Peru Travel Guide

Quick answer: This Peru travel guide covers typical costs (hostel dorms from 8–12 USD a night, market set lunches around S/.5), money-saving tips like student cards and the Cusco tourist pass, and the top things to see, from Machu Picchu and Lake Titicaca to Colca Canyon, the Nazca Lines, Ballestas Islands, Lima, Laguna 69 and Mancora.

Peru is one of the most visited countries in South America. It is home to Machu Picchu, one of the New Seven Wonders of the World, and its capital, Lima, is known as the capital of South American gastronomy. From the unspoiled beaches of Mancora in the north to Lake Titicaca, the world’s highest navigable lake, in the south, the country has places of great historical significance and attractions at every turn. These tips will help you plan your dream trip.

Typical Travel Costs in Peru

Item	Typical cost
Hostel dorm bed	8–12 USD per night
Private room	15–30 USD per night
Set lunch at Mercado Central	S/.5 (about USD 1.5)
Mid-range restaurant menu	From S/.15
1-litre jar of fresh fruit juice	S/.3–10 (about USD 1–3)
City bus, one way	80 centavos
Moto-taxi (Puno, Huaraz)	S/.2 per trip
Long-distance bus	20–50 USD

Accommodation

You can find hostel dorm rooms for 8–12 USD per night, while private rooms cost 15–30 USD per night.

Book your hostel through the above-mentioned affiliate link, you won’t be charged anything extra, however, backpackways would get a referral bonus which would help me to maintain this site.

Food

A typical set-lunch menu at the Central Market (Mercado Central) costs S/.5 (about USD 1.5). Most mid-range restaurants have menus from S/.15, and a one-litre jar of fresh fruit juice at the market costs S/.3–10 (USD 1–3).

Transportation

Buses are the main way to get around, and a one-way city ticket costs 80 centavos. In some regions, such as Puno and Huaraz, moto-taxis (tuk-tuks) cost S/.2 per trip.

Long-distance buses cost 20–50 USD, and flights are reasonably cheap if booked well in advance. busportal.pe is the best website to compare prices and buy bus tickets.

Money-Saving Tips for Travelling in Peru

Get a Student Card

Carry your student card when visiting tourist attractions across the country, including Machu Picchu and the Sacred Valley, to get discounts.

Buy a Tourist Pass in Cusco

While in Cusco, get a tourist pass. It grants entry to 13 attractions in total, most within the city and a few, like the Sacred Valley, on the outskirts. You can buy one from any travel agency in Cusco.

• Foreigners: S/. 130.00 approx. (US $43.00)
• Students: S/. 70.00 approx. (US $23.00), only for students under 26 with ISIC cards

Things to See and Do in Peru

Get Lost in Machu Picchu

Machu Picchu should top your list of attractions in Peru. For many travellers, a visit to this icon of Inca civilisation is the most awaited highlight of the trip.

It is the best-known archaeological site in South America, if not the world. This impressive ancient city was never found by the conquering Spaniards and was virtually forgotten by the outside world until the early 20th century.

Do a Homestay on Lake Titicaca

Lake Titicaca in Puno is the world’s highest navigable lake, with a surface elevation of 3,812 metres (12,507 ft), and straddles the border of Peru and Bolivia.

Three islands on the Peruvian side are open for tourism, including the renowned Uros floating islands. Different tours are available, but spending a night on one of the islands with a local family is the best way to experience their way of life.

Trek Through Colca Canyon

Colca Canyon, in the south of the country near Arequipa, is one of the deepest canyons in the world, about twice as deep as the Grand Canyon in the USA.

It is home to the Andean condor (Vultur gryphus), a species that has been the focus of worldwide conservation efforts. You can see the condors at close range as they glide past the canyon walls.

See the Nazca Lines

The Nazca Lines are mysterious geoglyphs spanning a vast swath of the rugged Peruvian desert, and they remain an enigma. Theories range from the fanciful idea of landing strips for returning aliens to a celestial calendar created by the ancient Nazca civilisation.

Visit the “Poor Man’s Galapagos”

The Ballestas Islands (Islas Ballestas) are a group of small islands near Paracas in southern Peru. They are an important sanctuary for marine wildlife such as the blue-footed booby, the Guanay cormorant and terns.

Other notable species include fur seals, sea lions and Humboldt penguins.

Immerse Yourself in Lima

The capital, Lima, is a perfect blend of modernity and history. Wide avenues, skyscrapers and plazas lined with coffee shops and burger joints sit a few blocks from historic churches and colonial houses.

One of the most visited churches is the San Francisco Church and Convent, part of Lima’s UNESCO World Heritage historic centre. It is known for its catacombs, where thousands of skulls and bones were discovered, and some believe a secret passageway once connected it to the Cathedral and the Tribunal of the Holy Inquisition.

See the Blue Lagoon of Laguna 69

Laguna 69 is a prominent attraction near Huaraz. It is one of more than 400 lakes in Huascarán National Park, a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve and World Heritage Site.

The breathtaking turquoise lake is hugged by snowy peaks, jagged rocks and trickling waterfalls, and sits 4,600 metres above sea level.

Relax on a Beach in Mancora

Mancora is a resort town in Piura, known for its pristine sandy beaches and big waves that make it a surfer’s paradise. Southeast of town, the La Poza de Barro hot springs and mud baths are worth a visit.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much does a hostel cost in Peru?

Hostel dorm beds typically cost 8–12 USD per night, and private rooms 15–30 USD.

Is the Cusco tourist pass worth it?

It covers 13 attractions in and around Cusco, including sites in the Sacred Valley, for about S/. 130 (S/. 70 for students under 26 with an ISIC card).

What are the top places to visit in Peru?

Machu Picchu, Lake Titicaca, Colca Canyon, the Nazca Lines, the Ballestas Islands, Lima, Laguna 69 near Huaraz and the beaches of Mancora.

How do I book buses in Peru?

Use busportal.pe to compare prices and buy tickets. Long-distance buses cost around 20–50 USD.

Conclusion

Peru packs ancient ruins, Andean lakes, deep canyons, desert mysteries, wildlife and beaches into one country, and it can be travelled on a modest budget. Use this Peru travel guide to plan your costs and route, and prices may have changed since, so check the latest before you go.