Guatemala carries a mix of indigenous and colonial influences, a strong Mayan culture, and a rich natural landscape where you can find ancient ruins deep in the rainforest. Guatemala is as captivating in real life as it sounds.

Before you make your way to this Central American country, learning a few interesting facts about Guatemala is not only fun but important.

Interesting Facts About Guatemala

1. A Unique World Heritage Site

Did you know that Guatemala is home to the first mixed UNESCO World Heritage Site that combines both natural and cultural wonders?

That site is Tikal National Park and in this park you’ll find pristine jungle terrain and fascinating Mayan ruins. Imagine these ancient ruins set against the lush jungle canopy and you’ll understand why they call this site “mixed” and why it’s one of the most visited places in the country. 

2. The Meaning Behind The Country’s Name

Before people started calling it Guatemala around 1524, the name of the land was Quauhtemallan which, according to many historians, loosely translates into English as Land of Many Trees. The name fits well because Guatemala has plenty of trees in its vast wilderness areas and even in its sprawling cities. 

3. A Sacred National Symbol

It was sacred to the ancient Mayan and Aztec people and that is one of the reasons why the colorful Quetzal was chosen as the country’s national bird. 

4. The Country Has Had Two Nobel Prize Winners

To date, two people from Guatemala have won the Nobel Prize. The first person was writer and journalist Miguel Asturias in 1967.  The second person was Rigoberta Menchú Tum in 1992 for her work in feminism and human rights. 

5. Guatemala Has A Long Human History

Before the Spanish people arrived in Central America, Guatemala was inhabited by indigenous Mayan peoples. Archeological finds suggest that the region was inhabited by humans as far back as 20,000 years ago.  

6. The Beautiful Lake Atitlan

It has been said by many people that Lake Atitlan is the most beautiful lake in the world. Whether it is or not, one thing is for certain and that’s that the lake is the deepest in Central America. 

Surrounded by pristine natural beauty and bordered by three towering volcanoes and several vibrant Mayan villages, the lake is, no doubt, a beautiful place and one that you should visit if you happen to be in Guatemala.  

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7. Old Buses Get A Second Chance In Guatemala 

The big, yellow buses that are used in the United States to shuttle kids back and forth to school have a lifespan of ten years or 150,000 miles. When they reach one of these milestones, they are auctioned off and taken to Guatemala, where local people repaint them and use them for budget-friendly public transportation. These are called Chicken Buses and you’ll see them all over Guatemala.

8. A Country With Many Tongues

While Spanish is the official language of Guatemala, there are 24 other languages spoken in the country including 22 Mayan languages. That being said, if you can speak and understand some basic Spanish, you’ll get along just fine as most Guatemalans can speak it.

9. A FamousMacDonald’s Happy Meal

This is one of the most interesting Guatemala facts to learn. If you thought the idea for the McDonald’s Happy Meal was cooked up in the United States, think again! A Guatemalan woman proposed a meal option with smaller portions for children in the 1970s. 

She called it something else but when the idea crossed the desk of a McDonald’s executive in the United States, he liked the idea and added it to the menu after changing the name to the one we know today, the Happy Meal. 

10. A Sweet Guatemala Invention

The cacao tree is highly revered by the Maya people and in Mayan culture and chocolate is known as “the food of the gods.” As a chocolate lover, I can’t say I disagree! Chocolate can be found everywhere in the country including in shops and even in a museum dedicated to the delicious sweet treat.  

It is believed that Guatemala invented the first chocolate bar and it’s one of its biggest exports so we can thank the country for getting it out to the rest of us. 

11. Bustling Guatemala City

Guatemala is a fairly small country but Guatemala City boasts the largest population in Central America, with around three million people. 

12. A World of Flavors

Guatemalan cuisine is a delicious blend of many cultures including Mayan and Spanish. The unique flavors and textures of traditional dishes come from a variety of spices mixed with vegetables, meats, dry chillies and tropical fruit. 

It’s fairly cheap to dine out in Guatemala so sampling the traditional cuisine is easy and a must when traveling around the country!

13. A Flag With Lots Of Meaning

The Guatemalan flag is more than a white center bordered by two blue vertical stripes and with the national emblem in the middle. The white is the country itself while the blue strips are the two oceans that border it. 

The emblem is the country’s Coat of Arms which features crossed rifles and swords, a laurel wreath, a quetzal and the date that Central America became independent from Spain. Victory, freedom, honor and bravery are what this flag represents. 

14. Guatemala Might Have The Best Coffee In The World

Coffee from Guatemala is said to be the best in the world and if you’ve ever tried it, you’ve likely tasted the difference because it stands out from any other coffee from anywhere else in the world. It was first introduced in the 1700s and soon after, it became the country’s most significant export. 

The exquisite taste and quality of Guatemalan coffee can be attributed to the region’s microclimates, unique cultivation methods and altitude among other factors. There are eight coffee regions in the country and the coffee grown in each one is unique from all the others. 

15. Guatemala Is Home to Several UNESCO World Heritage Sites

The picturesque town of Antigua, the ancient Maya city of Quirigua and Tikal National Park all have something very important in common; they are the three UNESCO World Heritage Sites that can be found in Guatemala. 

16. Celebrate Guatemalan Independence Day

Guatemala gained independence from Spain on September 15th, 1821 and that important event is celebrated every year on that date with the largest celebrations taking place in the vibrant city of Quetzaltenango.

17. Descendants Of The Maya

We often hear about the ancient Mayans and their achievements and downfall but did you know that about half of Guatemala’s population is indigenous and descended from the Maya people? 

18. Guatemala Is A Leader In Textiles

One of the most colorful and fun facts about Guatemala! Guatemalans, in particular Mayan women, are skilled textile producers. One of the top textiles produced in the country is blue denim. 

19. Guatemala’s Varying Weather Conditions

If you’ve ever heard the saying, “if you don’t like the weather, go to the back yard”, you can apply it to the varying weather conditions of Guatemala! Cool mountainous areas, damp jungles and sweltering coastal regions are just some of the conditions you’ll find around the country. Dressing in layers is a must here!

20. A Leading Exporter Of Rare Jade

Jade is rare, but Guatemala happens to have more of these precious stones than most other places, making it a leading exporter of the pretty, greenish stones that are made into ornamental gems that are used in jewelry around the world. In Guatemala, the gems are also used for ritualistic purposes.

21. Turtle Conservation Is A Big Deal In Guatemala 

In Guatemala, turtle conservation is taken seriously and visitors to the country have the chance to help release sea turtles into the ocean at Tortugario Monterrico. Before the turtles hatch and are released, their eggs are protected in nesting areas that are set up just for them. 

22. A Land Of Volcanoes

One of the most interesting facts about Guatemala is that it’s situated on the Ring of Fire, so it’s known for its seismic activity which includes active volcanoes.

Fortunately for visitors and locals alike, only three of the country’s 37 volcanoes are active so it’s safe to think that you will visit most of them without the worry of an eruption happening while you’re there. 

The tallest volcano in Central America, which also happens to be inactive and one of the top places to visit in the country, is Tajumulco in San Marcos. 

23. Flying High In Honor Of The Dearly Departed

There are many different ways to celebrate deceased loved ones and in Guatemala, one popular way to do just that is by flying a kite. There is even an entire festival dedicated to flying kites specifically to honor the dead. 

All Saints Day Kite Festival, which takes place every November 1^st, is a popular event in the country and kite-flying in honor of the dead has been part of local culture for over 3,000 years. 

24. Nature Lovers Rejoice!

This is one of my favorite interesting facts about Guatemala! Guatemala has been designated a megadiverse country out of only 17 countries that’ve received this honor. If you’re a wildlife and nature lover, you’ll love exploring Guatemala’s green spaces. 

The country features over 10,000 plants and over 3,000 wildlife species. The land is diverse too with mountains, sandy beaches, lush rainforests and dense jungles. 

25. A Lengthy Civil War

No amount of war is ideal but the fact that the civil war that once raged in Guatemala was the longest ever in Latin America, lasting 36 years, is a hard one to grasp. During that period between 1960 and 1996, over 200,000 people were killed, and over 600 massacre sites were uncovered. 

26. Claiming Independence From Spain

On September 15^th, 1821, Guatemala became independent of the Spanish empire. Since that day, the country has weathered two revolutions, a handful of dictatorships, an intervention backed by the United States, a civil war and several military coups. Now, that’s a lot to handle in such a short time but I dare say, the country has weathered the bad quite well!

27. Refreshing Golden Gallo

Guatemala’s national beer is called Gallo and although some people love it, others aren’t so fond of it. I guess it’s an acquired taste or perhaps some people just don’t know good beer. Either way, I always like to try local dishes and beverages when I travel so if you’re ever in Guatemala, try Gallo for yourself and form your own opinion!

28. Guatemala Is Home To The Indigenous Mayan People

The Mayan civilization was one of the most progressive civilizations in the pre-Columbian age and they built a huge part of their empire in what is now present-day Guatemala. Incredible temples, an intricate writing system, a sophisticated calendar and many achievements in math, science and astronomy are just some of the things the Maya are known for. 

Tikal and El Mirador are the most important sites of this highly advanced society. But remnants of other ancient sites have been unearthed and can be found all over the country. 

29. A Country With Many Borders

Guatemala is not only bordered by the four countries of Mexico, El Salvador, Belize and Honduras; it’s also bordered by two of the world’s largest oceans, the Atlantic Ocean and the Pacific Ocean.  If you guessed that the country is home to many fabulous beaches on both coasts, you’d be right!

30. Don’t Drink The Tap Water!

As is the case in many regions of Central and South America, the tap water is not safe to drink. Fortunately, bottled water is available everywhere and most hotels offer filtered water at no extra cost.  

There are measures you can practice to avoid getting sick such as avoiding drinks with ice cubes and not eating fruit and vegetables that are washed in tap water. It’s even advised that tourists use bottled water when brushing their teeth. 

31. Agriculture is Huge in Guatemala

Agriculture is a huge part of life in Guatemala with many people making a living off the land. Coffee is the most-known export but bananas and sugar are also considered main products that are used both locally and exported to other countries.  

When I traveled to Ecuador three years ago, it was an eye-opening experience. I arrived in Quito at night with no knowledge of the city or the country, for that matter. It would be a pleasant surprise as the charming city is the world’s first UNESCO Cultural Heritage City. There was so much to delve into! So many interesting Ecuador facts – the culture, the history, and the food!

If you’re looking for some facts about Ecuador, you’ve come to the right place. Ecuador is a nation that needs to be seen and heard about. Here are some interesting Ecuador facts to learn about before visiting.

Fun Ecuador Facts You’ll Love

1. Ecuador was the first country in the world to recognize the rights of nature

One of the first Ecuador facts I want to mention is perhaps the most important one. The country recognized that you know, nature has a right to grow and flourish. It also recognized the right of actual humans to petition or protest on nature’s behalf. It also highlighted the government’s responsibility to step in to protect nature. This occurred in 2008.

2. Ecuador was part of the Inca Empire

Another one of those well-known Ecuador facts. Though centered in Cusco, with their home base mainly in Peru, the Inca Empire stretched long. Ecuador was one of those places.

It became part of the Inca Empire in 1463, but the area’s indigenous people didn’t submit without a fight. The tribes here were already reasonably developed and weren’t interested in outsiders ruling them. Cue years of fighting.

3. The Spanish captured the Incan Emperor in Ecuador

That was in 1533. The new emperor Atahualpa (victor, by way of killing a lot of his family, of the Inca Civil War) was ransomed; a “Ransom Room” was stacked with silver and gold, but he wasn’t released. The Spanish held a mock trial and then executed him. Then the rest of the Inca Empire fell. Ecuador gained independence in 1822 after a two-year war.

4. Amazonian and Cayapas people resisted both Inca and Spanish rule

As a result, they could keep their language and culture intact well into the 21st century. You may have heard of Amazonian, but Cayapas? They’re based in and around the rainforests on the northern coast of Ecuador.

5. The equator runs through Ecuador

Another one of those fun facts about Ecuador that most people know. It’s a pretty obvious fact about Ecuador, but yeah – in case you didn’t know, the equator practically splits the country in two. Its official name is “Republica del Ecuador” – the Republic of the Equator.

6. Because of that, the daylight hours are pretty regular

Being basically on the equator, Ecuador’s sunrise and sunset remain virtually the same throughout the year. The sun rises at 6 am and sets at 6 pm. Twelve hours of light, twelve hours of the night. Super equal.

7. From 1972 to 1979, Ecuador had a succession of military dictatorships

There was a military coup in 1972, led by General Guillermo Rodriguez, overthrowing five-time president Velasco Ibarra. Then there was a military junta in 1976, led by Admiral Alfredo Poveda, that got rid of the previous military junta.

Before the next junta came along, a colonel proposed democratic elections. Jaime Roldos Aguilera won the most votes of any Ecuadorian election ever.

8. Ecuador is more biodiverse per square kilometer than any other nation

This is a cool, fun fact about Ecuador. There are so many species represented here. It’s one of the world’s 17 most biodiverse countries, though it tops the world for the density of its biodiversity. We’re talking tens of thousands of bird species alone (15% of the world’s bird species)!

There are many endemic species here, too; the Galapagos alone has 38, but there are also 106 reptiles and 138 amphibians endemic to Ecuador.

9. Ecuador is where you’ll find the Galapagos Islands

Yep. The Galapagos. They sit around 1,000 kilometers west of Ecuador’s mainland in the Pacific Ocean. These biodiverse islands are super famous for their endemic species, such as the Galapagos land iguana, the Galapagos penguin, and the largest living tortoise (the Galapagos tortoise, of course), to name just a few.

10. Charles Darwin came up with his Theory of Evolution in the Galapagos

One of the most interesting facts about Ecuador is this one. Looking at all the different kinds of finches that lived in the Galapagos Islands, Darwin had a eureka moment when he noticed their beaks were all specialized to what the birds were eating or what particular island they lived on. Skip a few years on, and Darwin had his theory down to a T.

11. Quito is the second-highest capital city in the world

This is one of my favorite fun facts about Ecuador. That’s right – this is a fun Ecuador fact to know before you go! At 9,350 feet above sea level, it’s pretty high. Not only is it the Ecuadorian capital, but it’s also the nation’s largest. The highest capital in the world is La Paz. But what Quito has that La Paz doesn’t is another distinction: being the closest capital city to the equator. Boom.

12. Quito’s historic center is one of the best-preserved in the Americas

Not just in Ecuador, not just in South America, but in all the Americas. The historic center here has hardly been changed. In fact, it’s so impressive that – along with Krakow, Poland – it was one of the first “old towns” to be declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO. 

13. And just near the capital is a very tall volcano

Cotopaxi may only be the second-highest peak in Ecuador, but it’s one of the tallest volcanoes in the world, at 19,347 ft. It looks cool, too, like an Ecuadorian Fuji. In the last 50 years, it’s erupted more than 50 times. For math fans, that’s more than one eruption per year.

14. Mount Chimborazo is the tallest mountain in Ecuador

Its summit is 20,560 feet above sea level. But because of the planet’s shape (not a sphere but an oblate spheroid) and being basically on the widest part of the Earth – because of being on the equator and all – the summit of Chimborazo is the furthest you can possibly get from the center of the Earth. Now that is a wild fact about Ecuador.

