Peru remains one of the most rewarding destinations for US travelers: extraordinary food, ancient history, dramatic landscapes, and an entry process that is genuinely straightforward. Whether you're going for 10 days or several months, here is everything you need to know before you go, verified against current official sources.
A note before you read: No travel guide, including this one, replaces checking the official sources directly before you book. Requirements change without notice. I've included the relevant official links in each section so you can verify current information at any time, in any year you're reading this.
Passport & Visa
US citizens do not need a visa to visit Peru for tourism. No advance application, no fee, no consulate appointment required. You arrive with your passport and an immigration officer processes your entry on the spot.
Your passport must be valid for at least 6 months beyond your arrival date and must have at least two blank pages for entry and exit stamps.
Immigration officers typically grant 90 days within a 180-day period, though stays of up to 183 days within a 365-day period are permitted by law and may be granted at the officer's discretion based on your stated plans. Your authorized stay is recorded digitally. Check your entry record at migraciones.gob.pe after arrival to confirm your exact exit date. Overstaying results in a fine of approximately $1.25 to $1.50 per day, payable before you can exit the country.
Have your return or onward flight confirmation accessible at check-in and at the immigration counter. Officers have the right to request proof that you plan to leave within your authorized stay.
Current official requirements: US State Department — Peru Country Information
Entry Process
Peru's immigration card, the Tarjeta Andina de Migración (TAM), is fully digital. There is no paper form to fill out on the plane or at the border. Your entry is registered automatically when your passport is scanned at the airport or land border crossing.
After arrival, verify your entry record and authorized stay before leaving the airport. Hotels, rental agencies, and tax offices may ask for your TAM record. Travelers who can show their TAM at hotels are also typically exempt from Peru's 18% VAT tax on accommodation, worth having ready regardless of how long you're staying.
If your entry is not recorded correctly, which can happen at land border crossings, you will be unable to exit Peru until the discrepancy is resolved through Superintendencia Nacional de Migraciones. That process can take several weeks, so confirming your record immediately upon arrival is worth the extra two minutes.
Verify your entry record:
Currency & Banking
The official currency is the Peruvian Sol (PEN). US Dollars are widely accepted in Lima, Cusco, and most tourist areas. Soles are essential for local markets, small restaurants, transportation, and anywhere outside major cities.
Exchange currency at casas de cambio (exchange houses) or bank ATMs after arrival. Rates are consistently better than at the airport. Notify your US bank before departure to prevent your card being flagged for foreign transactions. ATM availability is limited in remote areas, so plan your cash needs before heading off the main tourist routes.
Current exchange rates: Banco Central de Reserva del Perú
Health & Vaccinations
No vaccinations are required for entry into Peru as a US citizen. All COVID-19 entry requirements have been lifted as of 2026.
The CDC recommends the following for travelers to Peru:
- Routine vaccines. Make sure you are current on MMR, tetanus-diphtheria-pertussis, varicella, polio, and your annual flu shot before travel.
- Hepatitis A and Typhoid. Recommended for all travelers due to potential food and water contamination, including in tourist areas.
- Yellow Fever. Strongly recommended if your itinerary includes jungle regions such as Iquitos, Puerto Maldonado, or the Manu Reserve, areas below 2,300 meters elevation where mosquito-borne risk is elevated. Some neighboring countries require proof of Yellow Fever vaccination if you are entering from Peru's Amazon region, so plan accordingly if you are crossing borders.
- Altitude. Cusco sits at 3,400m (11,150 ft) and Machu Picchu at 2,430m (7,970 ft). Altitude sickness does not discriminate by age or fitness level and can affect travelers on short itineraries just as much as long ones. Build in at least 1 to 2 rest days before physical activity in high-altitude areas. Some travelers use acetazolamide (Diamox) as a preventive measure. Discuss this with your doctor before departure, not after you land.
Current vaccine recommendations and health alerts: CDC Travel Health — Peru
Travel & Medical Insurance
Travel insurance is essential for any trip to Peru. At minimum, your policy should cover medical emergencies, emergency evacuation, trip cancellation, and theft. Medical transport from remote areas such as the Sacred Valley or the Amazon can be extremely costly and is rarely covered by basic plans.
If your itinerary includes Cusco, Machu Picchu, the Inca Trail, or the Salkantay Trek, confirm that your policy explicitly covers high-altitude trekking. Some standard policies exclude activities above a certain elevation or classify them as adventure sports requiring a separate rider.
For stays longer than 45 days, review your policy's maximum trip length. Most single-trip policies cap coverage at 30 to 45 days. Long-stay and annual multi-trip policies designed for extended travel are widely available and worth the investment.
