Cheat Sheet: Peru

Some quick facts about Peru for your adventures!

This posts covers some quick facts about Peru! I have created a printable graphic for quick reference during your Peruvian adventures.

With its landscapes ranging from the cloud forests up in the Andes to the Amazonian rainforest that cover about 60% of the country to its sunny beaches, there is plenty to experience in Peru. Dotting these breathtaking landscapes are charming colonial cities built over top the remnants of the once mighty Inca empire. These cities have drawn wannabe explorers and history buffs to this culturally diverse country for decades. More recently, Lima has become the unofficial gastronomical capital of South America making it a top destination for food enthusiasts. There are plenty of reasons to come visit Peru!

Are you currently planning your own Peruvian adventure? Here is a quick printable to help you during your travels around Peru. In this post, I expand on the quick facts about Peru featured on the Cheat Sheet.

Language

In Peru, people commonly speak Spanish, followed by Quechua (the Inca language and what many Peruvians learn at home before attending school) and Aymara (spoken mainly in regions around Lake Titicaca).

For those who want to impress the locals, here are some common phrases in each language:

Currency

The currency of Peru is Peruvian Soles (PEN) though USD is widely accepted. ATMs are accessible in the main cities and give you the option to take out money in either PEN or USD.

Tip: there is a maximum limit of 400 PEN that you can withdraw daily at the ATMs with an average banking fee of 20-25 PEN. This is worth considering if you want to bring money from home.

Restaurants, department stores, and supermarkets accept credit cards. Visa is the more commonly used though MasterCard is accepted too.

Tipping Etiquette

Here are some guidelines outlining what is considered to be reasonable with regards to tipping in Peru (of course, feel free to exceed these if you receive exceptional service):

Time Zones

There is one time zone throughout the entire country and that is UTC -5.

Electric Outlets

The plugs in Peru are Type A and C. The standard voltage is 220 V, and the standard frequency is 60Hz. 

I recommend bringing a Universal Adapter with surge protection on your travels.

Points of Interest

There are plenty of things worth seeing in this fascinating country; it almost seems counterintuitive to include them in a quick facts about Peru list! In this section, I have divided the points of interest that I got to experience for myself versus the things I would like to see in future visits.

Personal highlights from my adventures in Peru…

Machu Picchu

This archeological site is hands down the most popular tourist attraction in the entire country. Named one of the new Seven Wonders of the World, Machu Picchu receives over a million visitors every year. Come marvel at the Inca’s engineering feat and take in the surrounding lush, rolling mountains. It’s easy to see why UNESCO designates Machu Picchu as both a natural and cultural World Heritage site.

Sacred Valley of the Incas

Since you’re reading this, there’s a great chance that you are looking into paying Machu Picchu a visit. If you are, you should also look into visiting the Sacred Valley of the Incas! The Sacred Valley lies between Cusco and Machu Picchu. It is rich in cultural and historical sites. In addition, you will also encounter the most picturesque landscapes. Here are some spots worth noting:

• Ollantaytambo
• Pisac
• Moray
• Maras

Plaza de Armas in Cusco

Cusco is Peru’s most popular destination city. It is a travellers hub for those wanting to see sites such as Machu Picchu, Sacred Valley and Rainbow Mountain. There is no shortage of things to do while here! Cusco in itself though is worth exploring.

Head over to the Plaza de Armas to see colonial architecture that visibly rests on the foundations of ancient Inca temples and palaces. There is no other city in the world like it!

Rainbow Mountain

Vinicunca Mountain more popularly known as “Rainbow Mountain” to English-speakers has gained quite the following on Instagram in recent years. This colourful mountainside was once concealed by ice and snow. Climate change has caused the glaciers to melt within the last four years, revealing this geological wonder.

Soaring to a height of 6,384 m above sea level, the hike to Rainbow Mountain is no walk in the park!

Peruvians consider Vinicunca to be holy. Thousands of Quechua pilgrims hike to Vinicunca for the Star Snow festival (Qoyllur Rit’i) which takes place a week before the Corpus Christi feast on May 31st. It is good to be mindful of this when planning your adventure to Rainbow Mountain.

Lake Titicaca

Lake Titicaca is the highest navigable lake in the world. It is also the largest lake in South America. You can book a boat tour to see the Uros’ Floating Islands and learn about this indigenous group’s traditional way of life. The Luquina peninsula is also worth seeing. On this peninsula, you can book a homestay on a farm to learn how this community is preserving its heritage and practice your Aymara language skills.

Barranca and Miraflores Neighbourhoods of Lima

Lima does not appeal to everyone. However, if you know where to go, you would be disappointed to miss out on exploring what Peru’s capital has to offer!

Visit the bohemian neighbourhood of Barranco. There are plenty of art galleries to visit, as well as charming cafes and gelato shops. You can also take in the street art and people watch while enjoying a gelato cup at the Main Square.

Miraflores is another neighbourhood worth visiting. This upscale shopping district borders the ocean. You can shop at the famous Larcomar. While there, you can experience Latin America’s gastronomic capital. After, you can stroll along the Malecón – a popular boardwalk in Lima. From here, you can watch surfers on the Pacific and people parasailing over the cliffs.

