Embarking on a Peruvian adventure promises a blend of ancient history, breathtaking landscapes, and vibrant culture. Yet, to truly savor this enchanting journey, there are nuances crucial for any traveler to grasp, navigating Peru calls for a balance between exploration and caution.
We have listed some things you should know while traveling across Peru.
1. Don’t drink the tap water
The tap water in Peru is only sometimes safe to drink. If you are a foreign traveler whose stomach is not accustomed to the local water, you would want to depend on bottled water only. If you must drink the local tap water, boil it or use water purification tablets before drinking it.
2. Carrying local currency is always a good idea
Peru is a trendy tourist destination nowadays, and almost all restaurants and other tourist sites accept major credit cards. However, if you are determined to do a few non-touristy things like visiting non-conventional venues or tasting Lima’s delicious street food, cash would be the only way to pay. It would help if you carried some cash for tipping the local tour guides or porters as well, in Peru Tipping is optional and it start’s on 10%.
3. Use ridesharing Apps
The public transport in Peru is safe. However, the dubious, unmarked, old taxis may take advantage of the unexpected tourist; the best way is to use well-known cab apps such as Uber or Cabify. All of them are available for iOS and Android.
4. The Culture around Coca
Coca leaves have a variety of popular uses in the Andean culture of Peru. It has been used for medicinal and other properties since prehispanic times. The Peruvians use it in tea, candies, and gums to help fight cold temperatures and altitude sickness, making them extremely helpful for foreign travelers. The alkaloid in Coca Leave is the main ingredient for making cocaine, but in its natural raw form, it is not a psychoactive. When consumed in its natural form, it does not induce a physiological or psychological dependence, nor does abstinence after long-term use produce symptoms typical to substance addiction.
5. Learn some basic Spanish
Though the major tourist sites in Peru have officers who speak English, this is only the case in some places. Don’t expect every local guide at Machu Picchu or Cusco Historical Center to be fluent in English. It is always better that you learn some common Spanish words and phrases so that you can at least manage to fumble your way around. Yelling at the locals in English is a strict no-no.
6. Ask before wandering by yourself
Even though it is okay to do some tours or activities alone, some experiences are much more rewarding if you do them with an experienced guide. For instance, most Inca ruins will have an attractive, sometimes breathtaking, story you would want to hear. So, only sometimes think with your wallet when experiencing Peru. This could be one of the few times you will be in Inca territories.
If you want to do urban exploration, ask first where it is safe to go and where to go in groups.
IN THE KNOW: We are here to provide your Best Peruvian Experience. When you are planning to come to Peru, call us +1 213 221 8100
