Evalynn and I spent 3 weeks in Peru. The first week was mostly Peru Hop jumping form Lima to Paracas to Huacachina to Puno to Cusco. The last 2 weeks were in Cusco. We made a VERY wise decision to pay to ditch our summer clothes and unnecessary gear at the Hotel Ayenda B&B Wasi Airport in Lima (using AirKeep) while we travelled the rest of the country.
What was the most surprising thing about Peru?
Eva: The dialect. Having taken Spanish and visited Mexico, I couldn’t understand them as well as I expected I would.
Ehren: How laid back, go-with-the-flow and accepting they were of the lack of structure/organization.
What would you change about this trip?
Eva: While it would’ve been harder to negotiate the busses in the bus terminals instead of Peru Hop, we would’ve been forced to practice our travel skills if we had.
Ehren: Probably would not have booked a 4th floor apartment in Puno. Dealing with the altitude sickness AND 4 flights of stairs was murder.
Scale of 1-10, how easy is it for a US Citizen visiting for the first time to communicate and find the things you need?
Eva: 7, it’s great for experienced travelers, but if it’s your first country to visit outside of the US, it’ll challenge you. I didn’t think it was difficult.
Ehren: 7, with technology, it’s always possible to communicate. I think the more difficult thing is finding what you need. Irregular hours and niche stores sometimes made it tricky to find departure points and specific products that you need (ie. COVID masks, sunscreen, etc.)
How long would you optimally stay there (+/- how long we stayed)?
Eva: A week more than what we did [4 weeks].
Ehren: I’d have probably stayed 6 weeks and stayed a couple places longer.
Could you move/live here?
Eva: I could see making a decision for a 1 year stay, but not permanently living here.
Ehren: I could, but wouldn’t want to. Just the lack of structure and kind of cluttered atmosphere just don’t make it that tempting.
What did you learn about travel?
Eva: Even when the tour guides speak English, you have to remember that it’s their second language, you have to make sure you’re clear and they understand your intentions.
Ehren: Long bus rides can be torturous. The busses either pinned our legs forward or back, but not being able to move our legs at all for 10-15 hours at a time was PAINFUL.
Anything else you want to add?
Eva: There are a lot of places that cater to Americans so much, it’s easy to see Peru without learning anything. Encourage visitors to seek getting outside of the tourism districts. That being said, Aguas Calientes & Huacachina are probably good for socialites.
Ehren: The cost of lodging, tours and meals was exceptionally affordable compared to US costs. This makes it so you can really do more if you want the tourist experience or the local experience… it’s accessible. The Amantani Island Home Stay was a transcendent experience and WELL worth the cost.
Quick Fire Favorites:
Restaurant:
Eva: Viao Victoria in a hotel in Cusco
Ehren: Waiki Jamaican restaurant in Paracas, cool atmosphere
Hang out Joint:
Eva: Bananas in Huacachina
Ehren: Los Portalles II in Cusco
Best Shopping:
Eva: Sentro de Produccion Textil Illapa, Chinchero (stop on a tour)
Ehren: Sabino Huaman Instrument Shop in Cusco
Point of Interest:
Eva: Plaza de Armas in Lima
Ehren: Machu Picchu