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Together we can beat covid-19!

Hello, traveler! We are very glad that you decide to visit Peru, enjoy your trip responsibly. Don't let your visit ruin the well being of others!

Protocols for safe travel to Peru

In view of the world situation, the Peruvian government has decreed a State of Emergency, which has an impact on health and safety measures for all travelers.

Check this information to have a safe trip and stay in our country.

Last updated: April 1, 2022.

Pre-registration

We recommend you to download the app for the migration process

Preparing a trip in times of COVID requires special care, so here are some recommendations for your visit to Peru. Remember that, without these first requirements, your trip will be affected.

Plan your entry to Peru

• Visit IPERÚ site at peru.travel or IPERÚ WhatsApp for guidance on tourism services in Peru.
• Complete the electronic health sworn statement here .
• All travelers from 12 years of age and older must present, before boarding the plane, their COVID - 19 vaccination card with the complete vaccination doses, in Peru or abroad. Otherwise, those travelers must show a negative PCR test issued up to 48 hours before boarding.
• Children under 12 years old must not present noticiable symptoms of COVID – 19 to take the flight.
• People with symptoms when arriving in Peru shall be in mandatory isolation.
• These measures are in force from February 28, 2022.

Welcome to Peru! Now that you are in our country, we recommend you to follow all the protocols and respect the sanitary measures to make your transit easier and ensure the welfare of everyone.

All united against COVID-19!

• The use of a KN95 mask or, alternatively, a 3-fold surgical mask with a fabric mask, is mandatory for being on public roads and in enclosed spaces.
• Persons over 18 years of age will not be allowed to enter the premises without their physical or virtual ID card proving that they have completed, in Peru or abroad, their vaccination doses against COVID-19. This accreditation will be made together with an official identity document.
• The third booster dose will be required for those over 18 years of age.

Thank you for your visit! We hope your stay was better than you expected. Before leaving, please plan your departure with all the necessary precautions and considerations:

Leaving the country

For your departure, you must take into account the following considerations:

• You must not present symptoms of COVID-19, if so, you will not be able to make the trip.
• You must not be in isolation period.
• Comply with the requirements of the country of destination.
• At the airport, you must maintain social distance in the facilities and wear two masks.

Discover Peru in a safe way

Your safety is essential. For this reason, we leave you with the destinations that have the Safe Travels label, a certification that guarantees the necessary health measures and is endorsed by the World Travel & Tourism Council .

Living empire

Fascinating volcanic land

Discover our safe destinations, endorsed by the World Travel and Tourism Council.

Keep in mind!

The Peruvian Government has decreed nationwide restrictions in cases of concentrations of people, use of aquatic spaces, and entrance to coliseums and sports stadiums. You can find more information about these measures here .

In case you present symptoms of COVID-19, the control personnel will ask you for your data and will refer you to health employees.

The protected natural areas and museums have their own biosecurity protocols for entry.

Keep track of updates

Find out about the latest measures for the current situation

We have been through a lot

Learn more about the measures that are currently in place

Travelling Without a Passport

What To Do in Peru: Discover the Magic!

Your itinerary guide to a country filled with riches awaits, will you discover the ancient ruins, hike the rainbow or savor the world-class cuisine? From the Andes to the Amazon, Peru has it all!

This story was created in partnership with:  Peru Tourism Board  

Peru is full of magical sights, encounters, gastronomy and culture, in fact it can be hard to know where to start, what not to miss, what there is to see beyond Machu Picchu. We’re highlighting this magical country and giving you the prime tips across the country so you know what to do in Peru, can create your dream itinerary, or decide what tour to book. The adventure is yours!

Lima: the city of kings

Let’s start in the capital, largest city and the best starting point to discover Peru! The city was founded in 1535 as ‘Ciudad de los Reyes’, meaning City of Kings in Spanish, but the name Lima was already in use and quickly became the standard. The area has been habited long before any Spaniards set foot on the Peruvian coast and has plenty of historical sites, from a restored pre-Columbian pyramid (Huaca Huallamarca) to colonial architecture to guide you along the way. Long avenues of colorful houses with decorated balconies and roof terraces with chic bars and restaurants are waiting to welcome you to ‘la noche limeña’ – the Lima nightlife.

