Visa Germans, Austrians, and Swiss do not need a visa for tourist stays up to 90 days (extension to 183 days possible). Required are: Passport: Valid for at least 6 months beyond the stay Return or onward flight ticket: Required upon entry! Proof of sufficient funds: Rarely, but occasionally asked

Peruvian Sol (PEN) 1 Sol = 100 Céntimos. Coins: 10, 20, 50 Céntimos, 1, 2, 5 Soles. Notes: 10, 20, 50, 100, 200 Soles. Exchange rate (reference 2025): 1 EUR ≈ 4.0 PEN / 1 PEN ≈ 0.25 EUR US Dollar or Sol? Peru is partially dollarized: Hotels, travel agencies, and more expensive restaurants often acc

Altitude Sickness — Detailed

Altitude sickness (Soroche) is the most important health issue for travelers to Peru. Here is a detailed guide: Altitude Profiles of Main Destinations LocationAltitudeRisk Lima0 mNone Machu Picchu2,430 mLow Sacred Valley2,800 mLow–Medium Cusco3,400 mMedium Arequipa2,335 mLow Colca Canyon (Chivay)

Vaccinations No mandatory vaccinations for entry from Germany. Recommended are: Standard vaccinations: Tetanus, Diphtheria, Polio (refresh!) Hepatitis A: Strongly recommended Hepatitis B: For longer stays Typhoid: For travel to rural areas Yellow fever: Strongly recommended for travel to the Amazon

General Security Situation Peru is generally safe for tourists as long as you follow the usual precautions. The main tourist regions (Lima/Miraflores, Cusco, Sacred Valley, Arequipa) are well-policed. Millions of tourists visit Peru every year without incidents. What to Watch Out For Pickpocketing

Internet & Communication

SIM Card & Mobile Data A local SIM card is the best and cheapest option: Providers: Claro (largest coverage), Movistar, Entel, Bitel (cheapest) Price: 10–30 PEN (2.50–7.50€) for a SIM with 3–15 GB data, valid for 30 days Purchase: At Lima airport (Claro/Movistar counter right after customs), in any

Clothing & Packing Tips

Peru has all climate zones — from the tropical heat of the rainforest to the icy cold of the Andean passes to the cool coastal humidity of Lima. The layering principle is a must! For the Highlands (Cusco, Titicaca, Colca) Warm down jacket or fleece (nights below 0°C!) Rain jacket (indispensable in

Basic Vocabulary & Peruvian Spanish

In Peru, almost everyone speaks Spanish (Castellano). Peruvian Spanish is considered one of the clearest and most understandable on the continent — good news for Spanish learners! Some peculiarities: “Pe” — the quintessential Peruvian filler word: “¿Cómo estás, pe?” (So, how are you?) “Che” is NOT

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Travel Guide Peru

Your complete travel guide for the land of the Incas

Capital:Lima

Language:Spanish, Quechua

Currency:Peruvian Sol (PEN)

Best Travel Time:May–September (dry season)

Flight Time:~12 hours from DE

Visa:Not required (90 days)

Last updated: 11 March 2026 · 11 Chapters · 39 Sections

RECOMMENDED

Route Suggestions

Classic Peru Tour

14–18 days

The grand tour covering all the highlights of southern Peru: culture, Inca ruins, Andean landscapes, and colonial cities. Best as an organized tour or with domestic flights.

LimaCuscoHeiliges TalMachu PicchuPunoTiticacaseeArequipaColca CanyonLima

Inca Trail

4 days

The legendary Inca Trail: 43 km of trekking through cloud forests, over passes at 4,215 m altitude, and past Inca ruins to the Sun Gate of Machu Picchu. Book permits months in advance!

CuscoWayllabambaPacaymayoWiñay WaynaMachu Picchu

Southern Peru Highlights

10 days

The compact version for those with little time: The main highlights of southern Peru in 10 days, with domestic flights between stages.

LimaArequipaColca CanyonPunoTiticacaseeCuscoMachu Picchu

Complete Peru with Amazon

21 days

The ultimate Peru journey: All the highlights plus three days of jungle adventure in the Amazon lowlands. From the Andes to the rainforest — Peru in all its diversity.

LimaCuscoHeiliges TalMachu PicchuPunoTiticacaseeArequipaColca CanyonPuerto MaldonadoTambopataLima

All Chapters

Planning· 2 Chapters

Chapter 1

Welcome to Peru

7 Sections

Chapter 2

Arrival & Transport

4 Sections

Regions· 5 Chapters

Chapter 3

Lima

4 Sections

Chapter 4

Cusco, Sacred Valley & Machu Picchu

4 Sections · 1 Walking Tour

Chapter 5

Arequipa & Colca Canyon

2 Sections

Chapter 6

Lake Titicaca & Puno

3 Sections

Chapter 7

Amazon Rainforest

3 Sections

Understanding· 2 Chapters

Chapter 8

Land & People

2 Sections

Chapter 9

Food & Drink

2 Sections

Practical· 2 Chapters

Chapter 10

Practical A–Z

7 Sections

Chapter 11

Spanish Phrasebook

1 Sections

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Regions at a Glance

Lima

Peru's capital combines colonial splendor in the Centro Histórico (UNESCO) with the world-famous gastronomy scene in Miraflores and the bohemian flair of Barranco.

Centro Histórico (UNESCO)Miraflores & LarcomarBarranco (Artist Quarter)Museo Larco+1

Lima

Cusco & Sacred Valley

The former Inca capital with a UNESCO old town, surrounded by the Sacred Valley of the Incas with Ollantaytambo, Pisac, the salt mines of Maras, and access to Machu Picchu.

Cusco Old Town (UNESCO)Plaza de ArmasSacsayhuamánSacred Valley+1

Cusco Machu Picchu

Arequipa & Colca Canyon

The "White City" made of sillar volcanic stone, the impressive Santa Catalina Monastery, and the Colca Canyon, twice as deep, with its majestic condors.

Arequipa Old Town (UNESCO)Santa Catalina MonasteryColca CanyonCondor Watching+1

Arequipa

Lake Titicaca

The highest navigable lake in the world at 3,812 meters, featuring the floating reed islands of the Uros, the textile art of Taquile, and the Bolivian shore at Copacabana.

Floating Islands of the UrosTaquileAmantániPuno+1

Puno

Amazon

The Peruvian rainforest with Iquitos as the gateway to the Amazon, the Pacaya-Samiria Reserve, Puerto Maldonado, Tambopata, and the legendary Manu National Park.

Iquitos & AmazonPacaya-Samiria ReserveTambopataManu National Park+1

Iquitos

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