Do Swiss citizens need a visa for Peru?

No, not for tourist stays of up to 90 days, according to the visa list of Peru's foreign ministry. A passport with six months of remaining validity on entry is required. The approved length of stay is set by border control, so it's worth checking with them directly.

How early should you buy Machu Picchu tickets?

Sales for a given year open each November of the previous year. The Waynapicchu and Montaña Machupicchu mountain routes have only 400 and 350 places per day respectively. Since the date and hour cannot be changed afterwards, book as soon as the rest of the itinerary is settled.

Can you buy Machu Picchu tickets on-site?

Yes, a portion of the daily places is sold in Machupicchu Pueblo, though according to the Ministry of Culture there are long queues in high season. Anyone who wants a mountain route or a specific time slot should book online.

Is the Inca Trail open in February?

No. The Ministry of Culture closes the trail every year in February for maintenance work; it reopens in early March. Machu Picchu itself remains accessible throughout, with the normal quota of 4,500 visitors per day.

How do you get from Cusco to Machu Picchu?

By car or bus in around 1 h 30 min to Ollantaytambo, then around 2 h by PeruRail or Inca Rail to Aguas Calientes; from Poroy, PeruRail takes around 4 h. According to Germany's Federal Foreign Office, the road via Santa Teresa and Hidroeléctrica is unpaved and accident-prone.

How do you avoid altitude sickness in Cusco?

After landing, go straight to the Sacred Valley and stay there for one to two nights, as the CDC also recommends. If you get a headache, pause the ascent until it goes away. Discuss preventive medication with a doctor beforehand.

Does coca tea help against altitude sickness?

Mate de coca is widely offered but, according to Germany's Federal Foreign Office, is not a reliable protection. It isn't allowed everywhere: it may not be taken into Germany, for instance, and customs confiscates even small amounts.

What vaccinations does Peru require?

None are mandatory. Recommended are the standard baseline vaccinations and hepatitis A, plus yellow fever for rainforest areas such as Tambopata or Iquitos, given at least ten days before arrival. Rabies, typhoid and hepatitis B depend on the length and style of the trip.

Do you need malaria prophylaxis in Peru?

There is no malaria in Lima, on the coast, in Cusco, at Machu Picchu, in Arequipa or at Lake Titicaca. In the lowlands the risk is high in Loreto, moderate in Iquitos and low in Puerto Maldonado. Whether to take tablets or an emergency medication is a decision for a travel-medicine consultation.

When is rainy season in Peru?

In the highlands and the Amazon region, mainly from November to March, with the highlands sometimes extending into April. On the coast it barely rains, but it is often foggy from May to November. Heavy rain can block roads, so it's worth planning in buffer time.

Is a flight over the Nazca Lines worth it?

Figures such as the hummingbird, monkey and spider can only be seen in full from the air. However, Germany's Federal Foreign Office points to several crashes and past shortcomings in equipment and pilot training. An alternative is the 13 m viewing tower.

Tambopata or Iquitos: where do you experience the Amazon better?

Tambopata is close to Cusco, which PromPerú calls the main gateway to the region, and is known for macaws and giant otters. Iquitos sits on the Amazon itself and is the starting point for river trips to Pacaya-Samiria. In Iquitos the malaria risk is higher, while in the south of Tambopata province the situation is, according to Switzerland's FDFA, tense.

What plugs and voltage does Peru use?

The grid runs at 220 V and, according to the BMEIA, 60 Hz; sockets of types A, B and C are common. A travel adapter is needed for other plug types.

When can you see the condors at the Colca Canyon?

Early in the morning at the Cruz del Cóndor viewpoint, around a 4-hour drive from Arequipa via Chivay. Anyone wanting to be there early should stay overnight in the Colca valley, for example in Chivay, Sibayo or Yanque. PromPerú gives S/ 70 admission for foreigners as a reference price.

Peru: Best Time to Visit, Entry Rules, Regions and Routes

Q: Is Peru dangerous for tourists?

Authorities point mainly to crime in cities, attacks on night buses and protests as risks. Switzerland's FDFA advises against the VRAEM valley, the border area with Colombia and the remote east of Huánuco. Recommended precautions include app- or phone-booked taxis and daytime travel instead of night buses.

What can travellers expect in Peru?

In short

Peru is a country of extreme elevation changes: Lima sits on the Pacific, Cusco at around 3,400 m, Lake Titicaca at 3,810 m, and the Amazon rainforest begins east of the Andes. Anyone wanting to combine Machu Picchu, the Sacred Valley, Arequipa and Lake Titicaca needs to plan in domestic flights, train rides and days to acclimatise to the altitude.

The classic route flies from Lima to Cusco in around 1 h 15 min, continues down into the lower-lying Sacred Valley, and then takes the train to Aguas Calientes below Machu Picchu. Many travellers extend the trip to Arequipa and the Colca Canyon, to Lake Titicaca, or into the Tambopata rainforest.

