Top 10 destinations in Peru

Peru is a very special country. I believe that people around the world are starting to get more and more interested in Peru. Many know the Machupichu Incan ruins. Some have heard about other cool places like the rainbow mountain. But there is so much more to it…

For a number of reasons, I had always wanted to visit Peru and last year I finally fulfilled that dream. The experience exceeded my huge expectations. There are so many amazing things that people simply don’t know about it, so many places where tourists don’t go or simply have no idea about…

One thing that many of you may not know is that Peru is currently one of the top countries in the world when it comes to gastronomy and vanguard cuisine. It has 2 of the top 10 restaurants in the world. I don’t think I have tried better food elsewhere around the world.

If you add the weather, all the cultural stuff resulting from the Inca civilization, the Spanish colonial times and so much more, you get an absolute gem.

There are so many things in Peru that deciding what to visit in limited time is an extremely complex undertaking.

I hope this post gives you an idea of the varied possibilities you have and serves you as a guide when you decide to visit Peru.

First, let’s talk about the author

Carlos is one of my closest and most special friends. We have known each other for over a decade now and have lived countless experience together. Most of those experiences relate to travel and soccer (The ultimate guide to watching a Real Madrid game in Santiago Bernabeu).

We have traveled together around Spain, the U.S., Peru, Ecuador, Colombia, Panama, Myanmar, Vietnam, Thailand, Singapore, Malaysia, Cambodia, Indonesia, Mexico, and a bunch of European countries. Did I forget any relevant places, my brother?

Generally, I like to plan my trips and arrange the details. However, if there is one person I fully trust in making travel decisions and arrangements that is Carlos. He is a tireless traveler, an adventurer and his desire for discovery is unparalleled.

Some years ago, my friend Carlos moved to Peru just as I moved to New York. It was hard to be apart, but we still got the chance to see each other at least 3 times a year.

Following him on social networks is simply amazing. This guy will find a new adventure every weekend. I believe that by now he may know every corner and every restaurant in Peru.

I asked him to help me out with this post and what I got from him was pure gold.

So here you go. Personally, I am definitely going back to Peru soon!

* I didn’t want to alter a coma of what he wrote so the below is written directly by him. I simply helped a little with the translation.

The story of Carlos in Peru

As a result of life and work-related coincidences, I landed in Peru for the first time. I have been coming and going to Peru from my hometown, Madrid.

In the very beginning, as for most of us that hadn’t been lucky enough to step our feet in this amazing land, I saw Peru as an unknown, insecure country. I also thought that its main point of interest was Machu Pichu, one of the seven world wonders. The statistical data proves me right as 70 percent of the 4 million tourists visiting Peru annually come mainly to visit Machu Pichu.

Soon, I learned that I had completely erred in my judgment. Peru has so much to offer. It has the coast, mountains, jungle, ruins dating from millenniums ago, colonial cities, adventures, amazing people and one of the best gastronomies in the world. I would dare to say that Peruvian gastronomy is arguably the best in the world or certainly in the top 3.

Did you know that in Peru you can visit two out of the five tallest waterfalls in the world? That in Peru you can cross the second deepest canyon in the world to ascend to lost Incan ruins larger than Machu Pichu? That you can surf one of the longest waves on the planet? That there are ruins as old as the Egyptian pyramids? That you can do an overnight hike in the Amazonas jungle?

This post is my small contribution to all of you looking to visit Peru. I will share all my personal know-how. I encourage you to come and visit much more beyond Machu Pichu and to discover all the wonders this country has to offer.

Lima

• For who? Anyone will enjoy this city. However, if you are a foodie this visit will be life changing!

• When to go? All year round is a good time. However, the best time is December through March. This is the summer in the southern hemisphere. Days tend to be very sunny and the city completely transforms for the better.

• What for? Food | Cultural | Nightlife

Lima is the starting or ending point for any trip to Peru unless you enter Peru through the land. Lima airport is the only airport with international flights in Peru.

Some people just layover in Lima on their way to Cusco. This is a big mistake in my opinion.

Some hints on Lima

One or two days is time enough to visit the main cultural attractions such as the historical center, the Barranco district, the Malecón promenade or the various museums.

