So your custom trip to Peru is about to begin! You’re packed and ready to board the plane, and in a few hours you’ll land in what may well seem like a whole new world! We’re here for you with a list of some of the differences you’ll encounter, to help you avoid culture shock. Although part of the fun of traveling is experience new cultures, we figure it may help you feel less like an alien and more on top of things, if you know a bit about what to expect on your Peru vacation.

1- Closer personal space

As a culture, there’s a shorter distance in personal space. Peruvians stand closer, touch more frequently, and in general don’t mind accidentally nudging each other, or you, in passing. In contrast, there’s greater distance and separateness, and more regard for “individual space” among people from western countries. You may feel uncomfortable at first. I became accustomed to the greater intimacy and missed it when I left.

2- Health, Sanitation, and Safety

There are different rules in place in Peru for health and sanitation. For example, due to sensitive plumbing in many buildings, it is normal to be requested to discard toilet paper in a trashcan next to the toilet, rather than flush it. This may seem off-putting to some folks, but one does become accustomed.

Drink and brush teeth with only boiled and bottled water during your visit Most hotels and tourist restaurants are already savvy. Eat at food stands at your own risk. To avoid nasty organisms, be extra careful about ice and raw fruits and veggies.

Electricity is 220 volt, so remember to check your items so as not to destroy them when plugging into a wall socket in Peru. Transformers can be purchased to avoid ruining your electronics with a powerful surge.

3- Shopping and Transportation

In Peru, there are mom-and-pop shops on every street. This makes shopping for small items relatively convenient. Eggs are sold by the egg, tea bags by the bag, etc. Shops of one type often appear in one location. So, all of the juice ladies are in one section of Mercado San Pedro in Cusco, all of the electricians in one place, etc. Competitors, often loudly touting their goods, create a cacophony trying to attract your business.

Getting around in Peru is relatively easy. Taxis are inexpensive, and buses even cheaper; however, it is wise to get the phone number of a reputable taxi company and use them exclusively. If you plan to hail a taxi on the street, it is recommended to only use officially registered taxis. How to recognize one? Unfortunately, taxi regulations are not universal in Peru and are established by each municipality.  That said, most taxis in Peru are either yellow or white.  Moreover, registered taxis should have a taxi sign fixed on the roof of the car and license plate number painted (or a sticker) on the side of the car.  When you exit a cab ALWAYS REMEMBER to check the seats for your items.

If you choose to have the experience of riding a bus or combi, which costs less than a US dollar, be prepared for the bus caller! This is the person who assists the driver by letting everyone know the route: it’s amazing how many syllables can be fit into a thirty-second spiel. Western safety standards are nowhere in site. Ride at your own risk!

4- Authenticity and Animals!

One of the most charming parts of your Peru trip will be the sight of folks wearing colorful traditional dress, leading alpacas and llamas through the streets. In Cusco, Inca walls, staircases, and cobblestones are a part of the infrastructure that’s traversed on a daily basis. The contrast of the new with the ancient is intriguing and fascinating. (Also, guinea pigs are food.)

5- The chaos is part of the fun.

The lines are not as straight, nor the structures as symmetrical, generally speaking. You might notice that traffic rules are loosely obeyed and yet accidents aren’t as common as you would think. A friendly din, and a loud and boisterous chaos are characteristic of many places on Peru: a quality of vitality and excitement goes along with this seeming disorder. Although it may seem overwhelming at times, there’s an excitement to being part of the noisy and vibrant life in Peru.

Not all camelids are llamas, you know! Those furry-faced, long-lashed creatures staring back at you from the pages of Peru travel brochures could actually be one of three South American camelids – llamas, alpacas, and vicuñas. In this article, we share the differences among the three so that when you embark on your tour of Peru, there’s one less tourist out there misidentifying (and, let’s be honest, offending) these iconic animals of Peru.

Llamas

Of llamas, alpacas, and vicuñas, llamas are the tallest of the species and have longer facers with long, banana-shaped ears. Their fur is courser and less uniform than their camelid cousins, meaning you won’t likely find expensive llama wool clothing and textiles in the souvenir shops. If you do, make sure you don’t pay too much for it! On the contrary, llamas are most useful as pack animals, as they can carry as much as one quarter of their weight. Did you know that the Incas once used the llamas to transport goods throughout their vast empire?

Alpacas

Alpacas are about half the size of llamas, have pear-shaped, symmetrical ears, bear a fine coat, and are more uniform in color. They’re most often seen in herds, so keep your eyes peeled as you traverse the high-altitude Andean landscapes on your custom Peru vacation. Unlike llama fur, it is the alpaca fur that you will most likely pay top dollar for at handicraft markets throughout Peru. A Tip: The softer-than-cashmere alpaca fiber comes in as many as 22 colors, so you should probably make room in your suitcase now for that alpaca scarf, sweater, or throw blanket. Chances are that after one brush with the soft fiber, you’ll be taking it home as your official Peru trip souvenir.