This page summarises the regions, the best time to travel, the altitude and the Machu Picchu tickets (as of September 2026), together with the advisories from the Swiss FDFA, the German Federal Foreign Office and Austria's BMEIA.

Sources: UNESCO World Heritage Centre · PromPerú (peru.travel) · PromPerú (peru.travel)

What kind of destination is Peru?

In short

Peru is made up of three very different landscapes: coastal desert, Andes and Amazon lowland, each with its own climate and its own travel logic. Culturally the country is shaped by the Inca, the Spanish colonial era and older cultures such as the Moche, Chimú, Nasca and Chachapoya; alongside Spanish, Quechua and Aymara are regional official languages.

The coast is desert dotted with oases and river valleys. Here lie Lima, the Paracas peninsula, the Nasca Lines and, in the north, Trujillo with the adobe city of Chan Chan and the temples of the Moche. The highlands are the Inca heartland: Cusco, the Sacred Valley, Machu Picchu and Lake Titicaca.

In the east the land drops away into the Amazon basin. Puerto Maldonado is the gateway to Tambopata and Manu, Iquitos the gateway to the Amazon itself and to the Pacaya-Samiria reserve. Iquitos has no road connection at all; it is reached only by plane or by boat.

The distances are large, almost every round trip needs domestic flights, and in the highlands the altitude has to be factored in. In return, a single trip can combine Inca sites, colonial towns, Andean villages and rainforest.

Sources: PromPerú (peru.travel) · Wikipedia · UNESCO World Heritage Centre · Bundesministerium für europäische und internationale Angelegenheiten (BMEIA) · Wikipedia

Which regions of Peru are worth visiting?

In short

Most trips combine Lima with the south: Cusco, the Sacred Valley and Machu Picchu, plus Arequipa with the Colca Canyon and Lake Titicaca near Puno. Add-ons include the south coast with Paracas and Nazca, the rainforest around Puerto Maldonado or Iquitos, and the north with Trujillo, Chachapoyas and Kuélap.

Lima

Lima is the arrival point for almost every trip; PromPerú estimates around 50 minutes from Jorge Chávez airport into the city. The old town with the Plaza Mayor, the cathedral and colonial balconies has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1991. Most visitors stay in Miraflores, San Isidro or Barranco.

Cusco

The former Inca capital sits at around 3,400 m and has been a World Heritage Site since 1983; the Spanish built churches and palaces directly on top of the Inca walls. Every visit takes in the Qorikancha sun temple and the Saqsaywaman complex.

Sacred Valley

The Vilcanota valley sits lower than Cusco: Urubamba at around 2,870 m, Ollantaytambo at 2,792 m, about 1 h 30 min from Cusco. Here you'll find the Pisac market, Chinchero, the Maras salt terraces and the circular terraces of Moray; the trains to Machu Picchu depart from Ollantaytambo.

Machu Picchu and Aguas Calientes

The Inca citadel at 2,430 m was built in the 15th century and has been a mixed UNESCO cultural and natural heritage site since 1983. The nearby town of Aguas Calientes (Machupicchu Pueblo), around 6 km away, has no road connection; it is reached by train or on foot via the Inca Trail.

Arequipa and the Colca Canyon

Arequipa lies at 2,331 m at the foot of three volcanoes; its old town, founded in 1540 and built from white volcanic sillar stone, has been a World Heritage Site since 2000. It's 151 km, or around 3 hours, to Chivay in the Colca valley, and a further 42 km to the Cruz del Cóndor viewpoint. The canyon reaches depths of up to 3,200 m.

Lake Titicaca and Puno

Lake Titicaca sits at 3,810 m, covers around 8,300 km² and straddles the border with Bolivia. From Puno, at 3,825 m, boats run to the floating reed islands of the Uros, to Taquile with its weaving tradition, and to Amantaní.

South coast: Paracas, Huacachina and Nazca

Paracas is around 3 h 10 min south of Lima; boats run out to the Islas Ballestas, home to sea lions and Humboldt penguins. Near Ica lies the Huacachina oasis. The Nazca Lines, around 400 km south of Lima, cover roughly 450 km² and were created between 500 BC and 500 AD.

Amazon: Tambopata, Manu and Iquitos

Puerto Maldonado is about 1 h 40 min by air from Lima, followed by around 2 hours by boat into the Tambopata National Reserve. Manu National Park stretches from around 350 m up to over 4,000 m and has no roads. Iquitos is the starting point for river trips and for the Pacaya-Samiria reserve, the country's second largest.

Northern Peru: Trujillo, Chachapoyas and Kuélap

Just outside Trujillo, around 1 hour by air from Lima, lies Chan Chan, the capital of the Chimú and the largest adobe city in pre-Columbian America, a World Heritage Site since 1986 and on the List of World Heritage in Danger. In the Amazonas region, a cable car runs from Nuevo Tingo in 20 minutes towards the Kuélap fortress; near Chachapoyas, the Gocta waterfall drops more than 700 m.

