Peru 5 Lima, Machu Picchu

1 Check out Lima – Chances are your trip will begin and end in Peru’s capital city, Lima, and this is no bad thing as the city is a must-see. The Plaza Mayor is popular and you’ll want to bring a camera to catch its colonial beauty. At night, head to the Barranco district for the hottest parties in peñas– Afro-Peruvian clubs which bounce to the beat of cajón drums.

2 Explore Machu Picchu – This legendary “lost city of the Incas” is one of the most-visited tourist attractions in all of South America and one of the best historical sites in the world. The ruins are high up in the Andes and are regularly obscured by cloud cover, which adds to the mystery of the place! Aqueducts, granite and limestone temples and other forms of Inca architecture are all beautifully preserved at this essential tourist attraction. You can get here by the Inca Trail (see below) or by taking the train.

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Peru Travel Tips 4 Almuerzo & collectivos

Eat "Almuerzo"- the meal of the day – These are set meals and are a bit like the ‘meal of the day’, which you can get for 9 PEN.

Travel off-season – For a low-cost trip, the best times to visit Peru are the fringe months of April and May or September and October.

Take the collectivos – These are cheap buses. They cost around 1-2 PEN for a ride. They are a bit confusing, but there is always a door person (usually a young man) whom you can quickly ask if the bus is going to your location. There are not always marked bus stops, so look for gathering crowds

Book last minute – If you are looking to do the Inca Trail and have a bit of extra time to wait for a deal, showing up in Cusco or booking a last minute tour can save you lots of money. Booking months in advance gets you the premium price but wait and you’ll find your patience rewarded. This normally works for Inca Trail tours on the Salktantay, Inca Jungle or Lares tours, the classic Inca Trail is normally fully-booked months in advance. I wouldn’t recommend trying to get on that one last-minute if you have your heart set on doing it.

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Peru 3: Money Saving Tips

Activities – Trip to archaeological sites are likely to be your biggest expense with a day trip to Machu Picchu costing around 190 PEN. The Nasca Lines helicopter tour is relatively expensive at 415 PEN for 35 minutes in the air. You can catch a plane ride from USD 40.
Multi-day trips up the Inca Trail cost hundreds of dollars. However, entrances to museums outside of the major sites are under 38 PEN.

Hospedajes – These are family run hotels and are the cheapest accommodation you can find. They will be a great deal.

Public transportation – Lima’s new intra-city buses is definitely a great alternative to taxis, especially if you’re staying in the beautiful tourist suburb of Miraflores. It’s easy to access and will get to downtown museums quickly.

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