PERU: RESOURCES GUIDE
About Peru:
Peru is a captivating country in South America that boasts a rich history, diverse culture, and stunning natural beauty. Known for its ancient ruins, vibrant cities, and breathtaking landscapes, Peru is a must-visit destination for any traveler.
One of the most iconic landmarks in Peru is Machu Picchu, the ancient Incan citadel that sits atop a mountain in the Andes. Visitors can hike the famous Inca Trail or take a train to Aguas Calientes to access the site. Machu Picchu is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and a testament to the incredible engineering and architectural skills of the Incas.
Another popular destination in Peru is the city of Cusco, once the capital of the Incan Empire. Cusco is a charming colonial city that blends Incan and Spanish architecture, with a picturesque main square and colorful markets. Visitors can explore the city's museums and historical sites or take a cooking class to learn about Peruvian cuisine.
For nature lovers, Peru offers a variety of breathtaking landscapes, including the Amazon rainforest, the Andes mountains, and the Pacific coast. The Colca Canyon, one of the deepest canyons in the world, is a popular spot for hiking and birdwatching, while Lake Titicaca, the highest navigable lake in the world, offers stunning views and a glimpse into the local indigenous culture.
Peruvian cuisine is renowned for its unique flavors and fresh ingredients, with dishes like ceviche, lomo saltado, and ají de gallina. Visitors can also try chicha, a traditional fermented corn drink, or Pisco, a grape brandy that is the national drink of Peru.
Whether you're exploring the iconic Machu Picchu, discovering the vibrant culture of Cusco, or hiking through the Colca Canyon, Peru is a must-visit destination for any traveler.
Welcome to Adventure Fares' Resources and Information Guide. These guides are compiled to provide a great "starting place" for planning. Here, we try to help you with the 4 big planning goals for any destination: Where to Stay / Where to Eat / What to See and Do / How to Budget. We even try to include some great itinerary links. Have fun planning your travel adventure! These resource pages are always being updated. If you would like to see a country / city / place not already in our resource guides, please email your requests or suggestions to: [email protected]
BUDGET RESOURCES:
We typically go to Budget Your Trip to research budgeting! We highly recommend their website. They do a fantastic job of compiling data from thousands of travelers around the world! This data is so useful for anyone who’s wanting to make the most of their travel budget. If you sign up and enter your own expenses - you contribute to the data and also get to access their fantastic planning tools - with charts, maps, graphs, and tables of your trip finances. Bookmark their site, and go there for a lot more in-depth budgeting research: BudgetYourTrip.com
With this chart, we just wanted to give you an idea of how your budget might look compared to a few familiar places here in the U.S
Rentals / Hotels / B&B Lists
Finding the perfect accommodation can make or break a trip. That's why we compile so many lodging lists - to help you find reliable and affordable recommendations for AirBNBs, VRBOs, boutique hotels, and B&Bs. These lists should give you a great starting place, and hopefully make that trip even better!
AIRBNB LISTS
VRBO LISTS
BED AND BREAKFASTS
BOUTIQUE HOTELS
AIRBNB Resources:
airbnb.com - It has become a very popular resource for travelers. We try to limit our lists to rentals in great locations, with good pricing, and great views when we find them. We use AirBNB a lot. ALWAYS double-check reviews and avoid "new" listings most of the time. Be sure to double check for air conditioning in the summer, and feel free to reach out to the owner for tips / questions!
VRBO Resources:
vrbo.com - VRBO is another great one to use. Sometimes you find rentals here you won't see on AirBNB - its always great to have more options, especially during peak seasons when rentals book up fast. Always double-check reviews and avoid "new" listings when possible. The VRBO system won't let us filter neighborhoods as well as some others, so always double check location after finding a good property.
Bed and Breakfast Resources:
Booking.com - this is often our “go-to” for this category. We find their customer reviews to be very reliable!
bedandbreakfast.guide (B&B Guide) - this one screens out the worst-reviewed places, so their lists are pretty reliable.
bnbfinder.com - this one is promising, but they don’t have near as many listings as the others here. We hope they grow!