Destinations

Regions with their own page

Cross-country

Cross-Border RegionAmazonThe Amazon rainforest stretches across nine countries, with more than half of it in Brazil.

When is the best time to visit Peru?

In short

For the Andes and Machu Picchu the dry season from May to October is best, with sunny days and cold nights; from November to April it rains heavily in the highlands. On the coast it is hot and sunny from December to March, while from May to November fog often hangs over Lima.

As a Southern Hemisphere country, Peru has winter when the Northern Hemisphere has summer. For the highlands, Austria's BMEIA and PromPerú both cite a dry season running from April or May to October; heavy rain from December to March can, according to Germany's Federal Foreign Office, trigger flooding and landslides. The Ministry of Culture closes the Inca Trail every year in February.

Highlands: Cusco, Sacred Valley (Urubamba), Puno and Arequipa

Cusco	Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	Jun	Jul	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov	Dec
High °C	20	19	20	20	20	20	21	21	21	21	22	20
Low °C	8	8	8	6	3	2	1	2	5	7	7	8
Rainfall mm	129	127	96	44	9	4	11	8	18	63	72	137

Urubamba (Heiliges Tal)	Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	Jun	Jul	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov	Dec
High °C	23	23	23	24	24	24	24	25	25	25	25	23
Low °C	11	11	11	9	7	5	4	6	8	10	11	11
Rainfall mm	129	127	96	44	9	4	11	8	18	63	72	137

Puno (Titicacasee)	Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	Jun	Jul	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov	Dec
High °C	18	17	18	18	18	18	18	18	19	19	20	19
Low °C	5	5	4	3	-0	-3	-3	-2	1	3	4	4
Rainfall mm	84	92	60	25	9	2	4	5	16	34	21	71

Arequipa	Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	Jun	Jul	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov	Dec
High °C	22	21	22	23	23	23	23	23	23	23	23	22
Low °C	12	13	12	12	11	10	10	10	11	11	11	12
Rainfall mm	35	47	25	6	2	0	2	1	3	7	4	16

Average daily highs and lows, and monthly rainfall. Temperaturen: Mittel der täglichen Höchst- und Tiefstwerte 2010–2024 der Station TENIENTE ALEJANDRO VELASCO ASTETE INTL (3 km, 3310 m), auf 3399 m umgerechnet. Niederschlag: NASA POWER, Monatsmittel 2001–2020. Temperaturen: Mittel der täglichen Höchst- und Tiefstwerte 2010–2024 der Station TENIENTE ALEJANDRO VELASCO ASTETE INTL (32 km, 3310 m), auf 2870 m umgerechnet. Niederschlag: NASA POWER, Monatsmittel 2001–2020. Temperaturen: Mittel der täglichen Höchst- und Tiefstwerte 2010–2024 der Station JULIACA / INCA MANCO CAPAC INTL (44 km, 3826 m). Niederschlag: NASA POWER, Monatsmittel 2001–2020. Temperaturen: Mittel der täglichen Höchst- und Tiefstwerte 2010–2024 der Station RODRIGUEZ BALLON (9 km, 2562 m), auf 2335 m umgerechnet. Niederschlag: NASA POWER, Monatsmittel 2001–2020.

The dry months are high season: in the high season (summer months until early November, over Easter and around New Year) the Ministry of Culture allows up to 5,600 visitors a day at Machu Picchu, and 4,500 at other times (as of September 2026). Cusco celebrates Inti Raymi on 24 June, and Puno celebrates the Candelaria festival in February.

Coast: Lima, Paracas and Trujillo

Lima	Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	Jun	Jul	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov	Dec
High °C	26	27	27	25	22	20	19	18	19	20	21	23
Low °C	20	21	20	19	17	16	16	15	15	15	17	18
Rainfall mm	3	5	4	1	1	1	1	1	1	1	2	3

Paracas	Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	Jun	Jul	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov	Dec
High °C	27	28	28	26	23	22	21	20	21	22	23	25
Low °C	19	20	20	18	16	15	14	13	14	14	15	18
Rainfall mm	4	4	3	1	2	1	2	1	2	2	3	4

Trujillo	Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	Jun	Jul	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov	Dec
High °C	24	25	25	23	23	22	21	20	20	20	21	22
Low °C	19	20	20	19	18	18	17	16	16	16	17	18
Rainfall mm	23	21	35	22	9	2	6	2	5	16	18	18

Average daily highs and lows, and monthly rainfall. Temperaturen: Mittel der täglichen Höchst- und Tiefstwerte 2010–2024 der Station JORGE CHAVEZ INTL (8 km, 34 m), auf 150 m umgerechnet. Niederschlag: NASA POWER, Monatsmittel 2001–2020. Temperaturen: Mittel der täglichen Höchst- und Tiefstwerte 2010–2024 der Station PISCO INTL (10 km, 12 m). Niederschlag: NASA POWER, Monatsmittel 2001–2020. Temperaturen: Mittel der täglichen Höchst- und Tiefstwerte 2010–2024 der Station CAPITAN FAP CARLOS MARTINEZ DE PINILLOS (9 km, 32 m). Niederschlag: NASA POWER, Monatsmittel 2001–2020.

