Peruvian culture represents one of the richest and most diverse heritage traditions in South America, blending ancient indigenous civilizations with Spanish colonial influences and more recent immigrant contributions. The country's remarkable geography – encompassing the Andes mountains, Amazon rainforest, and Pacific coast – has shaped distinctive regional identities while contributing to a unified national culture celebrated for its history, cuisine, arts, and traditions.

Key elements of Peruvian culture include:

Ancient civilizations and archaeological heritage: Peru stands as the cradle of several of South America's most advanced pre-Columbian civilizations, most famously the Inca Empire that established its capital at Cusco and built the remarkable citadel of Machu Picchu. Earlier cultures including the Nazca (known for their enigmatic geoglyphs), Moche (renowned for their portrait vessels and sophisticated metallurgy), Chimú (creators of the vast adobe city of Chan Chan), and Wari developed sophisticated artistic traditions, agricultural systems, and architectural achievements. This archaeological heritage profoundly influences contemporary Peruvian identity, with sites like Machu Picchu serving not merely as tourist attractions but as sources of national pride and cultural continuity. Traditional Quechua and Aymara communities in the Andes maintain connections to pre-Columbian practices and worldviews, while urban Peruvians increasingly recognize and celebrate indigenous cultural elements as integral to national identity.
Gastronomy: Peruvian cuisine has gained international recognition as one of the world's great culinary traditions, characterized by remarkable biodiversity, historical fusion, and contemporary innovation. The country's diverse ecological zones provide an extraordinary range of ingredients, from the countless varieties of potatoes and corn in the Andes to the abundant seafood of the Pacific coast and the exotic fruits and spices of the Amazon. Traditional dishes reflect regional diversities: ceviche (marinated raw seafood) exemplifies coastal cuisine; pachamanca (meat and vegetables cooked underground with hot stones) represents Andean traditions; and juanes (rice and chicken wrapped in bijao leaves) showcases Amazonian preparations. Colonial-era Spanish influences merged with indigenous cooking techniques, later enriched by significant African, Chinese, Japanese, and Italian immigrant contributions. The result is a cuisine of remarkable diversity and sophistication, exemplified by signature dishes like lomo saltado (a Chinese-Peruvian beef stir-fry), ají de gallina (spicy creamed chicken), and causa (layered potato and seafood terrine). The international recognition of Peruvian cuisine has spurred what locals call the "gastronomic revolution," with Lima emerging as a culinary capital featuring world-renowned restaurants like Central and Maido alongside traditional picanterías and cevicherías.
Textile arts and crafts: Peru maintains one of the world's most sophisticated textile traditions, continuing practices that have evolved over thousands of years. Pre-Columbian cultures developed extraordinarily complex weaving, dyeing, and embroidery techniques, creating textiles that communicated social status, religious concepts, and cultural identity. Contemporary Andean communities preserve these traditions, with distinctive regional styles visible in the colorful textiles of Cusco, the intricate patterns of Ayacucho, and the fine embroidery of Lake Titicaca communities. Beyond textiles, Peruvian craft traditions encompass ceramics (continuing pre-Columbian forms alongside colonial-influenced styles), woodcarving (particularly the retablos or portable altarpieces of Ayacucho), metalwork (drawing on ancient techniques for silver and gold work), and gourd carving (especially in the Huanta Valley). These craft traditions remain living practices rather than museum artifacts, with artisans adapting traditional techniques to contemporary markets while maintaining cultural authenticity.
Music and dance: Peru's musical landscape reflects its cultural diversity, with distinct regional traditions and modern fusion styles. Andean music features the haunting sounds of the quena (flute), charango (small guitar), and zampoña (pan pipes), with ancient scales and rhythms adapted to both traditional and contemporary compositions. The huayno, an Andean dance form with pre-Hispanic origins, remains widely popular in various regional variations. Coastal areas developed distinctive Afro-Peruvian musical styles including festejo and landó, characterized by complex rhythms played on the cajón (wooden box drum) and distinctive vocal styles. The marinera, considered Peru's national dance, showcases the country's Spanish heritage through elaborate choreography and costumes. Modern Peruvian music encompasses everything from chicha (Andean-influenced psychedelic cumbia) to internationally recognized fusion artists who blend traditional elements with contemporary global sounds.
Religious and cultural festivals: Peru's festival calendar blends Catholic traditions with indigenous elements, creating colorful and meaningful celebrations throughout the year. Cusco's Inti Raymi recreates the Inca festival of the winter solstice with elaborate ceremonies at Sacsayhuamán fortress. Puno's Fiesta de la Candelaria combines Catholic devotion with spectacular dance competitions featuring thousands of performers in intricate costumes. The Señor de los Milagros (Lord of Miracles) procession in Lima each October draws hundreds of thousands of participants dressed in purple. Carnival celebrations throughout the country feature water fights, music, and regional variations including the jungle carnival of Tarapoto and the colorful festivities of Cajamarca. These festivals serve as both expressions of religious devotion and opportunities for communities to strengthen social bonds, preserve cultural practices, and celebrate regional identities.

