Peru Backpackers

What are some tips and tricks for backpackers in Peru?

Peru is one of the world's largest backpacking destinations. Geographically diverse country, rich in culture and many opportunities for adventure, offers budget travelers an affordable and memorable experience. From the coastal deserts to the Andean highlands and east to the jungles of the Peruvian Amazon, find out everything you need to know about tourism in Peru.

Commitment Time

Backpackers need at least one week in Peru. It takes a while to get around the country and there are plenty of things to see and do, so if you want to see the main attractions as well as more off the beaten track sights, consider two weeks as a minimum.

Peru Capital: Lima

Budgeting

Even among budget backpackers, average daily expenses in Peru can vary widely. At the bottom of the scale, an average of US $ 25 per day would be reasonable for all basics (including food, housing and transportation). However, airfare, expensive tours, hotel splurges, excessive tipping and lots of partying can easily push the daily average to US $ 35 and beyond.

Currency & Money in Peru

The Peruvian currency is the Sol (PEN). 1 Dollars - S/4.02 PEN - 1 Euro entrusted 4.62 PEN (2021). ATMs are widely used in the whole country, but also by bargeld, where two of the most important people (other or the jungle) are driving. A money exchange in advance in Peru is not recommended, and there is a cheap exchange rate in place of the rule. Crossing stations are located in all larger cities Perus.

ATMs are located in the largest cities in the overflow area, so they are easy to use. The rules of 10 - 12 Soles are included in the rules for the payment of money at ATMs, in addition to the fees of the house bank. Each year I recommend for a travel to South America the credit card of the Hanseatic Bank, which can be used with the free range of money.

All credit cards issued in Peru, including Mastercard, AMEX and Diners Club Cards are accepted. It is the right of a bank to be a member of Peru, which will allow all buyers who have been authorized in Ausland to do so. (The peace is in the experience of my cards, but the banks do not suffer, but I am in South Africa, and the Drug is in the game).

The most popular restaurants, travel agencies and hotels accept credit card payments in the country and in the run-up areas are covered and the following are all possible.

Getting Around Peru

Long distance Peru bus companies provide backpackers with a cheap and fairly convenient way to get from place to place. With the cheapest company, however, bus travel in Peru is neither safe nor reliable. It's always worth paying a little extra for medium to top companies like Cruz del Sur, Ormeño and Oltursa.

Peru's domestic airlines serve most major destinations; If you have little time or can't face another bus for 20 hours, then a fast but more expensive flight is always an option. In the Amazon regions, boat travel is becoming the standard. River routes are slow but scenic, with travel times between major ports (eg Pucallpa do Iquitos) running from three to four days. Train travel options are limited, but offer some spectacular rides.

Minibuses, taxis and moto taxis take care of short hops in towns and between neighboring towns and villages. Ticket prices are low, but make sure you pay the right amount (foreign tourists are often overpriced).

Accommodations

There are various accommodation options in Peru, from basic backpacker hostels to five star hotels and luxury jungle shacks. As a backpacker, you will probably head to the hostel. This makes sense, but may not necessarily be the cheapest option. Hostels in popular destinations such as Cusco, Arequipa and Lima (especially Miraflores) can be quite expensive, so it's also worth considering guesthouses (Alo-Jamie TOS) and affordable hotels that don't cater to the international tourist crowd.

Food and drink

Budget backpackers will find plenty of cheap but service food in Peru. Lunch is the main meal of the day and restaurants across the country sell cheaply a hundred lunches known as menus (appetizer and main course for just S / .3, or just over US $ 1). To experience the best of Peruvian food, however, indulge in the occasional non-food menu (more expensive, but generally of a higher standard).

Travelers on the go can also dig into a variety of savory snacks, many of which are a reasonable substitute for proper sit-down food.

Popular soft drinks include the ubiquitous, bright yellow Inca Wheels, as well as a shocking range of fresh fruit juices. Beer is cheap in Peru, but be careful not to blow too much of your budget at bars and discos. Pisco is the national drink of Peru, so you'll probably have some Pisco sour before the end of the trip.

Typical Peruvian dishes

Lomo saltado is a hearty serving of beef, onions, and tomatoes cooked in soy sauce and served with french fries or rice.
Cuy al horno is quite adventurous for our eating habits. Guinea pig stuffed with herbs, baked and then served whole on a spit.
Rocoto Rolleno is a red, spicy paprika that is breaded, stuffed with meat and vegetables and then baked.
Ají de gallina is chopped up chicken soaked in a creamy, curry-like and slightly spicy yellow sauce.

