Peru — find the right stay, from deciding to booking
“Machu Picchu, Inca civilization, and the Andes”
Peru is the heart of Inca and Andean civilization — Machu Picchu, the lost city on the mountaintop, the Sacred Valley, the old town of Cusco, deserts and oases, Lake Titicaca, paired with world-renowned Peruvian food (ceviche) and an indigenous culture that's still very much alive — a dream destination for adventurous, culture-loving travelers.
Peru at a glance
Choose a city in Peru
Each city has its own things-to-do and food guides plus in-depth ranked hotel reviews with real photos and price comparison — start with the city that fits your trip.
Decide — is Peru right for you?
Why people love Peru, how it compares to its neighbors, and which travel style suits you
Machu Picchu
The lost Inca city on a mountaintop, one of the New Seven Wonders of the World.
Inca heritage
Cusco, the old capital, the Sacsayhuamán stone walls, and the Sacred Valley.
World-class food
Ceviche, lomo saltado, and globally ranked restaurants in Lima.
Varied landscapes
The Huacachina desert, the Nazca Lines, and Lake Titicaca.
Indigenous culture
The Quechua people, colorful weavings, markets, and Andean festivals.
Trekking
The Inca Trail, Rainbow Mountain and Colca Canyon.
Peru vs its neighbors
| Peru | Bolivia | Ecuador | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Daily budget (per person) | $45–90 | $35–70 | $45–85 |
| Visa (Thai passport) | Free 183 days | Visa on arrival | Free 90 days |
| Getting around cities | Bus, taxi and train | Bus and taxi | Bus and taxi |
| English | Some at tourist sites | Limited | Some |
| Known for | Machu Picchu · food | Uyuni · the high plateau | Galápagos · the equator |
Figures are rough per-person, per-day estimates — your real budget depends on your travel style.
How do you travel?
The classic Machu Picchu trip
Lima–Cusco–Sacred Valley–Machu Picchu over 7–8 days — the highlight route everyone has to do.
See this plan → 🥾Andes trekking
The 4-day Inca Trail, or Rainbow Mountain and Colca Canyon, for hikers and adventurers.
See this plan → 🍽️Food in Lima
Base yourself in Lima for ceviche and world-ranked restaurants in the Miraflores–Barranco districts — for the food-obsessed.
See this plan →Plan — stay, eat, see
Start with where to stay (the heart of the trip), then add food and sights, and gauge your daily budget.
Find the stay you want
2 ranked reviews
Reviewed10 Cusco Hotels That Actually Slap — Inca Capital & Machu Picchu Base 2026
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Reviewed10 Lima Hotels That Slap — Miraflores, Barranco & San Isidro Picks 2026
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- 1🐟
Ceviche
Raw fish cured in lime, chili and onion — fresh and zesty, the national dish of Peru.
📍 Coast - 2🥩
Lomo Saltado
Beef stir-fried with soy, onion and tomato — a Peruvian-Chinese fusion, served with rice and fries.
📍 Nationwide - 3🥔
Papa
Over 3,000 varieties of potato — papa a la huancaína comes in a cheese sauce.
📍 Andes - 4🍢
Anticucho
Grilled skewered beef heart — a hugely popular street food.
📍 Nationwide - 5🐹
Cuy
Roast guinea pig, a traditional indigenous dish (for the adventurous).
📍 Andes - 6🍹
Pisco Sour
A cocktail of pisco with lime and egg white — the national drink.
📍 Nationwide
- 1🏔️
Machu Picchu
The lost Inca city on a mountaintop, one of the New Seven Wonders of the World.
📍 Cusco - 2🧱
Sacsayhuamán
Giant Inca stone walls fitted tightly together above the city of Cusco.
📍 Cusco - 3🌄
Sacred Valley
Inca villages, the Pisac market, and the Moray agricultural terraces.
📍 Cusco - 4⛪
Cusco
The colonial-Inca main square (Plaza de Armas), with a cathedral and stone lanes.
