Peru is one of the best places to travel in 2024. The country is one of the best-rated destinations for travelers worldwide because of its many attractions. From the stunning coastline and deserts to the towering Andes summits and even pristine rainforests. Immerse yourself in the best things to do in Peru!

Top 5 things to do in Lima Peru

Lima is located on the Pacific coast, and it’s the capital city of Peru. It is considered a cosmopolitan metropolis with a lot of history and culture and the best culinary experience. The city is the Gastronomical Capital of the Americas, and it is home to the best restaurant in the world, Central.

It is also known as the “City of the Kings,” and it is the political, economic, industrial, cultural, and financial center of Peru. Visit Lima Peru, it will be your first impression of the country, and you will find some of the best sights and activities here:

1. Walking through the Lima Historical Centre:

If you want to have a cultural and culinary adventure, you must visit the center of the city. It is recognized for its beautiful colonial architecture and for having the most sought-after attractions and food. First, visit the Main Square, Metropolitan Cathedral, Archbishop's Palace, Santo Domingo Basilica, and the San Francisco Basilica. They were constructed during the Spanish occupation of Peru and are popular among visitors.

After a historic tour, it is time to visit the Lima Chinatown to try Chifa. (a combination of Peruvian and Chinese food) Additionally, stop over to the Chabuca Granda boulevard for traditional desserts, Tacna Street for turrón, and continue your walking tour.

Visiting Lima City is one of the things to do in Peru | TreXperience
Lima Historical Center of the City

2. Visit the Magic Circuit of Water and Exposition Park:

The must-see attractions in Lima include these two amazing places! Enjoy a pleasant afternoon walking in the Exposition Park, which is located in the center and has plenty of cultural activities and museums to visit. Moreover, you must visit the Magic Circuit of Water as well. It is the biggest water circuit in the world and has one the most incredible light shows to see! It is strongly recommended to go at night.

Night walk in the Lima Water Magic Circuit | TreXperience
Night Walk in the Lima Water Magic Circuit

3. A cultural stop at the main Museums:

Lima hosts more than 20 museums to visit. The most important are the Museum of the Nation, to learn more about the history of Peru; the Larco Museum, to learn more about pre-inca civilizations of Peru; the Lima Art Museum; and the Contemporary Art Museum.

4. Miraflores and Barranco:

Both are the most renowned districts in the city, located over the green coast. They are especially attractive due to the bustling atmosphere near the sea and offer a wide range of accommodations and activities. In Miraflores, you can visit commercial areas such as Larcomar. You might also visit the Huaca Pucllana to have a short view of the ancient cultures. It is recommended for looking it at night. On the other side, Barranco is well-recognized as an artistic and bohemian hub. Any time of the year, you can walk along the Bridge of Sighs and the boardwalk to reach down to the beach and enjoy the sunset.

Miraflores and Barranco in Lima | TreXperience
Green Coast of Lima in Miraflores and Barranco

5. Beach resorts:

Beaches are a very recommended spot to visit during the summer, between January and March. Look for Santa Rosa and Ancón, located in the city's northern part. Likewise, Punta Hermosa, Punta Negra, San Bartolo, and Pucusana have recently gained popularity in southern Lima among visitors and surfers from all over the world.
There is no doubt that these are some of the best things to do in Peru. Do not hesitate to explore outside the city! You can find awesome outdoors and a varied geographical landscape in Churín, Chosica, and Huaral, located in the rural areas of Lima.

Peruvian Coast | TreXperience
Pelicans and penguins in the Peruvian Coast

There is no doubt that these are some of the best things to do in Peru. Do not hesitate to explore outside the city! You can find awesome outdoors and a varied geographical landscape in Churín, Chosica, and Huaral, located in the rural areas of Lima.

Top things to do in Cusco Peru

It is one of the most important and largest regions of Peru and is considered to be the heart of the Inca Empire. It is located in the southern Andes and has a varied geography, including mountains, high Andean zones, lowlands, and tropical forests. The climate varies throughout the year due to its elevation, and its capital city is located approximately 3400 meters above sea level.