15. Ecuador is bananas for bananas (my favorite Ecuador fact)

One of my favorite Ecuador facts is this one! Well, it’s more like Ecuador is bananas for exporting bananas, actually; it’s the world’s highest exporter of bananas. Chances are the banana you’re eating right now is from Ecuador. It might not be, but it also has a high probability of being from the Republic of the Equator. Bananas account for 12.1% of the country’s exports.

16. But 40% of its exports consist of crude oil

And Ecuador has a lot of it. Oil is a significant part of the nation’s economy; they produce 520,000 barrels a day. A lot of it goes to the USA. It was partly the actions and impact of the oil industry that made Ecuador recognize the rights of nature

17. The official language of Ecuador is Spanish

Yep, not much of a surprising fact about Ecuador, but around 93% of the population speaks Spanish. However, many people also speak Amerindian languages, such as Quechua (the language of the Quecha people), or other native languages such Awapit, Paicoca, Cayapa, A’ingae, Tsa’fiki, and Wao Tededeo.

18. The “national genre of music” in Ecuador is Pasillo

It’s a blend of indigenous and Latin musical traditions, with European flavors mixed in; Pasillo has a broken-hearted, nostalgic feeling, often describing the beauty of the country. Still popular to this day, towns and villages across Ecuador have their own take on Pasillo – as well as dances to go with it.

19. One of the most popular street foods in Ecuador is hornado

A foodie fun fact about Ecuador for you now: Hornado is pork. Well, it’s a pig cooked whole on a spit, served with llapingacho (fried potato pancakes) and corn, with vegetables on the side too. There are loads of other types of street food, such as patacones (refried plantains) and seco de chivo (goat stew).

20. One of the earliest examples of Ecuadorian literature was the work of Jacinto Collahuazo 

The 1600s – a time in which the native “language” of talking via knots called quipu was banned by the Spanish. Jacinto Collahuazo, chief of a village in Ibarra, taught himself to write and decided to record Inca stories – but in the Quechua language.

His work was found, burned, and he was imprisoned. Centuries later, masons found a manuscript written by Collahuazo hidden in the walls of a church in Quito; it was a tale of the sadness Inca people felt losing their emperor, Atahualpa.

21. There’s a community of African descent in Ecuador with an amazing story

A Jesuit slave ship bound for Ecuador ran aground in the 17th century. Those on board being transported to be used as slaves swam ashore and escaped through the jungle, led by a chief named Anton. They maintained their freedom. Their descendants live in the Chota Valley, which spans the Carchi, Esmeraldas, and Imbabura provinces.

22. The official currency of Ecuador is the US Dollar

That’s right; even though it’s not US territory, the official currency of Ecuador is actually the US dollar. A bill was signed in 2000, making the US dollar the main currency. It replaced the sucre, 25,000 of which were worth just $1. This is one of those Ecuador facts that is super important for those traveling there.

23. There’s an iguana park in Ecuador

For a weird little fact about Ecuador, we head to Parque Seminario in Guayaquil. Hundreds of iguanas have, for some reason, made this park home. They wander around, sunbathe, and watch people watching them. It’s not a zoo; it’s an actual city park. There are vendors selling lettuce you can feed to the iguanas. Of course, this park is also known as Parque de las Iguanas.

24. Ecuadorian garbage trucks play music

This is one of those fun facts about Ecuador I couldn’t miss. Yes, they play songs like old-school ice cream trucks. So if you’re awakened by that music box kinda sound at 6 am, you won’t have to wonder who’s getting a popsicle; it’s just the garbage man. Gas and water trucks also play music, you know, just in case you need more. That’s life in Ecuador.

25. Ecuador has a national fruit

It’s called the guanabana, and it’s a spiky, green, sour fruit called a “soursop” in English. But being a firmly tropical country, and with all that volcanic soil, Ecuador is pretty well situated to grow a whole load of tasty fruit.

Avocados, mangos, plums, pitahaya (like a dragon fruit but yellow), mora (like a blackberry), and more known and unknown fruits besides.

26. A 15th birthday for girls in Ecuador is called a quinceanera

Sweet 16 may be more of a thing elsewhere, but in Ecuador, it’s one year earlier. Part of Mesoamerican culture, turning 15 is like a coming of age. In Ecuador, the father accompanies the daughter; there’s a waltz sort of like a first dance, then there’s more dancing, food, even more dancing, a “surprise” dance, toasts, cake-cutting, speeches… It’s a big deal!

27. Panama hats originate in Ecuador

Fun fact about Ecuador: those straw hats widely known as “Panama hats” aren’t from Panama at all; they’re from Ecuador, and they’re less commonly, known as “Ecuadorian hats.”

The art of weaving one out of toquilla palm has been recognized by UNESCO. Why the confusion? Roosevelt was pictured wearing one when he went to see the progress of the Panama Canal, so there you go.

28. Voting is compulsory in Ecuador

Yep. You have no choice in not having a choice: you must vote – which is a super interesting fact about Ecuador! This is thanks to a law passed all the way back in 1936. Even after the 1970s dictatorships, this law came back into place.

It’s compulsory between the ages of 18 and 65. But you can actually vote from as young as 16 if you want to. Even if you’re a foreigner, once you’ve registered to vote, you have to vote!

29. Ecuador is made up of four distinct regions

There’s La Costa – that’s easy; the coast. It’s full of fertile land and is where a lot of bananas and rice are grown. Then there’s La Sierra; these are the highlands, comprising the Andes (home to volcanoes, tall peaks, and a lot of potato-growing).

La Amazonia – or El Oriente – consists of the Amazon, national parks, and is home to Amazonian tribes (and oil). Then there’s La Region Insular, i.e., the Galapagos, which needs no introduction.

30. Measuring the equator began in Ecuador

In 1736, French astronomers started to calculate where the equator – the imaginary line halving the Earth – would be. They made a pretty accurate measurement of the Earth, so accurate that they could also prove that the world was far from a perfect sphere. (Obviously, modern techniques have refined this measurement).

I hope you enjoyed these fun Ecuador facts! If you know any you think we should add please leave a comment and let us know!

After planning our next trip to the South American country, we decided to share some of our favorite interesting facts about Peru!

Interesting and Fun Facts About Peru

1.) Peru became a Spanish colony in 1572.

To be precise, this South American country was called the Viceroyalty of Peru. It was one of the more successful colonies, with gold, potatoes, and other goodies there for the taking; it also allowed for trade with Spain’s other colony – the Philippines.

2.) The Spanish conquered the once powerful Inca Empire.

Starting to gain a foothold in the region in the 13th century, the Inca grew a vast empire (called Tawantinsuyu) that stretched from modern-day southwest Colombia to south-central Chile.

The unification wasn’t all bloodshed: it was a mix of conquest and peaceful assimilation. They had an official language (Quechua), comprehensive laws, unique, almost inaccessible cities, and an emperor – or Sapa Inca. The capital was Cusco.

3.) Lake Titicaca isn’t the highest lake in the world…

… But it is super famous, and one of those fun Peru facts you may not have known is that it’s the largest in South America. Lake Titicaca is a deep lake set high in the Andes at 12,507 feet above sea level, straddling the border between Peru and Bolivia. In 2000, an underwater temple was discovered, estimated to be between 1,000 and 1,500 years old. It was built, they think, by the pre-Inca Tiwanaku people.

4.) Peru is a megadiverse country.

That’s because there is a whole load of different regions – and a plethora of other species that inhabit and live in those regions. Parts of these include the Andes, the Pacific Coast, the tropical rainforest of the Amazon, and the Amazon River itself. It’s one of the 17 most megadiverse countries, home to a massive portion of all species on Earth.

5.) Peru became independent in 1821

On July 28, 1821, Peru was declared independent when independence leader José de San Martín captured Lima and made the declaration himself. But it wasn’t as easy as that.

Beginning around 1811 and finishing in 1826, the Peruvian War of Independence involved battleships, marches through the Andes, rebel armies, and many fighting. Thanks to Simon Bolivar, Bolivia (then part of Peru) didn’t get independence until three years later.

6.) Four percent of the world’s freshwater is in Peru.

Not only is there the Amazon, but there are a lot of other rivers besides. Loads of them begin their courses in the Andes and empty into the Pacific Ocean. Then there are mountain lakes… The result? A lot of freshwaters.

7.) The source of the Amazon River is actually in Peru.

One of those little-known fun facts about Peru is that it’s home to where the mighty Amazon River starts making its way across South America.

It doesn’t just spring up out of nowhere; it’s actually four rivers that result in what becomes the Amazon. These are the Apurímac, the Marañón, and the Mantaro. In fact, the Amazon in Peru is referred to as Marañón.

8.) Thirteen percent of the Amazon Rainforest is found in Peru.

The Amazon is the largest rainforest in the world. It’s vast and ancient – we’re talking about 55 million years old! And quite a large part of that rainforest (13%) is found within Peru’s borders. Biodiversity levels are high. This is one of those interesting Peru facts I love sharing whenever possible!

9.) A large portion of the Andes lies in Peru.

The Andes is the longest mountain range in the world. It stretches through seven countries in South America. The Central Andes is located in Peru. Even though they’re mountains, around 32% of Peru’s population lives in this area.

10.) Peruvians speak Spanish and a whole lot of other languages.

Though many people in urban areas will probably only speak Spanish, head out into the countryside (or those mountainous areas we just mentioned), and you’ll find a multilingual nation. Quechua – another official language of the country – is spoken quite a lot, as are other languages like Aymara. As per the constitution, Amazon languages and even Peruvian Sign Language are official, too!

11.) Though officially Catholic, many Amerindian traditions continue

Interesting facts about Peru: though it was conquered and cathedrals were built on top of Inca religious sites, and all sorts of other oppression, many indigenous and pagan rituals are mixed with Catholicism.

Corpus Christi, Holy Week, Christmas – all of these are combined with the Amerindian people’s religious traditions. The widely celebrated Inti Raymi celebrated the sun god on the summer solstice.

12.) Machu Picchu was actually a private estate for the Inca emperor.

One of the crazy fun Peru facts that will impress your friends! It’s often seen as a “Lost City,” but, a fun fact about Peru’s most visited historic site – Machu Picchu – is that it was built as a summer retreat for the Inca emperor. You can see why. Set on a 7,970ft mountain ridge in the south of Peru, this 15th-century wonder takes “Cribs” to a whole new level.

It’s thought 750 people would have lived there, many of who would have been staff. When the Spanish invaded, they had to abandon this life of luxury, and it remained unknown to the Western world until 1911.

13.) Salt farming is still practiced the same way as the Incas.

What happens is subterranean salty water is let out into a patchwork of pools, where it then evaporates, leaving the salt behind. It’s a remarkable sight, like a yellow version of rice paddies, in a way. Each family has its own pool!

14. Peru changed its currency twice in the 1980s and ‘90s.

This is one of the best financial Peru fun facts now… The South American nation had used the Sol, but due to crazy inflation, this was replaced with the Inti in 1985. This didn’t exactly solve matters; in 1990, the Inti then suffered high inflation.

They even introduced the Inti Million – one of which equaled a million Inti. That didn’t work. So the Nuevo Sol came back into being in 1991 (one Nuevo Sol = 1 billion old Sols). Today it has one of the lowest inflation rates in South America.

15.) Ancient Peruvians used to talk with knots.

Well, not “talk” exactly, but do a whole lot of things just by tying knots. You’re probably wondering what this random fun facts about Peru even refers to. And that is an ancient system of color-coded knot-tying called quipu.

It was used for just about everything, from tax obligation and military organization to recording census data, and as a sort of calendar. When the Spanish arrived, so did writing, so the quipu gradually fell out of use.

16.) Ceviche originated in Peru.

You may have tried ceviche, but did you know it originated from Peru? As a ceviche lover, this is one of my favorite Peru facts!

A mix of lightly “cooked” (i.e., cured with lime or lemon) otherwise raw fish mixed with onions, cilantro, salt, chili peppers, and capsicum, ceviche is thought to have originated around 2,000 years ago in the pre-Inca coastal civilization of Moche. Today, it’s considered a national dish of the country.

17.) Peru boasts over 3,000 varieties of potato.

You might have a few of these in your supermarkets at home, but wow, Peru definitely takes first place.

Over 3,000 types are found in Peru alone, so fans of the potato rejoice – this is the place for you. The potato was first grown domestically from around 8000 to 5000 BC. Today, they’re still mainly farmed using old techniques.

18.) Peru is home to the oldest continuously working university in the Americas.

Established in 1551 in Lima, the capital city, the National University of San Marcos is actually one of the oldest universities in the “New World.” The university was founded by the royal decree and today is a center of scientific research and a base for influential thinkers and future world geniuses.

19.) Lima is the third-biggest city in the Americas.

Yeah, it’s not a small city at all. It’s the third-biggest in all of the Americas, following Sao Paulo and the megalopolis of Mexico City. Lima was founded in 1535 in an already-existing Incan agricultural region, but most of the city was destroyed by a 1940 earthquake; much had to be rebuilt. And rebuilt it was; today, Lima’s urban area covers more than 800 square kilometers.

20.) There’s a lot of corn in Peru.

It’s not just the yellow kind that you know and love. There is pink, black, purple, white, and orange – a multicolored spectrum of corn. This is one of our favorite food facts about Peru because it makes for such a pretty sight!

21.) Peru is home to the Nazca Lines.

These massive drawings – otherwise known as geoglyphs – in the Nazca Desert are thought to have been created between 500 BC and 500 AD. They depict animals, patterns, and humans, all with varying complexity.

When first “discovered” in 1553, they were thought to be roads. All sorts of theories abound – ancient astronauts, early hot air balloons – but the fact you can see them from the surrounding hills makes these ideas seem kind of silly.

22. Peruvians eat guinea pigs.

While guinea pigs are cute pets for much of the western world, they’re a great snack in Peru. They may not look all that appealing, but guinea pig is a ubiquitous dish. Called cuy, these critters didn’t become pets until the Spanish brought them home for everyone to fall in love with. They’re still very much a traditional (pretty crispy) dish in Peru.

23. Panpipes aren’t from Peru, but the siku is from the country.

Panpipes, or syrinx, refer to the ones that the half-deer half-human Roman god Pan used to play. All sorts of merry-making folk in the ancient world were depicted playing them. In fact, in Peru, notably around the Titicaca region, panpipes are also popular, but they originated independently and are called siku.

24. Ancient Peruvians used to surf.

Yes, you may have thought that surfing originated in Hawaii, but one of the most fun Peru facts is that its ancient inhabitants used to hit the waves. We’re talking pre-Inca here, so that’s before 1000 AD.

Even pottery depicts a man surfing on what looks like a log. Evidence suggests there was contact between ancient Polynesians and Peruvians. Peru is still a great surf spot, with huge point breaks and international competitions.

25. People live on Lake Titicaca on floating islands made of grass.

One of the most interesting facts about Peru: the people living on the floating islands in Lake Titicaca have been a feature of the area since the Incas.

The Uru people harvest grass and use it in bundles for their islands. They’re defensive since you can paddle out to the middle of the lake! One of the islands still has a watchtower on it.

26.) One of the deepest canyons in the world is in Peru.

