Visiting Peru with kids: a complete guide

From the mystical ruins of Machu Picchu and Cusco’s colorful markets to the wildlife wonders of the Amazon rainforest and the beaches of the Pacific coast, Peru is an extraordinary destination that can make for an unforgettable family vacation. If you’re traveling to Peru with kids, follow our tips to make your trip all the safer — and more special.

The best times to visit Peru with kids

Peru has three main climate zones — Andean, Amazonian, and coastal — which means the best time to visit Peru depends on where you’re going. That said, on balance, May to September comes out on top. 

Read on for an overview of conditions in each season, including when not to visit.

May-September dry season: best time to visit Peru 

May-September sees the Andes and Amazon experience their driest conditions, making these months ideal for visiting Machu Picchu, hiking the Sacred Valley, and spotting wildlife in the Amazon region.

A word of warning, though — this is Peru’s high season, so book flights, hotels and tickets/tours to the likes of Machu Picchu well in advance.

April and October: second best times to visit Peru

Offering mild weather, the April and October shoulder seasons provide a decent balance of cheaper flights and accommodation compared with the more expensive peak season, along with smaller crowds.

At the same time, landscapes will look all the lusher after recent rains, though some hiking trails may still be very muddy (or inaccessible and unsafe) from the wet season.

November-March: worst time to visit Peru!

The November-March wet season is best avoided, as heavy rain in the Andes often makes hiking dangerous, and Machu Picchu and the Sacred Valley may experience landslides and road closures.

At the same time, the Amazon jungle will be hot, humid, very rainy and have more mosquitoes.

Conversely, coastal regions (including Lima) are dry at the time of year.

In the process of planning your Peruvian vacation? Read our guide to how to plan a trip to Peru.

Staying safe and healthy in Peru

From altitude sickness, to food and water safety, here are some tips for keeping your family safe and healthy while on vacation in Peru.

Prevent altitude sickness

Heading to Cusco to explore Machu Picchu? Altitude sickness can be an issue for kids and adults. To prevent it, start in a lower-altitude spot (like Sacred Valley) so you can acclimatize.

On arrival, take it easy for the first 24 hours (no hiking), and drink plenty of water and avoid heavy meals.

Also keep an eye out for signs of altitude sickness — headache, nausea, dizziness, and difficulty sleeping. If you or anyone in your party experience them, descend to a lower altitude and consult a healthcare professional. 

Food and water safety 

Peru’s food is delicious but can cause stomach issues if you’re not careful. By which we mean, only drink bottled or filtered water, avoid raw vegetables and unpeeled fruit (they may have been washed in tap water).

It's also wise to stick to well-cooked meats and fresh hot food.

Sun safety

Peru’s sun is strong, even on cloudy days, and especially at high altitudes. So, you should all apply liberal amounts of SPF 50+ sunscreen and reapply every few hours.

Also wear hats, sunglasses and lightweight clothing, stay hydrated, and avoid intense activities between 11am and 3pm in high-altitude areas.

Bug bites and mosquito-borne illnesses

Mosquitoes in Peru can carry diseases like dengue fever and yellow fever, especially in the Amazon region.

This means it’s advisable to use insect repellent with DEET, especially when exploring the Peruvian jungle, along with wearing long-sleeve shirts and pants.

It’s also wise to choose hotels with screens on the windows, and to sleep under mosquito nets in jungle lodges — ask before booking, or bring your own if they don’t provide them. 

Lastly, if you’re visiting the Amazon, check whether you need a yellow fever vaccine. While they’re not a requirement for entry, they might be recommended.

Transport and road safety in Peru

We cover more on getting around Peru below, but as a rule avoid public buses in Lima — they’re overcrowded and not safe for tourists.

Also, driving isn’t recommended for tourists — roads can be chaotic, and drivers often don’t always follow rules.

Healthcare and emergency information 

While Peru has good private hospitals in Lima and Cusco, rural areas have limited healthcare, so bring essential medication from home, and arm yourself with travel insurance. Peru’s best hospitals are private and expensive for tourists.

In an emergency, dial 105 for the police, and 116 for ambulance services.

How to get around Peru with kids

When it comes to getting around Peru with kids, though it can be challenging, with planning it can be done safely and efficiently. 

Here’s an overview of options, along with  extra advice for getting around cities with children.

Domestic flights 

Peru is a large country with long travel times by bus or car. This mean domestic flights are your best friend if you need to cover bigger distances with kids.