Typical Peruvian drinks

Chicha Morada is a non-alcoholic drink made from purple corn and is particularly popular with many Peruvians in summer.
Pisco Sour is probably the most famous drink in Peru. Made from pisco (a schnapps made from grapes), lime juice, syrup, bitter liquor and egg white. Salud! Here you will find a Pisco Sour recipe to mix yourself.
The bright yellow Inca kola is the unofficial national drink of Peru. The taste is chewing gum-like and very sweet.

Language

Do yourself a favor before you go to Peru: learn a little Spanish. As a budget traveler, you will not be surrounded by English-speaking hotel staff and guides, especially from major tourist destinations. You will be self-sufficient and will need to communicate with the locals (for travel, bus times, recommendations and all other basic needs).

Basic knowledge of Spanish will also help you avoid rip-offs and scams, both of which can eat away your budget. More importantly, being able to communicate with the locals will make your time in Peru more rewarding in general.

Safety

Peru is not a dangerous country and most backpackers return home without any major problems. Among the most common things to avoid are fraud and opportunistic theft.

Don't be too quick to trust strangers (no matter how friendly they seem) and always have one eye on your surroundings. Always keep valuables hidden if possible and never leave anything unattended in a public place (restaurant, internet cafe, bus, etc.). Cameras, laptops and other enticing items can disappear incredibly fast.

Solo backpackers, especially newcomers, should read our tips for traveling unaccompanied in Peru.

Itineraries

Most backpackers in Peru, especially novices, will spend time on the classic itinerary of Peru. This route is located entirely in the southern third of Peru and includes major following destinations:

Nazca Linea - Ica
Colca Canyon - Arequipa
Lake Titicaca - Puno
Machu Picchu Tours - Cusco
Salkantay Trek - Cusco
Inca Trail Tours - Cusco
Laguna 69 - Huaraz
Santa Cruz Trek - Huaraz
Kuelap - Chachapoyas

If you want to travel this route and explore the well-trodden trails, then you will definitely need more than one week.

If you have two weeks or more, then your options open up. The classic itinerary of Peru is popular for good reason, but more time, you can explore other geographic areas, such as the northern coast of Peru, the central highlands, and the Selva Baja (low jungle) of the Amazon.

Best Time To Travel To Peru

Good news! The best time to travel to Peru is now! Start your travel planning and we will secure your vacation.

The best time to travel to Peru is the so-called Peruvian winter, the dry season from June to September. The Peruvian summer from December to March is the rainy season. During these months, heavy rainfall can occur more often in some areas. In spring and autumn, in the months of September, October, April and May, the weather changes constantly.

The advantage: there are fewer tourists on the way. We therefore recommend that you travel to Peru between April and June or September and October.

Machu Picchu Tickets (Recommend to book in advance)

There are only 1500 spaces availability for the Machu Picchu and mountains. You can buy the Machu Picchu tickets for the visit to the Inca City online (www.machupicchu.gob.pe). You have the choice between four different types of tickets, either only for Machu Picchu, Huayna Picchu Tickets, the Machu Picchu mountain or Huchuy Picchu tickets. The purchase is recommended as early as possible and saves you annoying queues. However, Machu Picchu may only be entered with a licensed guide and a maximum group size of 10 people. Strict admission times and a maximum stay of six hours also apply to the ascent to the summit as part of the combination tickets.

Machu Picchu tours from Lima

Machu Picchu Hike

During you visit Machu Picchu you can choose between different tours. These range from a full-day excursion to Inca Trail tours through the Urubamba Valley of the Cusco region. On the one-day trip, you travel by train and make your way from Aguas Calientes to the paths that lead you through Machu Picchu. The multi-day tours can be combined with climbing the mountains Machu Picchu and Huayna Picchu, but you can also walk along the Urubamba River, follow in the footsteps of the Inca Trail on their original paths, visit other archaeological sites such as Wiñay Huayna and you can combine with the Laguna Humantay marvel at a lake shimmering in deep turquoise between the over 5,000 meter high and snow-capped mountains, the second option is the Rainbow Mountain. In case the Inca Trail is sold out, you can choose the short Inca Trail or choose the alternative hike, the most popular hike is the Salkantay Trek or Lares Trek. There are no limits to your thirst for adventure around Machu Picchu!

Page updated

Google Sites

Report abuse