More than twice as deep as the Grand Canyon, Cotahuasi Canyon is crazy. It’s over 11,000 ft deep! Colca Canyon, also in Peru, is also one of the deepest in the world at 10,730 ft.

27.) The highest sand dune in the world is in Peru.

In the Sechura Desert, you’ll find Cerro Blanco – the highest dune in the world at 3,680 feet tall. That may not seem that high, but it’s loftier than the tallest peak in the United Kingdom! Not bad for a dune.

It’s situated close to the desert town of Huacachina and has become a popular spot for sandboarding. It takes about three hot hours to get to the top, but getting down is much quicker.

28.) An ancient alcoholic beverage is still a popular drink in Peru

Chicha is made from different things across South America, but it’s made from corn in Peru. Chicha has ancient roots; corn was considered sacred; thus, an alcoholic drink made from corn was even more so. The most popular corn type is the purple-hued variety, which grows in abundance in the Andes. Sales of Chicha in Peru (as a soft drink) rival Coca-Cola.

29. There’s a rainbow mountain in Peru.

All Instagrammers love Peru facts like this one. We kid you not – Vinicunca is a mountain that’s striped with a load of different colors. This is one of those pretty cool Peru facts. It’s pretty awesome. The name means “Seven Color Mountain,” which makes sense.

30.) Peru is home to the most ancient city in all of the Americas.

Ending this list of Peru facts is one of my favorites! Older than the Maya, the Aztec, Inca, Tiwanaku, or any other ancient peoples, the Norte Chico culture is known for some truly ancient ruins – Caral. This elaborate complex is spread over 370 acres and has everything you’d want in a city – plazas, buildings, streets, temples, and an amphitheater.

It was a busy metropolis of 3,000 people inhabited around the same time as the Great Pyramids in Egypt, 2600-2000 BC (roughly). It’s thought to be the basis of Andean civilization.

When is the Best Season to Travel to Peru?

High season (May-September)

You may be surprised to hear that winter in Peru is the best time to travel there. Between May and September is the driest time to visit Peru, it’s a bit cold, but it’s certainly better than rain!

Shoulder Season (April and October, November)

Tourism is lower during this time, and temperatures are mild and a little unpredictable. Still, it’s not going to be raining all the time!

Low Season (December to March)

This is the Peruvian Summer, and while you may like the sound of warmer weather, Peru experiences heavy rainfall during these months.

When is the Best Time to Travel to Peru?

As mentioned, the best time to travel to Peru is during the winter. During this time, the air is dryest, and you have less chance of rain. We traveled to Peru in June and had a fantastic time. Just note that it is winter, so you’ll want to bring a packable down jacket and other warm gear.

When is the Best Time to Visit Machu Picchu?

The Andes have two very distinct seasons – wet and dry. December to March is the wet season, and despite getting rained on a bit, it’s still a fantastic time to travel to Machu Picchu. Bring a packable rain jacket.

To avoid the rain, you should visit Machu Picchu during the dry season (May-November). We visited Machu Picchu in June and were met with fantastic weather, great for hiking!

When is the Best Time to Hike the Inca Trail?

The Inca Trail is good to go during the dry and wet seasons, although it closes during the heaviest rainfall in February. If you can, I would recommend hiking the Inca Trail in the dry season!

When is the Cheapest Time to go to Peru?

Peru is a pretty affordable country to travel through, and prices don’t change drastically depending on the season. However, you should travel during the offseason for more of a deal. However, many establishments may be shut down. Although you’ll save a buck, you’ll sacrifice it for unpredictable weather.

When is the Best Time to Visit the Amazon in Peru?

The Peruvian Amazon has the same climate as most tropical rainforests. Temperatures average around 25 °C year-round, and humidity is always high.

June to October is the dry season and is the best time to visit the Peruvian rainforest for trekking. If you want to cruise down the Amazon, the best time to visit is actually the wet season as the rains cause the river to swell.

“Notable” only begins to describe this natural wonder. On our visit, we kept using the words “incredible,” “magnificent,” and “spectacular,” and still couldn’t fully describe the beauty and sheer vastness of this epic Glacier.

If you’re visiting Argentina, then this natural attraction should be on your itinerary. You can enjoy beautiful sights, hike on the surface of the Glacier, and even spend time on viewing platforms where you can capture large chunks of ice breaking off and falling into the surrounding lake.

However, if you’re going for the first time, chances are you’ll miss out on many things and won’t get the most out of your visit. Luckily, we visited this incredible place ourselves after we traveled to Antarctica and did a lot of research before going. 

Today, we’ll condense our experience and research in one easy-to-read guide to inform you of everything you need to know before you visit the Perito Moreno Glacier!

All About the Perito Moreno Glacier

1. The Discovery Of Perito Moreno Glacier

While this Glacier has been well-known and holds an important position among the indigenous people of Argentina, it became popular in the mainstream in 1879 when it was “discovered” by a Chilean navy captain named Juan Tomás Rogers. 

Captain Rogers named the Glacier after another high-ranking naval officer, Francisco Gormaz, but that was soon changed in 1899, to the name it holds today. Named after Francisco Moreno, a famous scientist, conservationist, and explorer, this glacier is one of the natural marvels of our planet and a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

The Perito Moreno Glacier stretches 19 miles and has an area of 97 square miles! This makes it bigger than the Argentine capital and many other major cities around the world. It’s also quite high, with the highest point going up to 230 feet! As soon as we arrived the first thing that hit us was the sheer size of it all.

While Argentina is filled with natural wonders, none are as imposing as the Perito Moreno Glacier. Few words can describe the magnitude and beauty of this natural wonder and you need to see it to understand just how vast it is.

2. The Glacier Is Still Growing!

By far the most surprising thing about the Perito Moreno Glacier is that it is STILL GROWING in a world where most glaciers are receding.

According to actual scientific data, the Perito Moreno Glacier is growing at a whopping rate of approximately 6.5 feet per day in some spots! 

3. Where Is Perito Moreno Glacier Located?

The Glacier is located in Los Glaciares National Park, which is close to the southern border with Chile.

Many people mistake the location for Perito Moreno National Park or the town of Perito Moreno, which is almost 400 miles away from the Glacier. There have been stories of visitors who drove long hours only to end up in the wrong place.

If you want a reference point, the closest town to the Perito Moreno Glacier is El Calafate, but more on that later.

4. How To Get To The Perito Moreno Glacier

The easiest way to get to the Glacier is to rent a car and drive there. Car rentals can be as cheap as $35 in Argentina, and we even booked ourselves a comfortable sedan for $45 per day for our entire trip. Just make sure to pay in cash, as Argentina is experiencing Hyperinflation, and you’ll save money by paying the black market rate.

We rented a car at the El Calafate airport after searching on Discover Cars, and drove to the Perito Moreno Glacier. The drive from El Calafate to the Perito Moreno Glaciers takes about 1.20 hours. It’s best to type in Perito Moreno Glacier Walkways, Santa Cruz, Argentina into Google Maps and make the drive there. Having a car allowed us to get in early and explore the area at our leisure. We even managed to avoid most of the tourist crowd!

Public transport is also an option, and we saw a lot of visitors coming into El Calafate by bus and then taking a taxi to Los Glaciares National Park, which will cost around $100 one way.

You can also catch a bus from the main bus terminal in El Calafate. The bus ticket back to El Calafate from Perito Moreno is priced at approximately $30 USD.

For about $100+ you can book a full tour that will take you from El Calafate to the glacier that includes 1 Hour of navigation in front of Perito Moreno Glacier, hotel pick-up and drop-off, and a bilingual guide.

5. There’s Free Parking

A big worry when renting a car while traveling is parking fees around Patagonia. Luckily, there’s a very large parking lot right by the Glacier and even in other spots around Los Glaciares National Park. The best part is that it’s free!

6. When is The Best Time To Visit The Perito Moreno Glacier?

While Los Glaciares National Park is open all year round, the most enjoyable time of year is from November to March. This is summertime in Argentina; the weather is great and the surrounding scenery is most vibrant. All the photos in this article were taken at the very end of November.

However, this is also when most tourists visit the country, but there are ways of getting around that.

7. Perito Moreno Glacier Hours

From September to April, the timings at Los Glaciares National Park are 8 AM till 8 PM and 9 AM till 6 PM from May to August.

8. Entry Fees For The Perito Moreno Glacier

It is not free to visit Los Glaciares National Park. The entrance fee for visiting the Perito Moreno Glacier is $20 for adults, but this includes entry to the rest of Los Glaciares National Park too. Kids are more affordable with entry for those aged 6 to 16 only costing $3.

9. Exploring The Perito Moreno Glacier

There are many ways you can explore the Glacier. There are boat tours that will take large groups of people onto the lake and surrounding waters of the Glacier, giving you a close look at the Glacier cliffs and ice formations.

If you’re looking to be a bit more adventurous and connected with nature, kayak tours are also available. The most immersive experience while exploring, however, is hiking on the surface of the Glacier itself, which is a beyond-surreal experience. Walking on what feels like a large plateau of ice and seeing cold whiteness everywhere is just incredible!

10. An Elaborate Boardwalk Network

To give visitors the best experience possible, Los Glaciares National Park set up a network of boardwalks all around the Perito Moreno Glacier. In total, these boardwalks stretch 2.5 miles and offer incredible views of the Glacier. We spent a few hours on the boardwalk taking in the views and listening to glacier melt crash into the water.

You might be told that the Accessible and Central trails are the best boardwalks, but they’ll be crowded because everyone is going to head on over there. We can tell you from personal experience that no matter which boardwalk you use, you’re sure to find incredible views.

11. How Long Should You Dedicate To Exploring The Perito Moreno Glacier?

The Perito Moreno is a full-day trip, but if you’re in a rush still then you should at least dedicate 6 hours. The drive to and from El Calafate alone takes about 2.5 hours and properly exploring the boardwalks also takes the same amount of time.

That leaves you 2 hours to hike on the surface of the Glacier with a tour if you want, watch ice ruptures, or eat your meals.

12. Experience The Thrill Of Watching Ice Ruptures

Ice ruptures are incredible to watch and there are plenty of mini-ruptures happening at Perito Moreno Glacier every 30 to 60 minutes. Most of these happen during the afternoon and there are even a lot of viewing galleries around the entire site from where you can safely observe ice ruptures. If you miss one (and you’ll know as you’ll hear it), wait another 20-30 minutes for the next one!

13. Restaurants At The Perito Moreno Glacier

Considering it’s a glacier and located inside a wildlife national park, there aren’t many restaurants and eateries around the Perito Moreno Glacier. The only two restaurants in the area are ‘Natives of Patagonia’ and the aptly named ‘El Restó del Glaciar.’

Both restaurants offer incredible views of the Glacier and their food is pretty good too. We knew we would have an early start to the day so we took the chance to time our trip just right so we could visit both these places.

For lunch, we went to Natives of Patagonia and had some hot stew. This restaurant is open from 10:30 AM till 5 PM and we managed to reach around noon which was perfect as it wasn’t too busy and the service was excellent.

The menu had other items as well such as salads and sandwiches, but everything on offer sounded very hearty and the portion sizes were decent as well. Our lunch cost us around $40 and it kept us going for a while.

For early dinner, we chose El Restó del Glaciar as the gourmet cuisine sounded like a good way to end the day. The menu was a lot fancier than Native of Patagonia, with a fixed menu consisting of steak and salmon on offer. 

This meal was a bit more expensive as well and we ended up paying almost $50. Also, if you decide to dine here then be sure to get here a bit early as the restaurant closes at 5 PM.

14. Things To Bring With You To The Perito Moreno Glacier

The most important thing to remember is a windbreaker since it gets very windy at the Perito Moreno Glacier and, combined with the cold, it can make for an unpleasant experience. Under your windbreaker, you should dress in layers to account for the changing temperatures as you reach the Glacier and explore around it. We visited during summer in Patagonia, and I still wore my Arc’teryx Cerium Down Jacket the whole time. Glaciers create their own climate and are often much colder than elsewhere.

Also make sure to bring a pair of sunglasses with you as reflections of the sun off the ice can hurt your eyes, especially if you go hiking on the surface of the Glacier. Rather than risk a headache because of the bright reflections, it’s much better to just bring a pair of sunglasses. Same goes for sunscreen! You can get burnt even in these temps, trust me, as my face was burnt in Antarctica.

Finally, wear shoes that have decent grip and make for comfortable walking. You’ll be walking a lot here and the wrong shoes will ruin your entire day.

15. Wheelchair Accessibility on the Boardwalk

While most of the Perito Moreno Glacier and Los Glaciares National Park are not wheelchair accessible, there are two major spots where wheelchair users can enjoy views and experience the surrounding beauty. The first is the Accessible Boardwalk, which is one of the most popular boardwalks because of the views it offers of the Glacier, and the parking lot next to ‘Natives of Patagonia’.

16. Bring Food With You

The options for food are scarce and expensive in this area, so you should consider bringing your own food, regardless of whether you decide to eat at the two local restaurants or not.

Many visitors might not be able to fit the prices of the restaurants into their budget, but that doesn’t change the experience at the Glacier in any way. The food at the restaurants might be good, but it’s not something you can’t miss. 

Also, if you bring your own food, you’ve still got the backdrop of the Glacier and the surrounding natural beauty to enjoy with your meal.

Pack extra food though regardless. It’s going to be a long day and you’ll be walking around a lot so chances are you might get hungry a few times.

17. Another Natural Wonder Located Right Next Door

Lake Argentina, or Lago Argentino, is located south of the Perito Moreno Glacier and is another sight to behold. On some days, the water sparkles a brilliant shade of blue and it is surrounded by picturesque views of mountains and the Glacier.

If you’re visiting the area, be sure to stop here for some great views and Insta-worthy pictures. We didn’t miss the chance and captured some incredible shots, all while taking in the beautiful surrounding scenery.

18. Stay in El Calafate

This small vibrant town embodies many of the traits of Argentinian culture and society. There are lots of things to do around town, including an artisanal market with artworks by local artists, local craft beers for $2, and incredible Patagonian cuisine featuring delicious heavily meaty dishes.

We stayed in El Calafate and based ourselves out of here for three days while exploring the area. It’s in the center of all the action and less than 1.5 hours to Perito Moreno Glacier.

19. Explore The Rest Of Los Glaciares National Park

The home of the Perito Moreno Glacier, Los Glaciares National Park is Argentina’s largest national park, measuring 2800 square miles. So, it’s no wonder there are so many natural attractions here.

In addition to the Perito Moreno Glacier, there is also Upsala Glacier, Spegazzini Glacier, Lake Viedma, and Viedma Glacier if you are feeling adventurous. 

20. Can You Visit Without a Tour?

Yes! You can 100% visit the glacier on your own without a tour. This is exactly what we did as we had our own car. While a tour may have been more helpful for learning about the glacier, there are plenty of placards and signs around to help you understand what you are seeing.

However, a tour is never a bad idea, especially if you are a solo travel looking to meet some people or don’t have your own transport to get to the glacier.

