Haley
When it comes to global vacation destinations, Peru has a unique allure. First, not much is known about the country as it is not one of the mainstream vacation hot spots. But the combination of diverse landscapes, vibrant culture, and rich history make Peru an exciting adventure waiting to be experienced.
The mesmerizing blend of past and present Peru is captivating for solo female travelers. With the sun rising over the Andes mountains, visitors will see bustling city markets juxtaposed with ancient ruins that are centuries old.
If you are a solo female traveler and want to visit Peru, we’ve prepared a guide to help you immerse in the local culture, explore culinary delights, and enjoy the empowerment you’ll experience during solo travel in Peru. Learn how to plan the perfect trip, economize your adventures, and prioritize safety to have the vacation of a lifetime.
Planning Tips for Solo Female Travelers to Peru
Every good vacation starts with research and planning. Before you disembark on your solo trip to Peru, you want to make sure that you spend some time organizing your itinerary. Sure, it’s a bit of work, but it is worth structuring your travel to make the most of your time in Peru.
Here are some essential tips for planning your solo female travel to Peru:
1. Research and Plan Your Trip
If you watch travel TikTok’s you may think that some solo female travelers jump on a plane and head to Peru at the drop of a dime. Travel journalists focus on making the trip look exciting, fun, and spontaneous. But what you don’t see from travel bloggers, are the weeks of advanced planning and preparation that goes into Peru solo female travel.
Research is key. That means familiarizing yourself with all the local customs, the culture, and the regions that you want to visit. Looking at a crime map can also help you identify areas that may not be the safest for a solo female traveler. Remember to make notes about transportation options, ATM locations, and areas that are considered tourist friendly.
Also, make note of health advisories. Double-check that you have the required immunizations to travel to Peru. And make sure that you have the address, telephone, and email of the local consulate, should you run into any legal problems, including loss of your passport or other government-issued ID.
2. Choose Your Accommodations Wisely
When you have big travel dreams but a dime budget, you will look for the best deals on everything from food and beverages, transportation, and of course, accommodation. But keep in mind that the standards of accommodation can vary widely, and often, you get what you pay for when it comes to motels and hostels.
Staying in a hostel is the most affordable option, and that means more of your budget can be spent on adventures and experiences. But consider that hostels offer little to no privacy. You will be sharing a room with other travelers, which can be nice. But the lack of a private room can also make you a victim of property theft, or potentially compromise your personal safety.
Pay close attention to reviews left by other travelers, when choosing accommodations in Peru. And remember pictures of your motel, hostel, or hotel may not reflect the present state of the property.
3. Download and Print Your Travel Details
In our digital age, it can be easy to place everything in the cloud and access it from your smartphone. It is convenient and safe. But what happens if you find yourself at a location without cellular service? If you are planning to go off-road on your Peru vacation, plan for areas where you won’t have a signal.
Print maps, hotel accommodations, and tours you plan to take, and have that information with you in your backpack. No cellphone? No problem! Your day can continue without an expensive and frustrating trip back to your hotel.
4. Get Translation Apps to Help You Communicate in Spanish
Beyond the most embraced Spanish phrase “cerveza por favor,” you will need to memorize some other conversational phrases before you visit Peru. You can visit Peru without being fluent in Spanish but know that outside of tourist areas, less than 12% of the population are English speaking.
Don’t even think about buying one of those translation books. Nothing says “I am a tourist” faster than whipping one of those out. But Google Translate is a great tool that works with any iPhone or Android device. Other earbuds will automatically translate any language into English for you. And there are translator apps that are text to audio, so you can type your response and have your phone play your response.
5. Dress Conservatively to Respect Peruvian Culture
The weather in Peru and the seasons are opposite to North America. That means there are times of the year when the weather can be a little breezy and cold. From December to April, the average temperature is 75°F, but from May to November, it can be a chilly 50°F.
Jeans are always a good choice for female solo travelers. Pockets! Some areas of Peru (particularly small rural communities) are a little more conservative. That means wearing modest clothing. Choose blouses with thin flowing material (and long sleeves) paired with full-length boho skirts.
While you can wear tank tops and shorts, when you solo travel Peru style, you will blend in better if you adopt local attire. You don’t want to call attention to yourself as a tourist, but look like you belong there as a local instead. Cover knees and shoulders and you will fit right in.
6. Stay in Touch Regularly
Remember to share your itinerary, tours, and accommodations with family or friends. This is an important safety precaution for solo female travelers to Peru or any foreign country. Also, make sure you schedule regular calls to check in with your loved ones.
Make sure you have reliable communication at all times. Instagram is a great way to post updates about your trip but watch the GPS settings on social media apps. It’s never a good idea to publicly share posts that provide your location.
What to See While In Peru
Now we can get to the good stuff; all the amazing and beautiful sites and experiences you can have during your solo travel in Peru. It is almost impossible to see everything, even if you adventure for a week.
Pick and choose the must-see tourist locations and immerse yourself in the culture. Here are some suggestions to get you started:
Machu Picchu
The world-famous site of the Inca ruins is located 50 miles northwest of Cuzco, Peru. The towering Andes mountains frame the beautiful heritage site, which is located above the Urubamba River valley.
The ruins are located between Machu Picchu (Old Peak) and Huayna Picchu (New Peak) at an elevation of over 7,700 feet. Machu Picchu was designated a UNESCO World Heritage site in 1983. It was discovered in 1911 by Yale University professor Hiram Bingham, who was looking for Vilcabamba, or the “lost city of the Incas”.
Lake Titicaca
This natural wonder is a freshwater lake that is home to more than 500 different aquatic species, including the giant Titicaca water frog, and the beautiful Grebe, which is a flightless bird. Lake Titicaca borders Bolivia and Peru and is called the highest navigable lake in the world.
The Khoa reef (located near the island of Khoa) contributed thousands of Incan artifacts, including ornaments, and incense burners, and it is considered to be the birthplace of the Inca culture. It is believed that the lake was a ceremonious pilgrimage destination, and the Inca people dropped valuable offerings into the lake.
The Nazca Lines
In 1994, the Nazca Lines were designated as a UNESCO World Heritage site. Shallow incisions and depressions were created in the desert floor in Southern Peru, between 500 BC and 500 AD. If you are planning solo travel in Peru, and ancient art excites you, this is definitely a must-see.
By 2020, approximately one hundred (100) new designs and figures were discovered, with the use of video drones. And many archeologists believe that there are many more yet to uncover. You can see a hummingbird, fish, heron, monkey, dog, cat, and many other animals engraved on the earth.
The lines make designs of animals and plants, and span in total over 800 miles, meticulously made by removing the top layer of brown pebbles and exposing the bleached yellow-gray soil beneath. The designs have persisted because the area is dry, and sheltered from wind, allowing them to be preserved naturally.
Máncora
How does a thriving nightclub scene, and beautiful white beaches sound? This small town located on the northern Pacific coast of Peru is a resort paradise, with ample beachside hotels and spas. After you are done adventuring, Máncora is a great place to relax and unwind.
If you love diving or kitesurfing, you’ll want to check out Vichayito Beach. Craving beach yoga and quiet Zen? Head to the calm Pocitas Beach. There are plenty of guided adventure tours to breathtaking waterfalls or soak in one of the natural mud baths. Horseback riding is also available on the beach and back road trails.
Make some time to sample the local Peruvian cuisine, which features corn, potatoes, quinoa (Amaranthaceae), legumes, and beef, pork, and chicken dishes. And remember, solo female travel Peru style is easy and safe when you plan ahead.