On the coast it barely rains; from May to November a winter fog often settles over Lima. In the Amazon region it is hot and humid year-round, with a rainy season that PromPerú puts at November to March.

Amazon: Iquitos and Puerto Maldonado

Iquitos	Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	Jun	Jul	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov	Dec
High °C	32	32	32	32	31	31	31	33	33	33	33	32
Low °C	23	23	23	23	23	22	22	22	22	23	23	23
Rainfall mm	301	251	367	305	278	218	167	157	189	286	291	298

Puerto Maldonado	Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	Jun	Jul	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov	Dec
High °C	31	31	31	31	30	29	30	32	33	33	32	31
Low °C	23	23	23	22	21	20	19	20	21	22	23	23
Rainfall mm	333	336	237	164	90	60	49	52	68	162	197	334

Average daily highs and lows, and monthly rainfall. Temperaturen: Mittel der täglichen Höchst- und Tiefstwerte 2010–2024 der Station CORONEL FRANCISCO SECADA VIGNETTA INTL (7 km, 93 m). Niederschlag: NASA POWER, Monatsmittel 2001–2020. Temperaturen: Mittel der täglichen Höchst- und Tiefstwerte 2010–2024 der Station PADRE ALDAMIZ (5 km, 201 m). Niederschlag: NASA POWER, Monatsmittel 2001–2020.

During the rainy season the authorities regularly declare a state of emergency in individual districts because of heavy rainfall, and trails such as the Inca Trail can be closed at short notice; check the current situation with the FDFA (EDA), Germany's Federal Foreign Office and Austria's BMEIA.

Sources: Bundesministerium für europäische und internationale Angelegenheiten (BMEIA) · PromPerú (peru.travel) · Auswärtiges Amt · Ministerio de Cultura del Perú · Ministerio de Cultura del Perú · PromPerú (peru.travel) · PromPerú (peru.travel) · Ministerio de Cultura del Perú · Ministerio de Cultura del Perú

How dangerous is the altitude in Cusco and at Lake Titicaca?

In short

From around 2,500 m upward, altitude sickness can affect anyone, regardless of age or fitness. Cusco sits at around 3,400 m, Puno at 3,825 m; anyone flying there directly is better off spending the first nights lower down, for example in the Sacred Valley at around 2,800–2,900 m.

Altitudes on a classic Peru route
Place	Altitude	Note
Lima, old town	138 m	arrival with no altitude issues
Aguas Calientes	2,040 m	overnight stop before visiting Machu Picchu
Machu Picchu	2,430 m	summit of Waynapicchu 2,720 m
Arequipa, old town	2,331 m	good intermediate stage before Colca and Puno
Ollantaytambo	2,792 m	station for the trains to Machu Picchu
Urubamba, Sacred Valley	around 2,870 m	good for the first nights in the highlands
Cusco	around 3,400 m	best to sleep here only after the Sacred Valley
Lake Titicaca	3,810 m	boat trips to Uros, Taquile, Amantaní
Puno	3,825 m	highest overnight stop on the classic route

Acute altitude sickness presents as headache, nausea, loss of appetite and sleep disturbances, typically, according to the CDC, 2 to 12 hours after arrival. If dizziness, vomiting, apathy, unsteady gait or breathlessness at rest are added, a risk of high-altitude cerebral or pulmonary oedema arises: descend immediately and seek medical help.

The ascent rule from healthytravel.ch: above 2,500 m, raise the sleeping altitude by no more than 300 to 500 m per day and add an extra rest day for every 1,000 m gained. The CDC specifically cites Cusco as an example where, after landing, it makes sense to sleep one or two nights lower than the airport. If symptoms don't improve, Germany's Federal Foreign Office advises descending below 2,000 m.

Medications such as acetazolamide can lower the risk but should only be used after medical advice. Coca tea (mate de coca) is, according to the Federal Foreign Office, not a reliable protection, and German customs confiscates even small amounts of it.

For the route that means: after landing in Cusco, head straight to the Sacred Valley, then Machu Picchu, and only afterwards to Cusco. Save Lake Titicaca for the end of the Andes leg of the trip.

Sources: healthytravel.ch, Swiss Expert Committee for Travel Medicine · Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) · Auswärtiges Amt · PromPerú (peru.travel) · Wikipedia · UNESCO World Heritage Centre · PromPerú (peru.travel) · PromPerú (peru.travel) · Wikipedia · Wikipedia · UNESCO World Heritage Centre · PromPerú (peru.travel) · PromPerú (peru.travel)

What do you need to enter Peru?

