Country guide

Peru

Peru is 1,285,216 square kilometres arranged in three long bands: an arid Pacific coast, the Andes behind it, and Amazon rainforest east of the mountains. Which band a city sits in decides nearly everything about visiting it — Lima, the capital, is a coastal city under grey winter cloud, Cusco sits high enough in the Andes to cost a first day doing nothing, and Iquitos in the rainforest has no road connecting it to the rest of the country. It is the third largest country in South America. The distances between those three worlds are why itineraries here are counted in flights rather than in bus rides.

Cities

Every city catalogued in this country so far, ranked by how much there is to see.

Lima
Photograph · Corminos · CC BY-SA 3.0

Lima 9,331 places
Cusco
Photograph · gertrudis2010 · CC BY-SA 3.0

Cusco 2,497 places

Practical information

Language spoken: Spanish; Quechua, Aymara and other Indigenous languages have official status where predominant; National practical orientation; regional and minority languages may also be used
Dialling code: +51; International calling code; local area and mobile prefixes still apply
Currency: Peruvian sol (PEN); Use the official local currency; card acceptance varies by place
Emergency number: 105 police · 116 fire; Use only for an emergency; tourist assistance may use a separate number
Plug type: Type A and C · 220 V; Check that chargers support the recorded voltage before using an adapter
Tap water: Not recorded; No verified nationwide visitor drinking-water statement was recorded

Planning a visit

January: no seasonality data recorded
February: no seasonality data recorded
March: no seasonality data recorded
April: no seasonality data recorded
May: no seasonality data recorded
June: no seasonality data recorded
July: no seasonality data recorded
August: no seasonality data recorded — this month
September: no seasonality data recorded
October: no seasonality data recorded
November: no seasonality data recorded
December: no seasonality data recorded

Top things to see

Ranked by importance — sitelinks, pageviews and heritage status, not editor preference.

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Common questions

How long should a first trip to Peru be?

Ten to fourteen days can combine Lima, Cusco and the Sacred Valley with one additional region. Altitude adjustment and rail or road transfers need their own time, so compressing the Andes and Amazon into the same short visit is unwise.

What entry documents are needed for Peru?

Peru’s Migraciones authority publishes admission information. Passport, nationality and permitted-stay rules must be checked for the actual traveller, and any border or immigration form should come from the government service.

What is the best way to travel around Peru?

Lima is the principal air hub, with domestic services to Cusco, Arequipa and other gateways. Intercity buses cover many routes, and selected tourist trains serve the Sacred Valley and Machu Picchu area.

When is a practical time to visit Peru?

May to September is the broad dry-season window for many Andean routes. Lima’s coastal conditions and Amazon rainfall follow different patterns, so an itinerary spanning regions needs separate forecasts and access checks.

What money and payment basics apply in Peru?

Peru uses the sol (PEN). Current acceptance and withdrawal charges are Not recorded here; confirm whether an operator expects soles, cards or advance payment before leaving a major city.

What practical safety details should I save for Peru?

Peru records 105 for police and 116 for fire services. Type A and C sockets use 220 V; national tap-water guidance is Not recorded, so obtain local advice.

🇵🇪Peru