Peru with Kids: The Ultimate Family Travel Guide

Whether you’re a nature lover, adrenaline junkie, or inveterate foodie, put Peru at the top of your family travel list. Its landscapes prove diverse — from high elevation hamlets and arid swathes of Pacific Coast desert to immense lakes and verdant rainforests. Its ancient ruins and monuments will astound you while providing a valuable teaching moment for your kids. And its countless galleries and museums contain priceless Pre-Columbian treasures.

In the 16th century, Spanish conquistadors such as Francisco Pizarro scoured South America, and Peru, in the search for El Dorado, a land of incomparable wealth. Today, Peru remains a land rich in cultural heritage, colorful history, and vibrant folkloric traditions.

Ready to learn more about traveling to Peru with kids? Read on for our ultimate travel guide.

Why You’ll Love Vacationing in Peru with Kids

From mystical Incan ruins nestled in the towering Andes Mountains to the abundant wildlife of the Amazon rainforests near Puerto Maldonado, Peru comes with endless adventure. Warm and hospitable, Peruvians heartily embrace children, making this a truly kid-friendly destination.

Take a breathtaking train ride on the Vistadome to Agua Calientes before disembarking for Machu Picchu. In the Sacred Valley, enjoy the antics of llamas and alpacas, visit traditional artisans, and learn firsthand about the engineering marvels of the Incan Empire. Peru also comes with stunning bodies of water such as Lake Piuray where families can learn how to paddleboard. Find our more about what to do in Peru on a family vacation. 

Peru for Kids: When to Go

High Season: July and August, mid-December to mid-January

Dry Season: May to October

Rainy Season: November through April

Optimal Travel Times: April to June or September to November. During these times you’ll enjoy lighter crowds, warmer temperatures, and fewer rainy days.

Travel to Peru: FAQs

Capital: Lima

Time: GMT – 5:00

Language: Spanish

Voltage: 220 v

Adapter: Type A and C

Visa for Your Peru Family Trip

For citizens of the US and Western Europe, you may enter Peru with a valid passport that has a minimum of six months validity. No visa is required, and you may stay for up to 183 days. (This stay cannot be extended.) For longer stays such as overseas studies, you may apply for an extended stay visa through a Peruvian consulate.

Citizens of Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Ecuador, Paraguay, Uruguay, and Venezuela may enter Peru using their national identification document.

Contact your nearest Peruvian embassy or consulate for up-to-date visa information based on your nationality. If you do need to apply for a Peru visa, then we highly recommend iVisa for a fast, affordable turnaround time.

Health & Vaccinations

When traveling to Peru, prepare for soaring heights and panoramic vistas. Of course, these can be accompanied by altitude sickness (or soroche). Prevention through acclimatization remains your best line of defense.

You should also know about the telltale signs of altitude sickness:

• Loss of appetite
• Lethargy
• Poor sleep
• Nausea
• Headaches
• Vomiting

Besides making rest a priority, avoid alcohol. You should also eat in moderation taking care not to overindulge. Find out more about preventing elevation sickness.

© Fabrice Jazbinsek | Flickr.com

You and your family should also be up-to-date on routine immunizations prior to any family vacation. These should include the measles-mumps-rubella (MMR) vaccine, diphtheria-tetanus-pertussis vaccine, varicella (chickenpox) vaccine, polio vaccine, and your annual flu shot. All visitors should have travel insurance that covers medical expenses. Vaccinations for Hepatitis A, Typhoid, and Yellow Fever are also recommended. Check with your doctor before travel.

Getting There

All overseas flights from North America and Europe arrive in Lima’s international airport, Jorge Chávez. There are also flights from Asia to Lima. As you research flights to Peru, you may read about the so-called “Gringo tax,” an airport tax for foreigners flying into Peru. Contact us now to discuss your best options when it comes to flying to Peru.

Flight time from New York: 8 hours

Currency in Peru

The official currency of Peru is the nuevo sol (S/) or Peruvian sol. Since the nation still operates largely on cash, make sure you have plenty of paper money and coins on hand. Each nuevo sol can be divided into 100 céntimos. Coins are issued in denominations of 5 céntimos to 5 nuevos soles, and bills come in 10, 20, 50, 100, and 200 soles.

Think ahead when it comes to converting your cash, especially if you’ll be traveling in rural areas. Don’t expect to see ATMs or currency exchanges in small villages and towns. In many instances, US dollars may also be accepted. But change will be given in the local currency, so you’ll have to do a little math to make sure you’ve got the correct exchange rate.