Apart from the vibrant, metropolitan vibe, when in Lima, you must, of course, explore the historical treasures at Museo Larco, housed in a beautiful 18th Century building in the Pueblo Libre district. With collections spanning 10,000 years of Peruvian pre-Columbian history, this is the prime place for you to see artifacts of the different styles and cultures in detail that you may not get to see when visiting a historical site. As Peru is packed with fascinating cultures of days past, this is also a chance to get a taste of some places you may not have time to visit in real life, and you can get your tickets beforehand online.

Gastronomical wonders

Peru’s long history and rich biodiversity have given its people opportunities through millennia to grow and refine plenty of plants that originated here or made their way here millennia ago, such as tomatoes, corn, avocado, quinoa, and peppers. This rich heritage has blended with Spanish concepts and, perhaps surprisingly, influences from Chinese and Japanese immigrants that brought cooking techniques, ginger, lime, wasabi, and miso, amongst other things, to the forefront of what today is a world-renowned, unique cuisine, unlike that of Peru’s Latin American neighbors. Lima does not have any Michelin-star listed restaurants (yet), but five of the world’s listed restaurants have earned their star(s) focusing on Peruvian cuisine, a testament to the refinement and unique character many dishes display.

While there are countless delicious dishes to explore, there are a few absolute must-haves when you’re in Peru! Ceviche, for example, is a cold seafood salad that’s made it’s way across the globe as a signature Peruvian culinary invention. Usually prepared with raw fish, but sometimes other seafood or even in vegetarian versions, the ingredients are curated in lime along with chili, onion, usually some toasted corn, and topped with cilantro this is a dish for any time of the day, a mouthwatering journey of textures and lemony flavors.

Seafood often takes the main stage in Lima, as it’s perched on the Pacific coast at an altitude of just 2,87 meters above the sea. This is reflected in another local treat, the celebrated ‘causa limeña,’ a sort of savory layer-cake with a top and bottom of flavor-infused potato that’s been kneaded and with a filling of vegetables and a topping of avocado and tuna, shrimp or chicken. Just like in the ceviche, lime is a crucial part of this dish, marrying the Asian influence with the potato of the highlands in a genuinely Peruvian delight!

Another lemony pleasure is the world-famous pisco sour, with the local grape-based brandy ‘pisco,’ as it’s base its a frothy yet refreshing cocktail invented in the 1920s in Lima. American bartender Victor Vaughen Morris moved to Lima in 1915 with his Peruvian wife and kids, where he opened Morris’ Bar where Peruvian Mario Bruiget, during his apprenticeship at the bar, upped the recipe with Angostura bitters and egg whites, creating the frothy delight as it’s known today. In true Latin American fashion, there’s a sweetener to counteract the citrusy acidity, and the drink is as good at the end of a meal to lighten the palate or substitute a dessert as on its own on one of the country’s countless, welcoming bars.

We don’t blame you if your mouth is watering—start planning your Peruvian adventure already, there are some amazing deals waiting.

Cusco: the Incan capital

Cusco is a city like no other, located high in the Andes and brimming with colonial architecture and vibrant Quechua culture with roots going back to its time as the capital of the Incan Empire. The Lima to Cusco trip can be done by bus or plane but when you arrive, be ready for a unique atmosphere! This is a thriving city where local markets full of colorful produce and crafts thrive, and you can almost forget what year, decade, or even century you are living in. Walking the streets of Cusco will take you from baroque convents, modern yet cozy boutique hotels tucked away in colonial buildings, and world-class restaurants where you can enjoy the flavors of traditional, local cuisine elevated to fine dining. An originally Andean delicacy, nowadays found in many places across Peru, is ‘anticucho’, which is a skewer of well-seasoned meat, typically of cow’s hearts! It’s said to be quite the delicacy, and if you give it a try, who knows, you may just fall in love with the dish.

