Going to Peru soon, would like some travel / general advice?

Question

Hi, I'm planning a trip to Peru soon for 2 weeks in November this year (just wait for work to let me have the time off), I wanted to know of people's experiences, recommendations of places to go and the dos and donts. I'm also curious to know whether, as a 'gringo' like me would stand out like a sore thumb - I'm blonde, fair skinned and over 6ft...having been to Thailand & Japan I experienced people staring at me a lot but just wondered whether South Americans are more used to Europeans etc...I mean that in a totally non-offensive way, just curious.

Answer 1

I am going there next summer for my brother's wedding. He has been there before, some advice is just use your smarts from previous traveling experiences, go with your gut instinct. Some parts are a bit touristy, so you won't stand out as much.

the weather is nice, if a bit rainy.

well anyway..enjoy your trip!

Answer 2

look here.

http://www.amazingperu.com/peru/peru_tou...

And here

http://www.peruvacationtours.com/?OVRAW=...

And here

https://www.cia.gov/library/publications...

Answer 3

God Bless you if you ride the buses there. My bf lived in Talara Peru, Northern, and was killed in a bus accident. Be careful. Take the more expensive buses.

In Lima, Miraflores has more light skinned people and they speak more English.

Be careful of cabs, and only use official cabs if possible. it's very cheap too.

Watch out for money exchangers, go to the bank for this.

The people are friendly and beautiful, have a great time in a wonderful country!

best, mari

Answer 4

What part of Peru are you planning on visit?

This are the places I recommend.

City - Lima although everyone can tell you that is awful, well is a pretty awesome place where you got beautiful beaches, museums, parks. If you like you can attend a bulls fight, they are very popular in this time of year. I recommend Miraflores, San Isidro, and Barranco districts to visit.

Outside Lima

Ancient city - Cusco, Arequipa, Puno

Of course the visiting Machu Pichu in Cusco, Canyon of Colca in arequipa and The lago Titicaca in Puno

Beaches - Nothern Peru- Mancora, Chiclayo, Trujillo

Mancora is a paradise, Chiclayo you can find the Lord of Sipan( the gold museums is SPECTACULAR) , Trujillo you can go to Huanchaco and ride the Totora horses ( old boats from Inca's time)

Jungle - Madre de Dios, Iquitos, Chachapoyas

In Madre de Dios you can take an excursion and visit the Manu National Park, Iquitos is a very nice city where you will find a diversity of things to visit, you can take a tour in the Amazonas River and Chachapoyas has Kuelap Ruins that are as big and wonderfull as Machu Pichu.

As far as the "Gringo" stand out, dont worry we also have blonde hair and fair skin Peruvians : )

You'll be good & safe.

Hope this helps you

Good Luck

Answer 5

Lots and lots of gringos go to Peru, and while you might be stared at in some places, it will not be in a malicious way.  South Americans, and Peruvians in particular, are very accepting of gringos.  They'll even call you "gringo."  Don't take it as an insult, they're just being friendly.

I've been going to Peru (maybe 40 trips) for about 15 years.  My wife is from there.  We know the whole country inside and out.  

The major tourist attraction is of course Machu Picchu.  For a first-time visitor, going there is pretty much a must.  They are one of the wonders of the world and the whole experience of visiting Cuzco (the gateway city) and getting to the ruins is fabulous.  Beware the altitude of Cuzco (4300m).  Don't drink alcohol the first night or two, eat light foods and take it easy.

You can hike to the ruins of Machu Picchu over the Inca Trail, which is spectacular, but permits for the hike are reserved a year in advance, so unless there's a cancellation, you're out of luck.  There are other trails that lead there not requiring a permit.  Cuzco is full of trekking agencies that can arrange a hike on short notice.  Do a google search on Cuzco trekking agencies, contact them, ask for references and go from there.  I always use www.solandino.com, while they're based in Huaraz, to the north, they have good contacts in Cuzco.

Beyond Cuzco, think of Peru as being three distinct regions:  the arid coast, the Andes, and the jungle to the east.  Each is almost like a separate country, they're so different.  Along the coast, of course I recommend Chiclayo, where my wife is from.  In Chiclayo, you'll find the best museums in Peru for pre-inca artifacts, including the incredible Señor de Sipan.  The food there is incredible and cheap, especially the fish and a dish called cebiche (sometimes spelled ceviche), which is fish marinated in lemon juice.  