Boutique Hotels Resources:
BoutiqueHotel.me - this one is usually our favorite. However, their list will only provide you with hotels who allow booking through booking.com - so some great hotels won’t be on their lists.
MrandMrsSmith.com - This is fantastic and inspirational resource for finding places to stay around the world. Much of their focus is on premiere hotels (and not what we would call “budget” finds), but it can be a fantastic place to search. It’s fun to just click on their “Inspiration” tab and find some new places around the world.
TheHotelGuru.com - This site also links to booking.com, and can be a complimentary resource.
GreatSmallHotels.com - Another resource the books through booking.com, this one tends to go a little more upscale, especially in large European cities.
Some More Interesting Lodging Guides:
gounusual.com - Great Resource for those trying to find unique places to stay: Castles, igloos, boats, more!
eruoglamping.com - Just what it sounds like - a resource of upscale camping places in Europe:
goglamping.net - GoGlamping / More upscale camping experiences - UK and Europe
NOTE: No matter what form of lodging you book, we recommend you always confirm your booking one last time a week to 10 days ahead of your travel.
Restaurants / Dining Lists
Choosing dining options can be confusing and intimidating. We've compiled these lists to help you start planning some memorable meals. Lists are organized by city and include some of the best and most affordable dining destinations in each city/area. Every adventure deserves some great meals!
TRIP ADVISOR
WANDERLOG
TripAdvisor Dining Lists:
TripAdvisor.com - We recommend using TripAdvisor’s dining directories whenever you find yourself needing good food in a place with which you’re unfamiliar. They have a huge volume of reviews, great genre help, and mapping.
Michelin Guide - Dining Lists:
Michelin Guide - For respected and relevant reviews of restaurants around the world, Michelin has been the Iconic dining guide since the 1800s. If you find a 1 star near you, book it. If you find a 2 star, you’re in for a treat. If you find a 3 star - make a travel detour if you need to and get there!
Wanderlog Dining Lists:
Wanderlog.com - Wanderlog is an interesting site - compiling lots of travel planning possibilities. Their trip-planning features are worth checking out, but we’ve come to really like their restaurant lists. They’re just a little pickier than TripAdvisor, but not as exclusive as Michelin. They’re worth checking out in most towns.
When trying to get a nicer restaurant into your travel plans, we recommend making reservations at least a couple of weeks ahead of time. Some of the Michelin star restaurants might even require more advance (varies).
Things to See and Do Lists
Finding what to see and do is always a travel priority. We've compiled lists/links from the world's most credible sources to help you find the best adventures for your destination. These lists will help you find the most popular attractions (and some hidden gems) for your travel adventures.
FODOR'S
ATLAS OBSCURA
TRIP ADVISOR
GET YOUR GUIDE
Things to See and Do Resources:
These are a few resources we trust. They will give you some great places to start. Rank your priorities (and your travel friends' priorities), see what works for your schedule, and plan an amazing travel adventure. *Don't try to cram too much in - it's those "unplanned" moments that often product the best adventures.
FodorsTravel.com - In our experience, Fodor’s is the best overall place to start when planning a trip. Once you search and find their guide to a city - they break the guide down into Sights, Nightlife, Shopping, Performing Arts, and Sports and Acitivities. There’s not tons of inspiration here, but good, reliable information. There are ads, but they do a good job of keeping the content credible. They also have a great “Map View” feature for the different sections so you can always check to see what’s close. Their Hotels and Restaurants guides are also pretty good.
RickSteves.com - Rick Steves has been an awesome resource for budget travelers for decades, and his content just keeps getting better. His reviews are reliable, his itineraries are fantastic, and his reputation for credibility is great. We check out his information on any destination we're thinking about visiting.
