How Things Work in Peru

Tip around 10% at tourist restaurants and tip guides generously (50–100 PEN per day), but always check whether service is already included on your bill.

Updated 2025-06

Lima has the Metropolitano BRT and Uber/InDriver for safer city travel, while intercity travel relies on reputable bus companies and pre-booked trains to Machu Picchu.

Updated 2025-06

Lima has good private clinics, but outside the capital medical facilities are limited and altitude sickness is a serious risk at Cusco (3,400 m) and Lake Titicaca (3,800 m).

Updated 2025-06

Drug laws are extremely strict — cocaine possession carries severe penalties — and Machu Picchu has rigorous rules including no drones and mandatory time-slot entry.

Updated 2025-06

Call 105 for police, 117 for ambulance, 116 for fire, and the free iPeru tourist helpline on 0800-11-0000 for tourist-specific assistance.

Updated 2025-06

Dress modestly at churches, pack warm layers for the highlands where temperatures swing dramatically, and bring rain gear for jungle and wet-season travel.

Updated 2025-06

The legal drinking age is 18, pisco is the beloved national spirit, and traditional drinks like chicha de jora and chicha morada are an important part of Andean culture.

Updated 2025-06

Bargaining is expected and enjoyable at artisan and street markets but is not appropriate in restaurants, formal shops, or with transport apps.

Updated 2025-06

Photography is generally free but drones are banned at Machu Picchu, and you should always ask permission before photographing people in traditional dress.

Updated 2025-06

Markets are often at their liveliest on Sundays, tourist sites stay open, but government offices close and some rural areas observe traditional market days midweek.

Updated 2025-06

Always use Uber, InDriver, or Cabify in Lima — never hail a street taxi — as express kidnapping by unofficial taxis is a documented, serious risk.

Updated 2025-06

Never drink tap water anywhere in Peru — bottled or purified water is essential throughout the country, and altitude significantly increases your dehydration risk.

Updated 2025-06

BCP, BBVA, and Interbank ATMs are most reliable for foreign cards; cash is essential as many places outside tourist hubs are cash-only and counterfeit soles circulate.

Updated 2025-06

Claro offers the best nationwide coverage; buy a SIM at the airport or any phone shop with your passport, or use an Airalo eSIM before you arrive.

Updated 2025-06

Peru uses 220V/60Hz with Type A and Type C sockets, so North American visitors need a voltage adapter and European visitors need a plug adapter.

Updated 2025-06

Fake taxi kidnappings in Lima are a top threat, while counterfeit Machu Picchu tickets, overcharging, and short-changing are frequent tourist scams.

Updated 2025-06

Miraflores and San Isidro in Lima are relatively safe for tourists, but express kidnapping via street taxis, petty theft, and some neighbourhood-specific crime require consistent vigilance.

Updated 2025-06

Peruvians are warm and hospitable; show deep respect for Andean indigenous culture, the sacred significance of Pachamama (Mother Earth), and always ask before photographing people in traditional dress.

Updated 2025-06

Spanish is the primary language, Quechua is co-official and widely spoken in the highlands, and English is available in tourist zones in Lima, Cusco, and Machu Picchu.

Updated 2025-06

Lima's beaches are cold due to the Humboldt Current; head to Máncora in northern Peru for warm water, or Paracas for dramatic desert coastline.

Updated 2025-06

Drive on the right, an international driving licence is valid, but roads in the Andes can be extremely dangerous and driving in Lima is chaotic and not recommended for tourists.

Updated 2025-06

Peruvian cuisine is widely considered one of the world's best — from street ceviche to Lima's world-famous fine dining — and eating well here is affordable and extraordinary.

Updated 2025-06

Catholic churches are present in every town and require modest dress; Cusco's Baroque churches are built on Inca temple foundations and carry deep spiritual significance.

Updated 2025-06

May to October is the dry season and the best time for Machu Picchu and trekking; Lima is grey and foggy June–November but the coast and highlands are clear.

Updated 2025-06

Eat the menú del día at local comedores, book Machu Picchu tickets online in advance, and take overnight buses instead of flights to cut costs significantly.

Updated 2025-06