A typical first trip here runs about $425 to $575 per person for 7 days at a mid-range style, before flights. Get your own number from the Budget Calculator.
- Ceviche, raw fish cured in lime juice with chili and onion; the national dish
- Lomo saltado, stir-fried beef with peppers, tomatoes, and french fries
- Cuy (guinea pig), traditional Andean protein, especially in Cusco region
- Peru has the most varieties of potato in the world (4,000+ varieties)
- Pisco Sour, brandy cocktail; fiercely debated with Chile as co-originator
- Inti Raymi (June 24), Inca Festival of the Sun at Sacsayhuamán near Cusco
- Corpus Christi (June), processions of saints through Cusco's streets
- Machu Picchu, the most visited archaeological site in South America
- Semana Santa in Ayacucho, the most elaborate Holy Week celebrations in Peru
- Marinera dance, elegant, graceful dance declared Peru's national dance
Spanish is official; Quechua and Aymara are also co-official in their regions. English is spoken in tourist areas.
Altitude sickness (soroche) affects most visitors to Cusco and Machu Picchu, give yourself time to acclimatize.
- Learn about Inca and pre-Inca history before visiting, it enriches every experience
- Ask permission before photographing Indigenous people and pay if requested
- Altitude respect: don't overexert on arrival in Cusco
- Tipping 10% is standard and appreciated
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Updates for Peru will appear here as they are published. Every update cites official sources, so you can plan on it.