For example, Lima to Cusco has a flight time of 1h 20min, compared with a 20+ hour bus ride, while taking a flight from Lima to Arequipa (1h 30min) avoids a very long journey through the mountains.

Heading to the Amazon after Machu Picchu? Flying from Cusco to Puerto Maldonado takes around an hour, compared with a 12-hour road trip.

Our tip is to book early as flights fill up fast, especially in peak season, and try to book morning flights as delays are more common in the afternoon.

Train

Peru has some of the most scenic train rides in the world, and trains are one of the most comfortable ways to travel with kids.

While you can’t use trains to get everywhere you might want go, we recommend these train rides:

• Cusco (Ollantaytambo) to Aguas Calientes (Machu Picchu): with a journey time of 1.5-2 hours, this the safest and easiest way to reach Machu Picchu, and pretty darn scenic!
• Cusco to Puno (Lake Titicaca): though very long (ten hours), this journey on a luxury train is very beautiful, and there’s onboard entertainment and scenic stops.

Long-distance buses 

Buses are cheaper than flights, but not the best option for families — some routes are very long and winding, and not very comfortable.

If you do use buses, look to book “VIP” or luxury services, and avoid unsafe, overcrowded local minibuses. It's also wiser to choose direct, non-stop buses. These come with lower risk of delays and theft.

Private drivers and taxis 

A private driver is the best way to travel with kids between small towns or for short trips. 

Ask your hotel or a local travel agency — you’ll most likely be happily surprised by the price.

How to get around cities

Here’s how to get around Peru’s cities. 

If you take one thing from this, be VERY cautious about using public transport and don’t use buses in Lima.

Walking 

Some Peruvian cities have beautiful, pedestrian-friendly plazas and historic areas that are fun to explore on foot.

For example, Cusco’s Plaza de Armas and San Blas district, anywhere in Arequipa, and the districts of Miraflores and Barranco along Lima’s coastline.

Note that walking in Cusco is tiring as a result of its steep street and high altitude, so take lots of breaks.

Public transport

Crowded and unsafe, buses in Lima are NOT ideal for tourists. In addition, Cusco’s small buses (“combis”) are confusing and also not recommended for families.

Tourist hop-on-hop-off buses in Lima, Cusco and Arequipa are, however, great for sightseeing.

Taxis 

While Peru doesen’t have Uber everywhere, there are safe alternatives, such as Cabify (Lima, Cusco, and Arequipa), which is safer to use than street taxis.

In fact, you shouldn’t hail taxis on the street — better to book through your hotel or an app. 

You should also always check for a registered taxi license (there should be a sticker on the windshield), agree on the fare before starting the ride if using a non-app taxi, and always ask for a taxi with seat belts — some don’t have them.

Tuk-tuks and moto-taxis

Some small towns have tuk-tuks (three-wheeled taxis) or moto-taxis, which kids usually love. 

Just note that they don’t have seat belts, so avoid them in busy cities, and only use them for short, slow rides around Iquitos (Amazon Rainforest) and Puno (Lake Titicaca).

10 tips for traveling to Peru with kids 

In addition to following the health and safety advice share above, here are our top ten tips for traveling to Peru with kids.

1. Pack to cover different climates 

As mentioned above, Peru has a diversity of climates ­— you’re traveling around, you’ll need to pack to cover different conditions. Here’s an overview:

• Cusco and Machu Picchu: expect cool mornings, warm-to-hot days and chilly nights = bring lots of layers, and good walking shoes.
• Amazon Rainforest: always hot and humid, which means light clothing and long sleeves and pants for mosquito protection.
• Lima and the coast: usually warm and dry, so bring sunscreen, a hat, and sunglasses.

Wherever and whenever you travel, it’s a good idea to pack a light jacket.

2. Research family-friendly hotels

When it comes to Peru accommodation, if you’re planning to visit Cusco, Lima or Arequipa, look for hotels with spacious rooms and breakfast included.

Heading to the Amazon jungle? Research comfortable eco-lodges that offer guided family-friendly excursions.

Around your Machu Picchu adventures, stay in Aguas Calientes for easy access to trains that’ll take you to the site, and book early to bag yourselves the most family-friendly accommodation.

3. Travel smart – use planes, trains and private transport 

We covered this above, but it’s important, so we’ll say it again!

Avoid public buses in big cities like Lima and Cusco — use taxis instead. For longer trips, consider taking domestic flights rather than enduring long bus rides, and use trains to get to Machu Picchu with kids.

