Hi there, traveler! Are you awaiting the journey of a lifetime? Solo travel can be intimidating, especially if you don’t know the language, however, Peru is a rising destination for all types of travelers. Peru has amazing landscapes, a fascinating history, and a dynamic culture that beckons you to visit its beautiful lands. Imagine walking across Lima’s colorful neighborhoods.
Or hiking through the lush Amazon rainforest or admire the historic Machu Picchu ruins. This useful guide will help you easily explore Peru, it will give you all the details you need about transportation, safety, lodging, and must-see sites, you will meet amazing people, enjoy delicious Peruvian food, and create treasured experiences. So get ready to explore, pack your bags, and let the magic of Peru charm you, this is the start of your journey!
What You Should Know About Traveling Alone
Peru is a safe country overall, with friendly locals welcoming visitors. You shouldn’t worry about your safety when visiting our fascinating country, as anyone who has taken a solo trip understands that you are never really alone.
Friends are simple to come by, from new acquaintances made in dorm rooms at hostels to stories shared over a beer. Solo travelers love places in South and Central America thanks to that they offer cheap travel, great food, and new friendships.
Travel solo in Peru may be a very fulfilling experience that allows you a great deal of freedom and reflection, we can assure you you’ll be fascinated by our country, and as a solo traveler, you can explore it for its varied landscapes and lively culture. However, to ensure a safe and fun journey, traveling alone also requires extra safety measures.
What about solo female travelers?
Although any woman can feel safe in our country, you can expect to attract some attention if you are alone, if your friends won’t come with you, there is no need to cancel your much-anticipated trip. This is not to say that crime does not exist, but it is not a major obstacle for women who want to travel alone. We encourage you to keep in mind the following tips if you’re a female visiting Peru on your own.
Be confident: Tourists who look unsure or disoriented are an easy target for unscrupulous people, regardless they are women or men. Get some previous knowledge about the city you’ll visit, read the map, make your path, and embark on an adventure! The more confident you seem about your goals. The more people will respect your place and boundaries.
Learn Some Spanish: Confidence is related to this point. If you know the basics, you can have small talk, ask for directions, order food, and greet other people. As another tip, you can download translation apps or dictionaries.
Deal with admirers: As a solo lady traveling and for your appearance, whether on the street or at the bar, you can get some unwelcome attention. Please don’t be embarrassed or ashamed to politely decline someone’s advances if they are paying you too much attention. Ignore men who catcall you and avoid making eye contact with them.
If you don’t see how a drink is made or served, don’t accept drinks from strangers. In general, common sense applies in Peru just as it does in your hometown, you must always use caution even if traveling alone is a great way to meet new people and make friends with other travelers.
Have a plan: You might be spontaneous or improvise, but this time, we recommend you have everything under control beforehand. In most cases, taxi drivers or hotel staff could try to recommend good hotels or tours, they might do so with good intentions.
These tours even may seem to be reliable, however, many of these options might not be trustworthy. So, stick to your preferences and only work with reputable providers. A trustworthy travel agency can be a big help if you’re the kind of person who likes to arrange every last aspect of your schedule in advance.
Viagens Machu Picchu has helped over 100,000 clients realize their dreams in Peru. We offer flexible, personalized itineraries. Just be sure you have a general idea of what you want to do. Viagens Machu Picchu can take care of everything else, so you can worry only about having fun in our country.
What are the best destinations for solo travelers?
It is easy to make your Peru itinerary; first, you must get to Lima, one of Peru’s major cities. Jorge Chávez International Airport serves most major airlines as it’s Lima’s main international airport. Once in the big city, you can travel around the country by bus or domestic airplane.
Lima is an excellent choice to begin your journey, the capital city of Lima provides a blend of culture, history, and gastronomy. You can start by taking in the colonial architecture and lively plazas of the old center, pre-Columbian art is amazing to view at the Larco Museum.
The Barranco and Miraflores neighborhoods are famous for their lively nightlife and great food, taking in the breathtaking views of the Pacific Ocean from Miraflores’ cliffs. You can complete all of these attractions in a whole one-day trip.
From Lima, head to Cusco, the gateway to Machu Picchu. We recommend spending a few days acclimatizing to the altitude while exploring the city’s rich history. Its historic core, the Plaza de Armas, is surrounded by colonial buildings, and the impressive Cusco Cathedral will make you love this city.
Nearby, you’ll find Sacsayhuamán, an Inca fortress with stunning stonework. The Qorikancha temple, once the richest temple in the Inca Empire, now houses the Convent of Santo Domingo. Don’t forget to wander in Cusco’s cobblestone streets.