Contemporary Peruvian culture continues to evolve, particularly in urban centers where globalization and technological change interact with traditional elements:

Literature and arts: Peru has produced internationally renowned writers including Nobel laureate Mario Vargas Llosa, whose novels explore Peruvian history and society with nuanced complexity. Earlier literary figures like César Vallejo revolutionized Spanish-language poetry, while José María Arguedas captured the cultural tensions between indigenous and Hispanic Peru. Contemporary Peruvian literature encompasses diverse voices addressing themes from urban life to environmental concerns. Visual arts reflect similar diversity, from artists drawing explicitly on pre-Columbian imagery to others engaged with international contemporary art movements.
Urban culture: Lima, home to nearly a third of Peru's population, showcases the country's contemporary cultural dynamism. The capital blends Spanish colonial architecture in its historic center with modern districts like Miraflores and Barranco, where galleries, cafés, and performance spaces foster creative expression. Urban Peruvians navigate multiple cultural influences, increasingly embracing indigenous heritage elements while participating in global trends. Cities like Arequipa, Trujillo, and Cusco maintain distinctive regional identities while developing their own contemporary cultural scenes.
Cultural preservation and tourism: Peru's tourism industry has created both opportunities and challenges for cultural preservation. Sites like Machu Picchu face pressure from visitor numbers, while tourism revenue funds conservation and provides economic incentives for cultural maintenance. Community-based tourism initiatives increasingly provide alternatives to mass tourism, allowing visitors to engage more authentically with living cultural traditions while ensuring benefits flow to local communities.
Linguistic diversity: While Spanish serves as Peru's primary language, the country officially recognizes Quechua, Aymara, and numerous Amazonian languages. Efforts to preserve linguistic diversity include bilingual education programs and media in indigenous languages. Language remains integrally connected to cultural identity, with many communities maintaining distinctive dialects and linguistic practices that preserve cultural knowledge and worldviews.

Peru's cultural identity continues to evolve through the dynamic interplay of tradition and innovation, rural and urban influences, and indigenous and global elements. This ongoing cultural conversation creates a vibrant environment where ancient practices remain relevant while new expressions emerge, reflecting Peru's position as a country deeply connected to its historical roots while actively engaged with contemporary global currents.

Tourism & Best Sites to Visit

Peru offers an extraordinary diversity of travel experiences, from world-renowned archaeological sites to vibrant cities, pristine nature reserves, and distinctive culinary destinations. The country's remarkable geographical variety – encompassing Andean highlands, Amazon rainforest, Pacific coastline, and desert landscapes – creates opportunities for adventure, cultural immersion, and natural exploration that have established Peru as one of South America's premier tourist destinations.