4. Book family-friendly guided tours

Wherever you’re heading on your Peru itinerary, take time to research operators that offer family-friendly guided tours, especially when it comes to exploring the Amazon and Machu Picchu.

That way, you’ll free yourself from the hassle of having to arrange all the nitty gritty detail of transport, plus you’ll be safer and get to enjoy a more immersive, informative experience. As a bonus, food is often provided on tours. Talking of which…

5. Be careful with food and water 

While Peruvian food is often delicious, it can be spicy, and unfamiliar dishes might be an issue for picky eaters.

Look out for arroz con pollo (chicken and rice) and tamales as kid-friendlier options, and stock up on snacks. 

We also mentioned this above, but it’s worth saying again — tap water in Peru is not safe to drink. You'll need  plenty of bottled water to drink, brush teeth, and wash baby bottles.

6. Keeping kids safe on the coast

While Peru's beaches are beautiful, some have strong waves and rip currents. As a result, you should only swim at lifeguard-patrolled beaches, and avoid surfing beaches unless kids are older and experienced swimmers.

Also, check for jellyfish warnings, especially in summer, and consider bringing wetsuits — Peru’s Pacific Ocean waters are often colder than expected.

7. Keeping kids safe in markets and crowded areas

While Peru’s markets and plazas are thrilling, they can be overwhelming for kids (and adults, for that matter).

As a result, it’s best to hold hands with younger kids in busy places, and beware of pick-pockets.

8. Encourage kids to respect and engage with local culture 

You should always, always ask before taking photos of people, especially in indigenous communities. 

Perhaps consider bringing small gifts, like books or school supplies, to hand out on such visits. 

Why not learn some Spanish as a family ahead of your trip? It’ll be a fun thing to do together as you countdown to your big adventure, and could well prove useful, too.

“Gracias”, “¿Dónde está el baño?” (Where’s the bathroom?) and “Hola, llamita!” (Hello, little llama!) might come in handy!

9. Don’t over-do things

Given the massive range of experiences Peru offers, it might be tempting to try to cover a lot of ground in your trip. 

But hold that thought — better to spend more time in fewer places to really enjoy the experience than to rush around and not really take anything in.

Add to that the size of Peru — and the inevitable tiredness that comes of traveling, and experiencing so many new things and places — and you could end up with very cranky kids (and adults!).

So, be sure to factor in rest time during the day, and try to include a few rest days throughout your vacation. Also, avoid multi-day hikes with young kids — better to stick to short walks and easy trails that everyone will enjoy. 

10. Focus on child-friendly activities and places

Another itinerary planning tip to focus your trip around a handful of key child-friendly activities, experiences and sights that align with how long you have in the country, the ages of your kids, and your interests, while adhering to our advice to not try to do too much!

While we present detail on the best things to do with kids in Peru right below, here's an overview of where to do what for different interests:

• Best for adventure: Machu Picchu, Amazon Rainforest and Huacachina.
• Best for culture: Cusco, the Sacred Valley and Lake Titicaca.
• Best for wildlife: Amazon jungle, Ballestas Islands and Colca Canyon.
• Best hands-on experiences: look out for chocolate-making sessions, weaving workshops and cooking classes in the cities and regions you visit.

Things to do in Peru with kids 

From exploring UNESCO-designated treasures, to unforgettable wildlife-watching adventures and unique cultural experiences, here are some of the best things to do in Peru with kids. 

Best places for culture, history and indigenous traditions

Machu Picchu, Cusco region: exploring the real-life lost city of Machu Picchu means kids get to play at being explorers while walking through these remarkable ancient Incan ruins, with plenty of opportunities to spot llamas, too!

The Sacred Valley: visit the Sacred Valley so kids can see (and climb) Ollantaytambo’s huge Incan fortress, and shop for unique toys and treats at Pisac Market.

Floating islands of Lake Titicaca: riding a boat to the floating Uros Islands (they’re made entirely of reeds) is both fun and invites cultural understanding, with opportunities to visit the Aymara and Quechua families who live on the islands.

Best hand-on cultural experiences

Following on from the best places to visit for culture, here are some of Peru’s best hand-on cultural experiences for kids.

Make your own Peruvian chocolate: on a chocolate workshop (e.g. ChocoMuseo in Cusco), kids can grind cocoa beans, melt chocolate, and make their own treats.

Weave with Andean artisans: workshops with artisan weavers in the Sacred Valley give families the chance to try weaving on a traditional loom and learn about natural dyes.

