The first week of April! Do you feel excited about that? I do! I think this month will be great, and we all should start thinking about that. Today on the blog, I’m sharing 18 helpful tips to have the best trip to Peru. Like I have said before, I’m half Chilean half Peruvian. I’ve traveled to Peru many times and in all those trips I have learned many things I know other tourists will appreciate.
Peru is an amazing country, with the best food in the world and a rich culture. If you are thinking about going, just book your flight and let the adventure begin. If you already have everything ready for your trip there, then make sure to take note of these tips for traveling to Peru! You will need them when you arrive there.
Peru is an amazing country, with the best food in the world and so rich in culture. If you are thinking about going, just go ahead, book your flight and let the adventure begin. Click To Tweet
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Helpful Tips To Have The Best Trip To Peru
Once you land, make sure to remember these tips for traveling to Peru. It’s important you understand the relevance of these tips. So don’t treat them like they aren’t important, you will need the help. Also, if you want more information about what not to do in Peru, make sure to read this post. It’s very helpful!
1. take a safe taxi from the airport
In general, taxis aren’t regulated in Peru, so anyone who has a car can buy a taxi sign and start working as one. As a tourist, it’s important that the taxi you take from the airport is from an established company. If you don’t have a ride already scheduled with your hotel, then what you can do is buy the service from the companies that are located right after you pass the customs check. There you will see different taxi services. Just pick the most beneficial for you!
Another option you have as a safe transportation is the Airport Express, a bus service that takes you from the airport to different bus stops in Lima, mainly in Miraflores. You can check more information, here.
If your hotel doesn’t have the option to pick you up from the airport and you are traveling with your family or more friends, you can always use this service of airport transfer. It’s highly recommended and has incredible reviews. It’s easy to book and with great prices. You can find rides from $25! Nothing better than arriving at a new country knowing exactly how you will get to your hotel. This has to be one of the most helpful tips to have the best trip to Peru. You want to start your trip on the right foot for sure!
Nothing better than arriving at a new country knowing exactly how you will get to your hotel. You want to start your trip on the right foot for sure! Click To Tweet2. Taxis are the best way of transportation
I have to be honest here. The public transportation in Lima is not the best, and I’m referring to the buses. What I do have to add is that they have an amazing and kinda new train service that works really good. Either way, the good thing about taxis in Peru is that they aren’t expensive and it’s the best and easiest way to arrive at your destination. The only thing you need to know is that taxis there don’t have a taximeter. So you will have to haggle.
Now you might think, how I’m supposed to do that if I don’t know what is the fair fare for my trip? Well, my friend, it’s here where Uber comes very handy. Even if you don’t use the app for the service. It will tell you exactly how much you will have to pay. By knowing that, you are ready to take your taxi.
Also, be aware that those fares might change depending the time of the day or to where you are going. For example, at night, taxis tend to elevate their prices, and the same happens at rush hour. Also, if you are in downtown and you want to go to Miraflores and it’s after 6 pm, you will have a hard time finding a Taxi willing to drive for a long distance in that crazy traffic. So you might end up paying more than regular.
And don’t worry about having free WiFi, especially around Lima you will find many places with it. Look for malls, restaurants and the always loyal Starbucks (although you will have to buy something from them because they give you the WiFi password on your receipt).
Are you loving these helpful tips to have the best trip to Peru?
3. Where to exchange money?
Currency exchange agencies are safe. So that can always be your first option. Another alternative, that’s very common in Peru, are the currency exchange sellers on street. The only thing is that you might have to be more careful with them, so the best you can do is ask at the hotel where is the best place to exchange money.
4. Cash will be your best friend
The best way to pay for everything around Peru is with cash unless you are going to a restaurant. Just have in mind that you need small bills. It kind be hard to find stores that have enough change for your small purchases, like snacks, souvenirs, taxi rides, and other activities.
5. Tap water is not safe to drink
Don’t forget this! The last thing you want is to get sick. Buy your bottled water for your trips and just keep drinking that. These helpful tips to have the best trip to Peru will save you from bad experiences!
These helpful tips to have the best trip to Peru will save you from bad experiences! Click To Tweet6. Download the maps from where you are going to your Google Maps app
Since you won’t have WiFi everywhere, it’s important you have access to the map of the whole city. Mark your hotel and the places you want to go. It makes everything easier.
Also, if you are taking a taxi, it helps to know if the driver is going exactly where you told him to go.
7. Visa credit cards are more accepted
I’m not really sure the reason why, but have in mind that in general Visa credit cards are more accepted. For example, if you go to buy souvenirs and you don’t have cash, almost every seller will have the option to pay with Visa. If you want to pay with Master Card you will have a hard time finding a place that will accept that card.
