What should I do when I go to Peru?

Question

I'm travelling to Peru in October and I'm after suggestions for exciting or interesting things to do out there. Or, any suggestions on where to stay, where to eat, travelling, etc

Answer 1

Have a BBQ on the beach, adopt a hamster and find a beach babe to go kayaking with.

Answer 2

You will love Peru if you see the right things! October is a beautiful time of year as well. Skip Lima except for a midnight taxi ride to catch the lovers' highlights. Spend some time in Arequipa and soak up the beautiful colonial atmosphere in a clean and beautiful volcano-surrounded city that leaves everything else in Peru looking less-than-attractive. From Arequipa, rent motorbikes if you're up for an adventure and a guide will take you on the ride of your life through the desert to find an oasis. Take a trip up to Colca Canyon and enjoy the beauty and wildlife. Eat at La Tradicion and El Sol de Mayo and try Cuy (guinee pig) one of those places. After a few days in Arequipa, if you have more time, see Cuzco and Macchu Picchu (just to say you did) and a trip up north to Iquitos to see the jungle or over to Camana or Ilo to see the beach would allow you to experience all the incredible atmospheres of Peru!

Answer 3

Definitely go to Cuzco. It's a fantastic city. Be sure and take a trolley ride up the side of the mountain overlooking the city.

Tip - when you go to machu-picchu (which you really should) - be sure and stay in the nearby town of aguas callientes for a night or two. The reason to stay in aguas callientes is because it'll give you the chance to arrive at the machu-picchu ruins in the early morning (before all the tourists get there around 11am - those that simply take the train up there for the day). It's a totally different and amazing vibe when you're on machu picchu watching a quiet sunrise with a few dozen people - vs. thousands of loud tourist groups trampling around you.

While in the town of aguas callientes - be sure and dine at the French-Peruvian restaurant called "indio feliz." The food is incredible and the owners are kind and genuine people.

Answer 4

Rob S
Level 1
Go to peru and there is an awesome tour that goes up into the northern Andes of Peru where you go and stay with locals and build a stove for them out of brick etc... The atmosphere is like going back 100 yrs, really great... The best part thought is getting to see how these poeple really live, and helping them modernize a little... They normally cook on an open fire, and the smoke fills the kitchen and it is very unhealthy...

The tour is not very expensive and leaves one with the wonderful feeling of helping the poeple..

IT IS THE ONLY WAY TO GO!!!

Answer 5

There are groups of places.

Cuzco-Macchu Picchu-other ruins-Puno & Titicaca-Arequipa. It's the most visited and best knowed. You may eat a chupe de corvina in Arequipa, at the Picanterías.

Lima. Colonial Lima. Many good places for eat. Try ceviche, tiradito, anticuchos, picarones, lomo saltado, ají de gallina, choros a la chalaca, etc. Try buffets from monday to friday in the finest places, cost less than US$ 15 and you can eat many things well prepared, without risk for your health, in a very comfortable place. For example, Restaurante Costa Verde.

The jungle. Iquitos is the most usual visit. But you can try Tarapoto, Chanchamayo or Tingo María.

The north. Piura, Chiclayo, Trujillo. Nice things to eat.

Answer 6

Two places I have stayed in and recommend. If you are in Arequipa----La Casa de mi Abuela. If you are in Cusco---Hostal San Blas. Go up onto the roof for a great view of Cusco. Loved this place. Also loved the hostal cat. If you have never been to Peru ,almost anything you do there should be exciting and interesting. Good luck.

Answer 7

Definately go to Cuzco (give yourself a couple of days) & visit the highest irish bar in the world - great food & weird cecorations.

GAP tours are a great way to get to see the sites on the cheap, with a guide & meet with a nice bunch (generally!)

Into wild life? Ballestas Island to see the Humbolt penguins.

Amazing buriel grounds all over the place if you are into skeletons & you must do a flight over the Nazca lines & see the condors in the colca canyon.

.... and don't forget the jungle - best ever!

Answer 8

Ideal for entertainment and adventure, the department of San Martin is one of the best places in Peru for both natural and archeological tourist attractions. With the city of Tarapoto as your "operating center", you will be able to visit Moyobamba, Rioja, Lamas and even the pre-Inca citadel of Kuelap in the neighboring department of Amazonas.

Tarapoto's night life will satisfy everyone, as you will have an enjoyable time in the discos and pubs to the rhythm of rock, salsa, Colombian "vallenatos" and Brazilian "sambas".

Answer 9

Hi, well, do the Machu Picchu thing and dont forget a few days in Cuzco. I enjoyed the ruins and the market of Pisac. The towns of ollyantaytambo, Urubamba, the salt plains of Maray and a few drinks in Paddy Flaherty's and Rosie O'Gradies pubs. Well I did need a reminder from home.

Have a ball whatever you do but watch your pockets!!

Answer 10

Going to Peru without going to Machu Picchu is like, well I can't think what, but it has to be done and I'm sure you already have it on your itinerary. Cuzco is worth a few days and gives you the opportunity to acclimatize. You MUST try a pisco sour and I suppose you ought to try guinea pig as well as it's their celebratory meal. And of course, when altitude takes its toll, there's coca mate to help.

Answer 11

Hang out in Cuzco, walk the longer inca trail to macchu pichu. Nazca lines are weirdly interesting but Nazca itself is a bit of a dump. I wish I'd ventured towards the Amazonian area and would if I went again.