Solo traveling in Peru, what to know before traveling alone

Hostelworld Blog | Posted on 23 stycznia, 2023 |

Taking on a new solo destination can be intimidating, especially if it’s one where the language isn’t your native tongue. Read on for those wanting to venture to the Land of the Incas.

As an avid hiker and outdoorswoman, Peru had always been high on my bucket list as a solo female traveler. With a loaded backpack, an elementary understanding of Spanish (thank you, US education system), and an open mind, I landed in Lima in March 2022 ready to make a month of memories. Even though four weeks was hardly enough to see all the highlights of Peru, let alone really experience the country in its entirety, any time spent in a new place is not to be wasted. Whether you’re there for a weekend getaway or a three-month backpacking trip, read on to learn how to take on Peru as a solo traveler (and trust me, you won’t be solo for long)!

What to know before traveling alone to Peru

Anyone who has ever traveled solo knows you’re never truly alone. From new friends met in hostel dorms to shared stories over a beer, friends are easy to come by. Especially in a backpacking hotspot like South America. Regions like South and Central America and Southeast Asia are a mecca for solo travelers – cheap travel, good food, and friends anew.

What time of the year is best for solo travelers visiting Peru?

Being in the southern hemisphere, Peru’s seasons are opposite of those in the USA and Europe. With their summer season being December through March, travelers flock down during the early months of the year. January is peak beach season, so if you’re looking to get your tan on or catch some waves, Peru in January is fantastic. However, with that great coastal weather, comes great coastal crowds. Late March through May and September through November find mild weather and low crowds, making it ideal for a backpacker. Solo travelers favor March due to the warmer temperatures and lower accommodation costs throughout the country. Keep in mind – if you’re wanting to hike the classic Inca Trail, it closes every February for trail maintenance!

How much does solo traveling around Peru cost?

Peru is a solo travelers’ paradise for many reasons – one of them being affordability. Even in major cities like Lima and Cusco, accommodations tend to average around $10 USD per night for a dorm. Though many are cheaper, a few of the nicer ones can be on the “pricier” end for Peru during peak season. If you’re on a tight budget, produce and other ingredients are beyond affordable in local markets. Time to put that hostel kitchen to use! If you’re willing to spend, a meal out is going to cost you anywhere from 5 to 20 Peruvian Soles, which is no more than $5 USD. Looking to splurge? I had the best steak dinner of my life (Angus, alpaca, and a sausage) at Uchu Peruvian Steakhouse in Cusco, setting me back a mere 70 soles (which is under $20 USD.) It doesn’t get much better than that!

Is Peru Safe for solo travelers?

For solo travelers, safety is always a big concern. We’re told to stay vigilant, hide valuables from plain sight, trust our instincts, don’t walk alone at night… The list goes on and on. It all boils down to trusting your gut and being cautious. These safety tips, often showered upon solo travelers, are no different from the safety concerns one may have in their own backyard. Peru is no different! In larger cities, like the streets of downtown Lima or the square in Cusco, petty theft and crime do occur. But keeping an eye on your surroundings and belongings should keep you safe for the most part.

How to travel to Peru solo

Peru is very accessible via public transit, buses, and flights between Lima/Cusco/Amazon. Overnight buses are common, safe, and affordable. Many buses have recliner seats, which makes those 19-hour overnight rides from the coast to the mountains a tad easier. If you’re wanting to take the stress out of booking those buses yourself, PeruHop is a great option. They supply buses and guides for most of the journeys and ensure a safe trip on those longer rides with luxury bus operators.

Best places to visit in Peru for solo travelers

Like every country, Peru has its touristy hotspots and unlikely adventure spots. For a significant percentage of solo travelers, their route will include the same stops. The only difference? Whether you start up north in Lima and make your way south, or start in Cusco and cruise the coast up north.

Cities like Lima and Cusco will see a lot of solo travelers, as well as families and large tour groups hitting the main sites and attractions. Smaller cities like beachside Paracas and oasis town Huacachina cater to backpackers, with quite the party scene. For those looking to get their steps in on treks and hikes, Arequipa and Cusco are jumping-off points for many of the major trails, like Rainbow Mountain, Colca Canyon, and the Inca and Salkantay trails. Between Arequipa and Cusco lies Puno – a lakefront city on Lake Titicaca (yes, laugh about it now) – which lies between Peru and bordering Bolivia. If you plan to continue throughout more of South America, Puno is a great resting point between the two countries. Finally, the Amazon rainforest can be accessed via bus from Cusco. Be warned, you’re likely to find more wildlife than solo travelers! (Jokes aside, there are plenty of solo travelers, as long as they haven’t been eaten by piranhas!)