Safety & Emergency Contacts
Peru carries a Level 2 travel advisory from the US State Department: Exercise Increased Caution. This is due to crime, civil unrest, and specific high-risk regions.
Save the US Embassy emergency line before you leave home: +51-1-618-2000. The Embassy is located at Avenida La Encalada cdra. 17 s/n, Surco, Lima 33, Peru.
Enroll in the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP) before departure. It takes five minutes and allows the Embassy to contact you in an emergency and makes it easier to locate you if something goes wrong.
Crime including petty theft, muggings, and vehicle incidents can occur in daylight hours and in crowded public spaces. Risk increases significantly at night. Use only licensed taxis or ride-share apps and never hail a taxi from the street, particularly in Lima. Criminal groups have been documented setting up roadblocks in areas outside the capital.
The VRAEM region (Valley of the Apurímac, Ene, and Mantaro Rivers) and areas near the Colombian border in the Loreto region carry restricted travel advisories. Avoid these areas entirely.
Ayahuasca and Kambo ceremonies are increasingly marketed to travelers throughout Peru. The US State Department advises against both. US citizens have died or suffered serious harm, including sexual assault and robbery, during or after these ceremonies. Facilities offering them are unregulated by the Peruvian government and are not required to follow health or safety standards.
Current travel advisory and safety information:
Connectivity
Major cities including Lima, Cusco, Arequipa, and Iquitos have strong cellular and internet coverage. Coverage becomes limited in remote regions, rural areas, and along trekking routes.
Claro and Entel are the most reliable carriers across major tourist routes. Purchase a local SIM at the Lima airport arrivals hall. Vendors there are reputable and the process takes about 10 minutes. Bring an unlocked phone. For very short trips, an international roaming plan from your US carrier may be more practical than setting up a local SIM.
Language
Spanish is the official language of Peru. Quechua is also widely spoken in Andean regions and holds official status. English is common in tourist areas, upscale hotels, and tour operations in Lima and Cusco. Outside those contexts, basic Spanish will take you a long way, and locals consistently appreciate the effort.
Weather & When to Go
Peru's seasons differ significantly by region, and timing your trip to your specific destinations matters more than picking a general travel window.
Andes and Cusco region. The dry season runs May through October and is the most popular time to visit. Skies are clear and trekking conditions are at their best. The rainy season (November through April) brings lush green scenery and fewer crowds but can affect some trekking routes, including Salkantay.
Lima and the coast. Lima is overcast and mild much of the year due to the Humboldt Current. The warmest and sunniest months are December through April.
Amazon. The low water season (June through November) is generally easier for wildlife viewing and navigation. The high water season (December through May) floods forest floors and opens canopy routes accessible only by boat, a different but equally compelling experience.
Current weather and regional conditions: Peru Tourism Board
Getting Around Peru
Domestic flights are the most practical option for covering long distances quickly. The Lima to Cusco route is the most traveled and has multiple daily departures. Lima to Iquitos is only accessible by air or river, as there are no roads in.
Buses are economical and cover routes that flights do not, but quality varies considerably between operators. For overnight routes, research specific bus companies before booking. Cruz del Sur and Oltursa are among the more reliable options for long-distance travel.
Within the Sacred Valley and on the route to Machu Picchu, Inca Rail and Peru Rail are both fully operational with multiple daily departures from Ollantaytambo and Cusco.
Machu Picchu & the Inca Trail
Entry tickets to Machu Picchu are sold through the official government portal only and sell out months in advance during peak season (June through August). Book as early as possible and go directly through the official portal. Third-party resellers charge significant markups.
Inca Trail permits are even more time-sensitive. The classic 4-day route has a strict daily cap of 500 people including guides and porters, and permits for peak season regularly sell out 5 to 6 months ahead. If the Inca Trail is on your list, it is the first thing to book, not the last.
Alternative treks including Salkantay, Choquequirao, and Lares do not require advance permits and are increasingly popular options for travelers who miss the Inca Trail window.
Book tickets and permits directly: Official Machu Picchu Ticket Reservations
Cultural Etiquette
Peruvians are warm and hospitable, and a few basics go a long way toward respectful travel.
Ask permission before photographing people, particularly in indigenous communities and at markets. A simple ¿Puedo tomar una foto? is appreciated and often leads to a genuine interaction rather than a transactional one.
Bargaining is common and expected at markets but not in restaurants or formal shops. Start around 60 to 70% of the asking price and meet in the middle.
Tipping is not mandatory but is appreciated. In restaurants, 10% is a reasonable standard where a service charge is not already included. Tour guides and drivers are typically tipped separately.
No travel guide replaces checking official sources before you go. The links in each section above take you directly to current government information. Bookmark the ones most relevant to your trip and check them within two to four weeks of your departure date.