Peru travel guide for New Zealanders

New Zealanders can enter Peru without a visa for tourism, typically for up to 183 days. You need a passport valid for at least six months beyond your planned departure (check). No vaccination certificate is required for entry, but yellow fever vaccination is recommended if you travel to the Amazon region (check).

The decision is straightforward: go, but plan around altitude and internal flights. Fly into Lima, spend a couple of nights, then fly to Cusco and acclimatise in the Sacred Valley before Machu Picchu. Book Machu Picchu tickets and internal flights well ahead, especially in the May–September dry season.

Peru grants visa-free entry to New Zealand passport holders for tourism and short business visits. The allowed stay is usually up to 183 days, but the exact period is at the discretion of the immigration officer (check). You may be asked to show proof of onward travel and sufficient funds.

Your passport should be valid for at least six months from your arrival date (check). Some airlines enforce this, so check with your carrier. If you plan to work, study or stay longer, you must apply for the appropriate visa at a Peruvian embassy before travel.

New Zealand does not have an embassy in Peru. The nearest accredited mission is the New Zealand Embassy in Santiago, Chile, which covers Peru. For consular help, contact the embassy in Santiago or the New Zealand Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade 24/7 emergency line.

For visa or entry questions, contact the Peruvian embassy in Wellington or the nearest Peruvian consulate. Use the embassy tool to find the closest office and current contact details.

A 10-day trip to Peru for one person typically costs NZ$ 4,500–6,500, including international flights, internal flights, accommodation, food and activities. Flights from Auckland to Lima usually cost NZ$ 1,800–2,800 return (check). Internal flights (Lima–Cusco) are about NZ$ 150–300 each way.

On the ground, budget travellers spend around NZ$ 60–90 per day; mid-range travellers NZ$ 120–200 per day. Machu Picchu entry is about NZ$ 60–80, and the train from Cusco/Ollantaytambo to Aguas Calientes is NZ$ 100–200 return. See the full cost guide for a detailed breakdown.

There are no direct flights from New Zealand to Peru. The most common routes connect through Santiago (Chile) or Los Angeles (USA). Total travel time from Auckland is about 16–20 hours plus layovers. Airlines such as LATAM and Qantas operate on these routes (check).

Book early for the best fares, especially for travel in the dry season (May–September). Use the flight-time planner to compare routes and time differences from your home city.

Peru uses types A and C plugs, with a standard voltage of 220 V and a frequency of 60 Hz. New Zealand uses type I plugs and 230 V, so you will need a plug adapter. Most modern chargers are dual-voltage, but check your devices before plugging in.

Tipping is customary but not mandatory. In sit-down restaurants, leave about 10% if service is good. Tip guides, porters and drivers: for example, S/ 10–20 per day for a trek guide, and S/ 5–10 for porters. In taxis, rounding up is appreciated but not expected.

In an emergency, call 105 for police, 116 for fire, and 106 for ambulance (SAMU). For consular assistance, contact the New Zealand Embassy in Santiago or the MFAT emergency line. Save these numbers before you travel.

Information is based on official government travel advice and the parent country facts. Always check the latest guidance before travel.