Hey there, fellow travelers! Today, we’re visiting Peru. We love to help travelers prepare for their vacations, and other than telling you the best things to do in Peru, we also love to share the things that will surprise you about a new destination. So, today, we’re sharing the 14 things that will shock you on your Peru vacation.
Eating Guinea Pig
Yes, cuy, or guinea pig, is a traditional Peruvian food. In many places, including the United States, guinea pigs are kept as pets at home. So seeing them roasting on a spit outside of a restaurant can be a big shock. Cuy is a very important part of Peruvian cuisine; it’s even depicted in their last supper paintings! Also, when you order cuy at a restaurant, it is often served with the head still on, splayed out on the plate. That can be a bit of a shock your first time eating out in Peru!
Peru Beyond Machu Picchu
When most people think of Peru, they think of Machu Picchu. But there are so many more places to visit in Peru besides the Incan ruins near Cusco. Don’t get me wrong, you definitely should visit Machu Picchu when you are in Peru, but make sure you explore other parts of Cusco, maybe visit Arequipa, Lake Titicaca, the Amazon rainforest or the capital city of Lima.
Coca Leaves are Legal
Coca leaves are the plant that cocaine is derived from, and you’ll see it all over Peru. Coca leaves are said to help with altitude sickness, so you’ll see it sold in many forms, from tea to chewing gum. Just keep in mind that coca leaves are only legal in Peru; do not try to take any home with you!
Traffic in Peru
My number one Peru travel tip? Don’t drive! There are so many taxis, and it’s very affordable to hire a driver to take you around. Traffic and driving in Peru are insane; even being a pedestrian is sometimes scary!
Long Bus Trips
If you do decide to explore Peru beyond Cusco, you should know that the distances between cities is pretty great. You might try to save money by taking a bus, but it will take you forever. If you can, I highly recommend flying between cities in Peru. There are so many mountain ranges in Peru that it makes overland travel somewhat difficult.
Altitude Sickness
Cusco sits at an elevation of 10,000 feet or 3,000 meters, so many people experience altitude sickness for the first time here. Some travelers end up in the hospital for treatment due to the thin air. Altitude sickness can give you headaches and nausea. Always make sure you build in an extra day to acclimate; don’t try to hit the ground running until you know how altitude affects you.
How to Deal with Altitude Sickness
Strong Sun
Along with high altitude comes very strong UV rays from the sun. Even when it’s cloudy, you should wear sunscreen because the sun is so much stronger at higher elevations.
Bugs in Peru
Make sure you have bug spray when you visit Peru! I also recommend packing some after-bite treatment, as it’s pretty inevitable that you will come away with a few bites. Besides mosquitos, there are no-see-ums, spiders, and other critters to watch out for.
Water in Peru
Do not drink the water in Peru unless you want a really unpleasant surprise. Only drink bottled water when you visit Peru. Peru has pretty good beer, pisco sours, and Inca Cola, but make sure you hydrate with lots of clean bottled water. Don’t forget: ice is water, too, so don’t drink the ice in Peru either!
Peruvian People
You might be shocked at how awesome the Peruvian people are. I’ve met Peruvians abroad and always found them to be very friendly, and they are equally friendly when you visit Peru. They love to share their culture, history, and cuisine with world travelers who come to Peru. This also shows in how clean the cities are; they really take pride in their cities.
The Priority Line
When you’re at the airport or the grocery store, you might notice an empty lane that is seemingly open. However, these are priority lines and they are not for everyone. These priority lines in Peru are reserved for pregnant women, families with small children, senior citizens, and those with disabilities. Since we are traveling with kids, we took advantage of a few of these priority lines and it was great!
Five Things You’ll Love & Hate About Traveling with Kids
Peruvian Food
Besides cuy, which I already mentioned, there are some really great dishes to try in Peru. It’s no coincidence that Peruvian restaurants are starting to pop up in different cities around the world. Alpaca is another surprising food to eat in Peru; it’s surprisingly tasty! My kids love alpaca steaks! Peru also has really good fruit, ceviche, stews, and seafood. Don’t be afraid to ask your waiter what the local dishes are that you should try.
Prices in Peru
Peru is a really affordable vacation destination. It’s not dirt-cheap, but it’s also not expensive. Sometimes, you might see two prices: one for locals and one for tourists. You may also have to haggle a bit if you go shopping at the market in Peru. And probably most surprising is that many vendors take dollars. (Plan to tip around 10% at restaurants in Peru)
Paying for Photos
You’ll see many people in traditional Peruvian clothing walking around the tourist areas. Their livelihood is making money from tourist photos, so if you want to snap a photo of them, be prepared to pay them for it. You should always ask for permission before taking someone’s photo, and if they request you pay them, negotiate a price upfront.
Peru is really a great, and affordable, country to visit. Most of these shocks are of the positive sort, so we think you’ll be pleasantly surprised at your Peru vacation! Want more tips for traveling in South America? Check out some of our other blog posts!