Machu Picchu: the city in the clouds

Cusco is, of course, known as the starting point for discovering the mystical ruins of Machu Picchu , probably what comes first to mind when we hear the word ‘Peru,’ and no visit here is complete without it! This mythical place is surrounded by the amazing beauty of the Andean plateau, overlooked by the Huayna Picchu mountain top! It was built by the Incas in the 1420s, but as grand and awe-inspiring as it is was abandoned after about a hundred and fifty years as the Spanish conquered the Incan Empire and disrupted their advanced system of communications and administration entirely in a very short amount of time. It wasn’t until 1911 that the city in the clouds was ‘re-discovered’ by American explorer Hiram Bingham although some Westerners had visited shortly before, and clearly some of the local Quechua knew about the city, as it would have been impossible for anyone to ‘stumble’ upon this ‘Wonder of the World’ and Bingham was lead there by local villager Melchor Arteaga. Some 30% of the city has been partially reconstructed, and streets and buildings have been named based on archeological evidence discovered over the years, with still much to be learned!

The Inca Trail

The most famous, iconic, and popular way to reach the ruins is the Inca Trail! It’s actually composed of a combination of trails and can be completed in between 2 and 5 days, depending on the route and intensity of the hike. The classic route is the longer one and goes through several different natural regions such as cloud forest and Andean tundra, and to enjoy the magic of it all, you’ll have to get a permit well in advance as the number of allowed hikers is limited. Furthermore, as the altitude reaches 4,200 meters above sea level on the highest point of the Inca Trail , the temperature can fluctuate wildly from dawn to dusk, so be prepared to dress in layers so you can take something off the day yet have enough to keep you warm at nighttime when the temperature drops drastically. The altitude also requires trekkers to have some level of fitness as it can get demanding, and you’re best off spending at least 24 hours in Cusco or another high-altitude city before taking on the trek, this is crucial to acclimatize to the lower oxygen levels at these wuthering heights!

When you’re ready to book a hiking trip in Peru , this is the place to start looking!

While Cusco has its rich Incan heritage to mesmerize you, this gem further to the south is also a UNESCO World Heritage sight in its own right, with a historical center filled with beautiful Baroque buildings in white lava stone that will take you back in time to the colonial era. Green plazas, ornate cathedrals, and magnificent views of the three volcanoes surrounding the city make this a place not to be missed. Having been the portal to the south for centuries, the city has a strong regional identity manifested in its architecture, local accent, and culinary traditions. A tradition that’s been losing some ground across Peru but is still very much alive in Arequipa is the ‘picanterias’. These are home-style restaurants serving hearty local specialties, traditionally with an open kitchen so you can see what is being prepared and decide what you would like to order. Perhaps a filled rocoto pepper, a somewhat spicy delight filled with meat, cheese, egg, and vegetables baked in the oven… Delicioso!

Lake Titicaca

With its location in the south, Arequipa is also the pathway to hiking the southern parts of Peru and discovering the grandiose Lake Titicaca , the highest navigable lake in the world and the largest lake in Latin America! This is the area inhabited by the Aymara people, rather than the Quechua of the highlands, who believed the God of the Sun had been born here. The region shares its local native culture with Bolivia, with the lake being shared between the two countries. On the Peruvian side, Puno is the central hub for discovering the lake and its surroundings and has been important for the locals for many centuries as a trading post where people from the highlands surrounding the city have met to trade and celebrate indigenous festivals.

Floating villages

An unmissable experience at Puno is a visit to the floating, manmade islands of the Uro peoples. The surprisingly sturdy islands are made from the reeds of a kind of grass grown locally called ‘totora’, used to make boats and housing, as well as staple food and tea as the lower half of the reeds are edible. This fascinating lifestyle is older than the Inca Empire that eventually conquered the area, and the Uros have always been the merchants of Lake Titicaca, trading, fishing, and even keeping fowl and cattle on the islands. While their original language has been much supplanted by Spanish and Aymara, and many have moved to the mainland, they have a strong cultural identity, still maintaining and expanding the curious islands.

