Practical information Peru

For a tourist stay, French, Belgian, Swiss, Luxembourgish and Canadian nationals do not need a visa for Peru. You will receive an entry stamp at Jorge Chávez Airport in Lima or at a land border, valid for the duration granted by the migration officer (up to 183 days per calendar year). Your passport must be valid for at least six months after your entry date. Since 2023, the paper migration card (TAM) has been replaced by an electronic version, so keep your passport stamp and proof of stay safe. If you plan to work or study while there, a specific visa must be requested from the consulate before departure.

No vaccines are required to enter Peru. However, the following are recommended: DTP, hepatitis A and B, typhoid and rabies depending on the regions visited. Yellow fever is strongly advised if your itinerary includes the Amazon (Puerto Maldonado, Iquitos, Tambopata, Manu) and low tropical regions such as Tarapoto. For malaria, the risk exists in the lower Amazon and antimalarial treatment should be discussed with a doctor based on your lodge and the season. Also consider altitude sickness for Cusco (3,400 m), Puno (3,812 m) and Colca: prior consultation is advised for people with heart conditions or high blood pressure. A consultation at an international vaccination center 4 to 6 weeks before departure remains the best approach.

Excluding international flights, budget between 80 and 150 USD per day and per person for a comfort-level organized tour, including 3-4 star accommodations or charming guesthouses, private transportation, local guides, and site entrance fees. The most significant expense is Machu Picchu: approximately 200 USD per person for entrance ticket, round-trip train from Ollantaytambo, and bus to Aguas Calientes. A meal at a good restaurant in Lima or Cuzco ranges from 15 to 35 USD, while a local lunch menu costs around 5 to 8 USD. Domestic flights Lima-Cuzco or Lima-Puerto Maldonado range between 80 and 180 USD depending on season and advance booking. Our team can adjust the budget according to your priorities.

The Andean dry season extends from April to October, an ideal period for Cusco, Machu Picchu, the Sacred Valley, Lake Titicaca, and Colca Canyon, with sunny days and sometimes cold nights (close to 0°C in June-July at high altitude). July and August experience peak tourist traffic; we recommend May, June, September, and October for a better balance. On the coast (Lima, Paracas, Nazca), the Southern summer from December to March offers sunshine and warmth (25-28°C), while from June to November the garúa mist covers Lima. In the Amazon, the less rainy season runs from May to October, but the rains from January to March allow better navigation in secondary tributaries.

The territory is vast (1.28 million km²) and traveling between regions often requires flying. LATAM, Sky Airline, and JetSMART serve Cusco, Arequipa, Puno (Juliaca), Puerto Maldonado, Iquitos, and Trujillo from Lima in 1 to 2 hours of flight time. Quality long-distance buses (Cruz del Sur, Oltursa) comfortably connect coastal cities and certain Andean routes, with reclining seats and onboard service. For Machu Picchu, PeruRail or IncaRail trains depart from Ollantaytambo or Poroy to Aguas Calientes. In the Andean and Amazonian regions, we favor private vehicles with drivers to manage altitudes, photo stops, and stopover villages.

Peru is generally safe for travelers who take standard precautions. In Lima, certain neighborhoods (San Isidro, Miraflores, Barranco) are calm and suitable, while others (historic center at night, outlying districts) require more vigilance. In Cusco, Arequipa and the Sacred Valley, the atmosphere remains peaceful. Pickpocketing in public transportation and crowded markets represent the main risk; keep your documents secure and prefer official taxis or applications such as Uber and Cabify. Avoid political demonstrations which can occasionally block roads in the south. Our team in Lima will provide you with an up-to-date briefing before departure and remains available 24/7 during your stay.