To the south, you can visit the Nazca Lines, which are the famous figures drawn into the desert gravel, resembling, among other things, a whale, a spider, a hummingbird, and a person wearing what appears to be a space suit.  Nearby is the Reservas de Paracas, where you can take a boat ride out to the islands to see a miniature version of the Galapagos.  This is right where the big earthquake happened in August (we were there at the time, it was scary).  

In the jungle, the big attraction is Manu national park.  You can get there from Cuzco.  There are a lot of jungle lodges which can arrange everything for you.  Talk to your doctor about taking malaria prophylaxis.  Also, no matter where you go, it's a good idea to get a hepatitis A vaccination, and get your tetanus up to date.

In the Andes, beyond Cuzco, I recommend Huaraz, where the most spectacular mountainsd can be viewed. Here you'll find the tallest mountain in Peru, Huascaran, at almost 7000m, and the largest glaciers in the world's tropics.  Trekking there is almost unlimited (see again www.solandino.com), but you'll be arriving in November, which is the start of the rainy season.  Trekking is not impossible, but the views will be more limited because of clouds.  You could still get lucky.

Also fascinating to visit is Arequipa, the second largest city in Peru, filled with colonial architecture, its own unique foods, and close to the deepest canyon in South America, Colca.  In Arequipa, it's easy to arrange for a tour of Colca Canyon, or a trek if you so desire.  There is also a hike-up volcano called Misti right outside the city, which is beautiful and imposing.

Not far from Arequipa is Lake Titicaca and Puno.  You can take a day cruise on the lake to visit the islands, where indigenous people still colorfully practice their traditions.  Puno is also very high elevation.  

With the exception of Huaraz, you can fly to the other cities from Lima (to Puno, you land in Juliaca and ride about 30 minutes into town in a taxi or bus).  To get to Huaraz from Lima, take either Movil Tours or Cruz del Sur buses, from the Javier Prado Boulevard stations.  It's not too expensive, maybe $15.  

If you fly within Peru, the best airline is LAN.  The rest can be a little bit squirrely.  LAN is up to European/US standards.  

I'm not a big fan of Lima.  I try to get out of there as soon as possible upon arrival, but for a first-timer, a city tour might be nice.   Most hotels can arrange that.  Try to stay in the Miraflores area, which is the cleanest and safest, and from the airport, take a taxi there arranged from one of the counters inside the airport.

Have fun.

Answer 6

I spent two weeks in Peru last winter.   I loved it. The people are wonderful.  They are very warm and loving.  Be prepared to fall in love with the children. The music is also a treat. I almost died with altitude sickness.  Make sure you go to the Dr. before you leave and get something.  They try to give you Cocoa Tea, but it just makes your heart race.  Altitude sickness can affect anyone. It doesn't mater your age, or how physically fit you are.  The ruins are wonderful.

Answer 7

I had an amazing time (back in 1994).

When the Shining Path tried their revolution, the people of Peru wouldn't have it.  They knew that they needed tourism to survive so when you're there, you're going to be blown away with how helpful everyone is.

My example.  My dad and I arrive and there is no cab to meet us as we had arranged.  Something had gotten messed up in the booking and they had us arriving a year later!  A cab driver saw us panicking a bit so asked what was wrong.  We explained and he offers to take us to our hotel.  We get there and after some back and forth, he helps us get a room.  He then asks what we were supposed to have done that day and after explaining, he offers to take us to the sites we were supposed to go to.  Upon returning to the hotel, he refuses to charge us - doesn't want us to have a bad experience.  Of course, we paid him, and then some, but when has that ever happened to you when traveling?

I suggest Lake Titicaca and go to the "floating islands."  Of course, Machu Picchu and be sure to make the stops along the way thru the Sacred Valley.  I recommend staying for a night out at Machu Picchu (there are places down in the valley).  It gets really busy during the day so if you stay the night, wake up and take the first bus up, you'll have the place essentially to yourself.

Send me a message if you're looking for more :)