The adventurous Amazon

The Andes effectively divide Peru from north to south and to the East of the majestic, snowcapped mountains like an entirely different ecological area shared with Colombia and Brazil, we are, of course, talking about the mythical, magical Amazon river ! The Peruvian side is easier to reach, safer, and cheaper than the neighboring countries and the departments of Madre de Dios and Loreto make for grand discoveries in the rainforest. Waiting to enchant you with exotic animals in the waters and green tree canopies: lively monkeys, pink dolphins, giant otters, macaws, and toucans with multi-colored feathers and beaks, and even the elusive leopard leaves its traces sometimes.

There’s also fascinating history and culture here, with the native population having traditions and spirituality widely different from the Quechua and Aymara. While not too far from the land of the Incas, these areas were able to maintain their local identity as the Incas were unable to apply their successful conquering tactics from the highlands in the dense jungle. Even the Spanish had difficulties claiming these lands, and while they arrived in 1542 already, it wasn’t until the 1750s that the major city of Iquitos was founded, which is the springboard to many of the Amazon’s discoveries. Here you can find everything from luxury hotels to thatched huts and river taxis. Initially, Jesuit and Franciscan monks and missionaries founded villages and explored communications, but many local tribes still maintain their lifestyle, making for a once-in-a-lifetime visit to one of their villages. Just imagine going to bed with the soothing symphony of the jungle, and the stars above you, no light pollution in sight to dim your view of the constellations in the dark Amazonian sky…

When to go 

Peru has two seasons: the dry season, which goes from May to September, and the wet season, from November to March. Trails are more crowded during the dry season, which sees mostly clear skies and warm weather. While Machu Picchu is open year-round, the Inca Trail is closed in February for maintenance and trail recovery, and many tour operators don’t offer tours in the rainy months of February and March. If you’re going to the Amazon , flora and fauna is at their most active during the rainy season, so it’s easier to spot animals, but in the dryer period, more hiking trails are open for discovery due to the lower water levels.

Chances are this article has got you thirsting for mind-blowing hikes and lemony pisco sours. Get going and look into the top Peru deals on TourRadar.

Felipe Rosen Mosquera

Writing has been a passion since childhood, from short stories to film reviews and, of course, travel articles. Having lived in 7 countries, I always aim for dynamic writing with cross-cultural insights and a pun or two along the way.

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Protests in Peru: With Machu Picchu and Airports Closed, What Travelers Need to Know

By Rachel Chang

As the political protests in Peru that started last month  continue , officials announced on Saturday that access to  Machu Picchu , including the Inca Trail , would be shut down indefinitely, sending 418 tourists back to Cusco by train. Several of the country’s airports also paused operations, with service at Puno’s Inca Manco Cápac International Airport and Arequipa’s Alfredo Rodríguez Ballón Airport suspended until January 26 “as a precaution,” the country’s tourism board  PromPeru shared in a statement. 

“In general, we can say that tourist attractions are open to visitors,” the statement added. “However, in the case of those located in the southern and southeastern regions of the country, they could find limitations to receive tourists; this due to the interrupted transit of some roads (due to the protests), which would condition access.”

Although the clashes have turned deadly in some areas causing more than 50 total deaths, 49 of which were civilians according to The New York Times , tensions have been limited to particular parts of the country.“If [travelers] are in Lima, everything is pretty much normal except protests here and there,”  Marisol Mosquera , founder of luxury travel company  Aracari says. But she does suggest avoiding the south, including Paracas, Ica, Cusco, Puno, and Arequipa. “If you’re traveling in the next three weeks perhaps [think about] postponing, but from March onwards, I think things should be resolved,” she says.  On January 25, Peru's president announced that new elections would happen later this year—a response to a key request of protestors demanding new leadership. At the time of publishing, it's not yet clear if this may ease tensions, as protests continue. 

For now, other airports in the county, including the country's main hub in Lima, remain open, though only ticketed passengers with scheduled flights can enter the terminals, with the exception of minors and others who require special assistance. Those who currently have tickets to Machu Picchu will be able to use them “up to one month after peace is restored,” or can request a refund by contacting  [email protected] .  

Protecting tourists during the demonstrations has been a priority for Peru, as safe tourist corridors were established earlier this month from the airports to historic centers in affected areas like Cusco, Arequipa, Puno and Tacna. (Before protests started again after New Year’s, Peru Rail and Inca Rail worked together to evacuate 2,062 tourists from Machu Picchu, and when Puno’s airport operations were paused earlier this month, humanitarian flights on Air Force planes brought travelers to Lima.)