What to Eat in Peru

Peruvian food is enjoying a moment, and it’s about time! Peruvian dishes reflect its diverse culture, history, and local resources. But even more importantly, they prove mouthwatering. Read on to find out more about Peru’s must-try foods for kids:

• Chow Down: Delicious Peruvian Food for Kids
• 5 Delicious Peruvian Dishes You Need to Taste
• Delicious Explorations: Asian Influences on Peruvian Cuisine

Safety in Peru

Criminal activity proves more common in certain parts of Peru such as the Columbian and Peruvian border area in the Loreto region. The US government also recommends avoiding the area in central Peru known as the Valley of the Rivers Apurimac, Ene, and Mantaro. As with any location that you’re visiting while at home or abroad, remain aware of your surroundings and stay vigilant. Don’t venture out after dark and use common sense. For more information on safety during your vacation, read on.

Dress for Peru

Because of Peru’s extreme elevation differences, pack for temperature fluctuations. Opt for wrinkle-free materials that pack easily and can be layered to accommodate different climates.  Don’t forget a light down jacket. You’ll thank yourself for packing it when temperatures drop in the evening. Also bring a lightweight, compact raincoat for the occasional drizzle.

Invest in comfortable walking shoes that can handle short mountain hikes and Amazonian jungle. For more on what to bring, check out our ultimate pack-and-go checklist.

Adventure Awaits Your Family in Peru

Check out our past blog posts on Peru:

• 3 Fun Spots to Visit in Lima with Kids
• Beyond Machu Picchu: 5 Awe-Inspiring Places to Visit in Peru with Kids
• Puerto Maldonado: Gateway to the Peruvian Amazon Rainforest
• 8 Interesting Facts About Machu Picchu
• What to Do in the Andes Mountains with Kids
• 8 Interesting Facts About Peru
• What to Do in Machu Picchu with Kids
• What to Do in Cusco with Kids

Want to find out more about traveling to Peru with kids? We’ve got you covered! Here’s a list of our latest blog posts:

• From Retablos to Fútbol: Cultural Insights for Your Next Family Trip to Peru
• Peru Travel with Kids: The Inti Raymi Sun Festival
• Family Trip to Peru: Puno, the Folklore Capital
• Peru with Children: Exploring the Uros Islands
• Peruvian Culture for Kids: The Q’eswachaka Festival

Check out what The Jetsetting Family has to say about our authentic family travel experiences in the Sacred Valley of Peru:

• Experiential Family Travel: A Day in the Village of Huilloc, Peru

Family Adventure that Makes the World a Better Place

At Our Whole Village, we believe family adventure travel can have a positive impact on the communities that we visit. This philosophy guides us to carefully consider the consequences our journeys have on the environment and local communities. We work hard to ensure that your next unforgettable family trip leaves the world a better place. We also remain passionate about creating authentic, immersive experiences to make raising good global citizens a little easier.

How? By working with charities and organizations that give back to local communities. We also carefully select the eco-friendly businesses and hotels that we visit in order to lessen our “footprint” and guarantee a brighter future for these destinations. Want to read more about our “kind” approach to tourism? Check out these articles:

• Family Adventures that Change the World
• How to Teach Ethical Travel to Our Kids

Book a Family Holiday to Peru

© Peru Rail

With our Peru Family Adventure, we do the legwork so that you can sit back and enjoy the journey. We’ll handle every detail, from booking beautiful eco-friendly lodges to navigating the Machu Picchu ticketing system for you. That way you can focus on the important things like making and capturing memories as a family.

We know firsthand that visiting Peru with kids doesn’t have to be stressful and have worked hard to craft the perfect Peruvian all-inclusive. This includes everything from pick up (and drop off) at the airport to hotel accommodations, excursions, meals, and more.

We’ve left nothing to chance (except for the unique memories and spontaneous connections you’ll make along the way) So, all you have to do is focus on your flights to and from Lima. Then, get ready for the adventure of a lifetime into the heart of Peru.

Ready for Your Peru Adventure?

Ready to learn more about Peru with kids? Join us on an 11-Day Peru Family Adventure, an immersive, authentic way to experience the Land of the Incas with children.

At Our Whole Village, we create transformational trips for curious families who want to create lasting memories while making a difference. We’re here to help you and your family experience the world, its peoples, and its cultures. Contact us today to learn more about the unforgettable experiences that we handcraft for curious families just like yours.

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