Here are some of Peru's most impressive destinations:

Machu Picchu

Cusco Region

Lima

Lima Region

Cusco

Cusco Region

Nazca Lines

Ica Region

Amazon Rainforest

Madre de Dios & Loreto Regions

Machu Picchu: This 15th-century Inca citadel, recognized as both a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of the New Seven Wonders of the World, stands as Peru's most iconic destination. Perched dramatically on a mountain ridge 2,430 meters (7,970 feet) above sea level, the site's precise stone construction, ingenious water management systems, and spectacular setting among cloud forest-covered peaks create an unforgettable visitor experience. The complex encompasses agricultural terraces, temples, residences, and astronomical observation points built without mortar using precisely cut stone blocks. Most visitors reach Machu Picchu from Cusco via train to Aguas Calientes (the town below the site), then by bus up the switchback road to the entrance. More adventurous travelers can hike the legendary Inca Trail, a 4-day trek following ancient stone pathways through spectacular mountain scenery and lesser-known archaeological sites before arriving at Machu Picchu through the Sun Gate at dawn. Alternative routes include the challenging Salkantay Trek and the more culturally immersive Lares Trek. Due to conservation concerns, visitor numbers are now strictly controlled, with advance tickets required and specific entry times enforced.

Lima: Peru's capital and largest city offers a compelling blend of historical richness, contemporary culture, and world-class gastronomy. The UNESCO-listed historic center features spectacular colonial architecture including the Plaza de Armas (main square), the ornate San Francisco Monastery with its catacombs, and numerous historic churches and mansions. The clifftop district of Miraflores attracts visitors with its Pacific Ocean views, manicured parks, upscale shopping, and paragliding opportunities from the malecón (seafront promenade). The bohemian neighborhood of Barranco charms with colorful colonial buildings, street art, design shops, and a vibrant nightlife scene. Lima's museums offer exceptional cultural experiences, particularly the Larco Museum (pre-Columbian art), MALI (Lima Art Museum), and Museum of the Nation. The city's status as a global culinary capital draws food enthusiasts to experience everything from high-end restaurants like Central (regularly ranked among the world's best) to traditional markets and street food. Day trips from Lima include the archaeological complex of Pachacamac, the Palomino Islands with their sea lion colonies, and the beaches and wetlands of the southern coast.

Cusco: The historic capital of the Inca Empire blends spectacular pre-Columbian sites with Spanish colonial architecture and thriving indigenous culture. The city center, a UNESCO World Heritage site, features narrow cobblestone streets leading to remarkable landmarks including the Qorikancha (Temple of the Sun), now partially incorporated into the colonial Santo Domingo church. The Plaza de Armas, flanked by the imposing Cathedral and La Compañía church, serves as the city's social hub. Massive Inca stone walls form the foundations of many colonial-era buildings, most impressively at Hatunrumiyoc Street with its famous twelve-angled stone. Above the city, the fortress of Sacsayhuamán showcases the Incas' extraordinary stonework with massive blocks fitted together without mortar. Cusco serves as the gateway to the Sacred Valley, where sites such as Pisac (terraced agricultural complex and market town), Ollantaytambo (living Inca town with impressive temple fortress), and Moray (circular agricultural terraces that served as a crop laboratory) offer insights into Inca civilization. The city's vibrant cultural scene features traditional music, dance performances, and art galleries, while its restaurants showcase both international cuisine and regional Andean specialties.

Nazca Lines: These enigmatic geoglyphs etched into the desert floor of southern Peru represent one of archaeology's most fascinating mysteries. Created between 500 BCE and 500 CE by the Nazca civilization, the designs include more than 70 animal and plant figures alongside hundreds of geometric shapes, some extending more than 370 meters (1,200 feet) across. Their precision and scale become fully apparent only from the air, with theories about their purpose ranging from astronomical calendars to religious pathways. Most visitors experience the lines through scenic flights in small aircraft that circle above the desert to provide views of major figures including the hummingbird, monkey, spider, and condor. An observation tower along the Pan-American Highway offers limited ground-level viewing of several figures. The nearby town of Nazca provides accommodation and serves as a base for exploring additional attractions including the Chauchilla Cemetery (with remarkably preserved mummies), the Cantalloc Aqueducts (ancient water management systems still functioning today), and the Cahuachi ceremonial center. The nearby coastal town of Paracas offers boat trips to the Ballestas Islands ("poor man's Galápagos") with their abundant marine wildlife.