• Perito Moreno Glacier Day Trip with Optional Boat Ride from El Calafate: This one takes you from El Calafate to the glacier where you will spend the whole day. Upgrade to include a boat ride close to the glacier front wall
• Full Day Tour to Perito Moreno Glacier with Navigation: This one includes the boat trip and leaves early from El Calafate!
• Full-Day Tour to the Perito Moreno Glacier with optional Boat Safari: Includes all that you need it to plus optional boat ride on Argentino Lake.

21. You Can Walk on the Ice

There is one company that operates tours to take you actually onto the glacier. If you have never been on a glacier before, this is your chance to do it! Plus you can say you have walked on a GROWING glacier, while most are receding. There’s the Mini Trekking experience, as well as the Big Ice Trek.

Neither are cheap experiences, but both once in a lifetime!

Big Ice is a full day ice trek on the glacier, while Mini Trekking is two hours. Big Ice is more physically demanding than Mini Trekking, but both take up the entire day! Also, both provide transport from El Calafate.

22. You Can Kayak On a Tour!

Encounter the Perito Moreno Glacier in a way like never before—at water level. Yes, I’m talking about kayaking next to a growing glacier! Marvel at its extraordinary size, the resonating sounds, and the captivating movements in an unforgettable experience. Whether you’re a kayaking novice or an experienced enthusiast, these guides will provide instructions on navigating the stunning glacial waters safely.

Don’t worry you’re equipped with essential gear including a Gore-Tex dry suit, thermal suit, boots, gloves, and a life jacket to ensure you don’t get chilly.Set off on a 1 hour and 30-minute kayaking excursion in front of the Perito Moreno Glacier.

23. Is Visiting the Perito Moreno Glacier Worth It?

Yes, absolutely, 100 times over! We live near glaciers, and we had also just come from freaking Antarctica before we visiting Argentina. Even though we see glaciers in Western Canada all the time, and saw what feels like endless glacial activity in Antarctica, I still found the Perito Moreno Glacier incredibly impressive. I hope one day we get to return and see just how much it has grown!

We successfully planned our trip to Machu Picchu only days before our arrival. It was happenstance when we found we had five free days between Ecuador and Mexico. With the cheapest flights involving a layover in Peru, we booked our flights to Cusco, the former Incan capital and gateway to visiting Machu Picchu. 

These are some of the world’s most impressive ancient ruins, and to see the famous Incan citadel is a dream, and we feel fortunate to be some of the few in the world to visit. It may be on the well-beaten path, but we’ve never met someone with a bad thing to say about visiting Machu Picchu.

Machu Picchu Travel Tips

Bring Your Passport to Machu Picchu

You will need your passport number to purchase tickets for your visit to Machu Picchu, but you also need to make sure you bring your passport to the site when you visit. The gate agents will check that your ticket’s name and passport number match your access, so don’t forget!

Have Your Ticket Printed Before Visiting Machu Picchu

Again, the gate agents will check for your tickets before entering Machu Picchu. You will need to hand them a hard copy of your ticket.

You Can Get Your Passport Stamped While Visiting Machu Picchu

Another reason you may want your passport is to get it stamped! After exiting Machu Picchu, you will find a small stand with a stamp and inkpad to document your trip to one of the world’s seven natural wonders.

I read that it is one sole to get your passport stamped, but I didn’t see anyone paying. Nevertheless, you should have a few soles handy just in case. We chose to forgo it because space in our passports is precious.

Purchase Your Tickets Before Visiting Machu Picchu

You’ll need to purchase your tickets to Machu Picchu before you arrive. Tickets are limited to 2500 a day; sometimes, in the high season, these can sell out. It’s best to purchase tickets once you know you’ll be headed to Machu Picchu.

It’s possible to buy tickets in Cusco upon arrival, or you can even buy them in Aguas Caliente, but the more accessible and convenient way is to buy them online. You cannot purchase tickets to Machu Picchu at the gate. 

A quick Google search will yield many tour operators acting as a middleman to sell tickets to you. The cheapest option is to buy them off the Ministry of Culture website. We purchased our tickets from this website, which doesn’t look like it’s been updated since 1995, but it is indeed the real and cheapest deal!

Be patient as the website can take a while to load, and make sure to switch it to English if you are not a Spanish speaker.

How to Get the Best Price for Your Tickets to Machu Picchu?

Try the Ministry of Culture website first. Prices are as follows.

• Machu Picchu foreign adult: 152 soles
• Machu Picchu + Montana Machupicchu foreign adult: 200 soles
• Machu Picchu + Huayna Picchu foreign adult: 200 soles
• Children under 8 are free of charge (with proof of age).
• You cannot get discounted children or student fares on this website. It must be done with a tour operator. See more info regarding student fares here.

Follow the steps and enter payment at the end. When you get your ticket number, please write it down and take a screenshot of your ticket. I never received an email confirmation from the site, but I could get my hotel to access it and print it out because I had the reservation number.

Try here if you want a no-hassle way to get to Machu Picchu. Services like this are a bit more expensive but easier to navigate.

There is No Free Entrance to Visit Machu Picchu

I would not recommend hiking up to Machu Picchu yourself to avoid paying to get in. Machu Picchu is located in the middle of the Andes and is inaccessible except by the entrance. I don’t know how the Incas built this here because the location is scary as hell.

I feel like I shouldn’t have to say this, but you could die if you try to hike yourself in without paying. We overheard one of the guys telling stories about people trying to break in and risking their lives. Just pay the money – it’s worth it.

What are the Hikes Around Machu Picchu?

The fun doesn’t have to stop after you marvel at the magnificent Inca ruins. You can do several hikes to make the most of your visit to Machu Picchu.

Huayna Picchu

The most popular hike is Huayna Picchu, sometimes called Wayna Picchu. Huayna Picchu is the mountain directly behind every photo of the famous Inca ruins. It’s been nicknamed the mountain of death for its incredibly steep climb and terrifying stairs. Huayna Picchu is no joke and should only be conquered by the more experienced hikers.

Only 400 permits to climb Huayna Picchu are issued daily and usually sold out months in advance. Unfortunately, since we booked last minute, there was no way we were getting a ticket to Huayna Picchu. The 400 are split into two – 200 groups so visitors are staggered by time. Tickets are purchased and combined with your entrance ticket to Machu Picchu.

Montana Machu Picchu

If you can’t get tickets for Huayna Picchu but want to hike, try Montana Machu Picchu (or Machu Picchu Mountain). Eight hundred passes are granted daily for Machu Picchu Mountain, so you are more likely to get a ticket here if you are booking at the last minute.

Machu Picchu Mountain is definitely considered the less scary of the hikes as the trails and stairs are more expansive and not as steep, although it is at a much higher elevation of 3082 meters above sea level.

The views at the top are to die for, and we enjoyed the hike. We both are decently fit and found the hike challenging at points but not terrible. The walk took us one hour and 10 minutes with stops for photos and took us about 45 minutes down. Round trip, we spent three hours here with a packed lunch at the peak. These tickets are sold in conjunction with the tickets to Machu Picchu.

Sun Gate

The Sun Gate, or Inti Punku, was once the entrance to Machu Picchu. This hike is the least demanding of all the hikes mentioned and takes 3-4 hours round trip to complete. Once you enter Machu Picchu, you’ll find signs pointing you toward the Sun Gate. The Sun Gate is the only free hike with your ticket to Machu Picchu.

What Should You Pack Before Visiting Machu Picchu?

Make sure to pack in layers for Machu Picchu as mornings and evenings can be cool, but things can turn hot when the sun pops up during the day. You’ll also be walking quite a bit, so best not to arrive with a sweater on and nothing underneath. Here is our complete Peru packing list.

Do you Need a Guide for Visiting Machu Picchu?

We had read a few times that we would need a guide to venture around Machu Picchu. While a guide helps provide information and lead you through the site, it isn’t 100% necessary.

If you want a guide and don’t have one booked, don’t worry. When you arrive at Macchu Picchu, there will be plenty of guides outside the entrance offering their service.

Are There Bathrooms at Machu Picchu?

There are no bathrooms once you enter Machu Picchu, so prepare yourself beforehand. The only bathrooms nearby are located outside gates and cost two soles.

There Isn’t Much at Machu Picchu

Other than bathrooms, there isn’t much else at the entrance of Machu Picchu. There are two overpriced restaurants, a souvenir shop, and the Belmond Sanctuary Lodge. That’s it! So again, arrive at Machu Picchu with all you will need for the day. We made sure to have a packed lunch for our time at Machu Picchu.

How Long Should I Spend at Machu Picchu?

The site of Machu Picchu is enormous and, in my opinion, deserves two days of exploring. It is incredible and looks unreal to the point it’s overwhelming when you first visit. It’s hard for me to believe it was built hundreds of years ago as it would be hard enough to build in modern times.

That’s why we found ourselves visiting two days in a row. The first was with a guided tour around the actual site, and the second day was to hike Montana Machu Picchu and explore Machu Picchu on our own time. On our second day, we could sit above the site and allow it all to sink into our memories.

How do Ticket Times Work for Visiting Machu Picchu?

If you are booking your own Machu Picchu tickets rather than going on a tour, you may notice that you either multiple entry times ranging from 6 am to 3 pm entry time. In our experience, you have to enter between the times shown on your ticket, but no one will come to hunt you down among the other 2500 tourists to kick you out when your time is up.

The ticket times are just your times for entering. We had a morning pass, entered at 10 am, and left the sanctuary at 2 pm. A morning ticket will ensure more time if you’re looking for the best value.

Stay in Aguas Caliente

There is only one property to stay at Machu Picchu, the Belmond Sanctuary Lodge. At $1400 per night, this hotel may not be an option for everyone, and there is no camping at Machu Picchu.

Your next best opportunity to stay nearby is to stay in Aguas Calientes, i.e., the base town of Machu Picchu and where you will find the train station, restaurants, and all the hotels. There are many accommodation options in Aguas Calientes, ranging from campsites to high-end properties.

We stayed at The Sumaq, one of the area’s highest-rated hotels, and loved it. The Sumaq has a unique location right along the Urubamba River and is away from the hustle and uncharming Aguas Caliente town center. The 5-star hotel is just a five-minute walk from the train station and will deliver and pick up all your luggage for you upon arrival and departure.

The Sumaq is elegant, comfortable, and beautifully decorated with decent WiFi speeds, so you can enjoy Netflix after your long day (that’s what we did anyway!). Most of the rooms have a private balcony overlooking the river as well. The staff here are well trained and were able to answer all of our 20 questions about Machu Picchu.

Some of the highlights of a stay at The Sumaq are the daily tea service, complimentary Pisco Sours in the bar, and enjoying the cocktail-making class offered. The Sumaq also offers half board which was great because we didn’t feel like leaving our hotel for dinner after our two long days at Machu Picchu. Their local food and presentation are fantastic, especially their ceviche.

There are Two Ways up to Machu Picchu from Aguas Calientes

Once you reach Aguas Calientes or Machu Picchu town, you still have some work to do to reach Machu Picchu. The site sits about 600m above the city and the valley floor.

Bus to Machu Picchu

Buses run regularly to and from Machu Picchu town to the ruins. They cost $12 or 40 Soles a person one way, and it takes around 25 minutes to reach the top. This is tourist price gouging at its best! The road is bumpy and zig-zagged, so be prepared if you get motion sick quickly. We were told that the lines to get on the bus could take one hour or more to board in the high season.

However, on the second day we visited Machu Picchu, we walked right up to the bus and got on with no lines, depending on the day and season. Buses start running at 5:30 am, and you’ll have to make sure you’re on this bus if you want to catch the sunrise over Machu Picchu. Just be aware this is probably one of the busiest times you can take the bus up, so you’ll likely need to be in line at 4:30 am.

Hike to Machu Picchu

You can also hike up to Machu Picchu from town. The hike up is steep, but the stairs are well maintained and wide. It should take you an hour and a half to hike up. We opted to sleep in and be lazy, so we took the bus to Machu Picchu and hiked down.

The hike down was delightful and took us 45 minutes, but we had our New York walking pace on. The hike up/down from Machu Picchu is the free option, but it may tire you out depending on your physical ability.

There are ATM’s in Aguas Caliente

You’ll find plenty of ATMs to access cash in Aguas Calientes, so make sure you have the correct travel banking details to avoid any problems while in Peru. While I heard that one ATM is located at Machu Picchu, we never saw one.

Do they sell Alpaca Sweaters in Aguas Calientes?

While there are many small shops and stands to buy your typical Peruvian tourist gear around Machu Picchu, I found the prices higher and people less willing to barter with you than in Cusco. Also, you can forget about finding any genuine baby alpaca wool in Aguas Calientes. So if you are on a mission for authentic (and expensive) baby alpaca wool, I recommend shopping at authorized retailers in Cusco like Sol Alpaca.

Every seller will swear to sell genuine baby Alpaca, but it’s almost always a mix of adult Alpaca with acrylic yarn. Don’t let that put you off from the cheap sweaters. They’re still cute, some are Alpaca (not baby), and it supports local shopkeeps. The real stuff is pricey, soft, and cool to the touch. Cameron picked up an actual sweater for about USD 88 while on sale, a good deal.

Bring the Right Clothes+Sunblock Before Visiting Machu Picchu

Don’t forget that you’re near the equator in Peru and that Machu Picchu is very high in elevation. You will most definitely need sunblock and a hat while visiting the ancient site to protect your skin. It’s also advisable to wear proper clothes while visiting.

Depending on your interest, you may be walking a lot and climbing many stairs, so its best to wear breathable and loose clothing. If you are hiking either Montana Machu Picchu or Huayna Picchu, I recommend a packable daypack, hiking shorts, hiking shoes, sunglasses, and a hiking hat.

I saw a few exciting outfits while visiting Machu Picchu. Particularly girls in heels trying to get the perfect Instagram shot. While they may have looked good, I don’t think that Machu Picchu is the place for heels or anything not comfortable to walk around. Whether you’re hiking or not, I would recommend good walking shoes.

When is the Best Time to Visit Machu Picchu?

It often rains at Machu Picchu during the wet season (November – March). This makes for muddy trails and cloud-obscured views. If you want the best chance to see Machu Picchu sunny and in all its glory, you should plan to go in the dry season (May-October).

The busiest periods are from June to August. We visited in mid-June, had clear sunny days, booked our tickets just days in advance, and didn’t find the crowds too bad. See the best time to visit Peru here!

Bring Enough Water When Visiting Machu Picchu

Especially if you are doing any hiking and if it is the dry season. We brought two travel water bottles each. Take note that once you enter through the gate, you won’t be able to purchase any water, but just outside, you will be able to buy a few bottles for triple the price that you would down in Aguas Calientes.

Travel in Elegance to Machu Picchu

The main gateway to Machu Picchu is the Peruvian city of Cusco.  But Cusco, as you may or may not know, is quite far from Machu Picchu, and you will still have quite a journey to reach the ancient city. Most people hike the Inca Trail from Cusco or take the train to Machu Picchu.

Hiking the Inca Trail

Hiking the Inca trail is one of Peru’s most popular activities. It also books our months in advance, must be done with a tour, and is not cheap. The Peruvian government issues 200 passes per day to hikers, so you won’t be doing the hike if you’re booking last minute. The walk is also hard work, and you’ll probably arrive at Machu Picchu tired and ready for a shower. To hike the Inca trail will run you anything between $500 and $1000. Book a tour here.

