Frequently asked questions about travelling to Peru

Planning the trip

How many days do you need?

Two weeks allow for Lima and the Cusco region without rushing, with one extension: the south coast (Paracas, Ica), Arequipa and Titicaca, or the Amazon. In ten days, it is better to do Lima and Cusco with the Sacred Valley, without another region. Three weeks open up the big southern loop. Also count the changes of hotel: each one costs half a day. See A first trip to Peru in 15 days, the southern classic and solo, as a couple, as a family.

What is the best season?

It depends on the region. In the Andes (Cusco, Machu Picchu, Puno, Huaraz), the dry season runs from May to September. Lima is grey from June to September and sunny from December to April; the north coast is warm all year round; in the Amazon, it rains all year, more from November to April. May, June, September and October make a good compromise for a mixed trip. See when to go.

Is altitude a problem?

It can be prepared for. Above 3,000 metres, the CDC recommends not increasing your sleeping altitude by more than 500 metres per night. In practice: start with a lower stop (Arequipa or the Sacred Valley rather than Cusco), keep the first days calm, and put the highest outings at the end of the stay. Breathlessness at rest or confusion mean you must go down and see a doctor. See altitude.

When should you buy the Machu Picchu ticket?

As soon as your dates are certain, especially in high season and for the mountain routes (Waynapicchu), whose places go first. Buy it on the state platform, tuboleto.cultura.pe, then fit the train and the nights around your entry time. Some tickets are sold on site: 1,000 tickets a day, at the cultural centre of the Machu Picchu Pueblo municipality, which does not allow you to count on a specific date. See Machu Picchu and what to book.

Do you need a visa?

No, for a tourist stay with a Swiss, French or Spanish passport: up to 90 days, with a passport valid for at least six months on arrival. The number of days actually granted is set on entry: read it on the Migraciones virtual TAM and do not overstay it, as the fine is counted per day. See borders and documents.

Which vaccines?

Yellow fever: no certificate required on entry according to the CDC. The recommendations depend on the places, the altitude and your situation: according to the CDC page of October 2026, hepatitis A for unvaccinated travellers, yellow fever for areas below 2,300 metres in several regions, including the Amazon, and other vaccines depending on the length of stay and the activities. Make an appointment at a travel medicine centre several weeks before departure, with your itinerary. See health.

Card, cash, phone: how should you organise things?

Pay in soles and refuse the conversion into your own currency offered by the card terminal. Keep two cards stored separately and some small notes. For the internet, a data eSIM from a foreign seller is enough for most trips; a Peruvian line, SIM or eSIM, is bought in person, passport in hand, and the phone must then be registered with the operator. See money and connectivity.

How much does a trip cost?

That depends on your choices more than on the country. Add up separately accommodation, meals, local transport, long-distance journeys, entry fees and excursions, then a margin. The budget calculator does this calculation, and prices in Peru gives dated, sourced references for each item.

Is Peru safe?

Not uniformly. On the classic itineraries, the main risks are theft, particularly of phones, road accidents and blockades during strikes. A few habits reduce them: booked taxis, daytime journeys, a spare day, the FDFA’s advice read again before and during the trip. See everyday safety.

Do you need to speak Spanish?

No, but a few phrases make a big difference to your exchanges outside hotels and agencies. For an important activity, confirm the language actually spoken by the guide, not just the one used to sell the service. See the glossary.

Do you need to book everything from home?

No. Book first what has quotas (Machu Picchu, the Inca Trail), then what depends on them (train, nearby nights), festival dates and domestic flights. The rest, meals, local outings, a lot of accommodation outside the high season, can be decided on the spot. See what to book.

How long in Lima?

At least two full days: one for the historic centre, one for the Museo Larco and the seafront of Miraflores and Barranco. A third day allows for a market, Callao or Pachacámac. Organise each day by area: the traffic, more than the distance, sets the pace. See Lima.

Which Amazon to choose?

The south (Tambopata, from Puerto Maldonado) combines easily with Cusco, for three to five nights in a lodge. The north is divided between Iquitos, reachable only by plane or boat, and Tarapoto, foothill forest linked by road. The programme and the lodge matter as much as the gateway. See which Amazon to choose.

Should you try cuy?

No. It is an Andean culinary tradition that you can discover if it interests you, particularly in Arequipa or around Cusco; plenty of other dishes await you. See cuy.

SwissLima and its services

Can I travel without going through you?

Yes. The guides on this site are designed so that you can organise your trip yourself. You can do everything on your own, or ask for help with a specific stage.

Are your recommendations tested?

Not yet. The listings published are based on what each place publishes (website, menu, opening hours) and on other sources, without a visit for the guide; each listing says so. A visit, a confirmation by the establishment or a business relationship will always be indicated as such. See our method.

Is a local contact always cheaper?

No. The price depends on the service, the group, the language, what is included and the conditions. A more expensive option may be preferable if it matches what you need. To read a quote, see comparing two offers.

Can you guarantee the availability or the safety of an activity?

No. Availability is confirmed with the provider, and the weather, access or conditions can change. We help you ask the right questions; what is actually planned is what the provider confirms, in writing.

How is SwissLima paid?

Depending on the service, SwissLima may receive a commission from the provider or offer paid support. Before any commitment, we explain how it works, any fees and who receives your payment. See our contact details.

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