AtlasObscura.com - This is our favorite guide source! We don’t know how the team at Atlas Obscura finds so many cool, interesting, and odd things to see around the world - but they do it. It’s easy to find those top few things to do in any location, but these guys go beyond - and get you some off-the-beaten path adventures.
TripAdvisor - Trip Advisor is pretty commercial in nature, but they have really high traffic - so it's easy to see what's popular pretty much anywhere in the world. That can be helpful for planning what to see, and sometimes what to avoid. It's one of our go-to resources for seeing what might be in the town ahead on a road trip.
Wanderlog.com - Wanderlog is an interesting site - compiling lots of travel planning possibilities. Their trip-planning features are worth checking out, and we really like their “THINGS TO DO” lists. They’re pretty much ranked from most popular to least - so its a great place to figure out a priority list of things to see.
GetYourGuide.com - We really like this one! Get your guide is becoming a great source for planning as well as inspiration for travel adventures. Even if you aren’t looking for things to do on your trip, it’s a good place to get new trip ideas and browse exciting things to do. They have some "decent" pricing on local activities - worth considering for booking.
Nomadicmatt.com - Matt travels as much as any blogger / content creator we follow. He's a good writer, a good planner, and delivers entertaining content. We certainly recommend you check out his travel guides. If he's been somewhere, he shares great stuff!
OTHERS WORTH CHECKING OUT:
The Crazy Tourist - This is a travel resource that covers destinations all over the world. Just type the name of a country or city in their search section, and they have good
CultureTrip.com - This one is pretty commercial (lots of ads), but its also pretty reliable. They’ve been a travel industry leader for a long time, so there are enough reviews on things to know if you’re making good decisions. We always check out the Culture Trip guide for any location we’re planning on visiting.
Itineraries to Get You Started
Building an itinerary for your travel adventure can be a daunting task. Here are a few resources to help you get started without all the "noise" associated with online research. These are sample itineraries from travel pros who are credible, reliable, and know the places they're writing about. Itineraries are made to be broken, but hopefully these will start you out on the right path.
If you're planning a trip to Peru, there's so much to see and do that it can be overwhelming to know where to start. To help you plan your itinerary, here's a comprehensive checklist of must-see destinations and off-the-beaten-path gems to explore. Below our checklist, you'll find several sample itineraries we recommend.
DON’T MISS:
- Machu Picchu: One of the most iconic destinations in South America, this ancient Incan citadel is a must-visit. You can either take the classic four-day Inca Trail trek or visit by train from Cusco.
- Cusco: This charming city was once the capital of the Incan Empire and is now a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Stroll through its cobblestone streets, visit its museums, and admire its colonial architecture.
- Lake Titicaca: Straddling the border between Peru and Bolivia, this is the world's highest navigable lake. Take a boat tour to visit the Uros floating islands, where the indigenous people have lived for centuries.
- The Amazon Rainforest: The Peruvian Amazon is one of the most biodiverse regions on the planet. Take a guided tour to see wildlife such as monkeys, birds, and caimans, and learn about indigenous cultures.
- Colca Canyon: This canyon in southern Peru is one of the deepest in the world and is home to the Andean condor. Take a hike along its trails or relax in one of the nearby hot springs.
IF YOU HAVE MORE TIME:
- Nazca Lines: These mysterious geoglyphs in southern Peru were created over 1,000 years ago and can only be seen from the air. Take a scenic flight to see the spider, hummingbird, and other designs.
- Arequipa: Known as the "White City" because of its colonial buildings made from white volcanic stone, this city is surrounded by snow-capped peaks. Visit the Santa Catalina Monastery or try some of the local cuisine.
- Huacachina: This desert oasis in southern Peru is surrounded by sand dunes that are perfect for sandboarding or dune buggy rides. Stay in a luxury hotel or camp out under the stars.
- Huaraz: This mountain town in northern Peru is a paradise for hikers and outdoor enthusiasts. Visit Huascarán National Park to see glaciers, lakes, and peaks over 6,000 meters high.