Cusco Peru is renamed worldwide because of the large number of its tourist attractions. In this regard, the Historic Sanctuary of Machu Picchu is the most popular. You can't go wrong with any of these ways to get from Lima to Cusco!

1. A one-day visit to Cusco City:

You must save a 1-day tour in your itinerary to visit it and its surroundings. This city is rich in Inca heritage and colonial architecture. We recommend you take a walk around the main square, visit the San Blas neighborhood and 12 angled stones, see the Qorikancha, the Cathedral of Cusco and surrounding churches, and the San Pedro market. You will find accommodations, restaurants, and a lot of activities to try in the center of the city.

Spending a night in Cusco is one the best things to do in Peru | TreXperience
Center of Cusco City at Night

2. A tour of Cusco 4 ruins:

You will find Inca Sites and beautiful landscapes near the city. Start by walking uphill through the San Cristobal neighborhood to arrive at Saqsayhuaman. These are the ruins of a ceremonial Inca temple, from which you can enjoy the best panoramic views of the city. If you go in June, you might take part in the Inti Raymi celebrations.

If you continue walking around, you will reach Qenqo, an archaeological site where you will see ancient stone constructions. Closer to the site, you may see a beautiful eucalyptus forest. Continuing your walk, you will come across Huayllarqocha, a lovely water mirror, and finally, you will reach the archeological sites of Tambomachay and Puka Pukara.

Saqsayhuaman Archaeological Site | TreXperience
Traveler enjoying the sun in Saqsayhuaman

3. A journey to discover Machu Picchu: 

It is nestled in the subtropical cloud forest of Cusco and is considered the most important vestige of the Incas. UNESCO designated Machu Picchu as a World Heritage Site, and it was named one of the New Seven Wonders of the World in 2007. It is a must-see for any visitor to Peru. We highly recommend taking a tour of Machu Picchu with an authorized travel agency.

Machu Picchu Inca Site | TreXperience
Machu Picchu views on a Sunny Day

4. Get to Machu Picchu in an alternative way:

Salkantay is a popular tourist site and one of the region's most popular snow caps, standing at 6,271 meters above sea level. You will have a great time hiking and trekking here because this trail also goes to Machu Picchu. It is significantly more challenging and rewarding than others.

5. Conquer the Inca Trail:

This is one of the most renowned trekking routes in the world, and it’s part of the Qhapaq Ñan, an ambitious ancient path that was intended to connect the Inca Empire. The Inca Trail tour excursion can take from 2 to 4 days, depending on your preference. It is advisable to acclimatize a few days before the excursion because you will reach heights of more than 4000 masl.

Inca Trail to Machu Picchu | TreXperience
A journey to the Inca Trail to Machu Picchu

6. Choquequirao:

Choquequirao is an important but little-known archeological site located between the Anta and Santa Teresa districts. It is surrounded by the highland rainforest and near the snow-capped Salkantay's foothills. These ruins are famous for resembling Machu Picchu; however, reaching the site is no easy task, as it's inaccessible by car. Trekking is the only way to get there, but the experience is absolutely worth it!

Choquequirao Cusco | TreXperience
Choquequirao is the most remote Inca Site in Cusco

7. Hike to the largest peak in the region:

Ausangate is the tallest snow-capped mountain in Cusco, standing at 6,384 meters. The most popular activity here is trekking through the gorgeous Andean atmosphere. Ausangate lies near the 7 Lakes circuit, Pacchanta, and Rainbow Mountain.

Ausangate snow-cap | TreXperience
Ausangate summit in Cusco

8. Sacred Valley of the Incas:

The small cities around this valley preserve some of the most significant archeological Inca sites. You can’t pass up the opportunity to visit Pisac, Ollantaytambo, Chinchero, Maras and Moray. All of them have unique landscapes and activities to experience.

