The Love Letter to Peru (& why you must visit!)
I waited too long to go to Peru. There’s no good reason I didn’t go sooner. It had been on the “must-visit” list for many years but I never went. It’s not the right season, “I don’t want to travel alone”, “It’s not the best time”… yada yada yada. In reality, I would have been able to go if I had really wanted to. The time was now, or it would never come. It was true that it was the off-season for hiking, and I felt unfit to trek at altitude. But it was also true that I didn’t spend as much time as I had hoped. As I say every time, the best time to travel is when you feel most comfortable. Let me tell you, Peru is everything I expected. From the moment I arrived, I knew Peru was going to be a long-lasting love affair. Some places have a cosmic vibe that is exactly the same as yours. It’s like having two locks perfectly connected. It was Peru for me. I spent two weeks in Peru, eating my way through Lima’s gastronomic heart, visiting the Nazca lines, Arequipa with its colonial architecture, hiking Machu Picchu and falling deeply in love the art, museums and food of Cusco. First, the food. I knew Peru would be a great foodie destination so I had very high expectations. Lima is home to many of the best restaurants in the entire world, and I’ve heard nothing but praise for the local cuisine from everyone who has visited. But I was still shocked by how delicious the food was. Peruvian cuisine is a mixture of cultures, including Andean and Japanese, Chinese, Italian and West African. There are a lot fresh fruits, vegetables, meats, and seafood. The food is innovative, combining cultures. It’s also a place where presentation and quality are highly valued. From the high-end restaurants in Lima to the small, local eateries I visited, I found that the food was delicious, flavorful and well-portioned. The only meal I had during my entire trip was at a hostel. Normaly, I wouldn’t order desserts, but I did. It was too good to miss. Here’s a list with some of my favourite places. Second, the people we met were amazing. The people make a destination worthwhile. While there are friendly folk everywhere, some cultures are more outgoing and welcoming than others. Peruvians were very welcoming. Everyone was awesome, whether it was through social media, on my hikes, or in daily interactions.
For instance, I was in Arequipa when I came across a new breakfast place (Isidro – go there! The food is amazing!) We spent a great deal of time talking about the fact that they had previously worked in NYC restaurants. Third, the landscape. The sheer variety of landscapes was not something I had expected. From the arid dessert to the Amazon Jungle to the cloud forests, canyons and mountains that reminded me if Arizona or New Zealand to canyons which made me feel as if I were in Arizona. When I planned my trips and took pictures, I knew there were many different geographies. But when I started exploring and saw it in person, I was surprised by all the microclimates.
Peru has a very striking landscape. The hiking was not as difficult as I had thought, even though it is definitely hard if you’re not used to altitude. )
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I’ve never been so enamoured by a place since I toured Mexico at the tail end of 2020. Peru is everything my research and friends had predicted.
I’m sorry I’m late and that my words are not new. Consider me another voice echoing the conventional wisdom about Peru being a special place. Do not make the same mistake as me and delay your trip. Plan your trip to South America. Book Your Trip to Peru – Logistical Tips and tricks
Book your Flight
Use Skyscanner for a cheap flight. My favorite search engine is Skyscanner because it searches websites and airlines all over the world.
Book Your Accommodation
You can book your hostel with Hostelworld as they have the biggest inventory and best deals. If you want to stay somewhere other than a hostel, use Booking.com as they consistently return the cheapest rates for guesthouses and cheap hotels.
Don’t Forget Travel Insurance
Travel insurance will protect you against illness, injury, theft, and cancellations. This is a comprehensive insurance in the event of an emergency. My favorite companies that offer the best service and value are:
Looking for the Best Companies to Save Money With?
Check out my resource page for the best companies to use when you travel. Looking for the Best Companies for Saving Money?
Check my resource page to find the best companies for you to use while traveling. Here’s a list of all the companies I use when I travel to save money. You will also save money by using them. Want More Information about Peru? Visit my comprehensive destination guide for Peru to get even more tips on planning your trip!
