Two backpackers looking out over the Peruvian Andes

How to travel in Peru: a practical guide

By PeruCheap · Updated on · 12 min read

Quick answer

  • Brazil, Mexico, Colombia, Argentina, Chile, the USA, Spain, Portugal, France, Germany and the UK are exempt from tourist visas; most get up to 90 days (Mexico 183; Spain, Portugal, France and Germany 90 per 180), and the length of stay is set by Migraciones in the entry stamp.
  • Machu Picchu tickets are sold only on the official TuBoleto portal; the train and Consettur bus are separate.
  • Currency: sol (PEN); PIX is not a payment method in Peru. In Cusco (~3,400 m) and Puno (~3,800 m), take the first 24–48 h slowly.
  • Most classic itineraries do not need a rental car; in the Andes the best window is May–Sep.
On this page
  1. 1. Tourist visa — key nationalities
  2. 2. Arrival — Jorge Chávez Airport (LIM, Lima)
  3. 3. Arrival — Alejandro Velasco Astete Airport (CUZ, Cusco)
  4. 4. Taxis and ride apps
  5. 5. Money: soles, cards, PIX, ATMs
  6. 6. SIM / eSIM and connectivity
  7. 7. Altitude sickness (Cusco / Puno)
  8. 8. Safety (basics)
  9. 9. How to buy Machu Picchu tickets (high level, official path)
  10. 10. Best months to visit (climate by region)
  11. 11. Car rental (when it makes sense)
  12. 12. Festivals and holidays (practical impact)
  13. Quick checklist BR → Peru

1. Tourist visa — key nationalities

Official source to check always before publishing/boarding:
Ministry of Foreign Affairs (Cancillería) — Visa requirements and exemptions for foreign citizens (ordinary passports):
https://www.gob.pe/institucion/rree/informes-publicaciones/2315744-requerimientos-y-exoneracion-de-visas-para-ciudadanos-extranjeros-que-cuenten-con-pasaportes-ordinarios

Process if you need a visa: https://www.gob.pe/36240-solicitar-visa-de-turista-para-ingresar-al-peru (apply at a Peruvian consulate ≥15 days ahead; approval is not automatic).

Summary based on the official Cancillería table (PDF dated 16 Jul 2026, checked Sep 2026):

Nationality Tourist visa? Stay per the official table (what counts is the stamp/TAM)
Brazil No (exempt) May enter with a passport or an RG ID card in good condition (Mercosur agreement). 90 days, extendable once for the same period within 365 days; request the extension from Migraciones before it expires.
Mexico No Exempt; 183 days, non-extendable, within 365.
Colombia No Exempt; Andean Community: may enter with national ID only; 90 days + online extension up to 180 days/year (Andean Migration Statute).
Argentina No Exempt; national ID accepted (Mercosur); 90 days, extendable once.
Chile No Exempt; national ID accepted (Mercosur); 90 days, extendable once.
USA No Exempt; 90 days, extendable once.
Spain No EU — exempt; 90 days in any 180 (Peru–EU agreement).
Portugal No EU — exempt; 90 days in any 180 (Peru–EU agreement).
France No EU — exempt; 90 days in any 180 (Peru–EU agreement).
Germany No EU — exempt; 90 days in any 180 (Peru–EU agreement).
United Kingdom (UK) No Exempt; 90 days, extendable once.

Important:

  • The Migraciones officer decides the stamped term; do not assume the theoretical maximum.
  • Passport: at least 6 months’ validity from entry is mandatory (Migraciones; Brazilian Embassy in Lima, checked Sep 2026). Check the days granted on the virtual TAM.
  • Venezuela and several African/Asian countries require a visa — outside this table’s focus, but do not generalize.

Sources:

2. Arrival — Jorge Chávez Airport (LIM, Lima)

New terminal: since 1 June 2025 Jorge Chávez has operated from the new terminal, accessed via Av. Morales Duárez (MTC); pickup and drop-off zones changed compared with older guides (ATU) (checked Sep 2026).

Official taxi (recommended if you arrive tired/late night):
Taxi counters at domestic and international arrivals; staff directs you to the exclusive area.
Official site: https://www.lima-airport.com/en/pasajeros/transporte/taxi

Apps (Uber, Cabify, inDrive): operate in Lima. At the new terminal, taxi and app pickups use the Vía libre lane, only in the marked bays; level 3 is drop-off only (ATU). Cabify points riders to parking lot E1 (movilidad.pe); always follow the pickup point shown in the app and ignore lobby solicitors (checked Sep 2026).