9. Spot jaguars, otters, and birds at the Manu National Park:

This is considered the most biodiverse place in the world, attractive for scientists and adventure travelers. It is accessible from Cusco and very popular for long stances or short meaningful tours. You can enjoy its pristine forests, take a boat ride along the Manu River, and appreciate the stunning views of the surroundings. Manu is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Scarlet Macaw in the Peruvian Jungle | TreXperience
Scarlet Macaw flying in the Peruvian Jungle.

Check out our complete guide on What to Do in Cusco.


3 things to do in the Peruvian Amazon Rainforest

It is the country's largest territory and one of the most biodiverse locations on the planet. Its ecosystem has the greatest amount of endemism, while it is the biogeographic zone with the fewest residents. In 2011, the Peruvian Amazon rainforest was designated as one of the Seven Natural Wonders of the World.

The Amazon is the world's most important biological natural resource deposit and has many attractive destinations for nature travelers. These are some of the best things to do in Peru’s Amazon rainforest.

1. A short trip to Amazonas:

Take a journey to the rainforest in Amazonas, the largest region of Peru. You can visit Kuelap, the last fortress of the Chachapoyas culture. Likewise, get to know the Gocta waterfall, the third highest in the world and surrounded by beautiful vegetation. Amazonas offers many tours to spot wildlife and navigate the Amazonas River, and plenty of beautiful ecolodges to stay.

Fortaleza de Kuelap en el Amazonas | TreXperience
Kuelap Fortress in the Amazonas region

2. A wildlife excursion in Loreto:

The Pacaya Samiria National Reserve is located in the country's northeast rainforest, and it is the largest natural jungle reserve. It is known as a paradise because of its magnificent river mirrors, massive trees, and a remarkable variety of flora and animals. You can visit it on a boat excursion to see the diverse wildlife, including taricaya turtles and pink dolphins. It is also advisable to visit Iquitos if you're going to Loreto.

Sunrise in the Amazonas | TreXperience
Beautiful Sunrise in the Peruvian Rainforest

3. Tambopata National Reserve:

It is one of the most contrasting places, with a tropical climate and the greenery of the Tambopata Reserve, which is a haven of incredible biological diversity. In Tambopata, you will visit the rainforest, oxbow lakes, and clay licks where visitors can see a variety of animal species. The most popular destinations are Sandoval Lake and the numerous Collpas.

3 more things to see in Peru

1. Visit the mysterious Nazca Lines:

This intriguing site is the most important legacy of the Nazca culture. It is located in the region of Ica, at the north of Peru. The Nazca lines consist of over a hundred huge geoglyphs of plants, animals, humans, lines, and spirals. You can see them from the viewpoints above the site or take an aerial tour around.

Nazca Lines in Peru | TreXperience
Spider Nazca Lines in Peru

2. An excursion to the Colca Canyon:

This is the third most visited attraction in Peru and it is one of the deepest canyon in the world. The Colca Canyon is located in the beautiful Arequipa City. If you decide to take a tour here, it takes at least one day, and you may have the opportunity to look at the imposing Andean Condor, enjoy the hot springs, and see key archaeological sites.

Colca Canyon in Peru | TreXperience
Colca Canyon in Arequipa, Peru

3. Navigate the Titicaca Lake:

This destination is perfect for travelers who are looking for cultural and adventure activities in Peru. The Lake Titicaca is the largest navigable lake in the world, located In Puno. In this lake, you can book a tour of the surrounding islands of Uros and Taquile. Another popular activity is visiting the local communities, doing adventure sports, and seeing the archaeological sites.

Navigating the Uros Island among the best things to do in Peru | TreXperience
Uros floating island in Titicaca

Wow. There are really a lot of things to do in Peru, a country that offers unique experiences in every corner. Don’t forget to plan ahead and choose the best tour agencies for the best adventure ever!

 


Permalink

Thanks! I was looking for activities to do in Peru and I didn't know it was this huge. I'll definetily buck some of the list for my trip.

Add new comment

Plain text

  • No HTML tags allowed.
  • Lines and paragraphs break automatically.
  • Web page addresses and email addresses turn into links automatically.