Peru is a beautiful destination rich in culture and history, with the most popular attraction being the Inca ruins like Machu Picchu.
Sometimes you might have heard from your familyfriends that it wasn’t what they planned to experience. But it is an amazing place to visit so let’s look at the biggest mistakes people make when visiting Peru that you should try to avoid.
If you are planning to visit Machu Picchu it is always best to book tickets in advance. You should also remember that tickets can’t be bought at the entrance of Machu Picchu. This is because only about 4000 visitors are allowed per day for Machu Picchu.
However, the tickets sell very quickly. It is recommended that you book them at least 3-4 months in advance to get the best experience out of it. This also applies to the accommodation. Especially in the high season (from April to October) it is difficult to get a place to stay so book it around the same time when you get the tickets.
Although Peru is affected by mass tourism, don’t let it fool you on how you should act while you are there. Peru still has the ancient charm. It is always nicer to be or feel like a local. Especially knowing few words in Spanish. Then you won’t get robbed or scammed by people too!
Make sure to learn the language, at least the important words and phrases before travelling to Peru. You can also do some research on the surroundings and the places you will be visiting. Just to get an idea if this is your first time travelling to Peru.
It doesn’t matter if you have done countless hikes before this, or if you are someone who has excellent physical fitness. You should acclimate in the Cusco region for 1-2 days before visiting any other attractions. Especially if you are travelling from lower altitude destinations to Peru.
This will help relieve the symptoms of altitude sickness later on. You should also be prepared with warm and light clothing, raincoats, hats, sunscreen, sunglasses etc because the weather can be unpredictable.
Many of us do not want to visit Machu Picchu thinking it might be costly. Especially during the high season when everything starting from accommodation prices rises.
Machu Picchu is also closed from October to February (off-season) because it is the rainy season but don’t let it stop you from hiking. You can still access Machu Picchu via alternative routes like Salkantay Trek and still enjoy Peru’s top attractions.
Sometimes you will see that travelling solo without a guide is the best option when visiting the attractions in Peru. This can actually help you reduce costs.
However, Peru can be complex so it is always better to go with a guide. Not only you can gain extensive knowledge…you will also get the chance to talk about the local life and understand better what to expect during your stay in Peru if you speak with a travel guide. So, make sure to get a travel guide especially if you are visiting Machu Picchu.