Train to Machu Picchu

The train to Aguas Calientes is undoubtedly the easiest and quickest way to see Machu Picchu. The two leading operators are PeruRail and IncaRail. Both of these operators offer different types of train service, from affordable to panorama view trains to luxury.

We decided if we were going to Machu Picchu, we may as well do it in style and go with the luxury option. The Belmond Hiram Bingham is a once-in-a-lifetime journey and the most carefree way to travel to Machu Picchu.

The train owes its name to the explorer, Hiram Bingham, who rediscovered the citadel of Machu Picchu. Once you arrive at Poyro station in Cusco, you are immediately transported to the 1920s. The whole train is decorated in the style of the Pullman cars, each with polished wood, beautiful bronze details, and comfortable seats. There is a central dining car, lounge area, bar, and entertainment area where the live band will play throughout the journey to and from Machu Picchu.

Guests on the Belmond Hiram Bingham are served neverending Pisco Sours and whatever else they may want from the bar. Three-course meals are also elegantly served on the white tablecloth and paired with wine.

It’s the first train ride I didn’t want to get off of, and that’s speaking for both journeys to and from Machu Picchu. The staff and the ambiance genuinely make you feel special and welcomed, and I don’t think there is any other way we would want to travel to Machu Picchu again.

Sure, at $950 round trip, the Belmond Hiram Bingham is far from cheap. However, we factored that this price included the journey from Cusco, meals, drinks, bus to and from Aguas Calientes to the citadel, entrance to Machu Picchu with a guide, and afternoon tea. Regardless of all that, the journey was enjoyable and hassle-free from beginning to end. I would highly recommend following in our footsteps if you can swing it.

There is No Bagcheck at Machu Picchu

We brought a backpack on both days to Machu Picchu, expecting to have our bags checked, but it never happened. I’m not saying to bring something illegal, obviously, but trying to avoid being hesitant to bring in food, snacks, and whatever else for your journey.

There are No Tripods or Selfie Sticks Allow

It’s true! Those annoying selfie sticks are banned at Machu Picchu – rejoice! Along with the banning of selfie sticks are camera tripods. If you are seen using these, you will likely get yelled at by one of the guards. You’ll have to get your photos the good old-fashioned way and ask strangers to help you out!

Bring a Good Camera Before Visiting Machu Picchu

You’re visiting Machu Picchu – one of the New Seven Wonders of the Modern World, so bring a good travel camera. Drones are not allowed at Machu Picchu.

Don’t Expect Llamas to be Everywhere

A few guys on our train told us they expected llamas to be everywhere at Machu Picchu. Even I wanted the ancient site to be overflowing with llamas everywhere. Sadly (or happily, if you have llama-phobia), we only saw five or so llamas grazing around Machu Picchu.

I saw more hanging out in Cusco with their Quechua lady owners than at Machu Picchu, so if you want to guarantee yourself a photo, wait until Cusco and pay a few soles to take their picture.

Colombia offers a diverse tapestry of natural wonders, from the lush Amazon jungles to the inviting Caribbean beaches and majestic Andes mountains. Let’s dig into some of our favorite fun facts about Colombia!

Fun Facts About Colombia

Colombia Has a Very Diverse Population

While most Colombians speak Spanish, the population is a very diverse mix of indigenous peoples, descendants of Spanish colonists, and people from many countries in Africa and Europe. 

Everyone Knows the National Anthem

In Colombia, it’s hard to get away with not knowing the national anthem’s words. This is because Himno Nacional de la Republica de Colombia is broadcast through television and radio stations twice a day, which is enforced by official law. The first broadcast is at 6 AM, and the second is at 6 PM. 

Colombia Only Has Two Seasons

In Colombia, there are only two seasons: the dry season and the rainy season. As a tropical place close to the equator, you can expect hot and humid conditions most of the year!

Colombia Hosts a Huge Salsa Festival

From December 25^th to December 30^th, Feria de Cali occurs across Colombia annually. It’s one of the largest salsa festivals in the world and features a variety of musical, dance, and art events in addition to plenty of salsa. 

Home to the Highest Coastal Mountain Range

The Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta’s highest elevation is 18,700 above sea level, making it the highest coastal mountain range on Earth! 

Colombia Enforces Prohibition….Sometimes

Alcohol is not illegal in Colombia, but it is illegal during certain events. Due to the amount of violence that was taking place during some major events, including political elections and World Cup games, the government has implemented a ban on the consumption of alcoholic beverages during such events.  

Orchids are Plentiful in Colombia

One of the sweetest and most interesting facts about Columbia is that more than 4,000 species of beautiful orchids in all sizes and colors can be found in Colombia, and 1,500 of those species are unique to the country and nowhere else on earth.

This makes Colombia one of the biggest flower producers in the world. It’s the warm climate that makes growing these flowers so easy. Not surprisingly, Colombia’s national flower is a species of orchid called Cattleya Trianae. 

There are Pink Dolphins in Colombia

Would you believe me if I told you there are pink dolphins, and they can be found in Colombia? Believe it or not, it’s true! The Amazon River Dolphins (Pink Dolphins) are endangered dolphins that belong to one of the rarest dolphin species on earth, with approximately 2,500 left in the world.  

Let’s Have a Drink to This

Colombia’s national drink is Aguardiente, which is translated into English as Burning Water. It should be enticing enough to try at least once! Aguardiente is a liquor made from sugarcane and is typically consumed from a shot glass. 

Colombia is A Very Biodiverse Place

Only a handful of countries in the world are considered mega-diverse ( Peru and Ecuador), and Colombia is one of them. It has over 5,000 species, which makes it one of the most biodiverse places on Earth.

Happy People in a Happy Country 

While Colombia has had its ups and downs throughout history, several polls have found that it’s among the happiest nations in the world. Up to 85% of people who live in the country consider themselves happy!

Colombia is a Leader in Emerald Production

It is said that every second emerald in the world comes from Colombia, making it the largest precious gem producer. 

A Multilingual Country

While the majority of people in Colombia speak Spanish, a small minority of people speak one or more of the 65 indigenous languages that are spoken in the country. One of the most interesting facts about Colombia is that there are around 100 indigenous nations in Colombia. 

Steps to a More Peaceful Nation

In 2016, the president at the time, Juan Manuel Santos, received the Nobel Peace Prize for signing a deal that would help end a 50-year guerilla war. 

A Widely-spoken Language

Per capita, more people speak Spanish in Colombia than in Spain. Only 99% speak it in Spain, while that number is 99.2% in Colombia, making it the country with the second-highest Spanish-speaking nation in the world.  Mexico has the highest.

Colombia Hosts a Huge Theater Festival

One of the world’s biggest theater and performance art festivals takes place in Bogota every year. Iberoamericana lasts for 17 days and features concerts, circus performances, and more. 

Move Over Cars

Biking is a big thing in Bogota. There are around 180 miles of biking routes within the city limits. Every Sunday all year round, the city hosts an event called Ciclovia, which is when an extensive network of public roads is shut down to vehicles so cyclists can ride free without having to dodge traffic.

Colombia is a Huge Producer of Coffee

Coffee plants need high altitudes and ideal weather conditions to flourish, and Colombia has both. These ideal conditions have ranked the country first in the world for Arabica coffee beans and third in the world for coffee beans overall. This ideal landscape earned a heritage site designation from UNESCO. 

The Lost City of El Dorado

Legend states that Colombia is home to a Lost City of Gold called El Dorado. For centuries, settlers and treasure hunters have tried in vain to find this place, but no one has come close.

A Fruitful Nation

Pineapple, lime, mango, banana, avocado. You name it, Colombia probably grows it. The country grows fruits you might not have heard of, including Lulo, Zapote, Curuba, and Gulupa. In all, there are more than 400 fruits grown in Colombia.

From Coast to Coast

There’s only one country in South America that has access to both the Pacific Coast and the Caribbean Sea and you guessed it; it’s Colombia! The Pacific Coast with its jungle terrain and biodiversity is vastly different from the Caribbean Coast which is known for its sandy beaches.   

Bandeja Paisa is a Must-try

One of the most popular meals in Colombia is Bandeja Paisa. The delicious dish featuring ground beef, fried eggs, sausage, and various vegetables is easy to find as it’s served at most restaurants nationwide. 

Bogota is A High Place

At 8,661 feet above sea level, Bogota is one of the highest capital cities in the entire world.

All in the Name

Colombia’s official name is the Republic of Colombia, named after the historic explorer Christopher Colombus. 

Colombia Has Many National Parks

While Tayrona National Park may be the only national park in Colombia that you’ve heard of and it’s certainly one of the most popular ones, there are 59 other incredible national parks to discover in the country. 

Darkness Comes Early in Colombia

Because the equator passes through the country, the sun sets before 6 PM all year round in Colombia. 

An Explosive National Pastime

Contrary to popular belief, soccer, or futball, is not the national sport of Colombia. The national sport is the exciting and bizarre game of Tejo. During play, participants throw gunpowder-covered metal discs into a pit which then explodes. 

I’ll Have Some Liquid Rainbow, Please

It has been called “the most beautiful river in the world” and “Liquid Rainbow”, but no matter what you call it, the stunning Cano Cristales River has a distinctive and fascinating feature that makes the difficult trek to it worthwhile; it changes color! Typically, between September and November, the vegetation near the river turns red, and when mixed with the various colors of the bedrock, the river takes on a rainbow hue. 

Children Like Their Cup of Joe in the Morning

While it’s considered taboo for children to drink coffee in many places around the world, it’s perfectly normal in Colombia. 

Colombians Love to Dance

Everyone knows Colombians can move on the dance floor! They seem to have an inherent talent for dancing. Colombians enjoy many different dances from around South America and the world, but only one originated in the country, and that’s the Cumbia. 

Move Over Machu Picchu

Despite the popularity of other ancient ruins in South America, such as Machu Picchu, ruins that have been uncovered in Colombia are thought to be up to 650 years older than those famous ones in Peru. Ciudad Perdida, or Lost City, is located on the side of a mountain in the Sierra Nevada range.

The Amazing Amazon

Although it passes through a number of South American countries, the mighty Amazon rainforest, which is the world’s biggest rainforest, takes up one-third of Colombia’s landscape.

Beautiful Chorrera Falls

Chorrera Falls is not only beautiful; it’s the highest waterfall in Colombia at 1935 feet high. Even the hike to the falls is amazing with stunning vistas of lush countryside. 

She’s the Boss

This is one of the best facts about Colombia! Not many countries can claim that the majority of company bosses are women. In Colombia, over 50% of managers are women. 

A Populous Nation

Although Colombia is not one of the biggest countries in South America, it’s one of the most populous, with 51 million people.

It’s a place unlike any other on earth, and it’s easy to understand how the islands inspired Charles Darwin. However, “unlike any other place on earth” usually come with a high price tag, and the Galapagos is no exception. We’re here to cover all the details and help you decide whether a cruise around the Galapagos is for you.

Our Amazing Galapagos Cruise

Getting to the Galapagos Islands

The majority of flights into Ecuador arrive via the capital city of Quito. That’s not a problem as Quito is a fantastic colonial city and the first city to be listed as UNESCO World Heritage Site worldwide.

It’s a city that you should absolutely explore for a day or two on your way to the Galapagos. Trust me – it’s worth it – especially if you have never been to South America.

Several South American airlines offer flights to Baltra and San Cristobal from Quito, the main airports in the Galapagos. We flew with LATAM to Baltra with a thirty-minute layover in Guayaquil for $495 a person roundtrip. Quite honestly, we hated our LATAM experience.

It was every bit the same as a Ryan Air, Jetstar, or Spirit Airlines flight, but at a much higher price point (They don’t even provide free coffee on a flight that was four hours with the layover).  However, we had no choice as the flight times coincided with the departures of our boat. If you have the option to book with Avianca, who offers a direct from Quito, we suggest you go with them. (We heard Tame was worse than LATAM but we have never experienced them).

When you depart from the brand new Quito Airport, you’ll need to get your Galapagos immigration card. This costs $20 per person and is preferably paid in cash. At check-in, they will direct you to the counter. It’s pretty self-explanatory, so don’t worry! Make sure you don’t have any fruits or vegetables on you as they are not allowed on the Galapagos, and your bag will be checked.

Once you arrive in the Galapagos, you must go through their immigration process and pay another $100 cash per person in National Park fees, as 97% of the islands are protected parks. From the airport, many cruise lines and tour companies like ours will pick you right up from the neighboring port. It was a short 10-minute bus ride followed by a dingy to board our vessel.

For those on their way to the main inhabited island of Santa Cruz and the port of Puerto Ayora, you’ll need to catch a bus to the ferry and to another bus. It’s typically not a very pleasant journey as buses on the island are run down and without A/C and packed full as passengers from your flight fill up the seats. However, the journey only costs a couple of dollars.

What is the best time to visit the Galapagos?

With their location on the Equator, the Galapagos Islands don’t see a wide range of seasons. Temperatures year-round are in the 70-80s F (21 – 26C). The islands are mostly dry but see a small rain season from January to April. While air temperatures do not change much throughout the year, water temperatures can vary.

Water temperatures vary due to the strong Humboldt current in September and October. The result is rougher and colder water. The water temperature then drops to around 60 degrees from 70-degree Fahrenheit.

The Galapagos beaches are never bad, and in general, you can visit any time of year, but it’s best to avoid summer holiday time and the holidays as prices are higher and options book up quickly.

The Santa Cruz II with Metropolitan Touring

We toured around Ecuador with the oldest Ecuadorian tour operator, Metropolitan Touring. They’ve been providing tours to the Galapagos since the sixties and were one of the first local operators to run a cruise ship around the islands in 1969. So we were in well-seasoned hands and knew the ins and outs of tourism in the Galapagos.

Our vessel during our journey was their latest boat, the Santa Cruz II. The vessel happens to be one of the largest cruise boats in the Galapagos, with enough room for 90 passengers. There is a limit on boat size, but we’ll get into details later.

This was actually the first cruise Tasha, and I have ever taken together and probably the largest in size we’ll ever go. (Later we would venture on the Steam Ship Sudan, and to Antarctica – both bucket list experiences!)

The ship was very spacious even though there were 81 people on board and plenty of crew. We never had a problem finding some deck or lounge to tuck away and watch the islands pass by.  They had a deck for everything, whether it was soaking in a hot tub, a fitness center, sundowner drinks, or even star gazing.

When it came to our room, it was spacious enough for us to sleep comfortably. The ability to slide our suitcase under the bed also came in handy as we would never have survived without killing each other if not. Our bathroom, while not spacious, was clean and had biodegradable shampoo, conditioner, and body soap (but no lotion, so be sure to bring some!). I have to say the hot water pressure was better than most hotels we stay at, so we were super happy to have that on a boat at sea. Kudos!

It’s been said the best way to keep people happy is to keep them full. Breakfast and lunch both consisted of large buffets full of various options from omelets to pancakes and ceviche to roast beef. The wide selection of options became our favorite meals of the day, especially lunch. Dinner is a full-service dinner with waiters delivering a starter, main, and dessert. They could even cater to dietary needs and improvise dishes for everyone.

The staff was friendly, attentive, and professional. Above all, what impressed us most about the ship was how well things seemed to run at sea, given the isolation of the cruise ship.  Despite being world-famous, the Galapagos is not some well-developed chain of tropical islands like the Caribbean or Hawaii.

