Peru
Machu Picchu is the headline, but Peru's real gift to long-term travellers is range: the Amazon, the world's deepest canyons, the Cordillera Blanca, Lima's food scene and a cheap, well-trodden gringo trail that makes solo travel easy.
Entry and visas
Citizens of most of the Americas, the EU, UK, Australia and others receive up to 90 days visa-free (the officer decides, up to 183 days per year). Mexico's citizens need a visa since 2024; always check. No digital nomad visa yet, though one has been announced in law.
| Passport | Category | Max days | Verified |
|---|---|---|---|
| US | Visa-free Up to 90 days granted on arrival (the officer may grant up to 183 days per year). | 90 | Oct 19, 2026 official source ↗ |
| GB | Visa-free Up to 90 days granted on arrival (the officer may grant up to 183 days per year). | 90 | Oct 19, 2026 official source ↗ |
| DE | Visa-free Up to 90 days granted on arrival (the officer may grant up to 183 days per year). | 90 | Oct 19, 2026 official source ↗ |
| CA | Visa-free Up to 90 days granted on arrival (the officer may grant up to 183 days per year). | 90 | Oct 19, 2026 official source ↗ |
| AU | Visa-free Up to 90 days granted on arrival (the officer may grant up to 183 days per year). | 90 | Oct 19, 2026 official source ↗ |
Remote work and long stays
Digital nomad visa (pending) : Legislation for a digital nomad visa was approved in 2023; implementation has lagged. Tourist entry remains the practical route. official source ↗ Official eligibility verification required
Last verified Oct 19, 2026
Entry rules are research summaries with their official source and the date we last checked them; they are not eligibility decisions. Check the official page before you travel. Open the Visa & Work Finder →
Safety
Petty theft in Lima and Cusco, express kidnappings via unlicensed taxis in Lima, and periodic political protests that block roads and the rail line to Machu Picchu. Avoid the VRAEM coca-growing region (government warning). Altitude sickness in Cusco (3,400 m) is the most common medical problem.
Official advisory: Peru - Level 2: Exercise Increased Caution (U.S. Department of State, ). UK FCDO advice ↗
Health
Acclimatise before trekking; carry insurance covering altitude. Yellow fever vaccination recommended for the Amazon. Private clinics in Lima and Cusco are good.
Money
Soles; dollars accepted for big purchases. Cards in cities; cash in markets and the mountains. ATMs charge fees and sometimes limit withdrawals to 400 soles; BCP and Scotiabank are common.
Tipping: 10 percent in restaurants; expected for guides and porters · Tap water: Not drinkable
Getting around
Cruz del Sur and Oltursa are safe, comfortable long-distance buses; LATAM and Sky fly cheaply. PeruRail and Inca Rail reach Machu Picchu. Uber and Cabify in Lima.
SIMs and connectivity
Claro and Movistar SIMs are cheap; Bitel is the budget option with decent coverage. Entel is strong in cities.