Alternative: the official Airport Express Lima bus links the terminal with Miraflores (stops at Larcomar/Marriott, Av. Larco, Parque Kennedy and Hotel Boulevard): S/20 per person traveling alone or S/15 per person for 2+ passengers (Lima Airport); departures roughly hourly, 7 a.m.–10 p.m. from the airport (operator FAQ) (checked Sep 2026).

Practical tips:

  • Currency exchange and ATMs (BCP, Interbank, etc.) on arrival — airport rates are usually worse; withdraw the minimum and change/withdraw in the city.
  • SIM/eSIM: airport kiosks exist but are usually pricier than city shops.
  • Typical destination: Miraflores / Barranco — agree price at the official counter or trust the app fare.

Sources:

3. Arrival — Alejandro Velasco Astete Airport (CUZ, Cusco)

  • Lima–Cusco flight ~1h30. City altitude ~3,400 m — on landing, walk slowly; avoid effort and alcohol for the first 24–48 h.
  • Historic center is typically 10–20 minutes away.
  • Options: official taxi at the terminal (confirm the fare at the counter before you get in — guides quote different figures); Uber/apps with designated point; hotel transfer (useful for 1 a.m. arrivals).
  • Avoid aggressive lobby “taxi drivers”; agree price before if using a street taxi.
  • Carry soles in small bills; do not take a long walk with luggage on day one.

Sources: theonlyperuguide.com (CUZ transfers) · Uber airport pages CUZ · fertur-travel.com (altitude/Cusco).

4. Taxis and ride apps

Service Notes (2026) Safety
Uber Widely cited in Lima; also CUZ Check plate/model; board only at the app point
Cabify Strong in Lima; specific LIM point Same
inDrive Popular; price negotiated in-app Same; beware off-app offers
Beat Not operating in Peru since 9 Nov 2022 (El Comercio / RPP); referred users to Cabify Do not install / do not list as active
Official airport taxi LIM counter (lima-airport.com) Preferable at night / first visit
Street taxi Common; haggling Avoid without a recommendation; do not accept strangers’ “help” with luggage
DiDi / Yango Operate in Peru according to the business press (Gestión — DiDi, 2026; Gestión — Yango); coverage outside Lima varies — check in the app Same boarding rules

Golden rules (Smartraveller / State Dept): prefer app or hotel; do not walk alone in isolated areas at night; do not display your phone on the street; windows closed in the car.

Sources:

5. Money: soles, cards, PIX, ATMs

  • Currency: Peruvian sol (PEN / S/). Dollars are sometimes accepted in tourism, but change may be in soles at a bad rate.
  • Cards Visa/Mastercard: widely accepted in hotels, tourist restaurants, and malls; markets and micros = cash.
  • ATMs: BCP, BBVA, Interbank, Scotiabank — decline the ATM bank’s conversion to your home currency (DCC); withdraw in PEN.
  • Withdrawal fees: the Peruvian ATM may charge a fee for foreign cards, shown on screen before you confirm, on top of your own bank’s fees — check at the ATM and with your bank (there is no single official fee).
  • PIX: not a payment method in Peru. Useful use: pay in Brazil for a remittance via PIX — Western Union accepts PIX and offers cash pickup or bank-account deposit in Peru; exchange rate and fee are shown before you confirm (checked Sep 2026).
    Source: https://www.westernunion.com/br/pt/send-money-to-peru.html
  • Yape/Plin: local apps; casual tourists rarely depend on them.
  • Carry some cash from arrival (taxi/water).

6. SIM / eSIM and connectivity

  • Pre-flight eSIM: Airalo, Nomad, Holafly, Revolut eSIM, HelloRoam, etc. (immediate data; ideal for Brazilians).
  • Physical SIM: Claro, Movistar, Entel, Bitel — foreigners can only sign up in person at the operator’s stores/points, with biometric verification against the Migraciones database (a temporary OSIPTEL measure during the state of emergency); bring your passport (checked Sep 2026). A prepaid line with no use in its first 3 days may be cancelled. For a phone bought outside Peru, the operator may ask you to register its IMEI (free) (OSIPTEL).
  • Avoid buying only at the airport if you can wait (high price).
  • Wi-Fi: hotels and cafés on the tourist circuit; the Inka Express bus (Cusco–Puno) advertises Starlink Wi‑Fi on its official site (Inka Express, checked Sep 2026) — do not rely on it for anything critical.