Take a cooking class: a few food-themed tours in Lima include opportunities to make empanadas, lomo saltado and ceviche with local chefs.

Best wildlife, nature and adventure experiences

Amazon Rainforest: head to Peru’s Amazon region to spot monkeys and rare pink river dolphins, with thrilling canopy walks (e.g. in Puerto Maldonado) a great way to see the jungle.

See penguins and sea lions: take a boat tour of the Ballestas Islands from Paracas to see penguins, sea lions and dolphins in the wild.

Sandboard and ride dune buggies, Huacachina: everyone will love the thrill of zooming across massive enormous desert dunes, with sandboarding on hand for older kids. Visit in the late afternoon for cooler temperatures and to soak up a sublime sunset.

Explore volcanic landscapes at Colca Canyon: one of the deepest canyons in the world — it’s twice as deep as the Grand Canyon — Colca Canyon will have kids marveling at the sight of Andean condors overhead, with excellent hikes and hot springs to enjoy, too.

Peru itinerary with kids

Blending adventure, culture and history across Lima, Cusco, the Sacred Valley and Machu Picchu, this suggested family-friendly 7-day Peru itinerary is loaded with kid-friendly experiences, while also giving you time to relax.

Day 1: Arrive in Lima and explore the coast

On arriving in Lima, take a pre-booked taxi or airport shuttle to your hotel (consider somewhere in Miraflores or San Isidro).

After a rest, head out for lunch and stroll along the scenic Malecón de Miraflores coastal promenade. 

Be sure to visit El Parque del Amor (Park of Love) for beautiful ocean views, and spend the late-afternoon in Parque de la Reserva where the Magic Water Circuit — thirteen ornamental, electronically-controlled fountains — create a show of water and synchronized lights.

After an early dinner, return to your hotel to try to get a grip of your jetlag ahead of your day-two adventures!

Day 2: Fly to Cusco for relaxed fun and acclimatization

Take an early flight to Cusco (1.5-2 hours) and transfer to your hotel in the Sacred Valley. We suggest pre-arranging a private transfer through your accommodation, and staying in Urubamba or Ollantaytambo.

After a rest, spend the afternoon exploring Pisac (the market is an amazing place to shop for unique local handicrafts and snacks), or head to Awana Kancha Farm, where kids will love feeding feed alpacas and llamas.

Day 3: Explore the Sacred Valley; train to Aguas Calientes

On the morning of day three, visit Ollantaytambo Fortress, where kids can climb huge Incan stone terraces and hear thrilling stories of Incan warriors.

That afternoon, take a train to Aguas Calientes — the access town to Machu Picchu. The Vistadome train, for example, offers great views and snacks are available onboard.

On arrival, take a stroll around Aguas Calientes — be sure to visit the local handicraft market — before enjoying dinner and resting up in a hotel near the Machu Picchu entry point

Day 4: Embark on a family adventure to Machu Picchu

Rise early on day four to take the bus up to Machu Picchu before the biggest crowds descend. 

You’ll want to allow plenty of time to explore the Lost City of the Incas — there are kid-friendly trails and plenty of llamas to look out for!

That afternoon, take the bus back down to Aguas Calientes before catching a train back to Cusco, where you’ll spend another night.

Day 5: See Cusco at a relaxed pace

The morning of day five is devoted to visiting Cusco’s Chocolate Museum. 

After kids have crafted their own chocolate treats at the ChocoMuseo workshop, head to the historic San Blas neighbourhood to visit the Plaza de Armas and shop at San Pedro Market.

Older kids, especially, might also enjoy visiting, Qorikancha — the Temple of the Sun.

Day 6: Fly to Lima and visit the beach

Day six will see you return to Lima by plane. 

Stay at a hotel on the coast to have easy access to the beach. You could also rent bikes to cycle along the coast for scenic views.

Day 7: Chill in a park or museum ahead of departure

Come day seven, either spend the morning in Parque Kennedy to see its famous cats and let kids let off steam in the playground. 

Alternatively, consider visiting Lima Art Museum or the Gold Museum before it’s time to collect your luggage and head to the airport.

Inspired to visit Peru with kids? Wise up with our Peru travel tips, and take inspiration from our Peru itineraries. 

We have suggestions for a fulfilling 7 days in Peru itinerary, 10 days in Peru itinerary, and 14 days in Peru itinerary. 

Alternatively, contact our local Peru travel experts to have them create your perfect family vacation for any duration.