📍 Cusco - 5🏜️
Huacachina
An oasis in the desert, with sandboarding and dune buggies.
📍 Ica - 6⛪
Santa Catalina
A colorful city-within-a-city convent in Arequipa, the white-stone city.
📍 Arequipa
🚆 Getting around Peru
The Machu Picchu train
PeruRail/IncaRail from Cusco or Ollantaytambo to Aguas Calientes — book ahead.
Domestic flights
Lima to Cusco is about 1.5 hours (LATAM, Sky) — much faster than a 20-hour bus.
Long-distance buses
Cruz del Sur luxury intercity buses are good value, ideal along the coast.
Taxis / apps
Use apps (Uber, Cabify) in Lima to avoid being overcharged, and agree the fare first.
Tours / colectivos
Shared vans and tours to the Sacred Valley and Rainbow Mountain.
🛂 Etiquette & culture in Peru
Watch the altitude
Cusco is at 3,400 m — acclimatize over 1–2 days, drink coca tea, and avoid strenuous activity on day one.
Respect indigenous culture
Ask before photographing indigenous people; some will want a small payment.
Tip 10%
Tip about 10% at restaurants, and tip your guide and porters on a trek too.
Book Machu Picchu ahead
Entry is capped daily, and with the train tickets you must book weeks ahead.
Drink bottled water
Avoid tap water and drink sealed bottled water.
💸 Daily budget — a rough guide
Budget
🛏️ Hostel / 2★ hotel $20–40
Eat the set lunch (menú), take buses, and join group tours — excellent value.
Comfortable
🛏️ 3–4★ hotel $45–85
Fly Lima–Cusco, take the train to Machu Picchu, and enjoy good restaurants in Lima.
Premium
🛏️ Luxury hotel / Belmond near Machu Picchu $145+
The luxury Hiram Bingham train, Michelin restaurants in Lima, and private tours.
🗓️ When to visit Peru
Dry season
May – SepGood sun and clear skies — the best for Machu Picchu and trekking; busiest in Jul–Aug.
Shoulder season
Apr / OctLovely weather, fewer people and good prices — great value.
Rainy season
Nov – MarWet in the Andes (the Inca Trail closes in Feb) but lush and cheap; Lima's coast is sunny.
Coastal summer
Dec – MarLima and the north coast are sunny and good for swimming — the opposite of the rainy season in the mountains.
Book — hotels our team picked
Hand-picked from the highest guest-rated hotels we've reviewed in Peru — compare prices across 3 sites.
★ 9.5👑 Great for your trip
★ 9.4👑 Great for your trip
★ 9.3💑 Great for your tripWant to see every option in Peru?
Browse all our ranked stay reviews — every budget and area, with real photos and price comparison.
View the top city guide →FAQ — visiting Peru
How many days should I spend in Peru?+
8–10 days — two in Lima plus three in Cusco and the Sacred Valley plus Machu Picchu; with more time, add Arequipa or Titicaca.
What do I need to book ahead for Machu Picchu?+
The Machu Picchu entry ticket (daily cap), the train ticket, and the Inca Trail (book months ahead) — always book in advance.
Is altitude sickness scary?+
Cusco is at 3,400 m and you may feel dizzy or tired at first; acclimatize over 1–2 days, drink coca tea, drink plenty of water, and skip alcohol on day one.
Do Thai passport holders need a visa?+
No — Thai travelers can enter Peru visa-free for up to 183 days.
Tips before you go to Peru
- Book Machu Picchu tickets and the train weeks ahead (daily cap).
- Acclimatize in Cusco for 1–2 days before trekking, and drink coca tea.
- Fly Lima–Cusco instead of taking the 20-hour bus.
- Try ceviche at a famous spot (eaten at lunch, when the fish is freshest).
- Carry cash in soles plus a card — small towns don't take cards.
- Pack warm clothes — nights in the mountains get very cold.