{"id":105871,"date":"2018-12-12T09:00:24","date_gmt":"2018-12-12T09:00:24","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.hostelworld.com\/blog\/?p=105871"},"modified":"2025-08-05T15:20:47","modified_gmt":"2025-08-05T15:20:47","slug":"backpacking-peru","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.hostelworld.com\/blog\/backpacking-peru\/","title":{"rendered":"The Ultimate Guide To Backpacking Peru"},"content":{"rendered":"

Backpacking Peru in 2025? You\u2019re in for an epic adventure: ancient Inca trails, Andean peaks and mouth\u2011watering street food. This updated guide gives you real hostel\u2011level budget intel, safety hacks, and much more. In this backpacker\u2019s guide to Peru, you\u2019ll learn everything you need to know about this incredible country!<\/p>\n

Jump straight to:<\/h2>\n
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  1. Best time to visit Peru<\/a><\/li>\n
  2. Peru visa<\/a><\/li>\n
  3. Peru backpacking budget<\/a><\/li>\n
  4. Peru transport<\/a><\/li>\n
  5. Hostels in Peru<\/a><\/li>\n
  6. Things to do in Peru<\/a><\/li>\n
  7. Peru points of interest<\/a><\/li>\n
  8. Peru backpacking routes<\/a><\/li>\n
  9. Peruvian food<\/a><\/li>\n
  10. Peru culture and customs<\/a><\/li>\n
  11. Is Peru safe?<\/a><\/li>\n
  12. Peru travel advice<\/a><\/li>\n
  13. Backpacking in Peru packing list<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

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    \"Backpacking<\/p>\n

    Best time to visit Peru<\/h2>\n

    Peru is located just south of the equator, so the seasons are opposite to the northern hemisphere. That said, because it\u2019s so close to the equator, Peru\u2019s weather is not seasonally extreme.<\/p>\n

    Peru\u2019s winter lasts from May to September. It\u2019s also the dry season, which makes it the best time to visit Peru, particularly if you\u2019ll be trekking or visiting Cusco – which of course you will! Peru\u2019s summer lasts from December through March and is generally much wetter, so bring your rain gear.<\/p>\n

    In addition to confusing seasons, each area of Peru also experiences vastly different weather. Lima, the coastal capital, is foggy during Peru\u2019s winter (May through September) and feels a bit like San Francisco. The fog and drizzle give way to bright sun and warmth between November and March, which is exactly when the rain is pouring down in the Andes mountains and Amazon jungle to the east.<\/p>\n

    When we visited in October\u2014a month known for unpredictable weather\u2014Lima was foggy and cool, Cusco was dry but freezing, and no one could say for sure if it would rain during our Inca Trail hike. Luckily, we had packed rain gear, but even with down jackets, the cold caught us off guard. We ended up buying a few warm alpaca sweaters from the local artisan markets just to stay comfortable. We weren\u2019t the only ones either: alpaca sweaters are the unofficial backpacker\u2019s uniform in Peru!<\/p>\n

    To cover all bases, bring your rain gear and your cold weather clothes and expect the unexpected.<\/p>\n

    \"Backpacking<\/p>\n

    \ud83d\udcf7 @dd.per<\/em><\/a><\/p>\n

    Peru visa<\/h2>\n

    With a few exceptions, residents of most countries will be thrilled that they do not need to apply in advance for a visa for Peru \u2013 this includes UK and US citizens.<\/p>\n

    Upon entry to Peru, you\u2019ll be asked how long you\u2019re staying. It\u2019s possible to stay up to 183 days on a tourist visa. You\u2019ll then be given an Andean migration card which you\u2019ll need to present when exiting the country – stick it in your passport for safe keeping.<\/p>\n

    Although a free 6 month visa seems like a blessing to nomads, be warned: if you declare you\u2019ll be staying for the maximum time period \u2018just in case\u2019 when you actually only have a 2 month stay planned, you\u2019ll be subjecting yourself to paying a higher tax rate. All foreigners staying more than 59 days in Peru are subject to an 18% tax, which will be added to your bill at most hotels and hostels. If you\u2019re staying for less than 59 days and therefore not subject to the tax, you\u2019ll need to present your Andean migration card and passport as proof of how many days your visa has been approved for. Be sure to keep an eye on your bill if you\u2019re on a tight budget to avoid being overcharged.<\/p>\n

    That said, if there really is a chance that you\u2019ll extend your stay in Peru, you should request the maximum length of time on arrival as you cannot request an extension on your visa after you enter. In this case, the 18% tax is something you\u2019ll just have to live with.<\/p>\n

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    Peru Group Tours<\/h2>\n

    Want to experience the best of Peru, without all that stressful planning? Roamies<\/a> group tours have a range of amazing Peruvian adventures that’ll take you from cruising around on dune buggies at a desert oasis to hiking up to the famous Machu Pichu. All you have to do is sit back, and enjoy the ride.<\/p>\n

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    Peru backpacking budget<\/h2>\n

    Currency Basics and Exchange Tips<\/h3>\n

    Peru\u2019s currency is called the sol<\/strong> (previously “nuevo sol”). One sol is worth approximately $0.28 USD<\/strong> or \u00a30.21 GBP<\/strong>, which makes quick conversions easy: just divide the amount by 3 for USD<\/strong> or 4 for GBP<\/strong>. This mental math trick is especially helpful when checking prices on menus, bus fares, or hostel rates.<\/p>\n