However, if you are a foodie, I would recommend you to stay in Lima for 3 to 4 days. As mentioned earlier, it is the only city in the world with 2 out of the 10 top restaurants in the world (Link). Furthermore, the prices of these restaurants are way lower than what you may be used to in the U.S. or Europe.

But it’s not all about these two ultra-famous places. I guarantee that you will find great food in every small local tavern, in any market or in many of the hundreds of restaurants in the city. The gastronomical variety is simply overwhelming.

If you happen to meet a local, the chances are that the conversation will end up leaning towards food.

But it is not only about culture and food. Nightlife in Lima is amazing. You have amazing clubs and cocktail bars facing the ocean or some of the most beautiful neighborhoods of the city.

You can’t miss the most famous local cocktails, the Pisco Sour. Not sure if it is more delicious or “dangerous”.

Cusco

• For who? For absolutely everyone. This is the main must in Peru.

• When to go? Best time is April through October, which is the dry season. If you visit during any other month, you will likely have rain and more green landscapes.

• What for? Cultural | Adventure | Nightlife

Cusco is the main destination for any trip to Peru. Cusco is the former Inca capital city. Nowadays, it is a great city that stands out for its beautiful colonial architecture, the Inca heritage, and the vivid nightlife.

The mainstream option here is to visit the Machu Pichu Inca ruins and the Inca Sacred Valley.

To me, the best is not only that. If you love hiking, adventure and outdoors, this is an absolute paradise! You have some of the most amazing trails in the world. Some examples are the rainbow mountain, the snowy mountains of Salkantay or the Inca trail that leads to Machu Pichu after 4 days hiking.

Another cool adventure is the whitewater rafting along the Apurimac River.

A secret gem in Cusco

One special hidden gem that only a few people know is the lost Inca city of Choquequirao. It is away from the mainstream touristic tours. However, in my opinion, it is better than any ruins of the Sacred Valley, including Machu Pichu. Choquequirao was chosen by the Lonely Planet travel guide as one of the top 10 regions to visit in 2017. Why?

• Some sections are still undiscovered and deep in the jungle. However, experts believe that the city had a size three times bigger than Machu Pichu.
• Imagine Machu Pichu before it was invaded by the hordes of tourists that visit the ruins every year. This is what you will find in Choquequirao. You will be here nearly by yourself.
• The location is absolutely spectacular. It’s at over 9500 feet of altitude, next to the cliffs of the Apurimac Canyon, the second deepest in the world. It’s hard to imagine how humans lived there such a long time ago.

Sounds fantastic right? Well, get ready for some exercise… You need to do a 3-day hike crossing the canyon to get to the ruins. No matter how hard it sounds, trust me, IT IS WORTH IT!

Amazonas Jungle

• For who? For nature lovers.

• When to go? All year round. You may want to avoid the wet season, which generally goes from April through October.

• What for? Nature | Adventure

Peru is the second country in the world with the most Amazonas jungle surface within its borders (after Brazil). This makes it a little bit hard to choose the visit starting point.

The two traditional spots to start your trip are Iquitos and Puerto Maldonado. These two cities are literally, in the middle of the Amazonas. Specifically, Iquitos is only accessible by plane or boat through the Amazonas River.

The best experience is to stay at a lodge that you will use as the visit HQ and spend the night sleeping in the middle of the jungle.

Other destinations you may want to consider, if you happen to have enough time, are Tarapoto, Pucallpa or Oxapampa.

Chachapoyas, Kuelap and the Giant Waterfalls

• For who? For those who want to combine nature and culture.

• When to go? The best time to visit is after the wet season (after March). This is the best time to enjoy the landscapes and not end up soaked each day.

• What for? Nature | Adventure | Cultural

Chachapoyas is a small city with colonial past. It was the cradle of a great civilization that was contemporaneous to the Incas, the “Chachapoyas”. There are some amazing constructions that date from that time such as, the fortified city of Kuelap. Kuelap is considered to be the Machu Pichu or Northern Peru. There are also other cultural traces like the sarcophagus of Karajia, the mausoleum of Revash or the mommy museum of Leymebamba.

What’s really interesting in this area is the wilderness. It’s simply spectacular. The area belongs to the Peruvian Amazonas region and it the landscape is slightly different than in the rest of the Amazonas.