Sources: phonetravelwiz.com · howtoperu.com (LIM SIM) · helloroam.com/pt-BR/esim-peru

7. Altitude sickness (Cusco / Puno)

Place Approx. altitude
Lima ~0–150 m
Machu Picchu ~2,430 m
Sacred Valley (Urubamba/Ollanta) ~2,800–2,900 m
Cusco ~3,400 m
Puno / Titicaca ~3,800–3,830 m
Rainbow Mountain / Palcoyo ~4,900 m+

Basics (CDC Yellow Book + local guides):

  • Ascend gradually; easy first–second night; hydrate; avoid alcohol and intense effort.
  • Mild symptoms: headache, fatigue, mild shortness of breath, nausea.
  • Serious signs (descend + medical help): confusion, ataxia, shortness of breath at rest, persistent vomiting.
  • Medication (acetazolamide, etc.): only with medical advice — do not self-medicate.
  • Coca tea is cultural; it does not replace acclimatization.
  • Popular strategy: sleep first in the Sacred Valley (lower) before Cusco.

Sources:

8. Safety (basics)

  • Peru is visitable with elevated caution in big cities (Lima, Cusco): theft, “motochorro,” distraction scams.
  • Do not resist a robbery; leave passport in the hotel safe; keep a digital copy.
  • Avoid protests; avoid overnight intercity buses if possible.
  • Lima center: prefer daytime visits; sleep in Miraflores/Barranco/San Isidro.
  • Festivals and crowds: pickpocketing rises.

Sources: Smartraveller · travel.state.gov · pe.usembassy.gov advisories.

9. How to buy Machu Picchu tickets (high level, official path)

  1. Go to the Ministry of Culture official portal: https://tuboleto.cultura.pe/llaqta_machupicchu (also linked at https://www.machupicchu.gob.pe/online-tickets/?lang=en).
  2. Create an account; choose date, time slot, circuit/route; passport data must match the document on the day.
  3. Pay online; keep the voucher. Maximum capacity 2026 (RM 285-2025-MC): 5,600 visitors/day on 1 Jan, 2–5 Apr, 19 Jun–2 Nov and 30–31 Dec; 4,500 on other days. Adult foreign ticket (includes Brazilians): S/152 on standard routes, + an S/11 SERNANP conservation fee since 1 May 2026 (El Comercio); the S/64 promotional rate is only for Peruvians, residents and Andean Community citizens (RM 284-2025-MC). The ticket is valid only for its date, time slot, circuit and holder: no date changes or refunds (RM 334-2026-MC) (checked Sep 2026).
  4. Separate: train (PeruRail / Inca Rail) to Machu Picchu Pueblo; Consettur bus to the gate. Guide: since RM 334-2026-MC (11 Sep 2026) a guide is recommended, not mandatory — entry requires only the named ticket and original ID (passport, or national ID for Mercosur/Andean Community citizens); TuBoleto is being updated, followed by a 30-day trial period (Andina, checked Sep 2026).
  5. If online sells out: in-person sales of up to 1,000 tickets/day at the Machu Picchu Pueblo (Aguas Calientes) Cultural Center, for the next day (Ministry of Culture); in the 2026 high season the DDC Cusco began selling up to 3 days ahead, subject to availability (Andina). Track it at tuboleto.cultura.pe/disponibilidad — availability not guaranteed (checked Sep 2026).
  6. High season (Jun–Oct) and holidays: buy weeks to months ahead.

Do not buy from street sellers / unofficial sites.

