Destination guide
Travel guide: Peru
Julia Karam | August 22, 2018
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Are you headed out on one of our tours of Peru? Wondering what you should pack? What food you should try? Or how much money you should bring with you? We’ve got you covered!
The Basics
Weather: Fall – 47-61° F | Winter – 67-79° F | Spring – 65-73° F | Summer – 60-67° F
Language(s): Spanish, Quechua
Currency: Sol
Cash or card: Cash
Exchange rate at time of travel: $1 = 3.27 sol
What that really means: $20 = 65.44 sol
What 1 sol will buy you: alfajores (cookie)
Money to bring per day: 30 sol or $9
Packing
Spring/Summer Packing List: Hiking shoes, sneakers, sweatshirt, raincoat, activewear, breathable clothing, umbrella
We wished we packed: Bug spray and sunscreen!
We wished we left behind: Shorts, tank-tops, and flip-flops. No matter the season, beachwear just isn’t practical.
Fall/Winter Packing List: Raincoat, comfortable shoes, hat, sunglasses, bug spray, water bottle, warm and light clothing
We wish we packed: More layers. While our Winter months are summertime in Peru, the altitude still makes layers and a jacket for cold nights necessary.
We wish we left behind: Uncomfortable clothing. Comfort is key on this tour and there’s no reason to make a fashion statement when you’re hiking.
Advice: Weather in Peru varies a great deal from city to city due to elevation, and the weather can change throughout the day, so pack lots of layers in your backpack!
The Food
Average cost of lunch: 20-40 sol ($7-$12)
Tipping: 10% is standard
Atmosphere: Typically relaxed long meals. A typical lunch/dinner would involve a corn dish to share, then an appetizer such as soup, your main meal, and then dessert.
The best place to have lunch: Sol de Mayo in Arequipa, Peru.
You HAVE to try: Lomo saltado, queso halado, guinea pig, ceviche, chicha morada.
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Everything Else
Total spend on souvenirs: 245 sol ($75)
Coolest thing you bought: Alpaca and woven sweaters and scarves.
Free time: Explore all of the local towns, shops, and markets.
Best cheap/free thing to do: Go for a hike!
Advice: Don’t drink the water or brush your teeth with it! The water is different and might make you sick, so buy it bottled!
Best Part: The incredible views and people.
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Julia Karam
Julia traveled with EF in 2015 and started in a content marketing co-op at EF Tours while in college. She has since studied abroad in Florence, Italy, traveled to 10+ countries, and now works as a Tour Consultant with EF Tours.
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