How to Travel in Peru
Are you seeking adventure on your Peru trip? Look no further than the Sacred Valley. Trek to Saqsayhuaman stone wall ruins and explore Cusco’s llama sanctuary!
Lima is an engaging party city. Experience its nightlife by taking a moto taxi!
Plan your itinerary
Peru is a large nation with diverse geography and culture, home to everything from rainforests to deserts and high mountain chains. When traveling here, it’s wise to create a comprehensive travel itinerary so you don’t run out of time while visiting all major sights.
Bus transportation is the go-to method of choice when travelling around. Convenient and cost-effective, yet not overly comfortable. To purchase tickets directly from local bus companies (rather than agents who may mark up ticket prices).
Train travel is also popular but should only be considered when planning to spend an extended amount of time and money in Peru. Also, note that Peru’s trains can be rather outdated and uncomfortable compared to others and often have limited schedules that often get delayed.
Prepare for altitude sickness
Altitude sickness can be a serious problem for travelers visiting Peru, as many destinations like Cusco, Machu Picchu and Lake Titicaca are situated at higher altitudes. This can result in symptoms including lightheadedness, headaches and even nausea if too much altitude exposure occurs too quickly on your first day there. Therefore it’s wise to set aside enough time for acclimatization before beginning their trip.
Avoid altitude sickness by resting and sipping coca tea, an organic remedy commonly available at hotels and popular among locals alike. Take small sips throughout the day.
Assume your altitude sickness could ruin your visit to this incredibly diverse country! Be wary of altitude sickness before embarking on your travels through Peru’s diverse regions and beaches – there’s sure to be something of interest here for everyone!
Vaccinate against yellow fever
Although Peru does not mandate Yellow Fever vaccination for entry, the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) advises travellers visiting areas within its rainforest or at an elevation below 2,000 m (6362 feet, such as Iquitos or Puerto Maldonado). Anti-malaria prophylaxis should also be taken prior to travel to these locations.
Typhoid fever, spread through food and water contamination, is also prevalent in Peru. This should be particularly concerning for visitors staying in smaller cities or rural areas, visiting relatives, or taking an adventurous approach to dining out.
HIV can be found across the world, with high prevalence rates among commercial sex workers and men who engage in intimate relations with male partners. Chlamydia trachomatis and Neisseria gonorrhoeae infections are also widespread; to protect yourself and stay safe it’s advisable to practice safe sexuality using barrier protection when possible in urban areas and consider getting routine vaccinations including measles/mumps/rubella (MMR), tetanus, chickenpox and flu vaccinations – usually available.
Have a first aid kit
Traveling through Peru requires carrying a small first aid kit with items like pain relievers, bandages and gauze as well as antihistamine and antidiarrheal medicines, plus sunscreen and sunglasses – essential items that may come in handy should anything happen that requires treatment.
Deck of cards – Peru is famous for long bus rides and wait times, making playing cards a great way to pass the time while also helping keep everyone’s spirits up during these stressful experiences. A pair of earplugs may come in handy as many shared dorm rooms feature noisy roommates who snore!
To travel safely in Peru, a valid passport that covers your entire stay should be brought. A visa may also be necessary depending on your nationality; please see ‘Entry requirements’ section for further details. Additionally, due to political events in certain parts of Peru, travel may become more challenging or impossible in certain places; please heed advice from local authorities and stay away from protest sites.
