Traveling to Peru with kids: tips, activities and where to stay

Use this to pick your window and set a budget before you book flights. Prices are 2026 estimates for a family of four (two adults, two children) traveling mid-range.

Start with the calendar, then the altitude, then the transport. Most family trips go wrong when the order is reversed and a child spends day two at 3,400 m with a headache.

Step 1 — Pick your window. May to September is dry and school-holiday friendly; April and October are cheaper and quieter with a bit more rain. Check the best time to visit Peru page before locking dates.

Step 2 — Build the altitude ladder. Fly into Lima (sea level), spend 2 nights, then fly to Cusco and transfer straight down to the Sacred Valley (about 2,800 m) for 2–3 nights. Do Machu Picchu from there, then finish with 2–3 nights in Cusco (3,400 m). This is the parent country's recommended order and it is also the kindest for children.

Step 3 — Book the fixed pieces early. Machu Picchu entry is timed and sells out in July and August; train seats from Ollantaytambo or Poroy also fill. Domestic flights Lima–Cusco are frequent but morning departures are more reliable.

Step 4 — Choose bases, not a checklist. Two or three bases with 3+ nights each beat six one-night stops. The Sacred Valley, Cusco and Lima cover a first family trip; add Arequipa or Lake Titicaca only with 12+ days.

Step 5 — Sort paperwork and insurance. Check passport validity and entry rules on the visa page, and make sure your policy covers children, altitude illness and any trekking you plan.

Step 6 — Pack for layers and stomachs. Altitude means cold nights and strong sun; see the packing list for what actually gets used.

Altitude is the single biggest family issue in Peru. Cusco sits around 3,400 m, Puno is higher, and children can feel the effects as much as adults. The standard advice is to ascend gradually, sleep low first, keep everyone hydrated, and treat headaches with rest rather than pushing on.

Signs to watch: headache, nausea, poor sleep, unusual tiredness or irritability in younger kids. If a child is breathless at rest, confused or vomiting repeatedly, descend and get medical help. Cusco and Arequipa have clinics used to altitude cases; ask your hotel for the nearest one.

Food and water: tap water is not for drinking anywhere in Peru. Stick to bottled or filtered water, including for brushing teeth if your child has a sensitive stomach, and go easy on raw salads and street food in the first days. Carry rehydration sachets and a thermometer.

Sun and cold: UV is strong at altitude even when it is cloudy, and nights in the Andes get cold year-round. Hats, sunscreen and a warm layer for each child are worth the luggage space.

Roads and traffic: driving is on the right, traffic in Lima is heavy, and mountain roads are winding. For families, private transfers or the tourist train beat long bus days, especially with car-sick children.

Lima: base in Miraflores or Barranco for parks, ocean views and easy food. Two nights is enough to adjust after a long flight.

Sacred Valley: Ollantaytambo and Pisac are the family-friendly picks — lower altitude, ruins and markets within walking distance, and the train to Machu Picchu leaves from Ollantaytambo. Urubamba has the widest choice of hotels with gardens and pools.

Cusco: stay in the historic centre if you want walkable dinners, or in San Blas for quieter streets. Ask for a room on a lower floor if stairs at altitude worry you.

Arequipa and Lake Titicaca: Arequipa's centre is flat and easy; Puno and the islands are higher and colder, so save them for older kids or a longer trip.

Amazon: Puerto Maldonado lodges are the shortest add-on from Cusco, but they involve heat, insects and boat transfers — better with children over 8 (check lodge age rules).

Mid-range family travel in Peru runs about S/ 450–900 per day for four people, covering a family room, three meals, local transport and one paid activity. That is roughly US$ 120–260 at S/ 3.4–3.7 per dollar (check).

Big one-off costs: international flights, the Machu Picchu train (the priciest leg per kilometre in the country), Machu Picchu entry tickets, and any internal flights. Domestic flights Lima–Cusco are usually the cheapest way to save days.

Ways families save: travel in April, October or November; use colectivos and shared vans on short routes; eat at markets and menús del día; and book family rooms in hostels or guesthouses rather than two hotel rooms.

Tipping: about 10% in sit-down restaurants; tip guides, drivers and porters.

Plugs: types A and C, 220 V 60 Hz — bring adapters for US and UK devices.

Language: Spanish gets you everywhere; English is common in tourist businesses but not in markets or with drivers.

Time zone: UTC−5 all year, no daylight saving, which makes calls home easy from the US.

Emergencies: 105 police, 116 fire, 106 SAMU ambulance.

Long stays: if you are combining a family trip with remote work or a longer stay, check the visa rules before you book one-way flights.