Vicuñas

While alpacas and llamas are the domesticated of the camelids, vicuñas are the wild ones. On your tour of Peru, you won’t find a vicuña tied up to a hitching post grazing on grass with perfectly coifed hair. Instead, you’ll spot their slender form prancing across the high Andes. They are shy creatures, so your chances of snapping a selfie with this camelid are slim to none. But good luck! As an endangered and protected species, their heavenly soft fur can only be shorn every three years. As a result, expect to pay upwards of $3,000 for a vicuña wool item at the shops. Fun Fact: During Inca times, their wool was reserved for Inca rulers and royalty only.

A Bonus: Meet the Guanaco

Though it’s not likely that you will come across any guanacos on your Peru trip, it’s important that we round out your camelid education by introducing you to this final South American camelid species. For a guanaco sighting, you’ll have to travel to Ecuador, Colombia, Tierra del Fuego, or the Atacama Desert. They, like the vicuña, are protected and wild, although their fur is not highly desired. You can identify guanacos by their coloring – a brown back, white underbelly, and grey face. Their short and straight ears, too, give them away.

Test your Camelid Identification Skills on a Tailor-made Peru Holiday with Kuoda

Now that you know how to spot the differences between llamas, alpacas, and vicuñas, both in the wild and in stores, it’s time to plan your dream Peru vacation. Our team of Kuoda Travel Designers are at the ready to begin organizing every detail of your personalized Peru travel adventure, camelid sightings included. Get in touch with us and we’ll explore what your custom Peru itinerary could look like.

Barranco, one of forty-two districts in the sprawling city of Lima, is a great neighborhood replete with cafes, shops, galleries, and a diversity of local colors. Something akin to a Latin version of New York’s Greenwich Village, Barranco’s relaxed vibe merits at least an afternoon’s stroll during your private Peru holiday.

Barranco’s colorful Plaza de Armas is a popular hangout spot for local families with children during the day and partygoers in the evening. Street entertainers and wandering vendors make it a lively place to chill for a bit and do some people watching. It’s surrounded by various restaurants and cantinas, including what locals have named the “best ice cream spot in Lima,” Crem dela Crem. This place serves a multitude of ordinary and exotic flavors of gelato and sorbet, excellent coffee drinks, and a variety of house-made sweet and savory pies and pastries.

A stroll down the Bajada de los Baños, a descending pathway lined with hand painted murals and street art, populated by colorful characters, brings you to Puente de los Suspiros (Bridge of Sighs), a wooden bridge that dates from the late nineteenth century.  Crossing this bridge takes you to Barranco’s accessible beaches at the foot of Lima’s shoreline cliffs. Los Yuyos Beach is a popular sand beach that borders a stretch of calm Pacific Ocean where you can go for a swim in the summer months (December to March). It’s also a nice beach for a family picnic, and there are various wandering vendors to supply ice cream and snacks. Your best bet is to get there in the early morning before the crowds have arrived. This calm beach with its gentle waters is a great place for beginners to learn basic surfing techniques.

You’ll find artisanal cafés on your trip to Barranco that rival any in the US. Try La Panetteria, located on Avenida Miguel Grau, for organic coffees and homemade desserts. Soak up la buena onda  (the good vibes) while sipping on your specialty coffee and striking up a conversation with your soon-to-be-friend at the next table.

Barranco has a couple of museums worth a visit during your Peru holiday. The MATE Mario Testino Museum, located at Av. Pedro de Osma 409, contains vibrant exhibits of contemporary Peruvian art and photography.  Founded by famed Peruvian photographer Mario Testino, one of its exhibits consists of a collection of photographs of the late Princess Diana.

Located right next door, the Pedro de Osma Museum houses an eclectic collection of colonial paintings, sculptures, and furnishings, some dating from the seventeenth century.

Barranco is also at the top of its game for eateries of all kinds. A leisurely walk down Avenida Miguel Grau will present several choices for menus (meal of the day) that have been prepared with the needs of both meat-eaters and vegetarians/ vegans in mind. There are also many organic and artisanal groceries in this neighborhood, and a Bioferia (farmer’s market) on Sundays. Here, you can get a taste of the artisanal food products of Lima, and meet interesting entrepreneurs and purveyors of handmade and homegrown products.

Later in the day, you can sample some brews of artisan beers on tap at Barranco Beer Company, located on Avenida Grau. They offer seasonal drafts, appetizers, and a variety of burgers to accompany your beer or ale. Another eatery worth mentioning is Opíparo, offering casual dining options including shawarma and gluten-free pizza. For upscale dining, make a reservation for your group at renowned Chef Virgilio Martinez’s Central, voted the best restaurant in Latin America for several years in a row. His exclusive tasting menus feature fresh and exotic ingredients carefully selected to represent Peru’s main geographical regions: mountain, jungle, and coast.

Be sure to check out the intriguing Barranco district of Lima during your Peru holiday!