In short

For tourist stays of up to 90 days, Swiss, German and Austrian citizens do not need a visa, but do need a passport that is still valid for at least six months on entry (as of September 2026). The approved length of stay is set by border officials on entry; the official authorities always have the final say.

Switzerland: according to the visa list of Peru's foreign ministry, visa-free for up to 90 days; the Swiss FDFA refers travellers to the destination country's representation for details.
Germany: passport, provisional passport or child's passport required, no national ID card; visa-free for up to 90 days per half-year.
Austria: passport required, visa-free for up to 90 days; according to the BMEIA, you must be able to show proof of an onward or return ticket.
Other nationalities: different rules apply. The overview "Requerimientos y exoneración de visas" from Peru's foreign ministry lists visa requirements and permitted length of stay for every country; Peruvian consulates can also provide information.

Entry is recorded electronically and is no longer stamped into the passport; the approved length of stay is based on the traveller's own declaration. Overstaying costs, according to Germany's Federal Foreign Office, 5 soles per day (as of September 2026), and extending the stay is, according to the BMEIA, only possible in special cases.

Minors travelling without, or with only one, parent need, according to the BMEIA, a notarised consent letter. Cash amounts over US$10,000 must be declared, and cultural artefacts may only be exported with a permit.

The authoritative sources are the Swiss FDFA, Germany's Federal Foreign Office, Austria's BMEIA and the Peruvian authorities at the time of travel.

Sources: Ministerio de Relaciones Exteriores del Perú (Portal Consular) · Eidgenössisches Departement für auswärtige Angelegenheiten EDA · Auswärtiges Amt · Bundesministerium für europäische und internationale Angelegenheiten (BMEIA)

What vaccinations and health precautions does Peru require?

In short

No vaccination is required for entry. healthytravel.ch recommends the standard baseline vaccinations plus hepatitis A for everyone, and a yellow fever vaccination for areas below 2,500 m such as Madre de Dios, Loreto or the jungle areas of the Cusco region. Malaria occurs only in the lowlands, not in Lima, Cusco, Machu Picchu or at Lake Titicaca.

The yellow fever vaccination must be given at least ten days before arrival. For areas above 2,500 m, and for visits limited to Cusco (city), Aguas Calientes, Machu Picchu or the classic Inca Trail, healthytravel.ch does not list it as necessary; the CDC confirms this for altitudes above 2,300 m and specifically names Cusco, the Inca Trail and Machu Picchu as examples. For the "Jungle Inca Trail" and other lower-lying jungle routes in the Cusco region, by contrast, healthytravel.ch explicitly recommends the vaccination — a distinction that is easy to miss given the similar route names.

Malaria: high risk in Loreto and the north of the Amazonas region, moderate risk in Iquitos, low risk in Puerto Maldonado. In the lowlands, round-the-clock mosquito protection is needed, including against dengue fever, which, according to the BMEIA, occurs in 23 of the 24 regions.

The CDC recommends being fully protected against measles, as measles cases recur in Peru.

Private healthcare in Lima is, according to Germany's Federal Foreign Office, adequate, but in Cusco is often insufficient for severe injuries. Hospitals, according to the BMEIA, require a credit card or a deposit.

Sources: healthytravel.ch, Swiss Expert Committee for Travel Medicine · Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) · Auswärtiges Amt · Bundesministerium für europäische und internationale Angelegenheiten (BMEIA)

How safe is Peru for travellers?

In short

The current security situation is published by the FDFA (EDA), Germany's Federal Foreign Office and Austria's BMEIA; in large cities such as Lima and Trujillo there is a structurally elevated crime risk. Switzerland's FDFA advises against travel to the VRAEM valley, the border area with Colombia and remote areas east of Huánuco; all three authorities warn of crime in cities, night-time overland travel and roadblocks.

The German Federal Foreign Office cites theft in Lima, especially in the evenings in the city centre, Miraflores and Barranco, and express kidnappings involving taxis in Lima, Arequipa and Cusco. Overland buses have been attacked at night around Ica, Arequipa and Puno, and between Puerto Maldonado and Cusco.

The Swiss FDFA advises against travelling overland at night, against passing through roadblocks, and recommends doing treks only with a recognised travel agency. Austria's BMEIA recommends following the situation via the police, iPerú and local media.

Peru lies in a seismically active zone, and in the south the Sabancaya and Ubinas volcanoes are active. According to Germany's Federal Foreign Office, there have been several fatal crashes involving sightseeing flights over the Nazca Lines.

Sources: Bundesministerium für europäische und internationale Angelegenheiten (BMEIA) · Eidgenössisches Departement für auswärtige Angelegenheiten EDA · Auswärtiges Amt

How do you get to Peru and travel around the country?