Amazon Rainforest: Peru contains the second-largest portion of the Amazon Basin, offering exceptional opportunities to experience the world's most biodiverse ecosystem. The primary gateways include Puerto Maldonado in the south (accessing the Tambopata National Reserve and Manu Biosphere Reserve) and Iquitos in the north (providing access to the Pacaya-Samiria National Reserve). Lodges ranging from basic to luxury offer guided experiences including wildlife observation, forest hikes, canopy walkways, night excursions, and interactions with indigenous communities. The region's extraordinary biodiversity includes iconic species such as jaguars, pink river dolphins, giant river otters, numerous monkey species, and over 1,800 bird species. From Iquitos, multi-day cruises along the Amazon River and its tributaries provide a distinctive way to experience the rainforest, with excursions by smaller vessels into narrow waterways and flooded forests. The city of Iquitos itself, accessible only by air or river, features historic rubber boom architecture, floating markets, and unique cultural traditions blending indigenous, riverine, and urban influences. In Puerto Maldonado, the nearby Lake Sandoval offers excellent wildlife viewing in a spectacular oxbow lake setting surrounded by primary rainforest.

Additional noteworthy destinations include Lake Titicaca, where visitors can experience the unique floating reed islands of the Uros people and the traditional communities of Taquile and Amantaní islands; the Colca Canyon, twice as deep as the Grand Canyon and home to soaring Andean condors; Arequipa, with its distinctive white volcanic stone architecture and the Santa Catalina Monastery; Huaraz, the gateway to spectacular trekking in the Cordillera Blanca mountain range; and the northern beaches around Máncora, offering surfing, whale watching, and relaxation. The pre-Inca ruins of Kuélap, sometimes called the "Machu Picchu of the north," provide an alternative archaeological experience, while Chachapoyas serves as a base for exploring the stunning Gocta Waterfall, one of the world's tallest. Peru's remarkable diversity ensures that even travelers who have visited multiple times continue to discover new experiences and destinations.

Transportation

Peru's transportation infrastructure continues to develop, with substantial improvements in recent years, though challenges remain due to the country's difficult terrain and vast distances. The Andes Mountains, Amazon rainforest, and coastal desert create natural barriers that have historically complicated travel between regions, resulting in transportation options that vary significantly depending on the destination.

