Do you want to spend your holiday exploring accomplishments of ancient Andean cultures, or would you prefer trekking and admiring high mountain landscapes of the Andes? Would an adventurous walk in the Amazonian jungle be what you are looking for, or are you after lazy days on the beach and busy evenings in bright lights of a big city? When it is possible to travel to Peru and have all this and more, why choose!
Beaches, jungles and mountains. The three geographically different areas of Peru are the Pacific coast, Andean mountains and the Amazonian jungle. The sunny and dry Peruvian coastline forms a narrow 2,500 km long strip with steady warm temperatures all year round. The central part of Peru is formed by the Andean mountains, a high mountain region with extremely changeable climate conditions and snowy mountain tops rising above the altitude of 5,000 meters. Eastern part of Peru is a jungle region covered with tropical Amazonian rainforests where the climate is extremely hot and humid.
Cultural destinations. Tourism and Peru match perfectly together also because of Peru´s rich cultural inheritance with reflections from both Amerindian and Spanish cultures. Who would not have heard of the Incas and their fabulous lost city Machu Picchu. Today, this magnificent monument located near Cusco is probably the most famous touristic sight in South America and one of the world's new seven wonders. Another interesting travel attraction in Peru offering stunning landscapes is the world´s highest navigable lake and the birthplace of the Inca civilization, Lake Titicaca. This famous tourist destination is located near Puno, the folkloric center of Peru. If you are interested in ancient civilizations, visit also the famous ancient lines of Nazca in the desert coast of Southern Peru.
Nature lover's choices. Iquitos and Madre de Dios, located in the Amazonian rainforest region of Peru are suitable destinations for anyone who wants to explore the wonders of the Amazon jungle. The capital of Peru, Lima invites travelers with its historical buildings, beaches, casinos and thousands of small handicraft shops and restaurants, while the second largest city of Peru, Arequipa offers both historical attractions and stunning views from nearby mountains and canyons. Archaeological ruins dot the Andean and coastal regions of the country, and yes, Peru also has beach resorts along its wide coastline. Price level in Peru is cheap and shopping here is a delight. The most famous souvenirs from Peru are local handicrafts.
Land of mountains, beaches and ancient Inca culture: Peru
Located in the western part of South America, Peru is a wide and diverse country. Its area is divided into three geographically completely different areas, which are all home to stunning natural beauty, interesting historical sites and cultural diversity, and offering great opportunities for tourism in Peru.Beaches, jungles and mountains. The three geographically different areas of Peru are the Pacific coast, Andean mountains and the Amazonian jungle. The sunny and dry Peruvian coastline forms a narrow 2,500 km long strip with steady warm temperatures all year round. The central part of Peru is formed by the Andean mountains, a high mountain region with extremely changeable climate conditions and snowy mountain tops rising above the altitude of 5,000 meters. Eastern part of Peru is a jungle region covered with tropical Amazonian rainforests where the climate is extremely hot and humid.
Cultural destinations. Tourism and Peru match perfectly together also because of Peru´s rich cultural inheritance with reflections from both Amerindian and Spanish cultures. Who would not have heard of the Incas and their fabulous lost city Machu Picchu. Today, this magnificent monument located near Cusco is probably the most famous touristic sight in South America and one of the world's new seven wonders. Another interesting travel attraction in Peru offering stunning landscapes is the world´s highest navigable lake and the birthplace of the Inca civilization, Lake Titicaca. This famous tourist destination is located near Puno, the folkloric center of Peru. If you are interested in ancient civilizations, visit also the famous ancient lines of Nazca in the desert coast of Southern Peru.
Nature lover's choices. Iquitos and Madre de Dios, located in the Amazonian rainforest region of Peru are suitable destinations for anyone who wants to explore the wonders of the Amazon jungle. The capital of Peru, Lima invites travelers with its historical buildings, beaches, casinos and thousands of small handicraft shops and restaurants, while the second largest city of Peru, Arequipa offers both historical attractions and stunning views from nearby mountains and canyons. Archaeological ruins dot the Andean and coastal regions of the country, and yes, Peru also has beach resorts along its wide coastline. Price level in Peru is cheap and shopping here is a delight. The most famous souvenirs from Peru are local handicrafts.
Photo: Rick MCCharles, used under Creative Commons License (By 2.0)
Practical information for your trip to Peru
Although Peruvian tourism is going strong and also economic wealth is found in this beautiful country, many local people live in poor conditions. Very few people outside Lima and the main tourist areas of Peru speak English, so some knowledge of Spanish is recommended if you plan to tour the country independently. Peruvians are friendly people, but as minor crime such as pick-pocketing is common and robberies do happen, you need to take good care of your belongings and watch where you are going. Violent attacks aimed at tourists are rare, though, and in this respect visiting Peru is quite safe. However, it is best to avoid traveling at night.Climate in Peru is variable as it is a large country. While the dry coastal areas enjoy almost constant sunshine, you should prepare with a raincoat if going to the wet Amazonian region of Peru, and with warm clothing if you are staying in the high Andean region.
Travelling to Peru is easiest by air. Lima International Airport offers frequent flights to Peru from all over the world, and there are international airports also in Cusco and Iquitos. Travelling to Peru is also possible by road from most of its neighboring countries. Although timetables cannot be trusted, public transport in Peru is effective. It is easy to move around inside the cities by bus or taxi. Local people use buses when travelling inside the country, but foreigners often prefer trains. As Peru is a big country, it might be a good idea to use domestic flights from one Peruvian destination to another if you are short on time. Car rental is also an option. When renting a car in Peru, you should know that local roads are often in poor condition. Traffic in Peru is right-handed.