In short

International flights land in Lima at Jorge Chávez airport; from there, Cusco, Arequipa, Juliaca (near Puno), Puerto Maldonado, Iquitos, Trujillo and Chachapoyas are reached by domestic flights of 1 h to 1 h 45 min. Machu Picchu is reachable only by train or on foot, and Cusco and Puno are connected by bus or panoramic train.

Travel times from Lima and between stages
Route	Mode of transport	Duration
Airport – Lima city	car, bus	around 50 min
Lima – Cusco	flight	around 1 h 15 min
Lima – Arequipa	flight	around 1 h 15 min
Lima – Juliaca (for Puno)	flight	around 1 h 40 min, then around 40 min to Puno
Lima – Puerto Maldonado	flight	around 1 h 40 min
Lima – Iquitos	flight	around 1 h 40 min
Lima – Trujillo	flight	around 1 h
Lima – Paracas	bus, car	around 3 h 10 min
Cusco – Ollantaytambo	bus, car	around 1 h 30 min
Ollantaytambo – Machu Picchu	train	around 2 h
Cusco – Puno	bus / PeruRail Titicaca train	around 7 h / around 10 h 30 min
Arequipa – Puno	bus, car	around 5 h

According to FlightConnections, Jorge Chávez has nonstop flights to 69 destinations in 21 countries. From Europe there are year-round nonstop flights to Lima from Madrid, Barcelona, Paris and Amsterdam; from North America from Miami, Atlanta, New York, Houston, Los Angeles, Toronto and Montreal; and from Central America from Mexico City, Cancún, San José and Panama City. There are no direct flights to Africa, Asia or Oceania; the longest route is Amsterdam, at around 10,514 km and roughly 12 h 20 min.

For domestic flights and buses you need your passport or a copy; according to Germany's Federal Foreign Office, a theft report alone is not sufficient. Lima levies an airport fee (TUUA) on international connecting flights (as of September 2026).

Trains to Machu Picchu depart from Ollantaytambo (PeruRail, Inca Rail) and from Poroy near Cusco (PeruRail). With your own driving licence you may drive for up to six months after entry; Germany's Federal Foreign Office advises against night driving.

Sources: FlightConnections · PromPerú (peru.travel) · PromPerú (peru.travel) · PromPerú (peru.travel) · PromPerú (peru.travel) · PromPerú (peru.travel) · PromPerú (peru.travel) · PromPerú (peru.travel) · PromPerú (peru.travel) · PromPerú (peru.travel) · PromPerú (peru.travel) · PeruRail · PromPerú (peru.travel) · Wikipedia · Auswärtiges Amt

What money do you need in Peru, and how do you pay?

In short

The national currency is the sol (S/, PEN), divided into 100 céntimos. The easiest way to get cash is with a credit card at an ATM; US dollars are accepted at many shops, restaurants and hotels, and euros can, according to Germany's Federal Foreign Office, mainly be exchanged in Lima, Cusco, Arequipa and Puno.

Banknotes come in denominations of 10, 20, 50, 100 and 200 soles, plus coins of 10, 20 and 50 céntimos and 1, 2 and 5 soles. Most ATMs are on the Plus (Visa) and Cirrus (Mastercard) networks and dispense either soles or US dollars. According to Germany's Federal Foreign Office, withdrawing cash with debit cards is only possible to a very limited extent, and not at all with V-Pay.

Austria's BMEIA recommends carrying small-denomination US dollar bills outside Lima; cash is needed on the Lake Titicaca islands and in the Colca valley. Exchange bureaus are usually open Monday to Friday from 9 am to 6 pm; never change money on the street.

Machu Picchu tickets on tuboleto.cultura.pe are paid for in soles with Visa or Mastercard; American Express and Diners are not accepted. PromPerú gives the following as reference prices for entry fees: S/ 70 for foreigners at the Colca Canyon, PEN 30 for the Tambopata National Reserve, and S/ 11 for Chan Chan (as of September 2026).

Sources: PromPerú (peru.travel) · Auswärtiges Amt · Bundesministerium für europäische und internationale Angelegenheiten (BMEIA) · PromPerú (peru.travel) · PromPerú (peru.travel) · PromPerú (peru.travel) · Ministerio de Cultura del Perú · PromPerú (peru.travel) · PromPerú (peru.travel)

Where is the best place to stay in Peru?

In short

In Lima, most travellers stay in Miraflores, San Isidro or Barranco; in the Andes, first in the Sacred Valley and afterwards in Cusco. For Machu Picchu, a night in Aguas Calientes is worthwhile; at Lake Titicaca and in the Colca valley you can stay with local families, and in the rainforest, in lodges.

In the Sacred Valley, travellers stay in Urubamba, Ollantaytambo or Pisac. Staying overnight in Aguas Calientes means you can catch the early entry slots from 6 am without having to travel there at dawn.