What’s the best Galapagos cruise itinerary?

We don’t like to consider anything the best, but there are certain highlights that we’ve been advised to seek. No matter what itinerary or boat you go with, you’ll likely see plenty of Galapagos wildlife, as it is everywhere.

It’s pretty tough to miss seeing sea lions, iguanas, and blue-footed boobies as they’re abundant. When it comes to daily itineraries, they are very similar from ship to ship as they are regulated by authorities.

The biggest difference you’ll see with itineraries is the visited islands. Central islands are the most popular as they’re easy to reach, but that means a less natural environment with dispersed wildlife. The outer islands are more remote and only some vessels travel to the islands. You should look out for the islands of Fernandina, Isabela, Genovesa, Española, and North Seymour.

We visited Fernandina and Isabela, which were easily the highlight of our Galapagos trip. Fernandina is the youngest island in the Galapagos, with a still active volcano that erupted five days after we left. (Sad we missed the light show and once-in-a-lifetime photo chance).

Isabela is considered the best area for spotting turtles, which could not be truer as we saw maybe 100 in an hour while snorkeling. On our trip to Isabela, we found ourselves swimming in a group so large you had to dodge them! The Western Islands are also the only ones where you can spot the flightless cormorant – one of the Galapagos Big 15.

What to expect on a Galapagos cruise?

Similar to an African safari, a Galapagos cruise is not a leisure holiday, but it is an amazing one that is not easily forgotten. Our first full day on board looked like this to give you an idea of the average day. As you can see, it’s a pretty busy day, so save your book reading for flights and before bed if you have the energy.

• 07:30 – Wake-up call
• 08:00 – Breakfast
• 09:00 – Boat ride around the coastline to spot birds and marine life
• 10:30 – Back on board to change into swimsuits
• 11:00 – Deepwater snorkeling or glass-bottom boat
• 12:30 – Lunch and Siesta
• 15:00 – Afternoon tea and coffee
• 16h00 – Hiking on an island
• 18:00 – Return to the boat and evening drinks
• 19:00 – Evening briefing
• 20:00 – Dinner time
• 21:00 – Relax

Wildlife in the Galapagos

We’ve talked a lot about Africa’s Big Five animals, but Galapagos has its own list called the Galapagos Big 15. Here are a few animals you may see and a few experiences to have.

• Swimming with a massive flotilla of sea turtles – fun fact, a group of sea turtles is called a flotilla.
• Playing with sea lions in the water. They’re super curious and love to swim directly at you and blow bubbles inches away into your face. If you keep your nerve, they may even touch you – I ended up playing a game of chicken with one sea lion.
• Penguins attacking the blinking light on our GoPro
• Manta Rays doing backflips out of the water
• Eagle Rays beneath your kayak
• Fernandina island full of marine iguanas
• Blue-footed boobies always make our day better
• Darwin’s Finches, the inspiration for natural selection!
• One night, a frenzy of Galapagos sharks attracted to the ship’s lights. It was literally hundreds of sharks with a few brave sea lions hunting fish attracted to the lights.
• Flightless cormorants dreaming about flying

Top Activities on Board

If you come to the Galapagos with leisure in mind, you may have picked the wrong destination. While the Galapagos is stunningly beautiful, you want to see all the islands, so be prepared for early starts and busy days. While on the cruise, you have a wide variety of things on offer.

Snorkeling

This was fantastic! We love snorkeling, and the Galapagos easily ranks up on our list of best places in the world. It’s the only place where you can snorkel with turtles, marine iguanas, penguins, sharks, and sea lions all in one place! Most cruises in the Galapagos offer several options for snorkeling, if not daily. We went snorkeling three times on our Western Itinerary and loved every experience.

While shallow water snorkeling may be more comforting for the less experienced, we encourage travelers to try the deep water as it provides a much better experience in large marine life. It’s possible to spot sharks, whales, manta rays, and sunfish in the deep water. You have the option to wear a wetsuit for a charge as the water is a little chilly, but it adds buoyancy. We gave them a skip, and we’re happy we did as we got to play with the sea lions in the water.

Glass Bottom Boat

While not everyone on a cruise feels up to snorkeling, that doesn’t mean you have to miss out on the marine life. Our cruise had two opportunities to provide those not confident swimmers, the elderly, or young children, with the ability to view the marine life underneath the boat.

We skipped out on this activity since we’re competent swimmers, but we heard from others they had a great time spotting sharks, turtles, and plenty of fish. Just be mindful of taking Dramamine if you’re prone to seasickness, as you’ll be staring down the whole time.

Sea Kayaking

A few cruises, including the Santa Cruz II, carry sea kayaks on board the vessel. There were two opportunities for us to go kayaking, and we’re happy we enjoyed it in Tortuga Bay while on Santa Cruz island. It’s a great way to get some sun, relax, and spot marine life from the comforts of your own boat. We were lucky and spotted sharks, turtles, and spotted eagle rays.

Bike Ride

This was a short experience, but for those who like to get active, there was a fun bike ride while on the island of Santa Cruz. Most of the islands are a no-bike zone considering it’s a national park, but on the largest inhabited island, we were able to take a bike ride along paved roads to a chocolate farm.

SUP Board

The growing craze of stand-up paddle boarding has made its way onto cruise ships in the Galapagos. We gave this one a skip as we wanted more time to snorkel, but if you’ve never tried it, it’s hard to think of a better place than the Galapagos!

Hiking

This will be available almost daily as you explore the island on foot. All boats in the Galapagos are required by law to divide into groups of 16, so many boats will operate with that as their max capacity.

Larger boats like the Santa Cruz II employ a handful of guides who lead the smaller groups around the islands. Hiking is the best way to spot birdlife and understand the geology that has created the Galapagos.

Photography

We love taking photographs, so a place like the Galapagos is a photographer’s haven. It didn’t take long for our guide to realize we were always hanging behind in the group, snapping lots of photos while staring at a pair of finches in the tree. Sorry Enrique, we just really love wildlife.

Our ship had a presentation on board giving photography tips and insights for those budding photographers. You can take a photo-specific journey with some of the smaller cruise lines. If it’s your first time photographing wildlife, check out our safari camera post to pick a camera and learn the basics.

Scuba Diving

Not all boats offer scuba diving; you need to be PADI certified for most dives in the marine national parks. However, several smaller boats offer dive-specific cruises around the islands.

Day Tour

Most cruises make a stop at the main port of Puerto Ayora. The small town is home to the Darwin research center and several wildlife sanctuaries for the famous tortoises.

Gratuities on Board

As with everything, tips are at your discretion. However, we encourage you to tip your guides and boat crew. They do a tremendous job and work around the clock to ensure an amazing cruise. On board our ship, there was a box at check out, and they had the option to tip on a credit card with the reception.

Generally, tips range from $10 – $20 per day per person, with more going to the staff. We tipped our guides $50 a person and the boat staff $75 a person for a four-night, five-day cruise ($100 and $150).

Fun Ecuador Fact – US dollars are used in Ecuador, making cash for tips easy. ATMs around Ecuador dispense USD, so there is no need to bring in outside currency – read our post on travel banking if you need information on how we manage finances abroad.

What to look for in a Galapagos cruise ship

Size

This will have the largest impact on the kind of trip you have. There are two options regarding the boat size – big expedition ships like we did or smaller yachts. Both types of ships offer similar itineraries but vary in cost, comfort, and space. The larger ships generally have more deck space and are stable in the open seas around the Galapagos Islands.

We were happy for the more stability because even with our large ship, guests were still experiencing mild sea sickness. Larger boats can also offer multiple activities (for example, you can pick between snorkeling or a glass-bottom boat). The big boats generally cost more too. While the smaller boats tend to be more intimate and luxurious, and you feel a little less like a number.

Itinerary

We discussed the itinerary earlier and again. I suggest looking for an itinerary that includes the more remote islands. You must have a licensed guide, break into groups of up to 16, and only 100 people can visit an island at a time. So, smaller boats often see other boats in the bay while they visit an island, but large expedition ships will be the only ones in the area. Even if you book a small boat, don’t think it will only be your group in an area.

Guides

Our ship employed well-educated Ecuadorian guides who were knowledgeable and passionate about their islands. All guides in the Galapagos are required to be residents and from the islands. They used to break the guides into I, II, and III categories. III is considered the highest with guides who speak multiple languages and have a university education.

Our guide Enrique on the Santa Cruz II was fantastic. He was personal, polite, knowledgeable, and good at sensing the mood of our group. We’ve been on countless safaris and tours with many guides, and he stands out as one of the best. Every boat in the Galapagos must have one guide for every 16 guests. Larger cruise ships will break you into groups. We got lucky with our “Dolphins” group as we all got along very well!

Company

We always like to go with more experienced companies. The little details that might trip up smaller or new companies won’t cause any headaches. Luckily there are several operators with good experience in cruising around the Galapagos. Metropolitan Touring is one of those companies.

Price vs. Length of Galapagos Cruise

We’ll not lie to you and say that a cruise around the Galapagos islands is an affordable travel experience. It’s expensive, and anyone who gets to go on the incredible trip is very fortunate. The price points for cruises are proportional to the number of days on the boat. You’ll find an itinerary based on several of the following day options.

4 Days

This is generally too short as your first and last days are used for flying, so you only get two full days, which does not feel like enough. The price difference between longer itineraries is not vast when adding flights and logistics.

5 Days

This is the cruise we took on the Santa Cruz II. It was three full days and four nights on board the vessel. It felt like enough to take a bite out of the islands but still left us clamoring for more. They are amazing!

8 Days

A lot of travelers opt for this cruise length when booking the Galapagos. We’d be jealous of anyone fortunate enough to spend eight days. The longer itinerary also makes costs the best value when broken down daily.

15 Days

A few boats offer 15 days itinerary that does a complete circumnavigation of the Galapagos islands. It will be pricey, but you won’t be disappointed if you have the time.

Be Grateful!

Due to strict regulations on boat numbers, visitors, and itineraries, only about 75,000 people get to take a Galapagos Islands to cruise a year. That means if you can cruise around the islands, you are in the minority and one of the few lucky enough to see these incredible islands.

Beyond its reputation as the “rooftop of the world,” Bolivia offers a captivating blend of history, nature, and cultural marvels. The country has ancient ruins like Tiwanaku and steamy jungles of the Amazon Basin, along with La Paz, the world’s highest capital city, with a bustling market and colonial architecture. This is only a taste of this vibrant South American country, as there is much more to learn.

Fun Facts About Bolivia

Bolivia has Giant Salt Flats

The salt flats of Bolivia are among the largest in the world. The largest one, Salar de Uyuni, is 6,575 square miles and is one of Bolivia’s top tourist attractions.  There’s also a salt palace called Palacio de Sal, a hotel featuring sculptures, ceilings, walls, and furniture made of salt.

A Country that’s Big on Nature

Situated In Santa Cruz, Parque Nacional Del Gran Chaco Kaa-Iya Is The Largest National Park In Bolivia And One Of The Largest In South America. The 13,286 Square Miles Of Pristine Wilderness Is Home To Many Species, Including Jaguars, Wolves, Pumas, Armadillos, And Much More.

A Country with Two Capitals

Most people think La Paz is the capital city of Bolivia, but they are only half right. It’s not the official capital of the country. The official capital is Sucre. La Paz is the administrative capital only.

Bolivian Butterflies

One of the biggest butterfly sanctuaries in the world, The Guembe Butterfly Sanctuary, is in Bolivia. More than a thousand butterfly species live and thrive in this sanctuary. 

Most Bolivians are Also Indigenous

More than 50% of Bolivia’s population is Indigenous, meaning it has the highest population of indigenous people in South America. With over 36 indigenous groups, Bolivia’s cultural richness shines through vibrant festivals, intricate textiles, and colorful dances.

Amazing Madidi National Park

There are many things to know about Madidi National Park, but the most important fact about this beautiful and fascinating place is it’s considered one of the biggest protected areas on the planet, and at 11,779 square miles, it’s quite big! The park is situated in the Upper Amazon Basin region and is known for its diversity of natural plant and animal life.

There are 272 species of animals living in the park, but more are always being discovered, such as the Titi monkey, which was only discovered in 2004. Just as astonishing is the number of bird species that live in the park, which is just over 1,200.  To give a clearer picture of how many birds live there, that number represents 14% of the species on Earth. 

The Only Ametrine Mine is in Bolivia 

Bolivia is one of the only places in the world where Ametrine or Golden Amethyst can be found. The only Ametrine mine in the world is in Bolivia because the precious gem thrives under rare conditions in only a few places. The gem gets its nickname due to its yellowish-purple color.

Named after a Famous Liberator

Simon Bolivar was a renowned political leader and famed liberator who led the Wars of Independence and drove five countries away from Spanish rule.  His endeavors have resulted in the country of Bolivia being named after him. 

A UNESCO World Heritage City

Potosi is known for many things. It’s known for its high altitude, it’s known for its silver mining heritage, and it’s known for its history as a major industrial center. It’s also known for being a UNESCO World Heritage Site. 

Formally known as…

During Spanish rule, Bolivia was called Upper Peru. When the country gained independence in 1825, the name changed to what it is today.

Bolivia was Part of the Inca Empire

From the 15^th century to the 16^th century, Bolivia belonged to the ancient Inca Empire, and the remnants of this empire can be found in various parts of the country and around South America.

Descending the Death Road

The most dangerous road, Yungas Road, on earth, is located in Bolivia, and according to statistics, around 300 people are killed on this road every year. A combination of rough mountain conditions, steep inclines and declines, poor visibility, and a lack of guardrails makes this road dangerous. Despite these dangers, many travelers travel the road for the thrill; some even travel across it on a bicycle!

Carnaval de Oruro

Carnaval de Oruro is not only popular, but it’s also unique in that it combines indigenous traditions with Catholic rituals.  The festival started in the 1700s, and it features colorful costumes, traditional dancing, live music, and waking up anyone still asleep when the festivities begin!

The Colors of the Flag

The colors on the Bolivian flag are Red, yellow, and Green, each with a specific meaning. The red represents the blood shed during the freedom fight, the yellow symbolizes the country’s mineral deposits, and the green represents the country’s agricultural history.

That’s some High Altitude

Bolivia is one of the highest countries in South America and one of the most isolated.

A Very Biodiverse Country

Much of Earth’s plant and animal life can be found in Bolivia. This makes the country one of the most biodiverse on earth. Bolivia is so biodiverse, and its landscape and nature are so important that 17% of the country’s land has been protected.

An Unconventional Treat

Delicacies vary from country to country and culture to culture; some may seem strange.  For example, in Bolivia, the Guinea Pig is considered a tasty delicacy known as Cuy.  Yes, those cute little critters you or many people you know keep in a cage as a pet are fried, roasted, or broiled and served to the delight of waiting diners. 

Pink Dolphins Are Real

They are a fairly recent discovery, and the pink dolphins that live in the Bolivian Amazon basin are not only beautiful and fascinating, but they are also highly intelligent.

Zebras Help People Across Busy Streets

This is one of the most fun facts about Bolivia! I bet you didn’t know that there are zebras in Bolivia! Not only are zebras in the country, but these zebras help people cross busy streets! 