- Lima: Peru's capital city has a rich history and vibrant culture. Visit the historic center to see colonial buildings, try some ceviche, or take a bike tour along the waterfront.
OFF THE BEATEN PATH
- Kuelap: This ancient fortress in northern Peru predates Machu Picchu and is still relatively unknown to tourists. Take a cable car up to the top of the hill to see the massive stone walls and intricate carvings.
- Choquequirao: Often called the "sister" of Machu Picchu, this site is much less visited but just as impressive. Take a multi-day trek to see the ruins and stunning mountain scenery.
- Gocta Waterfall: This hidden gem in northern Peru is one of the tallest waterfalls in the world but was only discovered by outsiders in 2005. Take a hike to the base of the falls or stay in a nearby eco-lodge.
- Paracas National Reserve: This coastal reserve south of Lima is home to marine wildlife such as sea lions, penguins, and dolphins. Take a boat tour to see the Ballestas Islands or explore the desert landscapes of the reserve.
- Mancora: This beach town in northern Peru has become increasingly popular in recent years but still retains its laid-back vibe. Relax on the beach, surf, or take a whale watching tour (in season).
ITINERARIES FOR PERU:
Itineraries can be tough to build, but the process can also be really fun to research. We read hundreds of these a month - and are always looking for better ones for our resource guides. Here are a few we found that might be helpful to get you started. Some of these are from favorite sources, and few we just found for this country. Start planning that adventure!
Over 200 Peru Itineraries / kimkim
10 Day Peru Itinerary / Travel Addicts
10 Days in Peru: Machu Picchu, Sacred Valley & The Amazon / Earth Trekkers
Suggested Itineraries in Peru / Frommer's
Backpacking Peru: 3 Week Itinerary / JonnyMelon
Your Perfect 10-Day Peru Itinerary / Savored Journeys
MORE RESOURCES:
Nomadic Matt: Peru Travel Guide
Nomadic Matt: A Complete Guide to Hiking the Inca Trail
Backpacking Peru Budget Travel Guide / The Broke Backpacker
12 Reasons to Visit Peru / Travel + Leisure
Lima Travel Guide / Travel + Leisure
The Ultimate Guide to Backpacking Peru / hostelworld
Peru Travel Guide / National Geographic
Best 10 Trails in Peru / AllTrails
VIDEOS TO WATCH:
ECUADOR - NOT WHAT WE EXPECTED / FERNWEH CHRONICLES
WELCOME TO PERU: TRAVEL GUIDE / VAGABROTHERS
CUSCO TRAVEL GUIDE / VAGABROTHERS
MACHU PICCHU - THE LOST CITY OF INCA / VAGABROTHERS
PERU: FROM LIMA TO CUSCO / VAGABROTHERS
Peru's Sacred Valley / MrBrynnorth
10 BEST PLACES TO VISIT IN PERU / TOUROPIA
*photos from pixabay.com, pexels.com, unsplash.com and Darrell Potts
EMAIL Us - We Want to Hear From You!
We believe that the best travel advice comes from those who have experienced it firsthand. That's why we're inviting our members to share their travel tips, and recommendations with us. Whether it's a hidden gem of a restaurant, a must-see attraction, or an off-the-beaten-path adventure, we want to hear about it. Your contributions are helping us build a new database of "Member Suggestions." Email us when you get a chance - links, maps, and reviews all help! Email us at [email protected]
LOCATION SCOUT / PHOTOS
Resource Tip! Whenever we're considering going to a places we've never been, I like to pull it up on https://www.locationscout.net
Location Scout shows you pics from thousands of places around the world - just to give you a visual of where you're considering going. This is a photography-based website, with pics - and locations where the pics were taken (maps). Here's a snapshot of what you see when you look up this country. We highly recommend you browse this site before any adventure: https://www.locationscout.net
These resource pages have been fun to work on! We hope they keep getting better. Are we missing something? Are we missing one of your favorite travel resources? Please email me - I'd love to learn anything that can help make travel adventures even better! Darrell Potts.
