What is the best time to visit Peru?

The best time to visit Peru depends on your priorities. Many travellers visit year-round, though spring and autumn typically offer pleasant weather and smaller crowds at popular attractions like Machu Picchu. Check weather patterns for Americas before booking.

What currency does Peru use?

Peru uses the Peruvian sol (S/ ). Exchange at banks or airports, and withdraw from ATMs with your debit card. Credit cards are accepted in most tourist areas.

What food should I try in Peru?

Ceviche is one of Peru's most iconic dishes. Other must-try foods include Lomo Saltado and Causa Limeña. Eat where locals eat for the best experience.

How many countries can visit Peru visa-free?

103 countries can enter Peru without a visa, typically for up to 180 days. Check the full list and your specific requirements above.

Is Peru safe for tourists?

Peru is generally safe for tourists with normal precautions. As in any country, stay aware of your surroundings, avoid displaying expensive items, and use registered transport. Check current government travel advisories before your trip.

Peru

Peru, officially the Republic of Peru, is a country in western South America.

Capital

Lima

Language

Aymara, Quechua

Currency

Peruvian sol (S/ )

Population

34.4M

Timezone

UTC-05:00

Visa-free access

103 countries

Travelling to Peru

Peru, officially the Republic of Peru, is a country in western South America. It is bordered to the north by Ecuador and Colombia, to the east by Brazil, to.

Peru is located in South America, Americas. The capital is Lima, and the official languages are Aymara and Quechua and Spanish. The local currency is the Peruvian sol (S/ ). With a population of 34.4M, Peru is a mid-sized country in Americas.

Peru is one of the most accessible countries in the world for international visitors. Passport holders from 103 countries can enter without a visa, typically for stays of up to 180 days. Only 95 passports require a full embassy application.

Top places to visit in Peru

Machu Picchu

The 15th-century citadel sits on a narrow ridge between Huayna Picchu and Machu Picchu mountain at 2;430 metres; the dry-stone Ashlar masonry features granite blocks cut so precisely they require no mortar; arrive at the Sun Gate as the first light dissolves the cloud forest mist; the jagged peaks turn a saturated emerald while the silence of the Urubamba Valley below is absolute.

Nazca Lines

A 450-square-kilometre desert geoglyph complex etched into the iron-oxide coated pebbles of the Pampa de Jumana by the Nazca culture between 500 BC and 500 AD; flying at 1;000 feet reveals the geometric precision of the 300-metre monkey and spider figures; the dry; wind-scoured earth preserves the white paths of sun-bleached limestone beneath the dark surface in an environment that almost never sees rain.

Sacsayhuamán

An Imperial Inca ceremonial fortress featuring three-tiered zigzag walls constructed from monolithic limestone blocks; some weighing over 120 tons; the stonework utilizes interlocking polygonal joints that have withstood five centuries of seismic activity; stand in the central plaza at sunset; the low sun highlights the hand-hammered texture of the grey stone while the wind whistles through the high Andean gaps.

Pacaya-Samiria National Reserve

A 20;800-square-kilometre 'forest of mirrors' where the black waters of the Amazon headwaters reflect the primary rainforest canopy with photographic clarity; the ecosystem supports pink river dolphins and giant otters; navigate the Yanayacu-Pucate basin at dawn; the air is thick with the scent of wet humus and blooming orchids; the only sound is the rhythmic chattering of squirrel monkeys.

Santa Catalina Monastery

A 20;000-square-metre 'city within a city' founded in 1579; defined by narrow streets and cloisters painted in saturated indigo and sienna volcanic sillar; the Mudéjar-influenced architecture houses silent cells and communal kitchens; walk the Calle Sevilla at 4 pm; the western light turns the red-clay walls into glowing embers while the air carries the scent of dry wood and old stone.

Museo Larco

An 18th-century vice-royal mansion built over a 7th-century pre-Columbian pyramid; housing 5;000 years of Peruvian history through its gold; textile; and world-renowned erotic pottery collections; the open-stack gallery allows for a rare tactile visual experience of thousands of ceramic vessels; visit the bougainvillea-choked courtyard at midday; the clinical light through the skylights illuminates the hammer-marks on Moche gold breastplates.

See all 20 places in Peru →

What to eat in Peru

Explore all Peru dishes →

Peru visa requirements

103

Visa-free

Visa required

Countries that can visit Peru visa-free

103 countries can enter without a visa, usually for up to 180 days.

Europe

Asia

United Arab Emirates90d

Americas

Africa

Oceania

Before you go to Peru

🛂

Passport validity

Your passport must be valid for at least 6 months beyond your planned stay. Peru immigration may refuse entry otherwise.

✈️

Proof of onward travel

Carry a return or onward flight ticket. Airlines and border officers may ask to see it before allowing you to board or enter.

💱

Currency: Peruvian sol

The local currency is S/ . Exchange major currencies at the airport or city banks. ATMs are widely available in urban areas.

🗣️

Language: Aymara

Aymara is the primary language. English is spoken in tourist areas and major cities.

🔌

Power & connectivity

Check Peru's plug type and voltage before packing. Buy a local SIM card at the airport for affordable data.

Power plug guide →SIM card guide →

🛂

Check your visa for Peru

Select your passport for an instant result.

🗺️

Peru 7-day itinerary

AI-generated day-by-day travel plan.

📍

Explore Peru

20 places, 6 dishes, and more.

More Americas travel guides

Popular destinations

FAQ · Peru

Peru — your questions

It depends on your passport. 103 countries can enter Peru visa-free. Everyone else needs an embassy visa. Use the WorldCurio visa checker for your specific passport.