Things I would like to see in a future visit…

Cotahuasi Canyon

This is the deepest canyon in the world at roughly 3,354 m deep. It is over twice the depth of the famous Grand Canyon in the United States! Off the beaten track, hiking this reserve would provide you views of snow-capped mountains with peaks 6,000 m above sea level and down ancient villages.

Red Beach of Paracas

Located 250 km south of Lima is the Paracas National Reserve. The reserve spans an area of 335,000 hectares and an often cited highlight is the Playa Roja – or Red Beach. This is where the desert touches the ocean and where the ocean’s blue waters contrasts with the red sand beach. You can rent an ATV to tour the reserve. While in Paracas, you can also watch the wildlife at Isla Ballestas – considered by some as mini-Galapagos Islands.

Nazca Lines

These are a collection of giant geoglyphs (designs etched into the ground) found in the Nazca Desert. There are over 800 straight lines, 300 geometric figures, and 70 animal and plant designs.

Estimates suggest that ancient people created these lines sometime between 500 BC and 500 AD, but they are impossible to identify from the ground and one can only fully appreciate them from a plane!

Chan Chan

Chan Chan was the capital of the Chimu Empire that pre-dates the Incas. This is the largest pre-Columbian city in South America and is designated as a UNESCO World Heritage site. Chan Chan is the largest mud city in the world and is currently under threat by erosion due to changes in weather patterns.

Kuelap Fort

A pre-Inca culture, the Chachapcuas or the “Cloud Warriors,” constructed this walled settlement between the 6th and 12th century at an elevation of about 3,000 m above sea level. Kuelap Fort predates Machu Picchu by about 600 years.

Amazon

The Amazon rainforest, the world’s largest rainforest, covers a significant portion of Peru. To be more specific, about 60% of the country is enveloped by the Amazon. You can book a cruise through the rainforest. Spot jaguars, monkeys, and pink dolphins while cruising through the Amazon river. There are opportunities to meet indigenous communities that have traditionally lived in the Amazon available as well.

Foodie Checklist

As one of the world’s leading culinary destinations, sampling some local dishes is a definite must-do while in Peru. Because of the country’s ecological and climatic diversity, the variety and supply of fresh produce in Peru is unparalleled. Quinoa, potato, cacao, and beans are all native Peruvian crops.

No quick facts about Peru list would be complete without a section about dishes worth trying while there.

Ceviche

This is Peru’s national dish. Ceviche consists of fresh, raw fish marinated in citrus juices and garnished with onion and/or hot peppers. While its origins are not local to Lima, you can find the best ceviche in the nation’s capital.

Pisco Sour

If Ceviche is the national dish, then Pisco Sour is the national drink. The Peruvians even celebrate National Pisco Sour Day (observed on the first Saturday of February). Pisco Sour is made with Pisco (Peruvian/Chilean whiskey) as a base and consists of lime juice, syrup, egg white and bitters. The balance between the citrus juices and the sweetness is what gives this cocktail its smoothness.

Aji de Gallina

A cold climate favorite, this creamy chicken stew traditionally involves cooking shredded chicken with potatoes, yellow chili peppers, walnuts, spices, garlic, and turmeric. It is believed that African slaves brought over by the Spanish in the 16th century introduced this dish to Peru. A majority of people in Peru believe that their grandmother makes the best Aji de Gallina.

Lomo Saltado

This is Peru’s most popular meat dish. This dish combines Peruvian and Chinese influences. It is a stir fry that usually combines strips of beef with tomatoes, onions, French fries (or chips) served over a bed of rice.

The Chinese arrived in Peru in the 1850s and brought with them a variety of cooking techniques. “Chifa” refers to the style of cooking that combines traditional Chinese dishes with Peruvian spices and ingredients. You will hear this term quite often when discussing quintessential Peruvian cuisine.

Papa a la Huacaína

Peru is famous for its potatoes. Here, you can find about 3,800 varieties of native potatoes! Try Papa a la Huacaína – a dish where boiled potatoes are blanketed in huacaína sauce. This sauce is made from queso fresco, evaporated milk, and yellow chili peppers.

Picarones

Think of this as a Peruvian style, doughnut-funnel cake hybrid. These are rounds of deep fried dough which was mixed with squash and/or sweet potato. This is usually topped with thick molasses syrup.

I didn’t need to go to a restaurant to sample Picarones. I found a Picarones cart at Parque Kennedy in Lima where the locals where flocking to.

Jugo de Maracuya

In plain English this is Passionfruit juice. While this was MY personal favourite, I recommend indulging in any of the fresh juices offered in Peru. Peru’s diverse climate zones allow for the abundance of a wide variety of fruits and vegetables. Another popular juice unique to the region is Chica morada, made from purple corn.

Major Airports

Peru’s main transportation hub is Callao. It has eight other international airports that service countries within South America as well as domestic flights.

Am I missing any quick facts about Peru that you think may be helpful? Feel free to mention them in the comment section below!

I will also try my best to answer any questions…