Also, in places like Mancora in the north of Peru, they pretty much only accept Visa. When I was there with my family, luckily we had one Visa credit card, or else we wouldn’t have been able to buy anything! That’s a serious struggle when you are trying to find a place to eat.
These are for sure helpful tips to have the best trip to Peru, right?
8. Outlets are the same as in the US
Even though there is a difference in the voltage, in Peru is 220 volts, the outlets are almost the same as in the US. The good is that you won’t need an adapter for your electronics.
Click here for more information about this.
9. Don’t flush toilet paper
Have this in mind every time you go to the bathroom. If you try to flush toilet paper it will get stuck in the pipes, and you definitely want to avoid an embarrassing moment.
Toilet paper does not go in the toilet. Always in the trash.
10. You might have to pay for public bathrooms
In general, if you are in places where there’s not a mall around, there are high chances that you will have to pay at least S/. 1 to have access to the bathroom. Is not expensive, but have in mind you will need coins to pay for that. Again, having cash on you is very important, especially for those little things. You really need to take notes of these helpful tips to have the best trip to Peru!
You really need to take notes of these helpful tips to have the best trip to Peru! Click To Tweet
11. Traffic in Peru is crazy
I’m not even kidding! If there are three lanes available, you will see how drivers manage to create a new lane out of nowhere. They don’t respect pedestrians, so be careful where are you crossing the streets. Even if there’s a zebra crossing, drivers won’t care, so don’t expect they will stop for you.
The best thing you can do, especially on busy streets, is looking at what others are doing. If they cross, go with them. If they don’t, there’s a reason for that. In this case, follow the mass.
12. Be aware of your belonging
In general, I would say Lima is safe if you are careful. There are a few things you might have to think before going somewhere. For example, if you are in the taxi, don’t leave your backpack or bag on the floor. Also, try to avoid using your phone in the taxi. I have heard many stories of people getting their phone stolen because of that.
13. Have In mind this about tours
In Peru, there are many things you can do. Not only Machu Picchu. You can find a wide variety of tours, from cooking classes to city tours on bikes. When you are thinking about taking one, ask about the entrance fees of the places you are going. Sometimes it will only include the guide and the transportation.
So be sure to confirm this before paying!
If you are staying in Lima, I have to recommend this Lima city sightseeing tour. It’s a very complete, 4-hour tour, that will take around the city. From historical places to very residential neighborhoods. And what’s more important: includes entrance fees, a guide and round-trip hotel transport. And the best thing, you can find prices from $34. A complete deal!
You really need to take notes of these helpful tips to have the best trip to Peru! Click To Tweet14. Be aware of tourists “special” prices
In general, all touristic places where you have to pay a certain fee will have a difference in prices between nationals and foreigners. Unless you have a Peruvian ID, you will have to pay extra. So when you are googling the prices of the places you are going, make sure to pay more attention to those details. This is definitely one of the most important helpful tips to have the best trip to Peru. You want to calculate your budget for your trip as accurately as you can.
15. Careful! Fake bills circulate a lot
Be extra careful at the moment you are getting your change. It’s a very common thing to happen, and not even locals are safe from it.
You can learn how to spot a fake bill, here.
16. street food
As in every part of the world, street food can be a little risky since you don’t know how they cooked it. Sometimes the risk is worth it because let me tell you, Peruvian food is the best food in the world. And I’m not saying that because I’m half Peruvian, or maybe that is the reason. Trust me on that, it’s something important you have to try there.
And I have an idea for you! These helpful tips to have the best trip to Peru are not only about being careful. So if you love chocolate (I mean, who doesn’t?), I recommend this Chocolate Workshop. This workshop takes place at the ChocoMuseo, a museum where they have everything made of chocolate. My favorite from that place: chocolate tea!
17. food with different dressings
If you have a sensitive stomach, this can be a little difficult for you. It’s very common for people who aren’t used to Peruvian food and all their sauces, tend to have a stomach ache at some point of the trip. So if this sounds like you, the best you can do is to travel with some medicine for that.
18. Tips are 10%
It’s hard to say how much you should leave of tips, and sometimes it will depend on how you feel about the service. In general, service is amazing in Peru so you won’t have any problems with that. The general rule is to leave at least 10% at any restaurants.
Free Travel Checklist
After confirming your email. You will get another one with the link to download the free printable. Enjoy!
Download this free travel checklist! Click To Tweet
So what do you think about these helpful tips to have the best trip to Peru? Are you going there soon? Is this country on your bucket list? Let me know in the comments!
Sincerely, Melissa
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