Domestic Air Travel: For covering Peru's vast distances, domestic flights offer the most time-efficient option, particularly when traveling between major destinations like Lima, Cusco, Arequipa, and Iquitos. LATAM Peru, Sky Airline Peru, JetSMART Peru, and Star Peru operate extensive domestic networks connecting Lima with regional centers and tourist destinations. Lima's Jorge Chávez International Airport serves as the primary hub, with connections to over 20 domestic destinations. Flight times are relatively brief (typically 1-2 hours), making air travel particularly advantageous for reaching remote areas like Iquitos (accessible only by air or river) or for travelers with limited time. Popular routes like Lima-Cusco operate multiple daily flights, while less-visited destinations may have only a few weekly connections. Tickets are most affordable when booked well in advance, with prices rising substantially for last-minute bookings, particularly during high season (June-August). Smaller airlines and charter services provide access to more remote destinations, though schedules may be less reliable and more subject to weather conditions.
Bus Travel: Peru's extensive long-distance bus network offers economical transportation throughout much of the country, with service quality ranging from basic to luxury. Major companies like Cruz del Sur, Oltursa, Civa, and Movil Tours operate modern fleets with various service classes, including options featuring fully reclining seats, meal service, entertainment systems, and onboard bathrooms. The Pan-American Highway provides the main north-south corridor along the coast, while challenging mountain routes connect coastal areas with Andean highlands and, to a lesser extent, the Amazon basin. Travel times can be substantial – the journey from Lima to Cusco takes approximately 21 hours, while Lima to Arequipa requires 16 hours – making overnight buses a popular option for longer distances. Safety standards vary between companies, with premium operators maintaining better vehicle maintenance and driver training. In urban areas, local buses (micros and combis) provide affordable if sometimes chaotic transportation, with routes indicated by numbers or destinations painted on the vehicles rather than formal schedules or maps.
Rail Travel: Peru's limited but significant rail network includes some of South America's most spectacular train journeys. The primary tourist routes connect Cusco with Machu Picchu, operated by Peru Rail and Inca Rail with various service classes ranging from basic to luxury. The journey from Cusco (or more commonly from Ollantaytambo in the Sacred Valley) to Aguas Calientes (the town below Machu Picchu) takes approximately 1.5-3 hours depending on the service, passing through spectacular mountain scenery along the Urubamba River. The Belmond Andean Explorer offers South America's first luxury sleeper train, running between Cusco, Puno (Lake Titicaca), and Arequipa through stunning high-altitude landscapes. In the south, the Tacna-Arica railway provides a historic connection between Peru and Chile. These tourist-oriented services contrast with Peru's limited regular passenger rail network, which has declined substantially from its historical extent, though plans for expansion and modernization continue to evolve.
Taxi and Ride-Sharing: Taxis provide convenient transportation within Peruvian cities, operating either as street-hailed vehicles or through radio dispatch services. In Lima and other major cities, official taxis (registered with municipalities) can be identified by formal identification on doors and windshields, though many informal taxis also operate. Fares should be negotiated before beginning a journey, as most taxis do not use meters. Ride-sharing services including Uber, Cabify, and local options like Beat operate in Lima and several other major cities, providing predictable pricing and enhanced security features. In smaller towns and at tourist sites, collective taxis (colectivos) follow fixed routes with multiple passengers sharing the fare, while motorcycle taxis (mototaxis) offer affordable short-distance transportation in many provincial towns and city outskirts.
Car Rental: Renting a vehicle provides flexibility for exploring certain regions, particularly the coast, parts of the Andes, and areas around major cities. International companies like Hertz, Budget, and Avis operate alongside local agencies, primarily in Lima and major tourist centers. Driving in Peru presents significant challenges: traffic in Lima and other cities can be chaotic with limited adherence to formal rules; mountain roads feature sharp curves, steep grades, and occasional landslides during the rainy season; and road conditions vary dramatically, from modern highways to unpaved tracks. A valid international driving permit is recommended alongside your home country's license. Navigation can be challenging as signage is sometimes limited, making GPS or offline maps advisable. For many popular tourist routes, guided tours or public transportation provide less stressful alternatives to self-driving.

Regional Transportation Highlights:

Cusco and the Sacred Valley: This popular tourist region offers multiple transportation options, including local buses connecting Cusco with Sacred Valley towns, shared and private taxis, organized tours, and the rail links to Machu Picchu. Within Cusco city, the historic center is best explored on foot, while taxis and local buses provide connections to outlying areas and archaeological sites. For Machu Picchu visits, most travelers combine train service to Aguas Calientes with shuttle buses for the final ascent to the site, though a challenging hiking trail also connects the town with the ruins.
Amazon Region: Transportation in Peru's Amazon basin relies heavily on rivers, with boat services ranging from traditional dugout canoes to larger passenger vessels connecting communities along the Amazon and its tributaries. From Iquitos, riverboats provide transportation to communities and reserves throughout the northern Amazon, with journeys ranging from a few hours to several days. Puerto Maldonado serves as the southern Amazon gateway, with road and river connections to lodges and reserves in the Tambopata region. Air travel provides the most practical access to these Amazon gateways from other parts of Peru.
Lima Metropolitan Area: Peru's capital and largest city has invested significantly in public transportation, though challenges remain due to population density and historical development patterns. The Lima Metro currently operates one line connecting Villa El Salvador in the south with San Juan de Lurigancho in the northeast, with extensions under construction. The Metropolitano Bus Rapid Transit system provides north-south connections through dedicated lanes, while conventional bus and combi routes create a comprehensive if sometimes confusing network. Taxis and ride-sharing services offer convenient point-to-point transportation, though traffic congestion can make journey times unpredictable.

