When visiting Peru, you can expect to explore the ruins of ancient civilizations, hike through the mountains, enjoy tropical beaches and experience unique street food.
Peru’s best beaches offer a quiet escape, excellent surfing and the opportunity to go whale watching between August and November.
Here’s our Top 10 Beaches in Peru:
1. Paracas, Ica
It is a beautiful paradisiacal place ideal for water sports (skiing, scooba-diving, windsurfing, nautical regattas, and sports practices).
Its main attractions are the Paracas National Reserve, which covers an area of 335 thousand hectares, with a fabulous animal and plant wealth; and the Ballestas Islands, rock formations that are home to an important population of marine fauna.
2. Cerro Azul, Cañete
Cerro Azul is a beautiful beach that is located within the district of San Vicente de Cañete, in Cañete-Lima.
3. Playa Santa Maria del Mar
Nice and clean beach, it is a little town with no hotels, it has houses and apartments for rent for days, weeks or months. It is safe and private. A hidden gem!
4. Tuquillo, Ancash
The beach is renowned for its warm golden sands and crystal-clear waters, making it an ideal spot for sunbathing, swimming, and relaxing.
5. Puerto Viejo, Lima
Playa Tuquillo is one of the most famous beaches in Huarmey, Peru. A beach where there are restaurants and the possibility of walking on different beaches.
6. El Silencio, Lima
7. Chicama, Trujillo
8. Lobitos, Piura
9. Punta Sal, Tumbes
Peru’s mountains include the Andes mountain range, which is the second-tallest mountain range in the world (after the Himalayas), and many other mountain ranges. The Andes run down the center of Peru and are home to many colorful mountains, including Rainbow Mountain.
There are over a thousand summits that tower over 5,000 meters and more than thirty that rise above 6,000 meters (19,000 feet).
The 7 most famous mountains to visit in Peru:
1. Machu Picchu
As one of the best mountains to climb in South America, Machu Picchu is an iconic and mesmerising ancient Inca city nestled high in the Andes Mountains of Peru.
The Wayna Picchu mountain, Wayna Pikchu in Quechua, (with an altitude of 2667 meters above sea level) is part of the eastern foothills of the Salcantay massif, in Cusco, Peru.
2. Vinicunca Mountain
The mountain of 7 colors (VINICUNCA) is one of the majestic attractions present on the road to Ausangate, is said to be a place that shows a new opportunity for all who visit, this belief has started in the saying ” if you want to see the rainbow you have to face the storm “which teaches us that there is always a reward for our efforts and a new opportunity.
3. Nevado Ausangate
The scenery on this trek is simply spectacular, with glaciers, colorful lagoons and breathtaking snow-capped mountains. The hike is challenging, but doable.
4. Mount Huascarán
Located in the Cordillera Blanca and towering over the surrounding landscape at 6,768m, Huascaran is the highest mountain in Peru. This mountain should only be climbed by experienced mountaineers.
5. Chachani
For those wishing to get a 6,000 m peak under their belt without the need for technical mountaineering, Chachani, at 6,057 m is considered one of the best options in the world. Reached on a two-day trek departing from Arequipa, the most common difficulty encountered on this mountain in Peru is altitude sickness. So take is slowly, if you are a beginner.
6. Santa Cruz Mountain
The Santa Cruz trek is the most popular of all the Cordillera Blanca treks and is named after the Santa Cruz Mountain, which the trail passes below.
7. Mount Pisco
for those seeking something more adventurous than just a ‘simple’ trek, an ascent of Mount Pisco has always been a popular option. Also located in the Cordillera Blanca, an ascent of this peak is more realistic for those with no previous mountaineering experience and can be combined with the Santa Cruz trek.
For nature lovers, a trip to Peru is not complete without exploring the largest rainforest in the world. Wherever you go, you’ll have a chance to spot wildlife, visit lush jungle lodges and participate in ecotourism. There are different highlights depending which part of the rainforest you visit.
The three most popular destinations in the Peruvian Amazon: Puerto Maldonado, Iquitos and Manu National Park.