PromPerú promotes community-based tourism: on Amantaní and Taquile, and in Sibayo or Yanque in the Colca valley, local families host guests. In Tambopata and Manu, travellers stay in rainforest lodges; Tambopata is reached from Puerto Maldonado in around 2 hours by boat.

Sources: PromPerú (peru.travel) · Ministerio de Cultura del Perú · PromPerú (peru.travel) · PromPerú (peru.travel) · PromPerú (peru.travel) · PromPerú (peru.travel)

What do you eat in Peru?

In short

PromPerú calls Lima the culinary capital of South America; classics include cebiche, causa limeña and Chinese-Peruvian chifa cuisine. In the highlands, quinoa, corn and trout from Lake Titicaca shape the menu, while Arequipa is known for its traditional picanterías.

Market tours and cooking classes in Lima show where the ingredients for cebiche and causa come from. Chifa is eaten in the old town's Chinatown, and fresh cebiche in the fishing village of Huanchaco near Trujillo.

Arequipa's picanterías cook in stone mortars and clay pots: stuffed peppers, shrimp soup, and ocopa — potatoes in a chili sauce. In Puno there's quinoa stew and trout, and in the Sacred Valley, chicha, the local corn beer.

Germany's Federal Foreign Office lists hepatitis A and travellers' diarrhoea as hygiene-related risks; freshly pressed sugar-cane juice (garapa) can transmit Chagas disease.

Sources: PromPerú (peru.travel) · PromPerú (peru.travel) · PromPerú (peru.travel) · PromPerú (peru.travel) · PromPerú (peru.travel) · PromPerú (peru.travel) · Auswärtiges Amt

What culture and festivals shape Peru?

In short

Peru is shaped by the Inca, the Spanish colonial era and older cultures such as the Moche, Chimú, Nasca and Chachapoya. Alongside Spanish, the Ministry of Culture lists 48 indigenous languages, Quechua foremost among them; the biggest festivals are Inti Raymi in Cusco on 24 June and the Candelaria festival in Puno in February.

Of the 48 indigenous languages, 4 are spoken in the Andes and 44 in the Amazon region.

Inti Raymi begins around 9 am on 24 June at the Qorikancha and ends with the main ceremony at Saqsaywaman; PromPerú recommends arriving two to three days beforehand. Puno's Candelaria festival is an intangible UNESCO cultural heritage: for two weeks, more than 40,000 people dance to around 200 music groups.

Picnics, campfires and camping are forbidden at archaeological sites. Rituals involving ayahuasca or San Pedro have, according to Germany's Federal Foreign Office, already led to serious illness and deaths.

Sources: Ministerio de Cultura del Perú, Base de Datos de Pueblos Indígenas · PromPerú (peru.travel) · PromPerú (peru.travel) · Auswärtiges Amt

What experiences are worthwhile, and how do the Machu Picchu tickets work?

In short

Visiting Machu Picchu requires a ticket issued in your own name for one of three circuits, one of ten routes, and a fixed entry window between 6 am and 3 pm; there are 4,500 places per day, rising to 5,600 in the high season (as of September 2026). Other highlights include the Inca Trail, the condors of the Colca Canyon, the islands of Lake Titicaca and the Tambopata rainforest.

Machu Picchu: circuits, routes and time windows (as of September 2026)

Circuits and routes at Machu Picchu (as of September 2026)
Circuit	Routes	Availability
Circuit 1 – Panorámico	1-A Montaña Machupicchu, 1-B Terraza superior, 1-C Portada Intipunku, 1-D Puente Inka	1-A and 1-B year-round, 1-C and 1-D only in high season
Circuit 2 – Machupicchu Clásico	2-A Ruta diseñada, 2-B Terraza inferior	year-round
Circuit 3 – Realeza	3-A Montaña Waynapicchu, 3-B Ruta diseñada, 3-C Gran Caverna, 3-D Huchuypicchu	3-A and 3-B year-round, 3-C and 3-D only in high season

Entry is hourly from 6 am to 3 pm. The mountain routes are tight: for Montaña Machupicchu there are only the 7 am and 9 am slots, with 175 places each, and for Waynapicchu the 7 am and 10 am slots, with 200 places each. High season is the dry summer months until early November, Easter week and the turn of the year.

Tickets are available at tuboleto.cultura.pe after registering with a passport and email address; sales for a given year open each November of the previous year. Tickets are valid only for the booked date and hour, with no rebooking or refund. Around 1,000 places per day are sold on-site in Machupicchu Pueblo.

The Ministry of Culture tiers its fares by origin: for Peruvian nationals, foreign residents of Peru and citizens of the Andean Community (Bolivia, Ecuador, Colombia), reduced fares apply under Resolución Ministerial N.° 000284-2025-MC, for example S/ 64 for the classic Circuit 2 and S/ 112 for the mountain routes with Waynapicchu or Montaña Machupicchu. A separate, higher fare applies to foreign tourists not resident in Peru; this page deliberately does not give a figure for it, because no official source stating the exact amount could be opened during this research session (as of September 2026).

