A Love Letter to Peru (& Why You've Gotta Visit!)

I seriously waited way too long to check out Peru. I mean, I can't even come up with a decent excuse for not jetting off there sooner. It had been on my "gotta - go" list for ages, but I always managed to find some reason not to. "Oh, the season's wrong", "I don't wanna go solo", "It's just not the right time" - blah, blah, blah. I was like a pro at making excuses, when in fact, if I'd really been keen, I could've hopped on a plane.

But last November, I finally took the plunge. I thought to myself, "It's now or never!" Yeah, it wasn't the peak hiking season, I still felt a bit out - of - shape for those high - altitude treks, and I didn't have as much time there as I'd have liked. But like I always say, there's no such thing as the perfect time to visit a place, just the time that's right for you.

And let me tell you, Peru is everything. From the second I landed, I knew I was about to start a forever - kind - of - love with this country. You know how there are some places that just seem to vibe with you, like they're a perfect fit? It was like that for me. Peru was like a long - lost home, reaching out and saying, "Hey, you're where you belong."

I spent over two weeks stuffing my face in Lima, the foodie capital, checking out the famous Nazca Lines, wandering around the colonial beauty of Arequipa with its stunning architecture, hiking Machu Picchu (which was amazing), and falling head - over - heels for Cusco and its art, museums, and yummo food.

The Food: A Gastronomic Dream

I knew Peru was a food lover's paradise, so my expectations were sky - high. There are so many top - notch restaurants in Lima, and everyone I know who's been there raves about the local eats. But holy moly, the food was even better than I thought! Peruvian food is like a cool cultural mash - up of Andean, Japanese, Chinese, Italian, and West African. You get super fresh produce, seafood, and meat. And the way they blend all these cultures in their dishes, with a real focus on both quality and presentation, is just mind - blowing.

Whether I was at a fancy - schmancy Lima restaurant or a hole - in - the - wall joint, the food was always full of flavor, the portions were spot - on, and it was just so delicious! (The only meh meal I had was at a hostel, but hey, can't win 'em all.) I'm usually not big on dessert, but I was ordering chocolate left and right. It was just too good to resist. (Here's a list of some of my fave places.)

The People: Super Friendly and Welcoming

People can really make or break a destination, right? And while there are nice folks everywhere, some cultures are just extra friendly and hospitable. Peruvians? They're the best! Whether it was through social media, on my hikes, or just everyday chats, everyone was so awesome.

For example, in Arequipa, I stumbled upon a new breakfast place called Isidro. The owners had worked in NYC restaurants, so we had a blast chatting about that. And the food there? It was great!

The Landscape: A World of Wonders

From the dry desert to the steamy Amazon jungle, cloud forests, canyons that made me feel like I was in Arizona, and mountains that reminded me of New Zealand - the variety of landscapes in Peru is crazy! I knew from planning my trip and looking at pictures that there was a lot of geographical diversity, but seeing it in person was a whole different ballgame. I was so surprised by all the different microclimates. Peru is seriously a stunner. (And the hiking? Yeah, it's tough if you're not used to the altitude, but it wasn't as bad as I'd feared!)

I haven't fallen this hard for a place since I went gallivanting around Mexico at the end of 2020. Peru really does live up to all the hype my friends and my research had built up.

I know I'm a bit late to the party, and I'm probably not telling you anything you don't already know. But hey, consider me another voice shouting from the rooftops that Peru is something special. Don't make the same mistake I did and keep putting it off. Get there as soon as you can!

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Book Your Trip to Peru: Logistical Tips and Tricks

Book Your Flight

Use Skyscanner to snag a cheap flight. It's my go - to search engine because it searches all over the place - websites and airlines around the world. So you know you're not missing out on any deals.

Book Your Accommodation

If you're looking for a hostel, Hostelworld is the way to go. They've got the biggest selection and the best deals. But if you'd rather stay somewhere else, like a guesthouse or a budget hotel, Booking.com is your best bet. They always seem to have the cheapest rates. My favorite place to stay in Peru? Viajero Hostels Lima.

Don't Forget Travel Insurance

Travel insurance is a must! It protects you from getting sick, getting injured, having your stuff stolen, or if your trip gets cancelled. It's like a safety net for all those "what - ifs". I never travel without it. I've had to use it a bunch of times in the past. My top picks for travel insurance companies are:

• Safety Wing (great for everyone)

• Insure My Trip (for those over 70)

• Medjet (for extra evacuation coverage)

Looking for the Best Companies to Save Money With?

Check out my resource page for all the best companies to use when you travel. I list all the ones I use to save a few bucks on the road. They'll help you save money too!

Want More Information on Peru?

Be sure to visit my super - detailed destination guide on Peru for even more planning tips!