They’re not real zebras, of course, but they are people dressed in zebra costumes that can be found at many crossings and are there to help pedestrians, particularly children, to cross busy streets safely.

A Quechua Majority

The indigenous people of Bolivia make up more than half of the country’s population, but the Quechua people make up most of the indigenous population.

Bringing Attention to Domestic Violence

While watching Cholita Wrestling is a popular activity among residents and visitors to Bolivia, these performances also serve as an awareness campaign for domestic violence. Each match starts with a woman being attacked by a man and the woman fighting back to win the match.

A City in the Clouds

Regarding cities with more than one million people, La Paz is the highest in the world. Be cautious of altitude sickness if you ever visit! Some of Bolivia’s major cities, including La Paz and Sucre, are in the Andes Mountains. All-in-all, one-third of the entire country is located in this mountain range.

Shop in a Bona fide Witch Market

La Paz is home to one unique place locals call El Mercado de Las Brujas, which translates to Witch Market in English. Various indigenous and black magic rituals are alive and well in the country, and practitioners must get their supplies somewhere! Strange and unique items, including the famous ayahuasca and cactus hallucinogenics used in many rituals, can be found at this intriguing market. 

From a symbol of Repression to a Symbol of Pride

Once a source of repression, the traditional Pollera Skirt that Bolivian women often wear symbolizes pride. Under Spanish rule, women were forced to wear the long, pleated skirt, but today it’s worn to show pride in indigenous heritage.

There are Flamingos in Bolivia

While you expect to see flamingos in more tropical places, most people don’t expect to see them in Bolivia! Despite the harsh conditions, three species of flamingoes can be found in the Andes, including one extremely endangered. 

There are two voting ages in Bolivia

Whether you vote at age 18 or you vote at age 21 depends on one thing; whether you’re married or not!  Married folks can begin legally voting at age 18, but if you’re still single by that age, you won’t be able to vote until you’re 21 unless you get hitched before that.

Voting is also mandatory in Bolivia once you reach the legal age or marital status, so residents don’t get to choose if they vote like in most other democratic countries.

There’s a Clock that goes Backwards.

The Congress Building in La Paz has a unique feature; a clock that goes backward.  The reason for this? To encourage Bolivians to be creative and to think for themselves.

A Cheap Escape

Travelers in the know claim that Bolivia is the cheapest country to visit in South America, especially for long-term travel. This budget-friendly country is where you can find a comfortable bed in a hostel for less than ten dollars and a tasty meal from a street vendor for around a dollar. 

Bolivia is Home to the Largest Navigable Lake

As beautiful as Lake Titicaca is, the lake has another claim to fame; at 12,500 feet above sea level, it’s South America’s highest navigable and deepest lake.

Still Fighting for Access to the Ocean

There are only two landlocked countries in South America, and Bolivia is one of them. Before 1825, the country had access to the ocean. Bolivia once had control over the Atacama Desert, but conflict over natural resources ended that luxury.

The War Of The Pacific against Chile happened in the late 1800s, and they lost that access. Today, the country is landlocked in the middle of the South American continent, but despite this fact, Bolivia has a navy. 

You may be asking why a landlocked country would have a navy on Earth. That’s because Bolivia is still trying to get that land that leads to the ocean back due to the trade and economic benefits of having a seaport within its borders.

A Land of Many UNESCO World Heritage Sites

In Bolivia, UNESCO World Heritage Sites can be found nationwide.  There are seven such sites to explore, and each one is fascinating in its way. The City of Potosi is the most popular of these sites, but there’s also the Fuerte de Samaipata, the City of Sucre, the Jesuit Missions of the Chiquitos, Noel Kempff Mercado National Park, Tiwanaku: Spiritual and Political Centre of the Tiwanaku Culture and the Qhapaq Ñan Andean Road System.

A Linguists Dream

Like most countries in South America, Spanish is Bolivia’s most widely spoken language. However, more than 30 other languages are spoken in the country, mostly indigenous languages such as Quechua and Aymara.

Family is everything

Family life is very important to Bolivians, and it’s common for multiple generations of a family to live under one roof.  Family expectations are very traditional, too, with men working outside the house for the family income and women focusing on the children and home. 

Lima is the capital, and the average temperature ranges from 12 to 28 degrees. Cusco has a subtropical highland climate with a wet and dry season and cold nights. Iquitos, the gateway to the Amazon, ranges between 21 and 33 degrees year-round, and Northern Mancora stays steady at 23-27 degrees.

If you want to trek in the Andes, you could be looking at mornings and evenings of zero degrees at any time of the year. So, unless you’re just going to one place in Peru, you will want to pack layers and a variety of clothing. I thought splitting the Peru packing list into several sections would be best.

Inca Trail Peru Packing List

Peru is one of the most diverse countries in the world, and it has a wide range of climates that stretch across the country. From its beautiful coastline to the Andes and arid deserts to the Amazon Rainforest, you’ll find no shortage of climates in Peru.

In recent years, one of the most popular draws for tourists in Peru has been the awe-inspiring Andes and the valley, which provide fantastic hiking opportunities, including the Inca Trail. In this section, you’ll find what we like to bring on a hiking trip and some of our favorite products.

Sports Underwear

It would be best to pack several pairs of sports underwear. I recommend packing two to three and handwashing pairs whenever possible on a hiking trip. Generally, we’ll pack five to seven pairs of underwear for a typical trip.

It’s all about personal preference for women, but it’s best not to wear your typical cheap cotton undies. Women’s hygiene is important, so antimicrobial undies on long hikes are lifesaving. You have two options for underwear: synthetic or wool. Our suggestion is the merino wool pair from Icebreaker called the Siren or Anatomica.

Thermal Layers

Underlayers are the closest layer to your body and maintain your body heat. When we refer to thermals, we refer to long-sleeved thermals and underwear. I always wear quality baselayers when active in cold temperatures. They’re essential if you’re in alpine conditions while hiking, snowboarding, scrambling, or camping.

Generally, temperatures are mild enough to avoid them during the day, but they may provide comfort at night if you run cold. However, as the trekking season does run in the winter, it’s not uncommon to be in temperatures near freezing. We’ve had many base layers, but our favorites are wool-based layers from Helly Hansen, Smartwool, and Icebreaker.

Performance Shirts

Any Peru packing list needs a performance shirt! I love to wear a comfortable shirt on hot days. It’s best to opt for shirts made from a performance fabric that handles sweat and the sun. You should look for a fabric that is lightweight, breathable, and has quick-dry qualities, such as merino wool, nylon, or polyester.

The more expensive option would be to bring a hiking shirt with active panels designed to move with your body and withstand the wear of a backpack. We’ve spent a lot of time hiking in the mountains and have some recommendations for them in the following articles.

Technical Shirt

A technical long-sleeve hiking shirt looks great and is typically well-constructed. You should look for a nice blend of synthetic materials which allow for quick drying. A long-sleeve shirt like this allows for greater comfort from chilly mornings into warm days. It’s a great travel shirt as it avoids wrinkles, resists stains, and looks better than a relaxed tee. The other option is always a classic flannel. While it’s not a technical shirt and can be bulky, we still love them.

Mid Layer Sweater

On the trails, you often encounter cold temperatures in the mountains. A comfortable sweater is a great way to remain warm in the mornings and evenings. Any warm fleece jacket or sweater will work on the Inca Trail as it’s not some long multi-day hike. Our Patagonia Better Sweaters are perfect fleece sweaters, especially for mid-layers. It’s a slim-cut fleece with a soft lining that is slim cut and moves well with your body, while the outer material feels tough and shows little to no wear. We’ve both had one for years, and it looks like they’ll last for another decade.

Shell Jacket

A great item to have on the trails is a shell jacket designed to protect you from the wind and rain. This is not about wearing a winter jacket, but a jacket that will break the wind and protect you from the elements. Regarding hiking clothes, the best investment you can make is in a quality shell jacket. They’re tremendous at protecting you from the elements like rain, wind, sleet, and even snow. I cycle several shell jackets throughout the year, but the one I reach for the most is my Arc’teryx Beta LT Jacket.

Down Jacket

There are only a few travel items we recommend everyone has, and that’s a down jacket. A down jacket is a staple for travel and outdoor activities as it’s tremendously versatile. We always recommend bringing a down jacket on almost any extended trip. When dealing with the mountains and wide temperature shifts, it’s a great way to keep warm without eating up too much space in your hiking backpack.

Hiking Shorts

A great pair of shorts is self-explanatory for keeping yourself cool on a hot hiking day at lower elevations and warmer weather days we love a pair of hiking shorts. Of course, it all depends on the terrain and landscape as sometimes a pair of hiking pants can remain cool while protecting your legs from thick brush or rocks when scrambling up a trail.

Hiking Pants

Lightweight synthetic pants are tremendous to have in your pack. We wear them most days in Peru because they’re comfortable, antibacterial, and protect our legs from mosquitos and branches. We recommend neutral-colored pants because they’re great at hiding dirt and can match most shirt colors. What’s great is that they’re useful beyond Peru. They are a travel staple, and we pack a pair everywhere we travel.

Wool Socks

We’ve learned to love our feet with a good pair of socks. You will want to keep your feet dry while hiking. Most importantly, wool socks stay fresh for several days as they have natural antimicrobial properties. We travel with a couple of pairs of Darn Tough Merino socks, and our feet have never felt cold or wet. As a bonus, they’re produced in Vermont!

Trail Running Shoes

I recommend you look at the weather and your shoe preference before you pick a nice hiking boot or trail running shoe. In cooler temperatures, we appreciate the added insulation in hiking shoes, but in warmer months, we prefer the breathability and lightweight nature of trail running shoes.

Hiking Boots

Peru has become a trekking capital, and there is a wide network of trails. In more fashionable destinations with day hikes, we recommend leather boots, but when it comes to multiday hikes, it’s tough to beat purpose-built synthetic boots, as they are lightweight, breathable, quick-drying, and often waterproof.

When hiking in the mountains, loose rocks are a real threat, and it’s a good idea to wear decent hiking boots or shoes. There has been a long debate on whether you need high-top or low-cut shoes to protect your ankles. Truthfully, we own both types and like to wear high-tops on muddy trails or areas with thick vegetation and shoes in warm and dry destinations.

I’d say wear what you’re comfortable with, but if you plan to head to the Amazon, it would be a good idea to bring a pair of high-ankle boots. Seriously, bring proper footwear because many critters roam around. I still have nightmares about getting attacked by fierce jungle ants when I mistakenly walked on a trail in my flip-flops.

We also saw multiple venomous snakes on trails, so the added layer of protection was much appreciated. A good pair of hiking boots will come in handy if you have plans to explore. We love the Merrel Moab III, which comes in both women’s and men’s versions, as well as high and low-cut versions.

Travel Towel

We always recommend bringing a travel towel when you’re on the road, and Peru is no exception. If you plan on a multiday hike like the Inca Trail, you’ll need to carry your own towel, and you don’t want to lug around a big fluffy, space-consuming cotton bath towel from home.

The biggest complaint about travel towels is that they often feel nothing like the plush cotton towels we are accustomed to at home and in hotels. However, with the PackTowl, you can forget about all of that because they set out to create a towel that mimics its cotton counterparts with the technical features of a travel towel.

Sunglasses

Protect your eyes from the sun since you’ll likely spend a lot of time in the sun in Peru. There are many sunglasses options, and everyone should own at least a pair. It’s best to ensure they have UV protection for the health of your eyes. These are particularly important if you plan to visit any of Peru’s glaciers as the sun’s reflection from snow damages your eyes.

Beanie

As I’ve said before, cold evenings and nights are frequent at elevation, so a nice beanie to keep your head warm is always nice to have in your pack. It takes up very little room in your pack. If you forget, you can find a hand-knit one in any of the markets selling local products around Peru—it’s a super popular souvenir, probably because everyone underestimates the chill and forgets to pack one.

Gloves

Heavy winter gloves are unnecessary while hiking in Peru, but a lightweight pair is great for those prone to cold hands. If you’re trekking on the Inca Trail, consider a pair of lightweight, weatherproof gloves to protect your hands from the elements. There are many gloves purpose-built for hiking, jogging, or general sports activities that would be great for your trip.

Hiking Poles

If you plan to take part in long day or multi-day hikes, a pair of hiking poles is a great way to save your knees and prevent injuries. The Inca Trail, for example, requires several days of hiking, often around 5-6 hours a day. You’ll gain and descend elevation along the way, and it’s easy for your legs to get tired, so a pair of hiking poles will pay off.

Hiking poles reduce the impact on your knees and prevent injuries, as they provide an extra level of support. When selecting your hiking poles, you should look at a number of key features and specs. We like to have a pair of hiking poles that have secure clamps rather than twist locking mechanisms, as they are more secure and will hold up long term.

Grayl Ultralight Water Bottle

The Grayl water bottle system purifies water rather than filters it, removing viruses and virtually eliminating all threats of waterborne illnesses.

Headlamp

On almost every trip where we spend time outside, a headlamp is on our packing list. If you have a long day on the trails, this could be a lifesaver, and it’s nice to have around camp at night. We even use ours in cities and towns when we walk along the side of a road to increase visibility.

We have several headlamps, but one of our new favorites is the Biolite 200. It took several recommendations online before settling on this one because of its affordable price and durability. It delivers 200 lumens, costs $40, and will likely last a decade or longer. It’s a sweet deal if you like to spend time outdoors. Most importantly, it’s rechargeable, so no more pesky batteries are in the trash—an eco-friendly product win!

Sleeping Bag

If there is one hiking item I really recommend you bring your own, it is a sleeping bag. Make sure to get something that is lightweight, warm, and of decent quality. If you have plans for future hikes at higher elevations, like further south in Patagonia or Nepal, now would be a good time to make sure you have a decent-quality sleeping bag.

You can rent a sleeping bag in Cusco before you set off on a hiking trip, but you can’t shower on a hiking trail so it’s up to you if you want to follow someone else you don’t know into a sleeping bag. That being said, sleeping bags can be pricey, so the cheaper option would be to bring along travel sheets/liners that you can slip inside the rental sleeping bag.

Sleeping bags come in two different types, down and synthetic. Down bags are considered high-performance and generally offer greater warmth and a lighter weight, but they cost more. The most popular trekking months are the dry months (May – September), which coincide with the year’s coldest months. It is common to see temperatures below zero or freezing at night so you should pack a four season bag rated for around -10C or 14F.

The sky is the limit with sleeping bags, with the top-end models reaching upwards of $500. This is a lot more than is necessary for most hikers on the Inca Trail or many of the other trails around Peru. A great lightweight and affordable option would be the Marmot Trestles Elite, which costs only $150 with a synthetic down fill.

Sleeping Pad

If you’re taking an independent trek, you likely already know you’ll need a sleeping pad. Sleeping pads act as insulation between your body and the cold ground and make for a more comfortable sleep. If you’re on a guided trek with porters, it’s likely that your tour company will supply you with a sleeping pad—we recommend you verify before arriving.

Pillow

We can’t sleep without a pillow, but everyone is different! A small, simple pillow that inflates will be useful while trying to catch some sleep. The alternative would be to use clothes like a down jacket to sleep at night by tucking it into your sleeping bag hood. A pillow is essential for a good night’s sleep in the mountains. Therm-A-Rest makes durable pillows from upcycled foam. These pillows are soft and expand large enough for a comfortable rest.

