Things to know before visiting Peru

House of Intent stresses that knowing basic Spanish phrases is important not just for Peru but any country you visit — and in Peru outside of Lima's tourist neighborhoods, English is often unavailable. Creators who navigated markets, local transport, and smaller towns all relied on at least basic Spanish.

Multiple creators note that while USD is accepted in some tourist contexts, the Peruvian sol is what you need for markets, street food, and smaller vendors. Samuel and Audrey specifically flag keeping soles on hand as a key Lima tip, and House of Intent notes that foreign prices at local markets are inflated so you need cash to barter.

House of Intent clarifies that tipping is not standard across Peru the way it is in North America, but specifically recommends tipping tour guides, and notes that high-end restaurants do expect a tip. This nuance matters for budgeting.

At markets and with street vendors, inflated foreigner pricing is described as common practice throughout Peru. House of Intent frames bartering not as optional but as normal and expected in these contexts.

House of Intent addresses the 'is Peru cheap?' question honestly: many things are inexpensive compared to Western prices, but some costs — particularly transport, entry fees, and tourist experiences — are not. Creators recommend budgeting flexibly rather than assuming everything will be budget-friendly.

Victor Charun, who lives in Lima, recommends Uber and Cabify as the most reliable and safe transport options in the city. Street taxis lack meters, pricing is inconsistent, and the apps provide accountability. He notes even local Peruvians prefer apps over driving themselves due to chaotic traffic.

Tim and Fin discovered there is a storage room at the Ollantaytambo train station precisely because the Peru Rail trains to Aguas Calientes only permit small hand luggage. Travelers carrying large backpacks need to store them before boarding.

Jordan and Emily spent many nights of their 42-day Peru trip on overnight buses, specifically praising lay-flat 180-degree seats as making the experience genuinely comfortable. This is framed as a legitimate travel strategy, not just a budget compromise.

Multiple creators flag Lima traffic as a significant practical issue. Victor Charun notes that even Peruvians who live there prefer taxi apps over driving. Samuel and Audrey list heavy traffic as one of Lima's defining characteristics, and Victor's Christmas video warns that December road works make congestion even worse.

Victor Charun witnessed a robbery on the Metropolitano bus system and warns that rush hour crowds create prime pickpocket opportunities. He advises keeping your phone away from windows and doors and choosing quieter travel times if possible.

In Lima, crowded shopping zones and busy tourist streets raise pickpocket risk significantly. Victor Charun and Lima Gourmet both advise avoiding flashy jewelry and expensive watches in public, while Victor's Lima Christmas video flags that December shopping crowds create elevated theft risk.

Multiple creators independently point to Miraflores as the safest and most visitor-friendly neighborhood in Lima, with Barranco as a lively, artsy alternative. Touchdown Money Travel describes Miraflores parks as safe even at night, while Victor Charun notes Barranco and San Isidro are also solid options.

Stef's Peru Travel Tips lays out a three-part altitude management diet: drink lots of water, avoid alcohol and coffee in the first days, and stick to light high-carbohydrate meals rather than heavy foods. Dehydration compounds altitude sickness significantly at elevation.

Across creators, Lima is repeatedly framed not as a transit hub but as a destination in its own right — home to multiple world-ranked restaurants including Central. Travelers' Generation calls it the culinary capital of South America, while Leaving In 5' dedicates an entire video to whether Lima is a food paradise (spoiler: yes).

Ms. Travelher specifically warns against drinking from the sink, recommending boiled water instead. This is framed as a practical health precaution for Peru, not just Lima.

House of Intent singles out Lima's seafood — especially ceviche — as something every visitor should try, noting that the city is known for its delicious seafood options. Travel2Places and Leaving In 5' both join food tours in Lima that center on ceviche and lomo saltado as the essential tasting experiences.

Cusco sits at roughly 3,400 m and multiple creators warn that altitude sickness can floor you the moment you step off the plane — even without prior warning signs. Spending 48–72 hours resting, hydrating, and eating light before any trekking or sightseeing is the single most repeated piece of advice across Peru-focused creators.

Coca leaf tea (mate de coca) is a widely available, culturally accepted natural remedy for altitude sickness throughout highland Peru. Stef's Peru Travel Tips specifically recommends bringing altitude pills from home or buying them cheaply in Peru, while also pointing to coca tea sold in local markets as a free or very affordable backup.

Samuel and Audrey flag Lima's persistent grey and foggy weather as one of their top 'shocking truths' for first-timers. The city sits in a coastal desert and is often overcast, which surprises travelers expecting a sunny tropical capital.

Across creators, this is the single most urgent logistical warning for Peru: Machu Picchu entry tickets and Inca Trail permits sell out — especially in high season (May–October). The classic 4-day trail requires booking 3–4 months ahead, and even the 2-day short trail has a daily cap that disappears fast. February is closed entirely for maintenance.

Multiple creators stress arriving at ruins, treks, and excursions right when they open. The bus queue from Aguas Calientes to Machu Picchu in particular gets very long in the early morning, and hiking sites like Huayna Picchu are capped and crowded.

Ms. Travelher arrived in Lima without her checked luggage and had a tour booked to Machu Picchu the next morning. She explicitly tells viewers to always put important items (medicines, key clothing, toiletries) in carry-on bags, calling it a lesson learned the hard way.

Inkayni Peru Tours specifically warns against wearing brand new shoes on the first day of the Inca Trail, noting that blisters from stiff new boots can ruin a multi-day trek. Marisa Logan's packing list for the Salkantay Trek similarly emphasizes both hiking boots and blister covers as non-negotiables.

Samantha Elliott, who hiked the Ausangate region, says that attempting remote hikes without a tour company is inadvisable — tours are often very affordable, and the route knowledge and safety backup they provide is worth it. This is echoed by operators for the Inca Trail where only licensed agencies can issue permits anyway.