There are two amazing waterfalls in this area, the famous one and the amazing one. The famous one is the Waterfall of Gocta, which is one of the tallest in the world.

However, there is another one called “El Bosque de las Cataratas Gigantes” (the forest of the giant waterfalls). These waterfalls are located in a virgin forest that is not visited as often. The waterfalls are breathtaking. Hidden among its vastness you will find the Yumbilla waterfall, which was discovered in 2007. It’s over 2500 feet tall and it is in the world top 5 waterfalls in terms of height.

Huaraz and the Cordillera Blanca

• For who? For the mountain lovers and those who don’t suffer too much altitude sickness.

• When to go? Dry season, which goes from May to October. If you go during the wet season, it will be cold, rainy and it may even snow.

• What for? Mountain | Adventure | Trekking

This is an absolute must for the lovers of nature, mountains, and hiking. The National Geographic magazine declared the Cordillera Blanca trails, as one of the top ten trail circuits in the planet.

There is an immense amount of trails to choose from. There are hundreds of lagoons, the Pastoruri glacier and even ancient pre-Inca ruins like the Chavín of Huántar. These ruins date from 1500 b.c. and were declared World Heritage by UNESCO.

In this area, you can also visit the tallest mountain in Peru, “el Huascarán”. Beware of altitude sickness as it is nearly at 21,000 feet.

A great plan would be to sleep in one of the lodges in the area, with amazing views of the snowy mountains.

Generally, a couple of days is enough. With that time you can visit the zone highlights: the glacier and the 69 Lagoon.

If you happen to have more days, there are a ton of things you can do. For instance, you could do some alpine climbing or do a 6-day hike along the mountains.

Bear in mind that most of the area lies above the 12,000 feet. Thus, it is strongly recommended to take pills for altitude sickness (Sorojchi pills) and/or drink “mate de coca” (coca leave tea) made by locals frequently.

Mancora and the beaches in the North of Peru

• For who? For those that want to chill out in the beach after an overdose of culture and adventure.

• When to go? Great weather all year round.

• What for? Playa | Relax | Diving | Nightlife | Food

The best beaches in Peru are located in Mancora and its surroundings.

Bear in mind that these are Pacific Ocean Shores. Consequently, don’t expect to find pristine blue mild waters. However, there are good beaches that you can visit all year round i.e. over 300 sunny days every year.

The town of Mancora has a backpacking atmosphere that is similar to its Ecuadorean neighbor Montanita. It also has a vivid nightlife. If you are looking for a good party, Hostel Loki should be your starting point.

The surrounding beaches have great hotels and houses if you are looking for more relax and better beaches than those in the town of Mancora.

If you get bored or tired of spending time at the beach, there are some cool options. You can join a whale sighting tour, snorkeling with turtles, go fishing, etc.

One thing to consider is that this is one of the best fishing spots in the region. Fish is deliciously fresh. I encourage you to try the local ceviche. A great restaurant you should not miss is La Sirenita de Juan.

Also, Mancora is one of the main surfing spots of the country. It’s a great place for beginners too.

Logistics are not easy to get to Mancora. You can fly from Lima to Talara or Tumbes and then find transportation. It takes about an hour by car from these cities. Alternatively, you could fly to Piura and then drive for about 4 hours.

Arequipa and the Colca Canyon

• For who? For those that want to do one of the most famous hikes in Peru or visit the second most important city in Peru.

• When to go? All year round. It’s always a good time for this one.

• What for? Cultural | Adventure | Food

Arequipa is the second largest city in Peru. The city center was declared World Heritage by the UNESCO. It is of colonial style and made of white volcanic stone. Also, the gastronomy in Arequipa is one of the most famous in the country.

No doubt Arequipa is by itself worth the visit. However, the top thing to do is visit the Colca Canyon. This canyon is considered to be one of the deepest in the world (over 12,000 feet) and the longest one (over 125 miles).

The best way to visit the Colca Canyon is to do a 2-day hike and spending the night in the deep of the canyon. The first day of the hike involves about 8 hours walking at a normal pace. You go down the canyon and continue along the river until you reach the lodge/huts zone. The following day, before dawn, you go all the way back up the canyon. It will take you 2 to 3 hours and it pure ascends so get those legs ready! Once you make it up, the views are spectacular.

Once you are done the company that arranged the tour will take you to some amazing natural thermal pools where you will feel like the gods!