10. Best months to visit (climate by region)

Region Typical best window Notes
Andes (Cusco, Valley, MP) May–Sep (dry, clear skies) Jun–Aug = peak price/crowds; Inti Raymi 24 Jun
Shoulder Apr–May, Sep–Oct Fewer people; still good for trekking
Andean rains Nov–Mar Green, fewer tourists; fog at MP possible
Lima / coast Dec–Mar warmer/sunnier; Jun–Sep = garúa (cold fog)
Arequipa dry and mild almost year-round; cold nights City anniversary ~Aug
Puno May–Sep drier; Feb = Candelaria + rain Intense cold Jun–Aug

Sources: perutourism.org/best-time-to-visit-peru/ · weatherspark.com/countries/PE

11. Car rental (when it makes sense)

Summary: for most classic itineraries (Lima city + Cusco + Machu Picchu) you do not need a rental. The stretch where it most often makes sense is Lima → Paracas → Ica by day on the Panamericana; in the Sacred Valley, a car helps for Maras–Moray–Chinchero daytime only if you already drive confidently in mountains.

Documents (Avis / Budget / Hertz PE + MTC)

  • Typical minimum age: 21.
  • Passport (or Mercosur ID listed by Budget) + physical home-country license issued ≥1 year ago (digital-only / temporary: rejected).
  • International Driving Permit (IDP): Avis says it is not required to drive for up to ~6 months from entry (term adjusted to the Migraciones stamp) and that an IDP does not replace the national license at the counter. Official MTC rule (19 Feb 2026): foreigners may drive on their home license only during the first 6 months and only if Peru has signed and ratified an international agreement with the issuing country. We found no official confirmation of an agreement covering Brazilian licenses (CNH) — verify with the MTC and the rental company before renting.
  • Physical credit card in the driver’s name (hold/deposit).
  • Foreign tourists pay IGV on the rental (Avis FAQ). Do not take the car across the border.

Sources: https://www.avisperu.com/preguntas-frecuentes · https://budgetperu.com/terminos-condiciones · https://www.gob.pe/institucion/mtc/noticias/1356271-mtc-todo-lo-que-un-extranjero-debe-saber-para-obtener-una-licencia-de-conducir-peruana · https://hertzperu.com.pe/

LIM vs CUZ

Pickup Typical use
LIM (airport 24h at Hertz; Miraflores/city Avis/Budget/Hertz) Day drive to the south coast (Paracas/Ica)
CUZ (Hertz Wanchaq and others) Only if heading to the Valley; historic center is a poor place to drive

One-way between cities: some brands offer drop-off (Avis cites Arequipa/Cusco) for a fee — get a quote; many prefer flight + app.

Quick yes / no

Stretch Rent?
Lima city only No — Uber/Cabify/inDrive
Lima–Paracas–Ica (day) Yes, possible — tolls, trucks, fog
Cusco + Machu Picchu No — no road to the citadel; train + Consettur
Sacred Valley (day) Optional if experienced
Puno / Arequipa city Rarely needed
Colca Overnight tour is usually simpler

Night, insurance, alternatives

  • Do not drive at night outside urban areas (advisories / local practice).
  • CDW/protection recommended by brands (Avis: not mandatory — read the deductible).
  • Alternatives: apps in cities; Cruz del Sur / Peru Hop on the coast; Inka Express Cusco–Puno; PeruRail/Inca Rail to Machu Picchu Pueblo.

Detail: How to travel: car rental & festivals. Per destination: Car sections in Destinations.

12. Festivals and holidays (practical impact)

Peaks that most affect price and sell-outs:

Event When Where it bites
Inti Raymi 24 Jun (+ week ~20–26) Cusco, Valley, MP trains
Fiestas Patrias 28–29 Jul Nationwide (flights/buses/hotels)
Candelaria Anchor 2 Feb + fortnight Puno / Juliaca
Señor de los Milagros Oct (processions 18, 19, 28) Lima Historic Center
Sirena Huacachina 17–19 Sep 2026 — revived after 15 years (Andina); no confirmed annual calendar yet Ica / oasis
Holy Week / Corpus Movable Cusco, Arequipa

Booking tip: Inti Raymi and Fiestas Patrias → book transport/hotels 2–4 months ahead. Per-destination tables in Festivals sections of Destinations. Full note: How to travel: car rental & festivals.

Quick checklist BR → Peru

  • Valid passport (or ID under agreement)
  • Check Cancillería visa PDF
  • MP ticket + train + AC hotel if applicable
  • eSIM / data plan
  • International card + notify bank
  • Soles or ATM plan
  • Travel insurance covering altitude
  • Uber/Cabify/inDrive apps installed
  • Rent a car only for south coast / daytime Valley — docs + insurance

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