Ohhh! Visit Peru is an amazing experience either with family, friends, or alone. All will depend on your preferences, but Peru has everything for your most unbelievable stay. Regardless of whether you are a man or a woman; in Peru, you will find a lot to do.
As in any country in South America, Peru is safe, although you always have to be careful with your documents and belongings. Since your arrival in Lima at its international Jorge Chavez airport, you will feel different. The smiling looks of the people, their kindness, their charm, makes one feel happy in this land.
Peru has one of the best tourist infrastructures in South America, due to its popularity among visitors who flock to Cusco and Machu Picchu. Getting around Peru is quite easy, although some issues still exist with the safety on night buses, and with fake taxis. Be aware of your surroundings, and follow the same safety advice you would at home and I’m sure you’ll fall in love with Peru.
Is Peru good for solo travel?
Peru is vast, and many visitors underestimate the distances required to travel between key cities in Peru. However, there are some very safe ways to travel from one place to the other. Starting with Lima and taking your transport to your hotel, you will find the population differences in the city. Maybe you will prefer to stay downtown that is beautiful with a lot of history. Or maybe you will like to be at a residential/commercial area such as Miraflores or San Isidro; both zones with incredible places to have experiences, great food. You will be able to tour some areas by bicycle; visit some museums or churches; have an incredible Pisco Sour (The Peruvian famous cocktail) on the terrace of a bar or simply look at the Pacific Ocean from the window of your hotel room.
As a solo traveler mentioned: Lima is a city not to be underestimated. Food lovers will find some of the best restaurants in the world here, and you can join food tours or take a cooking class in Lima to learn more about Peruvian cuisine. Museums, pre-Inca ruins, and a magical fountain park are just some of the attractions in Lima, not to mention paragliding or surfing off the coast!
Well, let’s continue; from Lima and depending on your time of stay; you can go to Cusco and Machupicchu. This trip could take you only three days or more than a week as in Cusco you have a lot to see. Make sure you spend enough time around Cusco to enjoy the city and to explore the Sacred Valley. Ollantaytambo and Pisac are also worth a visit, and there is a multitude of day tours you can take from Cusco to visit more Inca ruins and unique locations like the Maras salt mines; Chinchero and Moray; and, without forgetting to mention the southern valley with Tipon, Piquillacta and Andahuaylillas, the rainbow mountains of Vinicunca or Palcoyo and finally and if you have time, travel by a tourist bus from Cusco to Puno crossing the plateau and entering the city with the highest navigable lake in the world, the Titicaca Lake that join Peru with Bolivia.
Also, we have Arequipa that is a lovely city, knowns as Peru’s White City as a lot of the buildings are made from a white stone called sillar. Arequipa is a good base to use for visiting Colca Canyon to see wild Andean Condors fly and to hike along the canyon, which is around twice as deep as the Grand Canyon. You can arrange tours from most accommodation providers and tour companies in Arequipa. It is also possible to do the hike independently, but if you are a solo traveler, I’d recommend taking a guided tour.
Close to Lima, about 5 hours by car you will find the mysterious lines in the dirt at Nazca that have captivated scientists for centuries. No one really knows why or how the Nazca made the intricate shapes which can only be properly seen from the air. Take a flight over the Nazca lines and see the bizarre markings for yourself. However, be warned if you are prone to travel sickness that the flight is particularly vomit-inducing. If you prefer to stay on the ground there is a viewing platform where you can see a couple of the Nazca Lines just outside the city.
Finally, and as another solo travel mentioned: Firmly off the tourist trail, Northern Peru is a sadly underappreciated region of Peru. Along the coast, visit pre-Inca ruins at Chan Chan and Trujillo, surf at Huanchaco and Mancora, and inland, explore Chachapoyas to visit waterfalls and beautiful ruins around 3 times older than Machu Picchu. And please, if you have time, do not forget to visit the amazon jungle; fabulous experience