Peru Travel Guide: Lima, Cusco, Machu Picchu, and Beyond

Most travelers don't. Citizens of the US, UK, Canada, Australia, the EU, and many other countries can enter Peru visa-free for tourism, typically for up to 90 days within a 180-day period (the officer sets the exact length on arrival, up to 183 days). Your passport should be valid for at least six months. Peru has been rolling out a digital entry system and an online pre-arrival registration, so check the official Migraciones / gob.pe portal for the current procedure before you fly.

Peru is generally safe for tourists, with millions visiting Cusco and Machu Picchu every year. The main risks are petty theft (pickpocketing in crowded markets and bus stations) and unregistered taxis, especially in Lima. Use app-based or registered taxis, keep valuables out of sight, and don't flag cabs off the street at the airport. Check your government's current travel advisory for specific regions, as some remote areas carry separate warnings.

The dry season, May to September, is best for the Andes, Machu Picchu, the Inca Trail, and Lake Titicaca: sunny days, clear views, and reliable trails, though nights are cold and crowds peak in June-August. December to March is the rainy season in the highlands, with muddy trails and the Inca Trail closed in February. The shoulder months of April-May and September-October balance decent weather with smaller crowds. Lima's coast is grey and overcast much of the year, clearest from December to April.

Six days is the minimum for Cusco, the Sacred Valley, and Machu Picchu with enough time to acclimatize. Ten days adds Lima's food scene and Lake Titicaca around Puno. Two weeks lets you reach Arequipa and the Colca Canyon, or trek the Inca Trail or Salkantay route without rushing. Build in a buffer day for altitude on arrival in Cusco, and remember that domestic distances are long.

Domestic flights (LATAM, Sky, JetSMART) link Lima with Cusco, Arequipa, and Juliaca quickly and cheaply. The train runs from Ollantaytambo and Poroy to Machu Picchu (the only way in besides hiking). Long-distance buses are comfortable and good value between cities; book the reputable lines (Cruz del Sur, Oltursa) for overnight routes. Within cities, use app-based taxis. There's no road to Machu Picchu itself.

Cusco (3,400m), Puno (3,800m), and the Colca Canyon all sit high enough to cause soroche (altitude sickness). Ascend gradually: many travelers go straight to the lower Sacred Valley (~2,800m) for a day or two before Cusco. Drink plenty of water, avoid alcohol and heavy meals at first, walk slowly, and try coca tea. Acetazolamide (Diamox) helps as a preventative; ask your doctor before the trip. Spend your first day resting, not trekking.

Yes. Entry is capped daily and sold by timed slot and circuit, and the popular add-on climbs (Huayna Picchu, Machu Picchu Mountain) sell out weeks ahead in high season. Buy your entry ticket and the round-trip train from Ollantaytambo to Aguas Calientes together, ideally a month or more out. If you want to walk the classic 4-day Inca Trail, permits often sell out four to six months ahead and the trail closes every February.

Start with ceviche (raw fish cured in lime with chili and onion), best on the Lima coast. Try lomo saltado (stir-fried beef with fries and rice), ají de gallina (creamy chili chicken), causa (layered potato), and anticuchos (grilled beef-heart skewers). In the highlands, sample cuy (guinea pig), alpaca steak, and hearty quinoa soups. Wash it down with a pisco sour or the bright-purple chicha morada. Lima's tasting-menu restaurants rank among the world's best.

No. Tap water is not safe to drink anywhere in Peru, including Lima and Cusco. Buy bottled water, or use a filter or purification tablets, and avoid ice from unknown sources. Brushing teeth with tap water is generally fine in cities, but stick to bottled if you have a sensitive stomach. Hot, freshly cooked food and peeled fruit are the safest bets while your system adjusts.