What to buy during my staying in Cusco – Perú
At Bigfoot Machu Picchu Travel, we appreciate the spirit and independence of traveling solo in Peru who are striking out on their own.
The most important thing you want to know is if Peru is a safe destination for solo travelers, especially for female travelers. It is! The country is very safe for those traveling solo. As with any other destination, traveling solo means keeping both eyes open, especially at night, as there will not be anyone else looking out for you, paying proper attention will be enough.
When it comes to more important and overpopulated cities, such as Lima, Arequipa, Puno, and Cusco, things can get a bit more complex, especially at night or in very crowded touristic sites.
Keep an eye on your belongings, and everything will be fine. At night, and especially for solo female travelers, it would be better to avoid unpaved suburban areas or neighborhoods too far away from the city center mainly in Lima.
What to See in Peru When Traveling Solo
Peru allows you to see many things that you will be overwhelmed with when choosing where to go and what to do. It all depends on your likes. Whether you like to explore archeological sites, museums, the Amazon rainforest, or hiking in the Andes, Peru has you covered. The same goes for beach days, water sports, and eating delicious Peruvian food whether you want to remain the whole time on your own or meet new people. Peru will make it easy.
Best Time to Visit Peru Traveling Solo
Peru is cultural and a wildlife destination. The country is a beautiful destination gathering some of the most amazing Archeological sites in South America, so the period between March and September offers the best opportunity for sunny days.
Tips for traveling around Peru as a solo traveler
One of the biggest requirements is to arrive everywhere with a figurative clean canvas, ready to accept whatever paint gets thrown at it. Try out the food, learn the basics of the language, and know your currency exchange rates. That is how you will best learn about the different environments and appreciate them for what they are and what they contribute to your life. Second, don’t disrespect cultural practices. The third is to always ensure that you carry some dollars to exchange for local currency and avoid getting stuck due to the unavailability of an ATM or any such currency traders.
As a solo traveler, there are some essential things to keep in mind before traveling to Peru, and this is the changes in altitude for example, Lima is at sea level compared to Cusco which is at 3350 m, make sure to acclimate in Cusco before heading to challenging treks as the Inca Trail. Food poisoning, on average two of ten travelers, experience this terrible problem. If you get food poisoning, which affects the stomach, you will have diarrhea that does not go easily. To stop it you will need to get an antibacterial treatment, get yourself to a drugstore, buy an antibacterial you do not need any medical prescription, and follow the indications that will be provided along.
Have a plan
Some travelers leave everything to spontaneity, try to plan in advance when you are traveling solo, and make reservations for your hotel or travel agency in advance. Taxi drivers in Peru are very helpful, but they are working with some hotels and travel agencies, and the taxi driver may suggest these ones if you do not have a destination already settled.
Peruvians are welcoming to Solo Travelers
Unlike the popular perception that traveling solo is tough. Peruvians are so welcoming that they can make you feel that you are at home, the locals are hospitable people and will go out of their way to take care of their guests in terms of accommodation, food, and safety.
As a solo traveler prepare to pay an extra supplement in hotels
In most shared services as the Inca Trail or long programs, the occupation in tents and hotels is based on a double occupancy. If you are a solo traveler you will need to pay, an extra (50 percent more) for single supplement and this can boost the price. This also applies for tours.
Passport
Although it is not required to apply for a visa to get to Peru, be prepared to show your passport at different locations such as the airport, hotel front desk, Machu Picchu, train station, or Inca Trail checkpoint, if you do not show your passport you will be denied the access to Machu Picchu or the Inca Trail.
Tips on packing for a solo trip
There is no real strategy for packing except that one needs to ensure they have enough toiletries and that everything fits in one bag (potentially with some space left for things that you will buy along the way). Always take with you a book, a hat, and not more than 10 outfits comprised of jeans, some light clothes, and clothing that keep you warm in Cusco, a pair of waterproof sneakers, and a pair of sandals.
The Benefit of a Journal
If you are a solo traveler a journal would be a great idea to share some experiences on social media in order to shed light on the Peruvian country. You can inspire many others to tour Peru and also work to change some aspects that make travel difficult in Peru. A journal, too, will bring back beautiful memories of your travel experience
Uber or Taxi in Peru
The app could be really helpful, you don’t need to speak Spanish if you ask for a ride, the app will make it easier than taking a cab from the street, in addition, you don’t get to pay like a tourist but as a local. So, in this case, it’s a lot easier to ask for an Uber ride.