Peru Round Trip: Travel Like a Local
Your Peru round trip should become a truly unforgettable experience. This is not a trip you book on a whim—you often plan it months in advance, and you’ve likely been saving for it too. So how do you make the most of your budget? We’re sharing our Peru travel tips so you can get more out of your journey for less. Travel like a local!
Take the bus
Your Peru round trip has begun and you’ve arrived in Lima. Instead of taking a domestic flight to Cusco, consider a bus journey with Cruz del Sur, one of the most reliable bus companies in Peru. Tickets can easily be booked online in advance.
Rather than travelling directly from Lima to Cusco (a roughly 22-hour bus ride), it’s far more interesting—and comfortable—to turn it into a multi-day journey with stops along the way. Cruz del Sur offers both day and night services.
Extra tip: if you choose a night departure, you’ll be rewarded with a breathtaking sunrise as you travel straight through the Andes.
Paracas National Park
Make a stop in one of the small villages around Paracas National Park—a perfect place to relax and get your first taste of Peruvian hospitality. A walk along the beach will also help your jetlag disappear in no time.
Part of Paracas National Park are the famous Ballestas Islands, often referred to as the “mini Galápagos.” The boat tours offered here are absolutely worth it, giving you the chance to see an incredible variety of wildlife up close.
Pisco in Ica & Sunset in the Oasis
The city of Ica is known for its sunshine, beaches, and the production of both wine and Peru’s national spirit: Pisco. If you’ve never tried it before, make sure to order a Pisco Sour in one of the local bars in the evening.
Just outside Ica you’ll find Huacachina, a small oasis village surrounded by massive desert dunes. This is the perfect place to go sandboarding or take an exciting dune buggy tour.
Alternatively, pick up a bottle of local wine, find a quiet spot on the dunes, and enjoy a magical Peruvian sunset. The best time to experience this is between May and August.
Local specialities in Arequipa
Arequipa is a large city located at 2,500 meters above sea level—an ideal place to start acclimatising to the altitude on your way to Cusco. It’s worth staying here for a few days, both to adjust and to possibly visit the Santa Catalina Monastery.
Take your time in Arequipa to try local dishes at one of the traditional “Quintas”—small eateries where you can enjoy authentic Peruvian cuisine, often surrounded by locals rather than tourists.
What about a Chupe de Camarones (shrimp soup) or a Rocoto Relleno (spicy stuffed pepper with meat and vegetables)? Pair your meal with a local beer such as Cusqueña. It’s relatively cheap (around €1.50 per bottle), but be careful—your stomach is more sensitive at altitude, so drink in moderation.
You might expect Peruvians to be big coffee lovers, but standard coffee here is often quite mild by European standards. So make sure to order an espresso if you prefer a stronger cup.
For breakfast, you can head to the local covered market for soups, rice dishes, and warm meals. However, this is only recommended if you have a strong stomach—otherwise, it’s safer to stick to pre-packaged options.
Fish Soup in Puno
Continuing your Peru round trip with the same bus service—Cruz del Sur—you travel on to your next destination: Puno. In the border region between Peru and Bolivia lies Lake Titicaca, the highest navigable lake in the world (!).
The indigenous Uros people live on floating islands here and make everything from the reeds that grow along the shores of the lake. Even their boats are made of… exactly: reeds.
The people of Puno are known in Peru for producing many talented scholars, including mathematicians and architects. Rumour has it that this is linked to their lifestyle and diet.
A traditional fish soup called “Carachi”, which you can try at the local market, is said to contribute to a high IQ. Not a fan of fish soup? Then try a morning drink made from the ancient grain Kiwicha (also known as Amaranth) for a powerful start to your day.
On to the final stop of your Peru round trip: Cusco!
From Puno, you travel in a direct line to Cusco in about 6 to 8 hours. Along the way, you can also choose to make stops in small villages, depending on how many travel days you have available.
In Cusco, you will notice that daily life is slightly more expensive than in other regions of Peru. Still, we have a few great tips to help you get the most out of your stay.
There are many souvenir shops in Cusco—more than in any other region—meaning the competition is high and prices are often reasonable. A great place to visit is the Mercado Central Artesanal Cusco, where you can find beautiful handmade products.
Cusco is also seeing a growing number of opportunities to stay with local families, with Airbnb becoming increasingly popular. There are also large price differences between hotels and hostels in the city, so it’s worth comparing options carefully based on your budget and travel style—from luxury stays to simple, budget-friendly accommodations.
Last-minute shopping and a sip of Chicha beer
A good place to pick up any final essentials for your trek—such as a headlamp, sunscreen, or thermal clothing—is the Camping Shop in Cusco, located on the corner of Plaza de Armas and Plateros.
In the evenings, Cusco offers plenty of great options to enjoy yourself. You’ll find excellent and affordable meals in the local “Quintas.” One of the most traditional dishes in the region is “Cuy” (roasted guinea pig). Another typical specialty is Chiriuchu, a lukewarm dish made with chicken, guinea pig, fish roe, vegetables, and more. For locals in Cusco, Chiriuchu is a festive dish served during special occasions.
While in Cusco, you should also try Chicha, the so-called “Inca beer.” This maize-based drink has a low alcohol content and is produced through natural fermentation. It is still largely made in a traditional way and dates back to Inca times.
Be cautious if you have a sensitive stomach—your body still needs to be in top shape for the Inca Trail!