Two hundred and fifty miles (400 km) south of Lima, the Nazca Lines still lay etched into the desert earth as if they were drawn there just yesterday, rather than 2,000 years ago. Representing animals, geometric shapes, plants, and people, their purpose is still a mystery to archaeologists and researchers the world over. Visit them to hear the theories and ponder your own while you glance out over hundreds of perfect lines and forms laid by a culture that predates the Incas. Here’s everything you need to know to visit the Nazca Lines during your tour of Peru.

Who were the Nazca?

The Nazca culture ruled the desert plains of Peru’s southern coast for nearly a millennium, flourishing from 100 BC to 800 AD. They’re known for many things, including polychrome pottery, technologically complex textiles, trophy heads, primitive skull surgery, and of course, the puzzling Nazca Lines.

Why is it worth a visit to Nazca?

Situated on the coast, not far from the beaches of Paracas and the desert dunes of Ica, Nazca is an easy extension to any Southern Peru tour, not to mention one of Peru’s most fascinating UNESCO World Heritage Sites. Though convenient and historical the lines may be, it’s the size and scope that truly makes a trip to Nazca worth it. With more than 800 straight lines, 300 geometric shapes, and 70 animals and plants, there’s plenty to see once there. Now, fathom this: some of these lines and shapes stretch more than 30 miles (48 km) long!

What’s the best way to enjoy the Nazca Lines?

From the air, of course! Flights take off morning and afternoon and typically last about 45 minutes, plenty of time to take in the geoglyphs from a bird’s eye perspective. All the while, you’ll have a private tour guide whispering in your ear about each and every design that lay below you. For those of you with a fear of heights or of small planes, you can visit the site’s observation tower or hike one of the nearby hills for a comparable view.

How to Get There

Most travelers arrive to Nazca by private car or bus from Lima (roughly a 4 to 6-hour journey) to either Pisco or Ica. You can return back to Lima in the late afternoon, but we recommend continuing on your journey and visit the oasis of Huacachina for some dune buggy adventures in the afternoon. Then visit Ballestra Islands and Paracas Nature Reserve the next day before returning to Lima.

Ready to book a tour to Nazca?

These massive geoglyphs are a wonder in and of themselves, one that will leave you scratching your head with questions of “why” and “how” while your jaw drops in sheer awe. Yes, a trip to Nazca is well worth squeezing into your once-in-a-lifetime Peru tour.

1. Cow Heart Anticuchos

Where You’ll Find It: Countrywide

Cow heart anticuchos are a beloved Peruvian snack. You’ll spot them basking on skewers over the flames of a street vendor’s grill, often alongside the more approachable chicken and beef varieties. Marinated in vinegar and spices, this Peruvian delicacy doesn’t require as much of a pre-bite pep talk as some of the other dishes on this list might.

Carnaval and Easter in Peru are drastically different celebrations, and for some travelers it can be a tough decision as to which celebration you should plan your Peru holiday around. While Carnaval is better known for its wild abandon, street parties, and costumed dancers, Easter and the week leading up to it is bursting with centuries-old Catholic and Quechua tradition, religious processions, and unique cuisine. What follows is meant to help you determine which celebration best fits into the Peru vacation of your dreams.

The Case for Celebrating Carnaval in Peru

If you’ll be traveling Peru with your family in tow, then attending Carnaval is a no brainer. Carnaval in Peru consists of citywide water balloon and spray foam street battles, alongside music-filled parades around town. What child, or child at heart, wouldn’t jump at the chance to experience that? Additionally, many Andean communities still partake in the Yunza tree tradition where a decorated and gift-laden tree is hacked at with a machete until the gifts fall and spectators swoop in to collect their prize.

When is Carnaval? The week before the start of Lent.

Where to Celebrate: Countrywide, however Cajamarca and Lima are known to host some of the most extravagant Carnaval celebrations

The Case for Celebrating Easter in Peru

While you won’t likely bump into the Easter bunny or an egg hunt come Easter season in Peru, you will experience Peru’s devout Catholic side. Holy Week, or Semana Santa as it’s locally known, begins with Palm Sunday and ends with Easter Sunday where music, dancing, and parades take place around the country to celebrate the resurrection of Jesus Christ. In the week between the two, there are processions and vigils, as well as feasts like the much-anticipated 12 dishes meal to symbolize the last supper.

When is Semana Santa? Usually in March or April, depending on when Easter falls in any given year.

Where to Celebrate: Cusco is hands down one of the best places to experience Semana Santa and Easter Sunday. In addition to the typical Holy Week festivities, the city celebrates the Senor de los Temblores (Lord of the Earthquakes), a statue of Jesus Christ that is attributed with stopping an earthquake in Cusco in 1650. The statue is carried through town and showered with red ñucchu flowers.

Plan Your Custom Vacation in Peru with Kuoda

Our team of Kuoda Travel Designers can help walk you through your toughest travel decisions and dilemmas, from whether to travel to Peru for Carnaval or Easter to whether you should cruise the Amazon or stay in a jungle lodge instead. We’re here to help you plan a Peru travel itinerary that fits you to a tee.