Explore its mysterious neighborhoods and try its food, but keep in mind that Cusco also offers destinations such as Rainbow Mountain, Humantay Lake, and the Red Valley. If you want to visit these attractions, you must be in Cusco to start these trips.
Then you can explore the Sacred Valley, located between Cusco and Machu Picchu. This group of villages is full of picturesque landscapes and Inca ruins. Visit Pisac, known for its vibrant market and impressive ruins.
Ollantaytambo, another key site, offers well-preserved Inca architecture and stunning views. Don’t miss the salt mines of Maras, a series of terraced pools that have been used since Inca times to extract salt.
Lake Titicaca, the highest navigable lake globally, sits peacefully in southern Peru, you can start from Puno. From there, you can take a delightful boat tour to the enchanting floating islands of Uros, which are crafted entirely from reeds. This lake is a true Peruvian treasure that is a must-see because of its serene beauty and amazing cultural experiences.
The Nazca lines are also a must-see; they are the geoglyphs from antiquity carved into the Nazca Desert, the best way to see these enormous designs is from the air. Short flights provide an aerial view of these mysterious figures that include shapes, plants, and animals. Their mystery serves to further enhance their appeal.
Machu Picchu is our country’s top attraction: after riding the train from Cusco to Aguas Calientes, you can hike or take a bus to this old Inca city. You’ll be captivated by the amazing views of the Sacred Valley throughout the train ride. Since the number of visitors to Machu Picchu each day is restricted, don’t forget to reserve your tickets in advance.
Discovering this famous location, encircled by verdant mountains, is a really enchanting encounter. We didn’t mention places like Paracas, the Amazon, the Colca Canyon, or the Inca Trail to Machu Picchu. But, these places are good for solo travelers too.
Recommended hotels for solo travelers
If you’re more of a party person, you can go to Wild Rover in Huacachina and Cusco.
If you love beaches, you can go to the Paracas Sunset Hotel or Majoro in Nazca.
If you prefer a more peaceful environment, you can choose Casa Andina in Paracas, Cusco, Lima, and Arequipa.
If you prefer camping in a luxurious environment, perhaps you would prefer the glamping options we have for you.
Feel free to check the list of hotels we have in our guidelines for each destination.
Solo Traveler Tips
Protect Against Petty Crime: As is typical in Central or South America, petty crimes like pickpocketing and bag snatching can happen in busy places and lively markets. Use bags with anti-theft features, be aware of your surroundings, and keep your belongings secured if you want to stay safe.
Avoid walking at late night: Walking alone at night is not a good idea, especially in areas with fewer people or illumination. To increase your safety, stay in crowded, well-lit areas where you are less likely to run into potential threats. Also, use reliable transportation like authorized taxis. Don’t walk after dark.
Choosing reputed taxi services: We recommend making a reservation for a cab from a reputed company instead of hailing one on the street to safeguard your safety. Take note of the taxi’s identity and, if you can, provide a reliable contact with the specifics of your travel. You can ask for a taxi via apps, such as Uber or InDrive to have a safer trip.
Merge yourself: Wear casual clothes and respect regional traditions to avoid drawing excessive attention to yourself. See how the people around you act and interact in different scenarios.
Get all your vaccinations: If you plan to visit places like the Amazon jungle where yellow fever might spread, you must receive the required immunizations. Get your immunizations well before your trip. Yellow fever is a serious and deadly infection. Consult a doctor or visit a travel clinic to find out what vaccinations and precautions you need to take for your health before visiting Peru.
Stay Connected: Inform your friends and family of your location and your plans if you’re traveling somewhere other than the regular route. Consider utilizing a travel app or packing a portable Wi-Fi device for easy communication and rapid access to resources and maps.
Appreciate Culture: We highly recommend you spend time getting to know the locals. Try the vast Peruvian cuisine, pick up some Spanish, and connect with those you meet. You’ll make priceless memories and obtain a deeper grasp of the area.
Think about group tours: They can be a great option for single travelers. They offer a balance between independence and friendship. Group tours are especially useful in less-visited or rural areas. They provide a planned and supervised way to see the country, make friends, and stay safe. To ensure a great experience when taking part in group tours, check the credentials and standing of a tour operator.
Don’t be afraid of altitude sickness: When your body is not getting used to high altitudes, you may get altitude sickness. But don’t worry. Viagens Machu Picchu has some blog articles for you. They will help you keep enjoying Peru’s highlands.
As you see, Peru could be your perfect destination if you’re traveling alone. Follow our tips, choose wisely, and start your Peruvian adventure. Viagens Machu Picchu will be more than glad to help you with the trip; contact our advisors to know more!
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