popular. Main airlines: LATAM Peru, Sky Airline Peru, Viva Air Peru It's worth booking in advance, especially during peak season (May-October) Airport tax is usually included in the ticket price

Long-Distance Buses

Long-distance buses offer a comfortable and affordable solution for travel between cities.

Bus Companies

Cruz del Sur: Premium service, comfortable seats, on-board meals
Oltursa: Reliable company, modern bus fleet
Peru Hop: Flexible hop-on-hop-off service for tourists, with English-speaking guides. This allows travelers to explore regions at their own pace. They connect major cities and tourist attractions such as Lima, Arequipa, Cusco, Puno, and La Paz. Travelers can choose from various passes offering different routes and durations.

Useful Tips

Choose a reputable company for safety
Night services are more comfortable and can save you time
It's worth booking tickets in advance, especially on holidays

Car Rental

Car rental is possible in Peru, but not recommended in all areas due to driving conditions. Driving on mountain roads requires experience Traffic in Lima can be extremely congested Road quality varies in rural areas Always purchase comprehensive insurance International driver's license required

Taxis and Local Transportation

In cities, taxis and app-based services are the most convenient. Use official taxi services or apps (Uber, Didi, Beat) Agree on the price before departure if you're not using an app Public transportation is developed in larger cities but often crowded

Time Zone

UTC-5. In Peru, during daylight saving time, the time difference is -7 hours, while during standard time it's -6 hours compared to Hungary.

Clothing

Comfortable hiking shoes
Waterproof jacket
Warm sweater (especially for higher elevations)
Light, breathable clothing for coastal areas
Sunglasses and hat

Temperature can vary significantly across different regions and elevations.

Equipment

Waterproof bag or backpack
Universal adapter
Power bank
Sunscreen (high SPF)

Useful Phrases

Hola - Hello
Gracias - Thank you
Por favor - Please
¿Cuánto cuesta? - How much does it cost?
No entiendo - I don't understand
¿Dónde está...? - Where is...?

Communication

It's worth getting a local SIM card if you're spending extended time in the country
WhatsApp is a very popular communication tool in Peru
English is spoken in larger hotels and restaurants, but most locals only speak Spanish

Shopping

At most markets and smaller shops, you can bargain
Always have small change with you
Bank cards are accepted in larger stores