What to Do in Peru: Our Recommendations for Different Types of Travelers

Making a list of things you can’t do in Peru would be much easier than making one for the plethora of things you can do. Peru boasts diverse roster of tourist attractions, blessed as it is with a varying landscape of astounding beauty, the ruins of various ancient civilizations, and a lively culture. In just a week, you can go from a desert oasis to the world’s deepest canyon, follow it up with visit to the Andes, and then zip down into the lush Amazon Rainforest. Here, we’ve compiled our recommended activity for each type of traveler, from the beach bum to the adventure lover, from the history buff to the eco-traveler.

For the Beach Bum: Surf some amazing waves

If you head northward from Lima on up the Peru coast, you will find the best beaches in the country. Not only ideal for swimming and catching some rays, these beaches are also known for churning up some world-class waves. At Chicama, you will find the longest wave in the world. Near Lima, the 2008 international surf contest at Puntas Rocas goes to show the kinds of waves you can expect to find in Peru, but they aren’t all big and bad. Beginners can find spots where the waves are gentler, and the surfing easier to attempt. Surf tours with lessons are a good way to experience Peru surfing for beginners, and the more experienced will probably know what to do. In the northern departments of Tumbes and Piura, surfing can be enjoyed year round, thus making it a nice addition to your list of desired Peru tourist attractions. Peru’s beaches are best enjoyed from December to April.

For Birdwatchers: Marvel at the Andean Condor

Colca Canyon is the second-largest in the world (the largest is nearby Cotahuasi Canyon), boasting twice the depth of the Grand Canyon. It’s located just 100 miles outside of Arequipa and attracts flocks of tourists eager to see the massive, endangered Andean condors. The largest flying land birds on the planet, the condors are truly magnificent to see up close. Those who’d like to invest more time than a daytrip can opt for a guided hike deep into the canyon.

For the Eco-Traveler: Observe the stunning diversity of the Amazon Rainforest

For an experience worlds away from what you’ll find in other parts of Peru, consider making time to enjoy an expedition into the Amazon Rainforest. From Cusco, you can descend down the eastern slopes of the Andes and make way to the Amazon basin by bus, stopping in the town of Puerto Maldonado, from where you can continue to Manu National Park, the most biodiverse spot on the earth. Or, you can take a flight from Lima to the jungle city of Iquitos, from where you can arrange for a boat ride down the mighty Amazon River. Almost all tours include stays in isolated eco-lodges which can only be reached by long boatrides into the rainforest. Some even include visiting with local indigenous groups who can share their knowledge of life in the rainforest.

For the History Lover: Explore the Incan Ruins and Pre-Incan Pyramids of Peru

For most people who travel to Peru, the most important stop is a visit to the legendary Inca ruins of Machu Picchu Citadel. This sacred site is the most visited in all of South America, and a bucket list standard, yet it never fails to disappoint. In the peak months of June-August, some 3,000 people visit Machu Picchu every day. The ancient capital of the Inca Empire, Cusco, is the base for most trips to Machu Picchu, and the ruins of the Inca fortresses in the towns of Ollantaytambo and Pisac are worth a visit as well. In Cusco, you can see Inca walls, which now serve as the bases of the more modern structures built atop them. The Sacred Valley and the Cusco region aren’t the only place to see evocative, impressive ruins. The northern highland cities of Trujillo and Chiclayo, for example, boast the Tucume Pyramids, some of which pertained to the Inca and some of which date even further back, to the Sicán and the Chimú civilizations.

For the Active Traveler: Trekking the Inca Trail

Hiking the Inca Trail is among the top things to do in Peru, and for good reason. Along the way, though it can sometimes get a tad technical, you are rewarded with stunning views of snow-capped mountains and encounters with Inca ruins. Of course, the end reward for your effort being Machu Picchu, it is no wonder this top Peru Tour remains a constant favorite. Those too pressed for time to undertake the classic 4-day Inca Trail have the option to hike a truncated 2-day version of the Inca Trail that preserves most of the highlights of the original trek.

For the Adventure Traveler: Climb the Iconic Misti Volcano

Mountain climbing in Peru can be a challenging but adventurous way to experience some of what the country has to offer. For experienced mountain climbers, there are certainly some technical climbs, but if you’re looking for an easier climb, then El Misti Volcano might just be perfect excursion for you. You can climb El Misti without any equipment for a large part of the year, although occasionally it can have snow and ice on it, requiring the possible need for an ice ax and crampons. El Misti tops out at around 19,100 feet, so you’ll want to let your body adjust to high altitude before the climb. Although it dependes on each visitor’s level of fitness, making it to the volcano’s crater is not considered a strenuous effort. El Misti dominates the skyline of Arequipa, so basing yourself there before the climb is the norm.