Dry bag

Dry bags are great if you want to ensure your electronics are protected from the elements. They will protect your phone and any other electronics if it starts to rain or if your bag gets wet. As a plus, they take up little to no room and are cheap.

Water Bladder

You should consume at least two liters of water daily while hiking in the mountains. This often means you carry two bottles of water or purchase water when available along the route. A water bladder is the best way to carry enough water on your treks and extra in case of emergencies. Most hiking backpacks and even daypacks designed for hiking have a sleeve for carrying extra water. With the Grayl water bottle above, you can filter the water and pour it into your bladder, ensuring you stay hydrated and healthy.

Self-Supported Hiking Backpack — Osprey Atmos/Aura

This is a great pack for beginner hikes as it’s extremely comfortable on the trail. I haven’t found a pack that fits better on my back. My largest complaint is its rather odd shape, weight, and inability to stand up on its own due to the internal frame. However, it is rugged and effortlessly carries heavy weight. Backpacker Magazine even gave it the Editors’ choice for the best multiday backpack several times over.

Supported Hiking Backpack

If you have the benefit of a porter on a guided hiking tour like the Inca Trail, you won’t need a large multiple-day hiking backpack. You’re only responsible for your water, snacks, change of clothes, and daily essentials like a rain jacket or sunblock. This means you need a lot less space, so a smaller backpack of around 30-35L should be more than enough.

Your porter will likely carry your tent, sleeping bag, nightly clothes, and food. This means many of the heavyweight items are not in your pack, making the hike a lot easier. You will still need to carry several pounds of gear in your bag, so it’s important to have a backpack that sits well on your back and has good suspension. Opt for a size around 35L, which should be enough to carry all of your necessities.

We have a large number of hiking backpacks in various sizes. If you have plans for other short treks that may or may not have a porter, you can go with a 50L that will lend more versatility without being so large it’s unnecessarily cumbersome on the trail. Regarding our recommendation for smaller backpacks, we love the Traverse from REI and the Exos/Tempest from Osprey.

Amazon Packing List

The majority of Peru is temperate, so dressing for cool temperatures like fall or spring in North America and Europe is appropriate. Yet, when you head inland over the Andes, you’ll find the Amazon and rainforest. Here, temperatures and humidity soar, and you’ll regularly find they reach 30C or 90F.

There’s a lot of overlap betweren the items listed above, so we’ll just make some suggestions on additional items specific to the Amazon River. Some obvious musts like sunglasses, rain jackets, anti-microbial underwear/socks, boots, and hiking pants. It’s good because outside of the insulating layers there is a surprising amount of overlap between the Andes Mountains and the Amazon River.

Sunhat

If you’re on the Amazon or a river you’ll see a lot of sun from the water reflection when it does make an appearance. We both have a Tilley hat as they have long been famed for their sun protection hats. They have seen the world over and have seen more than a few adventures. It holds its shape, and the material has a stylish look to it. What sets Tilley apart is that they guarantee their hats for life against wear and tear.

Long Sleeve Technical Shirt

There are many little critters around the rainforest, and you’ll be walking around almost every day of your trip. The shirt looks sharp with clean lines and a flattering cut. We love these shirts as they offer UV protection, are lightweight and quick-drying, and offer excellent ventilation. You can check out more technical long-sleeve shirts in our post about safari shirts.

Hiking Shorts

A great pair of shorts is self-explanatory for keeping yourself cool on a hot day, and we love a pair of hiking shorts. You might be worried about bugs in the Amazon, but you’ll be surprised to find that it’s common to see little to no mosquitos during the day. It all varies a lot, depending on the location in the Amazon. Some areas are prone to lots of bugs, while others are virtually bug-free.

Loose Pants

We pretty much live in loose pants when in hot climates. After wearing several different pants, we’ve landed on prAna for the company’s commitment to sustainability and the awesome pants that they produce. Their women’s Summit Pant is made of hemp and recycled polyester, offering 50+ UPF protection. They are perfect for beach destinations, especially if you find yourself in more conservative areas.

These men’s Vaha pants are lightweight and weigh nothing in a carry-on bag. I could live in these pants if it were acceptable to wear them for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. In Peru, they were a wardrobe staple for nighttime, as they are appropriate to wear out to a restaurant or bar while covering our legs from the pesky mosquitos. For men, most Peruvians wear long pants, so it’s a good way to blend without feeling too hot in a pair of jeans.

Insect Repellant

The Amazon has year-round warm weather and lots of rain, so it is a breeding ground for mosquitos. They love to hang around forests, ponds, lagoons, or anywhere with moving water—still, water actually has the wrong pH in the Amazon. It’s pretty common for unsuspecting travelers to leave with legs full of mosquito bites.

We recommend packing a bottle of insect repellant with DEET in it to scare away those annoying biting demons. In a worst-case scenario, it reduces the chances of Malaria or Yellow Fever. Remember that DEET can destroy plastics, so mind your sunglasses or camera when applying.

General Items

You’ll still want most of the stuff on the hiking list above for your trip to Peru, particularly if you plan to spend time outside. While the items you want for hiking are more technical, you can get away with more comfortable clothes and heavier items like a wool sweater.

Wool Sweater

If there is one article of clothing made for travel in Peru it’s the wool sweater. Sweaters can make a great travel outfit staple. They’re comfortable, stylish, and warm. It doesn’t matter the season either as most of Peru is temperate and remains cool year-round. This means comfortable day time temperatures during the day and chilly evenings in the summer.

Fitted Jeans

Jeans go with anything, and despite the notion that they are “American” casual, the right pair is attractive. I see jeans everywhere I travel, and it’s definitely not just Americans wearing them. We stick with the classic look in jeans. That means fitted jeans in a dark color—no fades, classic blues, or rips!

Chinos

A pair of chinos works for both sexes. It’s a classic look that when combined with a sweater works well in Peru. I always pack a pair of these pants in my bag! Men should opt for more neutral colors like grey, blue, brown, or green. Women can never go wrong with white, yellow, beige, or light pastel colors. Of course, it depends on the season.

Scarf

This is a travel staple and a great wardrobe choice for both women and men traveling in Peru. They act as an accessory to your outfit and they’re super comfortable giving you an added layer of warmth. Scarves are especially great for travelers: They can spice up an outfit that you’ve already worn three days in a row and can be thrown into a bag or purse to pull out when the sun sets and the weather gets chilly.

Accessories For Peru

Sunscreen

Skin cancer is for real! Remember your SPF when traveling around Peru, as you’re close to the Equator. We recommend ordering some online before leaving the house, as you will find much higher prices in Peru.

We highly recommend getting eco-friendly sun cream that does not contain harmful chemicals. These creams are mineral-based and usually only cost a few dollars more to help protect our oceans. If you’re not going to swim in the ocean, just go with a reliable name brand—granted, runoff often still ends in our oceans.

Hand Sanitizer

Walking around and taking part in everyday activities in Peru can get pretty dirty. It became a reoccurring theme to find hand soap nowhere. You can’t go wrong bringing some hand sanitizer and baby wipes in your bag — consider it a travel essential anywhere you go.

Electronics to Pack for Peru

Travel Adaptor

You will definitely need an adaptor for your electronics on your Peru packing list. We always keep one handy in our carry-on bags so we can charge electronics on arrival or at the airport. The plugs in Peru are Type A and Type C, but they are not the same Type A in the U.S. due to the grounding.

Make sure you find a good adapter like the one I have to keep you charged. Otherwise, you may be paying for an overpriced one once you land. You’ll need the British “Type G” three-prong adaptor for the United Kingdom.

Kindle Paperwhite

While I love having a good, real book when I travel, sometimes it’s just not practical because of the weight. I’ve recently switched to a Kindle Paperwhite which is small and compact, plus it has a backlight for reading at night without a harsh glare. It’s great for those nights when you’re disconnected and looking to unwind.

 Portable Charger

I love traveling with a power bank to ensure my phone never dies. The majority of the time I don’t need to use it on long flights as some of the nicer airlines provide entertainment systems with USB ports! We also make sure to find a charging point during layovers, but getting to a new city without your hotel reservations and map can be a major pain.

The Ultimate Galapagos Packing List

Bathing Suit

You’re going to the Galapagos and will be surrounded by water. Don’t forget at least two pairs of bathing suits. It’s always nice to be able to swap between instead of getting into a wetsuit from the day before. My favorite bathing suit for women is Andies Swim. They are supportive and make genuinely great eco-friendly products.

Wetsuit

You may want to have a wetsuit if you do any snorkeling. Most operators will provide you with a wetsuit for a charge, but you may want to pack your own if you have a wetsuit and space. We snorkeled three times in the Galapagos in June. Each time, we opted out of a wetsuit, and while the water was chilly, it wasn’t freezing.

Light and Loose clothing

Light, comfortable, loose clothing is excellent for active trips like these, and you’ll stay active while walking under the sun. There’s nothing that I wouldn’t say I like more than having skin-tight clothes on in the middle of a hot day. We traveled with prAna hemp pants.

Rain Jacket

I always travel with a rain jacket just in case. A rain jacket is essential if traveling the Galapagos in the wet season (December to May). While the weather mainly stays mild in the Galapagos, the hot Panama currents and the Northeast trade winds can cause rain around the islands. Rain is typically short-lived, but you won’t want to get soaked during that time. I have this one from Kathmandu, which has kept me dry for years.

Hoodie/fleece

It gets chilly at night in the Galapagos. I was really happy I packed a hoodie to keep me warm while outside.

Bugsaway Shirt

There are a lot of little critters around the islands, and you’ll be walking around the islands exploring almost every day of your trip. For trips like this, I would recommend the ExOfficio Breez’R Shirt. It’s 100% nylon and has “Insect Shield” technology, repelling all those creepy crawlers (and mosquitos!) We traveled all over Africa on safari with them and avoided many bites. 

Lounge Clothes

There will be downtime while you check out the Galapagos, so make sure you are comfy. A pair of flip-flops for walking around at your leisure never hurts.

Essential Galapagos Packing List Items

Sunscreen

You’re at the equator, so you will 100% need sunscreen in the Galapagos. Most hotels and ships won’t provide this and will charge a premium to purchase on the islands, so bring yours from home. We choose eco-friendly sunscreen when going into the ocean so that we don’t release chemicals into the environment. This is the exact kind we traveled with to the Galapagos and never got burned. Don’t skimp on the sunscreen for the sake of a tan! Even the locals slather it all over their bodies here.

Bug Spray

You’ll be exploring and walking around some pretty amazing wildlife destinations here, but that also means there will be bugs. Bring a small tube of bug spray to protect yourself.

Dry Bag

If I could return and redo my Galapagos packing list, I would have 100% thrown a dry bag in. I didn’t think about it before we got to Ecuador, but once we boarded the ship, I realized how nice it would have been to stick my valuables and electronics in a dry bag while on the dingy between islands. You’re surrounded by water almost always, and a dry bag will help you protect your valuables, especially when traveling between islands.

Small Backpack

Since your main home while in the Galapagos will most likely be on a ship or Santa Cruz island, you will be packing up every day to explore from your base. A backpack to throw all your necessities in is also essential for the Galapagos. Here’s a review of all of our favorites.

Galapagos Packing List Accessories

Sunhat

Remember what I said about the equator? There will be a lot of sun in the Galapagos, and a hat will help protect your face and eyes from it. Bring a baseball cap or sun hat from home. Or you can purchase Ecuador’s famous Panama Hats just about anywhere in the country!

(Including the airport, they are everywhere!) Hint: Don’t roll your Panama Hat into your suitcase. I made that mistake, and now it is ruined after only wearing it a few times. Instead, wear your hat on the plane when you travel.

Sunglasses

Sun+equator. I sound like a broken record, but I don’t want you to hurt your eyes! The Galapagos guides I spoke with recommended good quality sunglasses with UV protection in the Galapagos since the sun is so strong and often bounces off the water.

Walking Shoes

A good pair of walking shoes is essential for touring the islands. I traveled to the Galapagos with my Hoka One Ones Speedgoat 5,  and they were perfect. Check out more of my favorite travel shoes here.

Walking Sandals

Cameron and I – and just about everyone in our group traveled with either Tevas or Chacos. That’s because there will be many times when you may be walking in water or will have a wet landing on an island. For these times, you’ll want something sturdier than a flip-flop, but you obviously won’t want to get your tennis shoes wet. Sturdy sandals are perfect for this.

Buff

I travel everywhere with a Buff because it pulls my hair back when it looks like crap, keeps the sweat out of my face, and also protects from the sun. Even the local guides were wearing their buff to protect their faces.

Cameras and Lenses

You’re heading to a seriously hard place to get to in the world. Don’t leave home without a camera to capture some of your memories. A good travel camera is essential. We traveled with a Fuji X Series camera with a 50-200 mm lens.

Along with a Canon 5D and 600mm lens, we could get some up close shots of the wildlife. If underwater photography interests you, I would suggest purchasing the Sony RX100v. We just got this camera with underwater housing and can’t recommend it enough – small, lightweight, and great image quality!

Binoculars

I think we were the only people in our group without binoculars, and it was a major bummer. Binoculars offer you the chance to view wildlife much better than your bare eye – and you’ll be seeing lots of wildlife. There are options that aren’t too expensive online, and if I could redo my Galapagos packing list I definitely would have purchased a pair to have on this trip.

Dramamine

If you’re cruising around the islands and get sick sea easily make sure to pack Dramamine in your medicine kit. Our ship, the Santa Cruz, had a doctor on board and extra Dramamine but you can’t guarantee that yours will.

Lotion

It gets really hot around the Galapagos and the sun is baking on you so your skin is bound to take a hit and get dry. Bring some kind of lotion (I like cocoa butter to keep your skin hydrated. I thought that our ship would have lotion and be well stocked with amenities like in a typical hotel room, but it wasn’t so I was happy I had back up lotion in my bag.

Lip balm

Hot sun + dry climate = chapped lips. We suggest chapstick with UPF as the sun is very strong at the equator.

Waterbottle

You’re cruising around one of the most biodiverse areas of our planet. Please do not buy plastic water bottles and contribute to the world’s pollution problem. Use a travel water bottle on your trip and keep refilling it.

Walking Poles

We personally didn’t bring walking poles but saw many older people venturing around the islands with them. If you are used to walking or trekking with poles than I would suggest putting them on your Galapagos packing list.

Long Socks

These aren’t necessary, but I personally love longer socks when I’m hiking around areas with lots of grass and bugs.

A Good Book

You won’t have a TV or WiFi cruising around the Galapagos. Bring a book or Kindle with you to keep you occupied at night.

Galapagos Packing Tips

• Remember that staterooms will be small if you are on board a ship like we were, and transfers will be on a dinghy. It’s best not to bring big suitcases.
• Your accommodation provider may provide biodegradable toiletries, but it’s good to remember to adjust your products for the environment you’re in. The Galapagos are very precious, and anything put on your body and then in the water goes into the ecosystem.
• All bags are run through customs when you leave Quito or Guayaquil and again when you arrive in the Galapagos. Do not bring fresh fruit or things that will set off the alarm.