Peru / República del Perú – Let’s explore here

Peru is a mega diverse country in South America about 4 times the size of Italy. It consists of dry plains on the Pacific coast, the Andes mountains down the middle of the country and tropical Amazon rainforest in the east. It has a population of just over 34 million people (2023), a third of which live in the capital city Lima.

Mount Huascarán is the highest mountain in Peru, at 22,205 ft (6,768 metres). Peru also contains 4% of earth’s freshwater!

Parts of Peru are considered one of the cradles of civilisation, notably the Caral-Supe civilization, dating back to 3500BC (the time of the great pyramids in Egypt). The Nazca and Inca civilisations also originated in Peru.

What currency do they use in Peru?

In Peru they use the Nuevo sol. Cash is widely used. The use of credit / debit cards is widely accepted in tourist areas. Traveller’s cheques are accepted in tourist areas. There are many ATMs in tourist areas, although not all accept foreign issued cards.

You should make yourself aware of the amount that your bank charges you for using credit and debit cards abroad. Often credit cards are cheaper for purchasing items directly, and for withdrawing cash from ATMs.

What language do they speak in Peru?

They speak Spanish in Peru. English is spoken widely in tourist areas.

What time zone is Peru in?

Remember, when you’re planning your next trip to take a look at what time zone it’s in.

Do I need a visa to visit Peru?

We’ve created a dedicated, more comprehensive page on visas, which you should find helpful. Check it out!

What’s it like to drive in Peru?

We’ve also created a dedicated page to driving abroad, which you might find helpful 🙂

Is wild camping legal in Peru?

Yes, wild camping is fine in Peru, although make sure the land is not private.

If you’ve got some awesome pictures, or some useful info that you’d like to share, let us know! 

And don’t forget to check out all the other pictures!