Best things to do as a solo traveler in Peru

Many activities in Peru cater to the solo traveler. They almost force you to make friends. More often than not, the majority of people participating in activities are traveling alone. Trust me, you won’t be lonely for long!

If you’re a foodie, check out the gastronomy tours in Lima for a taste of some of the best food in the world.
Girlies and guys alike will find adventure in the multitude of treks Peru has to offer. From the 2 day/1 night Colca Canyon trek to the infamous Inca Trail to the up-and-coming Salkantay trek (for those who want some more challenge than the Inca Trail), hiking in Peru can take you through many different climate zones in a matter of hours.
Thrill seekers coming to Peru can enjoy paragliding in Lima, horseback riding in the Sacred Valley, and thrilling dune buggy rides in the Huacachina desert. All of these are available to book as a solo traveler – just ask your hostel’s reception for help with booking.

Best hostels for solo travelers in Peru

My favorite h word. Hostels. From drunk to happy, violently sick to tearful, they’ve seen me in every state possible. When hitting a backpacking jackpot like Peru, hostels take up nearly every corner. Though there are many independent hostels throughout the country, a few hostel “chains” dominate the region. If you book with one and love the vibe, odds are you’ll feel right at home in their other locations. No matter what kind of traveler you are, there’s a bunk bed waiting for you!

Party person? Look to Wild Rover, available in Cusco, Huacachina, and Mancora.
Digital Nomad? With locations around the world, and affordable coworking spaces, Selina is perfect for you. My favorite Selina locations in Peru are Arequipa and Cusco.
Looking for a beachfront stay? Kokopelli in Paracas is all the rage (they also have a hostel cat!) They have locations in other Peruvian cities as well.
A mix of party and peace? Pariwana, available in Lima and Cusco.
In Huacachina, but not looking to party til 4 am? Try Bananas.

Best ways to meet people in Peru

Hostels are, as always, fantastic places to meet others in Peru. All hostels have a huge social aspect to them, whether it be a bar with sweet deals, a rooftop with nightly ping pong tournaments, or the trivia night where teams of strangers battle for top honors (a free drink). Ping pong is huge in backpacker culture in Peru, with nearly every hostel I stayed at having a table. If you thought you were good at table tennis, think again. I made many a friend (and foe) in my time at the table. Singing more your speed? Many hostels also offer karaoke. But don’t worry, you don’t have to be the next Mariah Carey!

Activities like hikes and day tours are a conglomerate of solo travelers. My Inca Trail trek was made up of 4 solo travelers from 4 different countries. By the end of night one, we all felt like we had known each other for ages. On Peruvian treks, strangers cheer you on as you take those last steps to the summit, and you’ll feel like old friends by the end of the trail. As I mentioned, PeruHop is a great one-stop shop for those that want to take a hands-off approach to their buses around the country. I made loads of friends from my time on the bus – mostly because everyone takes the same route, and many spend the same amount of days in the various cities. Make sure you have WhatsApp downloaded, you’ll want a way to keep in touch with your new friends from around the world!

Best places for solo travelers to eat in Peru

One thing Peru is known for is its gastronomy. Whether you’re a seafood lover or a vegan, there are delicious options for everyone. Along the coastline, in cities like Paracas and Lima, expect to find a lot of seafood. This isn’t just any seafood, this is fresh seafood often brought ashore by local fishermen before the sun came up that morning. Peru is most notable for its ceviche – a raw fish dish with loads of citrus juices, often served with rice. I hope you like rice and potatoes – you’re going to be eating a lot of them. Nearly every meal is accompanied by rice and some form of potato (most commonly french fries, never a bad thing!). One of the main dishes you’ll find on nearly every menu is lomo saltado – strips of marinated steak served with various veggies, rice, and french fries.

As you get further from the coast, the seafood turns to farm-to-table meals. You’ll find a lot of locally raised beef, as well as some more adventurous meats for those brave enough to try. As cute as they are, alpacas are seen as livestock and a source of meat in the countryside. You’ll find it on menus all around Peru, and – spoiler alert – it’s quite delicious! Cuy (fried guinea pig) is one of the most common dishes in Peru. Trust me, ordering this is not for the faint of heart.

Don’t worry about traveling and eating alone! It’s easy to find solo tables for those who need a meal to themselves, or you can find new friends in a hostel and try that brunch spot up the road together. Looking at you, Green Point in Cusco!

My Favorite Restaurants in Peru

We hopes this helps you plan your trip to the Land of the Incas! Think we’ve missed any hotspots? Have a suggestion for a fellow traveler? Let us know in the comments below! Most of our recommendations come from word of mouth of other travelers, so share the love. What are you waiting for? ¡Vamos Peru!