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A photograph of Peru

Country guide

Up to 1 hour in Peru — page 4

Peru is 1,285,216 square kilometres arranged in three long bands: an arid Pacific coast, the Andes behind it, and Amazon rainforest east of the mountains. Which...

Photograph · Diego Delso · CC BY-SA 4.0

18,351 Places
2Cities

Reviewed by Elena Voss · Roavina Travel Editor

Peru is 1,285,216 square kilometres arranged in three long bands: an arid Pacific coast, the Andes behind it, and Amazon rainforest east of the mountains. Which band a city sits in decides nearly everything about visiting it — Lima, the capital, is a coastal city under grey winter cloud, Cusco sits high enough in the Andes to cost a first day doing nothing, and Iquitos in the rainforest has no road connecting it to the rest of the country. It is the third largest country in South America. The distances between those three worlds are why itineraries here are counted in flights rather than in bus rides.

Checked 2026-08-25

Cities

Every city catalogued in this country so far, ranked by how much there is to see.

Practical information

Language spoken
Spanish; Quechua, Aymara and other Indigenous languages have official status where predominant
National practical orientation; regional and minority languages may also be used
Dialling code
+51
International calling code; local area and mobile prefixes still apply
Currency
Peruvian sol (PEN)
Use the official local currency; card acceptance varies by place
Emergency number
105 police · 116 fire
Use only for an emergency; tourist assistance may use a separate number
Plug type
Type A and C · 220 V
Check that chargers support the recorded voltage before using an adapter
Tap water
Not recorded
No verified nationwide visitor drinking-water statement was recorded

Top things to see

Ranked by importance — sitelinks, pageviews and heritage status, not editor preference.

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Category

Historic monuments 42 Museums 0 Places of worship 14 Nature sites 9 Viewpoints 2 Food and drink 0 Markets and shopping 3 Entertainment 0 Nightlife 0 Family attractions 0 Art and culture 5 Activities 4

Typical visit duration

Up to 1 hour 79 1 to 2 hours 55 Half a day or more 1

Interests

History 14 Art 5 Museums 1 Nature 2 Sea and beach 1 Viewpoints 1
  1. Qochapata Qochapata
    76 45 min

    Qochapata

    Qochapata is an Inca archaeological site at the urban edge of Cusco, where the city gives way to the wider landscape shaped by Inca settlement.

    • Notable
    • Historic monument
    • Cusco
  2. Qosqo Native Art Center Qosqo Native Art Center
    77 1 hour

    Qosqo Native Art Center

    Centro Qosqo de Arte Nativo

    Qosqo Native Art Center, also known as Centro Qosqo de Arte Nativo, is a Cusco venue devoted to regional folk dance and traditional Andean music.

    • Notable
    • Art and culture venue
    • Cusco
  3. Salineras de Maras Salineras de Maras
    78 45 min

    Salineras de Maras

    The Salineras de Maras are pre-Columbian salt evaporation ponds cascading down a hillside above the Urubamba Valley. Local families have harvested salt here for centuries using traditional methods.

    • Notable
    • Historic monument
    • Cusco
  4. Mateo Salado Mateo Salado
    79 45 min

    Mateo Salado

    Complejo Arqueológico Mateo Salado

    Complejo Arqueológico Mateo Salado is an archaeological complex located in Lima, Peru. The site represents pre-Columbian architectural heritage within the modern urban environment of the capital city.

    • High
    • Historic monument
    • Lima

Source: OpenStreetMap contributors, Wikidata ·

Common questions

How long should a first trip to Peru be?

Ten to fourteen days can combine Lima, Cusco and the Sacred Valley with one additional region. Altitude adjustment and rail or road transfers need their own time, so compressing the Andes and Amazon into the same short visit is unwise.

What entry documents are needed for Peru?

Peru’s Migraciones authority publishes admission information. Passport, nationality and permitted-stay rules must be checked for the actual traveller, and any border or immigration form should come from the government service.

What is the best way to travel around Peru?

Lima is the principal air hub, with domestic services to Cusco, Arequipa and other gateways. Intercity buses cover many routes, and selected tourist trains serve the Sacred Valley and Machu Picchu area.

When is a practical time to visit Peru?

May to September is the broad dry-season window for many Andean routes. Lima’s coastal conditions and Amazon rainfall follow different patterns, so an itinerary spanning regions needs separate forecasts and access checks.

What money and payment basics apply in Peru?

Peru uses the sol (PEN). Current acceptance and withdrawal charges are Not recorded here; confirm whether an operator expects soles, cards or advance payment before leaving a major city.

What practical safety details should I save for Peru?

Peru records 105 for police and 116 for fire services. Type A and C sockets use 220 V; national tap-water guidance is Not recorded, so obtain local advice.