4 Places to Visit in Peru
Although there is an abundance of things to do in Peru, there are four places to visit in Peru that I recommend you stop at if you are short on time throughout the country.
Peru is absolutely stunning! I quickly fell in love with its mountain ranges covered in snow. This is the country to visit if you love mountains, hiking, landscapes, food, cool weather, and culture.
I could easily spend three months in the country and still not finish seeing all the beautiful places. However, here 4 places to visit in Peru. These are cities I was able to visit during my time there and highly suggest you visit them.
4 Places to visit in Peru
Table of Contents
Visit Lima
To be honest, Lima is a love or hate city. I was told by everyone I met in Cusco to only spend a day and then leave. However, I was quite surprised by the city when I was there and I’m so glad I didn’t listen to the voices that told me I wouldn’t like it.
The problem with Lima is that most of the time it is cold with grey skies. If you hate this type of weather, you will probably dislike Lima for that reason.
If you look beyond the weather, Lima is actually quite beautiful. The city center has beautiful architecture that made me love the city. The historic center with the Plaza de Armas was great to walk around in.
I also loved Park of the Reserve, the Coastal Boardwalk, and the many dining options in the city.
Visit Cusco
This is by far my favorite city to visit in Peru. This city has colonial architecture, cobblestone streets, and red rooftops. It has awesome vibes and it’s where you’ll be spending most of your time as a base city to visit the famous places in Peru, such as Machu Picchu and Rainbow Mountain.
There are things to do in the city itself and there are many things to do nearby. My friend and I spent the majority of the time visiting and hiking all the mountains nearby. The altitude is high, so I recommend you drink coca and muña tea to help.
Visit Arequipa
I have a thing for volcanoes and Arequipa has three within city view. I enjoyed this city for several reasons. First of all, it has this relaxed vibe about it. I found myself going slow and not rushing to see anything and everyone seems to be doing the same thing. Every time I stopped for coffee or lunch, I found myself staying a long time.
Another thing I enjoyed is the whitewashed architecture in the city center made of sillar rock that comes from volcanoes nearby. This makes the city look clean and beautiful. Although Arequipa doesn’t have as many tours as Cusco does, there are still quite a few things to do nearby.
You can visit Colca Canyon, hike volcanoes if you’re up to the challenge, visit the Santa Catalina Monastery, explore the Quebrada de Cullebrillas, visit the Reserva Nacional de Salinas y Aguada Blanca, or stop at Ruta de Sillar.
Visit La Huacachina
One of the coolest places I visited in Peru was la Huacachina. This is not a city, it’s an oasis in the middle of the sandy desert. It’s only located 15 minutes from the city of Ica. There are not a lot of things to do here. Basically, you visit to do one main thing, sandboarding. If you’ve always wanted to try and experience sandboarding, this is the perfect place to do it.
There are one-day tours that come out from Lima or you can go spend the night in the desert on your way to Arequipa or in reverse order. I loved how peaceful this oasis felt. Life ran a lot slower and I was all for that. The desert seems to cause that.
where to Stay
I enjoyed every place I stayed in each city. In Cusco, Kokopelli Hostel has an awesome atmosphere. It has social vibes and the staff is very friendly.
The beds were also very comfortable. In Lima, I stayed at a new hostel called, Secret Garden Hostel and it was very cheap. What I most loved was the location. I was walking everywhere.
In Arequipa, I stayed at Le Foyer. This hostel was within walking distance of the Plaza de Armas and to most places. I had a private room at the hostel for a low price but what I liked most was the rooftop restaurant.
I experienced beautiful sunsets and had views of the volcanoes. Lastly, in La Huacachina, I stayed at Desert Nights Hostel. At this hostel, I had my private room which was very spacious. The best part was the rooftop restaurant that had delicious food and awesome views of the desert.
4 Places to Visit in Peru
Travel Booking Resources
Book Your Flight:
To find cheap flights, check Skyscanner and Google Flights. These search engines check airlines to find you the best deals. The more flexibility you have, the better flight deals available.
Book Your Accommodation:
Booking.com is my favorite booking site for hotels but it also shows great deals on hostels and apartments. Plus, when you reach Genius Level, you get special discounts, included breakfasts, and upgrades on some hotel rooms. Hostelworld is specifically for budget travelers who enjoy hostels. This is the best place for finding great options.
Don’t Forget Travel Insurance and Visa Applications:
Travel insurance will protect you against theft, injury, illness, and cancellations. Sometimes unexpected things happen during a trip and protections will keep you covered. Two great options are: Safety Wing and World Nomads. Also, iVisa can help you get a visa if you need one.
Book Tours:
Sometimes the best way to see a place is through tours. I recommend checking out Get Your Guide for some fun and unique adventures wherever you go.
Check out my other travel resources to help you book your trip!
Disclaimer: Some of the links on this page are affiliate links. This means that if you click on a link and purchase a product, I may receive a commission at no extra cost to you. Please note I only recommend products and brands that I personally use or have used and believe in.
4 Places to Visit in Peru