While the images and headlines seen outside the country may seem alarming, travel operators on the ground can often give tourists the best perspective on the situation.  “It is in their best interest to give you the most updated information and no one would agree to bring anyone to visit unless it would be safe and operating would be possible,” says Silvia Rico, CEO and founder of Cusco-based tour operator  Enigma Peru . “Understand that the current protests are only taking part in a portion of the country. Peru is not under any civil war, and Machu Picchu is not closed forever.” 

The ever-evolving situation also changes day by day, so having that inside knowledge will help keep plans on track. “We do not consider it affecting the safety of guests but rather, the enjoyment of the visit,” Rico says. “They should not panic; there is no risk to personal safety. They should just reconsider their plans to avoid ‘hot’ areas in which protests may affect the possibility and quality of their visits.”

It’s also imperative to understand the reason for these disturbances. “Protests are a common way for Peruvians to have their voices heard,”  Tom Damon of  Southwind Adventures says. “Peru is a relatively peaceful country that is going through a period of political transition. The current unrest is directed at the political institutions, not to cause harm to visitors to Peru.”

In fact, veering itineraries to often less-visited regions may also be an opportunity, Damon says, suggesting the northern beaches of Piura and Tumbes, archaeological sites near Chiclayo and Trujillo, or even a riverboat cruise on the Amazon from Iquitos. “There are some road blocks on the Panamerican highway in the north, so we recommend avoiding long overland routes, but flights are accessible to that area,” he adds. 

That’s precisely what American Autumn Whitefield-Madrano , a writer and digital marketer from New York, did when she got to Peru on December 20 to travel and work remotely for about five weeks. She had originally planned to head straight to Cusco, including a Christmas Day visit to Machu Picchu. “As my departure date grew closer and the unrest continued, I realized that even if I could make it to Cusco logistically—and for a while there was no way to get to Cusco at all—it wouldn't be prudent to do so,” she says. Forty-eight hours before departure, she rerouted, following the advice of a friend who knows Peru well to instead go to Chachapoyas and Trujillo.

“While I'm crushed to have missed Machu Picchu, the fact is I saw things I never would have had I stuck to the beaten path,” she says. “Machu Picchu gets all the love, but there are oodles of pre-Inca sites that are even older than Machu Picchu. Perhaps this is the time for Americans to learn more about what else Peru has to offer, such as the magnificent Moche-era huacas in the Trujillo area, or the holy sarcophagi of Karajia near Chachapoyas.”

But Whitefield-Madrano says she’s also mindful of her own presence in light of what the locals may be going through. “As a foreigner, specifically as a foreigner from a wealthy country with enormous diplomatic power, your safety is likely to be protected, and that protection could potentially come at the cost of local safety,” Whitefield-Madrano says. “In [some] places, there have been disruptions in the supply chain. Even if you yourself don't experience those disruptions, your comfort could come at the expense of people who need supplies more than you do.”

At the same time, the impact of canceled trips, including flights and hotel stays, have meant a loss of 500 million PEN (nearly $130 million USD) for the Peruvian tourism sector in the month of December 2022 alone, according to El Comercio. By some estimates , as many as 20 million people with jobs tied to tourism in the country are currently without work.  

While prudence is essential for travel now, Peruvians looking forward to more peaceful times ahead. As Rico says: “We are hopeful that the government will solve the situation soon for harmony to be back in Peru and all of us allowed to work and operate normally.”

Peru's tourism board suggests travelers download the Tourist Police Peru app, which can be accessed through the Play Store, and have emergency numbers on hand, including the Central POLTUR at (01) 4601060 or IPERÚ via WhatsApp +51 944492314 or phone (01) 574-8000. Travel specialists focused on the region also suggest American register in the free Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP) and make sure to purchase travel insurance that covers civil unrest disturbances, as precautions. Americans currently in Peru who find themselves stuck or needing assistance can also contact the U.S. Embassy in Lima at +51-1-618-2000 or [email protected] .

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