If you are lucky, you may see a Condor flying during your hike. It is the largest non-marine bird on the planet, one of the symbols of Peru and quite frequent in this area.

Puno and the Titicaca Lake

• For who? For those that want to visit the largest mountain lake in the world and that don’t mind too touristy spots.

• When to go? Best during the dry season between May and September. However, generally, rain isn’t terrible even during the wet season.

• What for? Nature | Adventure | Cultural

The Titicaca Lake is well known for being the lake that can be navigated at higher altitude in the world (nearly 12,000 feet above sea level). It is also one of the largest lakes in the world.

It is best to stay in the city of Puno to visit the lake. However, you will need to fly to the nearby city of Juliaca. My personal advice is to spend the minimal time in Juliaca as possible. Simply get a cab to Puno, as there is nothing to see.

The typical tour involves taking a boat from the peer to the Floating Islands of the Uros tribes and Taquile Island. This tribe lives in artificial floating islands

This spot is quite touristy. You can imagine what I mean. A bunch of older tourists walking really slowly and following a guide that provides explanations. You may love it or hate it. Personally, I didn’t enjoy it too much.

If you are planning to continue your trip to Bolivia this is a great pit stop before you cross the border though.

Paracas and Huacachina

• For who? For those that have a couple of extra days in Lima and want a quick getaway.

• When to go? Same guidance as with Lima although the weather tends to be slightly better.

• What for? Nature | Adrenaline | Beach | Sea sports

Classic Lima getaway. Paracas is a coastal town located at about 125 miles from Lima. It is famous for the Ballestas Islands, which have nice beaches that are great to swim, do water sports and kitesurf.

Near Paracas, you will find Ica. Ica is located in the middle of an extremely arid desert that looks just like the Sahara desert in Africa. It has gigantic dunes. The best spot to visit the area from is Huacachina. It is an oasis that has been converted to the tourist center of the area. Definitely worth the visit. The main attraction here is to jump on a buggy kart and cross the dunes at full speed and practicing sand board. The famous Dakar rally has some stages that cross this area.

From Lima, you can find day tours to and from this area. You can even arrange the trip on your own renting a car of buying a bus ticket. However, I think it’s best to spend at least one night so you can make the most of the experience.

Peru for surfers

• For who? Refer to the destination title

• When to go? You can find big waves all year round. However, winter months are the best i.e. March through November

• What for? Surf

As a Madrileno (original from Madrid) I had never had too much exposure to surf. As you may know, Madrid is right in the center of Spain and 3 hours driving from the beach. On the contrary, in Lima, it was the exact opposite. There, I only needed to go down the stairs of my apartment building to enjoy amazing waves any day of the year.

Surf culture in Peru is strong. It is one of the best countries to practice surf. While modern surf was invented in Hawaii, Peru invented a somewhat similar surf much earlier. Pre Inca civilizations used small boards called “Caballitos de Totora” to surf the waves in a similar fashion to modern surf. If you happen to visit the beach of Huanchaco in Trujillo, you can rent one of those boards and surf the same way it was done a thousand years ago!

When you visit Lima and if you have never tried surf before, don’t hesitate to take some lessons from one of the various surf schools available. If you are already experienced, a trip along the Peruvian coast is a cool option. You can find great spots all along the coastline.

Surf top spots in Peru

The top spots in Peru are the following:

• On the north coast, the best time is November through February. The best spots are Macora and Cabo Blanco (advanced level) and Pacasmayo. However, the most special spot is definitely Chicama. This spot is famous for having some of the longest waves in the world, with over 1.2 miles (2km) of length and over 2 minutes of surf time.
• On the central coast, the best waves are found March through October. In Lima, there are beaches for all levels. There are some good options to the south of the city such as Punta Rocas (World ISA competition spot), Cerro Azul or Pico Alto.

It is important to bear in mind that the water is cold. You will need a thick wetsuit. However, you can rent one in any of the surf schools around each beach.

A perfect experience is to combine an intense half day surf session with some fresh Ceviche in one of the restaurants that can be found in or very close to most beaches in Peru.

*Thank you very much, my dear friend, Carlos. You are the best and I look forward to enjoying many more adventures together! And as always, Hasta el Final Vamos Real:)!