    Watch Out for Counterfeit Soles<\/h3>\n

    One giant, flashing, important warning regarding Peruvian sol: watch out for counterfeit money! This is a huge issue in Peru, and fakes can be incredibly convincing. Familiarize yourself with how to spot fake cash in Peru, because no business will accept a counterfeit bill, rendering the money in your pocket completely useless. Similarly, never accept a torn bill from anyone in Peru, because torn bills are a marker of counterfeit money. Even if the bills are real, no business or bank will accept a torn sol.<\/p>\n

    The Machu Picchu Budget Dilemma<\/h3>\n

    When it comes to figuring out your Peru backpacking tour budget, keep in mind that while Peru is generally an inexpensive country, certain destinations and experiences will drive your budget up quite a bit. I\u2019m referring of course to Machu Picchu. Trekking to Machu Picchu will cost around $700 for the classic Inca Trail or a bit less for a different multi-day trek, but that doesn\u2019t include getting to Cusco.<\/p>\n

    Skip the trek and take the train and you could save several hundred dollars. Cut Machu Picchu out entirely and you\u2019ll save quite a bit, but let\u2019s be honest – why would you visit Peru and not see Machu Picchu? Don\u2019t do that. If you are physically able to complete it, the trek is a rewarding once in a lifetime experience that justifies splurging on. Swallow that backpacker frugality and accept that Machu Picchu is an expensive but justifiable cost when visiting Peru.<\/p>\n

    Daily Backpacker Budget Breakdown<\/h3>\n

    Generally speaking, you\u2019ll want to budget around $35 a day per person – including Machu Picchu. Food can easily be found for around $5 a meal and hostels will be under $10 for a dorm bed. Your biggest expenses will be experiences and transport. If you\u2019re guilty of being a terrible saver, read our baller\u2019s guide on how to save money<\/a> to get that trip booked sooner!<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
    Expense<\/th>\nCost (USD)<\/th>\nNotes<\/th>\n<\/tr>\n<\/thead>\n
    Dorm bed<\/td>\n$7\u201310<\/td>\nSocial hostels in cities and towns<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
    Meals<\/td>\n$5\u20137<\/td>\nAlmuerzo (set lunch) is best value<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
    Local transport<\/td>\n$1\u20135<\/td>\nColectivos, buses, tuk-tuks<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
    Tours\/treks<\/td>\n$10\u201325\/day<\/td>\nJungle, mountains, day trips<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
    SIM\/data<\/td>\n$1\/day<\/td>\nWith Claro or Movistar<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
    Total daily<\/strong><\/td>\n$30\u201340<\/strong><\/td>\nAdd buffer for experiences<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n

    Note: Prices may be higher in tourist-heavy areas like Cusco and the Sacred Valley.<\/em><\/p>\n

    \"Backpacking<\/p>\n

    Cusco<\/em>\u00a0\ud83d\udcf7@sunsetchaser_mum<\/em><\/a><\/p>\n

    Peru transport<\/h2>\n

    Peru Rail<\/a><\/u> is a stunning, comfortable, luxury train service that you\u2019ll probably only take once: it\u2019s the primary way to get to Machu Picchu if you\u2019re not trekking, and you\u2019ll pay around $50. They have other routes which look wonderful, but frankly they\u2019re not accessible on a typical backpacking budget.<\/p>\n

    Thankfully, you can take buses all over Peru and they\u2019re generally of a good standard. You can book them online with companies like Cruz del Sur<\/a>. Most of the seats are wide and comfortable, with pillows, blankets and a footrest provided.<\/p>\n

    Most buses in Peru are overnight buses. You\u2019ll likely be driving in complete darkness through windy mountain roads at high speeds – a recipe for nausea and an awful night\u2019s sleep! But hey, it\u2019s all part of the fun. I highly recommend bringing sleeping pills, anti-nausea meds, a sleeping mask, earbuds, and several layers of warm clothing to help make your bus experience as comfortable as possible.<\/p>\n

    There is a private hop-on-hop-off bus service which offers guided buses throughout Peru. We didn\u2019t take them ourselves because the cost is roughly double the price of buying bus tickets individually, but the service was highly recommended by fellow travelers. If you prioritise ease over cost, it might be a good option. Just ask your hostel to point you in the right direction if this is something that interests you.<\/p>\n

    Getting from Lima to Machu Picchu<\/h3>\n

    Lima and Machu Picchu are on opposite sides of the country and separated by a giant mountain range. But you came this far, and gosh darn it, you\u2019re going to see Machu Picchu before you leave Peru!<\/p>\n

    If you\u2019re under a time constraint, you\u2019ll need to fly from Lima to Cusco, which costs around $100 each way. Taking an overnight bus will save you a bit of cash (maybe around $30) but after doing it twice we don\u2019t know if the saving is worth the 20 long, nauseous hours! If you do opt for the bus, break up your trip with a few stops on the way, like Arequipa, Nazca, or Ica.<\/p>\n

    Practical Essentials<\/h2>\n

    \"Native<\/p>\n

    Altitude Sickness 101<\/h3>\n