Inca Trail

Tickets for the Inca Trail are bought by travel agencies on behalf of their clients. Every year in February the trail is closed for maintenance work; it reopens in early March. During the rainy season access can also be closed at short notice.

Other highlights

Colca Canyon: early-morning Andean condors with wingspans of up to 3 m at the Cruz del Cóndor; a UNESCO Geopark since 2019.
Lake Titicaca: boat trip to Uros, Taquile and Amantaní, with an optional overnight stay with local families.
Islas Ballestas: sea lions and Humboldt penguins, only with operators licensed by DIRCETUR.
Nazca Lines: an overview from the 13 m viewing tower or from a small aircraft.
Tambopata: macaws at the clay licks, giant otters at Lake Sandoval.
Kuélap and Gocta: cable car to the Chachapoya fortress, and a hike to one of the world's tallest waterfalls.

How do you travel responsibly in Peru?

In short

The most important rule concerns Machu Picchu: the daily quota protects the site, and UNESCO explicitly names the sharply rising visitor numbers as a challenge. Buying tickets through official channels and respecting protected-area rules helps preserve it.

In Paracas, don't feed the animals and only book licensed boat operators.
Book excursions in Tambopata only with licensed operators, and in Iquitos, according to Germany's Federal Foreign Office, only with official agencies.
No picnics, fires or camping at archaeological sites; never export cultural artefacts.
Stay with local families on Amantaní, Taquile or in the Colca valley; according to PromPerú, the income goes directly to the communities.

Sources: UNESCO World Heritage Centre · Ministerio de Cultura del Perú · PromPerú (peru.travel) · PromPerú (peru.travel) · Auswärtiges Amt · PromPerú (peru.travel) · PromPerú (peru.travel)

Which countries combine well with Peru?

In short

The most obvious option is Bolivia to the southeast, since Lake Titicaca straddles the border between the two countries. Ecuador and Colombia border Peru to the north, Brazil to the east, and Chile to the south; travelling overland into Ecuador requires special documentation.

For the overland crossing into Ecuador, Ecuador requires, according to Germany's Federal Foreign Office, a recent police clearance certificate; anyone who has spent more than 10 days in Peru must also, according to the BMEIA, show proof of a yellow fever vaccination.

The borders are open. Switzerland's FDFA advises against the border area with Colombia.

Sources: Wikipedia · Wikipedia · Auswärtiges Amt · Bundesministerium für europäische und internationale Angelegenheiten (BMEIA) · Eidgenössisches Departement für auswärtige Angelegenheiten EDA

Who is Peru suited to, and who is it less suited to?

In short

Peru suits travellers who want to combine history, mountains and nature and are willing to plan Machu Picchu and the altitude carefully. It is less suited to travellers looking for a pure beach holiday, to people with heart or respiratory conditions without a medical check-up beforehand, and to anyone travelling without reservations or buffer time.

Peru suits culture enthusiasts, hikers and wildlife watchers well. Families can manage with a slower pace but should take the altitude seriously, since it can, according to healthytravel.ch, affect anyone regardless of age or fitness.

Short trips packed with many stages are less ideal. Anyone hoping to buy Machu Picchu tickets spontaneously on-site during high season should, according to the Ministry of Culture, expect long queues.

Sources: healthytravel.ch, Swiss Expert Committee for Travel Medicine · Ministerio de Cultura del Perú

Peru

What can travellers expect in Peru?

What kind of destination is Peru?

Which regions of Peru are worth visiting?

Lima

Cusco

Sacred Valley

Machu Picchu and Aguas Calientes

Arequipa and the Colca Canyon

Lake Titicaca and Puno

South coast: Paracas, Huacachina and Nazca

Amazon: Tambopata, Manu and Iquitos

Northern Peru: Trujillo, Chachapoyas and Kuélap

Regions with their own page

When is the best time to visit Peru?

How dangerous is the altitude in Cusco and at Lake Titicaca?

What do you need to enter Peru?

What vaccinations and health precautions does Peru require?

How safe is Peru for travellers?

How do you get to Peru and travel around the country?

What money do you need in Peru, and how do you pay?

Where is the best place to stay in Peru?

What do you eat in Peru?

What culture and festivals shape Peru?

What experiences are worthwhile, and how do the Machu Picchu tickets work?

Machu Picchu: circuits, routes and time windows (as of September 2026)

Inca Trail

Other highlights

How do you travel responsibly in Peru?

Which countries combine well with Peru?

Who is Peru suited to, and who is it less suited to?

Worth combining

Routes through Peru

Frequently asked questions

Where this information comes from

Plan Peru with AVA