Safety considerations: Transportation safety varies considerably across Peru. Air travel maintains reasonable safety standards, particularly with major carriers. For bus travel, premium operators with dedicated terminals generally provide safer service than informal operators. When using taxis, radio dispatched or app-based services offer greater security than street-hailed vehicles, particularly at night. Road conditions can change rapidly, especially during the rainy season (December-April) when landslides occasionally block mountain routes. Night driving outside urban areas is generally not recommended due to poor lighting, unexpected hazards, and limited emergency services. For boat travel in the Amazon region, verify that operators provide appropriate safety equipment and avoid overcrowded vessels.

Altitude considerations: Many popular Peruvian destinations, including Cusco (3,400 meters/11,150 feet), Puno (3,800 meters/12,500 feet), and Huaraz (3,050 meters/10,000 feet), lie at significant elevations where altitude sickness can affect travelers. Transportation planning should account for gradual acclimatization, potentially by spending initial days in intermediate-altitude locations like the Sacred Valley (2,800 meters/9,200 feet) before ascending to higher elevations. Some travelers choose to begin their journey in lower-altitude destinations like Lima, Arequipa, or the Amazon region before traveling to high-altitude areas.

Airports

Peru's aviation infrastructure plays a crucial role in connecting the country's diverse regions and providing international access, with ongoing investments improving facilities and expanding capacity. Given Peru's challenging geography, air transportation offers essential connectivity, particularly for regions separated by the Andes mountains or isolated by Amazon rainforest.

Jorge Chávez International Airport (LIM): Located in Callao, approximately 10 kilometers from downtown Lima, this facility serves as Peru's primary international gateway and domestic hub. Named after a pioneering Peruvian aviator, the airport has undergone significant modernization, with an ongoing expansion project adding a second runway and new terminal. The current terminal features comprehensive services including multiple dining options, duty-free shopping, VIP lounges, banking facilities, and car rental counters. As South America's sixth-busiest airport, it handles direct international flights to major cities throughout the Americas, Europe, and limited service to Asia. Domestically, it connects to over 20 destinations within Peru. Transportation options to Lima include official airport taxis, shuttle services, public buses, and the newly established Airport Express Lima bus service connecting to Miraflores. The airport serves as the main hub for LATAM Peru and a focus city for several other carriers including Sky Airline Peru and JetSMART Peru.
Alejandro Velasco Astete International Airport (CUZ): Serving Cusco, Peru's primary tourist destination, this airport handles a high volume of both domestic and limited international traffic despite significant operational limitations. Located within Cusco's urban area at 3,310 meters (10,860 feet) above sea level, the airport experiences altitude-related restrictions and frequent morning fog that can disrupt operations. The terminal offers basic services including restaurants, shops, ATMs, and tour booking facilities. Due to its location and the surrounding mountainous terrain, operations are limited to daylight hours, with most flights arriving and departing between 6:00 AM and 5:00 PM. Domestic connections include multiple daily flights to Lima and services to several other Peruvian cities. Limited international flights connect to La Paz, Bolivia and occasionally other nearby countries. Transportation to central Cusco includes taxis and collective services, with the journey typically taking 15-20 minutes depending on traffic. A new international airport is under construction at Chinchero, approximately 30 kilometers from Cusco, intended to replace the current facility and allow for expanded operations.
Rodríguez Ballón International Airport (AQP): Located in Arequipa, Peru's second-largest city, this facility serves the southern region with both domestic and limited international connections. The modernized terminal handles flights to Lima, Cusco, Juliaca, and occasional international services to neighboring countries. The airport's position at 2,520 meters (8,270 feet) above sea level creates some operational considerations, though fewer than at Cusco's higher-altitude facility. Transportation to central Arequipa includes taxis and airport buses, with the journey taking approximately 30 minutes.
Coronel FAP Francisco Secada Vignetta International Airport (IQU): Serving Iquitos, the largest city in the Peruvian Amazon, this airport provides essential connectivity to a region accessible only by air or river. The terminal offers basic facilities for travelers, handling domestic flights to Lima, Tarapoto, and Pucallpa, as well as occasional international services to Panama City and seasonal charter flights. As the gateway to the northern Amazon, the airport serves both tourists visiting rainforest lodges and Amazonian river cruises as well as residents and business travelers. Transportation to central Iquitos includes taxis and motorcycle taxis, with the journey typically taking 30-40 minutes.
Other significant airports: Include Padre Aldamiz International Airport in Puerto Maldonado (gateway to the southern Amazon and Tambopata National Reserve); Inca Manco Cápac International Airport in Juliaca (serving Lake Titicaca and Puno); Capitán FAP José A. Quiñones González International Airport in Chiclayo and Capitán FAP Víctor Montes Arias International Airport in Talara (serving Peru's northern coast); and Captain David Abensur Rengifo Airport in Pucallpa (connecting the central Amazon region). These regional facilities primarily handle domestic flights to Lima, though some offer limited international connections to neighboring countries.

