Everything You Need to Know Before Visiting Peru
This year turned out just as crazy as 2020, but we are finally back again with some more international travels! This time we are headed to Peru! With the continually changing travel bans and Peru entry requirements, it is quite a hassle staying updated with the latest information. Fortunately we went through all the pain of searching for entry requirements so you don’t have to. Here’s everything you need to know for the perfect trip to Peru!
Peru Entry Requirements
- Passport – Obviously. Just make sure it doesn’t expire within 6 months of the travel entry date and you should be good.
- Travel Visa – Americans and most other countries do not require a tourist visa if you plan on staying less than 183 days. Here is a list of countries that will require one.
Covid Test – Even vaccinated travelers need to present a negative PCR test upon entry. Make sure to take the test within 3 days of your first departure point. Citizens of Peru that have traveled to South Africa, India, or Brazil will be mandated to quarantine for 14days upon arrival (Foreigners who traveled there are banned). We took our self performed a PCR test at a local CVS drive-thru and got the results within 24hrs.USA Inbound Returning Flights Covid Test – Unfortunately regardless of vaccination status, Americans will need another Negative PCR test to return back home. We contacted our Hotel in Peru 2 days before departure and they scheduled an appointment for a PCR Covid test to be performed in the convenience of hotel lobby. It wasn’t actually checked, but it is possible to have it randomly checked at customs so be sure to have it just in case.- Health Declaration form – Be sure to complete the Affidavit of Health form within 72hrs before your flight. Have a printed or digital version ready to be presented during boarding. Fill out the declaration here. (Find USA under Estados Unidos or EE.UU)
- Vaccinations – No Vaccinations are generally required for Peru entry requirements. If you are traveling to the Amazon or certain regions under 2,300meters you may require Yellow Fever vaccination. Other Vaccines are recommended but nothing is mandatory. If you are sticking to the main big cities like Lima and Cusco, you should be fine without any.
- Travel Insurance – It is not mandatory to have it although you might want to consider it just in case. If you are doing a long trek of the Inca Trail to Machu Picchu, the tours may obligate that you get travel insurance. the 2 days 1 night inca trail to Machu Picchu did not require it.
- Face Masks – Many airlines to Peru are requiring the use of either two face masks or a mask and a face shield. Be prepared to have these just in case. While we traveled on buses and trains, they were mandatory. Double face masks were required everywhere else.
Peru Travel Hacking Tips
- What to Wear – Which season you decide to visit will impact what kind of gear you’ll need. You can choose between the wet summers ( December – March) or the dry winters ( May – September). We chose September to take advantage of good hiking conditions for the Inca Trail. Temperatures range from 65 degrees F to 40 degrees F and slightly colder in Cusco than Lima. Definitely bring a warm jacket, hiking shoes, and other clothes for chilly weather. Consider bringing a rain jacket since the climate at the top of the mountains are unpredictable.
- Inca Trail Permits – One of the best ways to immerse yourself in the ancient ruins of the Incas is to hike the infamous trail used to get to Machu Picchu back in the day. Depending on when you go, you may need to reserve tickets 4 – 6 months in advance as there are limited availability for the trek each day. I highly recommend booking a guided tour since they will handle each part of that journey.
- Power Outlets – The power outlets in Peru are different (220V) so remember to bring the right adapters to charge your electronics.
- Altitude Sickness Pill – Cusco is located at a very high elevation of 11,152ft above sea level. Many travelers not accustomed to this height run the risk of getting altitude sickness without properly acclimatizing. It’s a good idea to take 1 to 2 days in Cusco before doing any crazy hiking. Stay hydrated, get plenty of rest, and you should be alright. If in the case you do experience nausea, dizziness, or headaches get some cacao leaves, tea, or these pills to alleviate the symptoms. I do not recommend flying to Cusco directly from Lima since you’ll increase the chance of getting sick.
- Traveling around Peru – Many of the famous sights in Peru are scattered around the entire country. Luckily Perhop is one of the best private bus services and have arranged tours taking you to many of the best landmarks. 2 weeks should leave you with plenty of time to enjoy the main attractions but 3 or 4 weeks might be needed to see everything. The entire trip from Lima to Cusco took around 4 days. Lima has many transportation options including taxis, buses, a metro, but Uber works the best. We flew back to Lima from Cusco to save time plus the flight was super cheap ($30!).
- Airport Transportation – Most likely you will begin your trip in Lima, so there are a a few options to get to your hotel. Public transportation might take you about an hour. Taxis have to be negotiated before you leave so watch out. The best service is the private transport which you can book here. A ride to the airport should be around $50 soles so negotiate before hand to avoid getting ripped off.
- Accommodations – Lodging is super cheap in Peru and there are a plethora of options ranging from low budget party hostels to high class 5star hotels. In Lima, you’ll definitely want to stay in the Miraflores district.
- Restroom Etiquette – It may be a bit odd but no toilet paper should be flushed. Drains are likely to get clogged so just use the trash bin. In very rare instances no tissues were supplied so as a precaution, bring your own tp or wet wipes.
- Water – It is not recommended to drink from the faucet or tap water. Buy water bottles wherever you can just to avoid getting ill. Most hotels and tours give you free water bottles too.
- Exchanging Money – Peru’s currency is the Sol and is worth about 1/4 USD$. I suggest only exchanging a few dollars at the airport if you absolutely need to. The currency exchanges in the city offer much better rates. Many places also accept credit cards. Just keep a few Soles around for tipping service people.
Peru entry requirements are constantly being updated, so I hope this guide helps point you in the right direction. One of the best resources for the most up to date information is your airline’s website. Kayak is also an excellent place for keeping up with travel restrictions. Peru is an amazing country with so much history, delicious food, and exciting activities to experience so I hope you get the opportunity to visit. Despite being in a pandemic (again) you can still enjoy traveling as long as you take all the right precautions. Don’t let another year of your life slip by! And for our entire Peru Hop road trip experience, check out this post. Thanks for reading and keep leveling up!
Check out our travel vlog for extra tips and insights into planning the perfect trip to Peru!