Domestic Airlines: Peru's domestic air network is served by several carriers:

LATAM Peru: The largest carrier, offering the most extensive domestic network connecting Lima with regional centers and tourist destinations.
Sky Airline Peru: A low-cost carrier providing service between major cities.
JetSMART Peru: A newer ultra-low-cost airline expanding domestic operations.
Star Peru: A regional airline focusing on routes to the Amazon and central highlands.
ATSA: Specializing in flights to smaller Amazon destinations and charter operations.

Immigration and Customs: Peru's entry procedures are relatively straightforward for most visitors. Many nationalities receive visa-free entry for tourist visits of up to 90 or 183 days, though this should be verified before travel as requirements change periodically. Immigration forms are typically distributed on arriving international flights or available at immigration counters. Visitors receive a white Andean Migration Card (Tarjeta Andina de Migración) along with their passport stamp, which must be retained until departure. Customs procedures include standard restrictions on bringing in food products, plants, and undeclared currency exceeding US$10,000. The customs process generally involves baggage scanning, with random detailed inspections. Departure taxes are included in international ticket prices, so no additional payment is required at the airport.

Airport Tips: For international flights, arriving at Jorge Chávez International Airport at least 3 hours before departure is recommended, particularly during peak travel periods. For domestic flights, 2 hours is generally sufficient, though additional time should be allowed at Cusco's airport during the busy morning period. Many domestic flights, particularly from high-altitude airports like Cusco, experience schedule changes and occasional delays due to weather conditions, requiring some flexibility in travel planning. At Lima's airport, the newly expanded international departures area provides improved facilities, though the domestic terminal can become congested during peak hours. When flying to high-altitude destinations like Cusco, Juliaca, or Puno, travelers should be aware of potential altitude sickness symptoms and consider appropriate acclimatization strategies.

Visa & Travel Information

Peru has implemented visitor-friendly policies for tourists from many countries, though requirements vary by nationality and purpose of visit. Travelers should verify current regulations through official sources before planning their trip.

Visa Requirements by Nationality

The following table outlines entry requirements for common nationalities:

Nationality	Entry Option	Maximum Stay
USA, Canada, EU countries, UK, Australia	Visa-Free	183 days
Most Latin American and Caribbean countries	Visa-Free	183 days
Japan, South Korea, Israel, New Zealand	Visa-Free	183 days
Russia, South Africa, Turkey	Visa-Free	90-183 days (varies)
China, India, most African and Middle Eastern countries	Visa Required	Depends on visa type

Visa-Free Entry Requirements: For eligible nationalities, requirements typically include:

Passport valid for at least six months beyond your planned departure date.
Proof of onward/return travel (often checked by airlines before boarding).
Evidence of sufficient funds for your stay (rarely checked but technically required).
Completed Andean Migration Card (Tarjeta Andina de Migración), provided during your flight or at immigration.

Important Note on Stay Duration: While many nationalities are permitted stays of up to 183 days, immigration officers typically grant shorter periods (often 30, 60, or 90 days) at their discretion. Travelers seeking longer stays should clearly explain their plans and may need to show supporting documentation such as confirmed accommodations or tour bookings. Extensions can be requested through Peru's immigration offices before the initial authorized stay expires.