What Should You Know About Traveling to Peru with Kids?

Peru is an amazing travel destination for so many reasons. From Peru tours that go to multiple sites, to picking one site such as Machu Picchu, visitors find it to be fulfilling and exciting.

However, there is also a certain degree of adventure that comes with Peruvian travel, so can you take your kids and make it a family-friendly trip?

The answer is yes, with some planning and tips like the ones below.

The Challenges

While Peru is a kid-friendly place to travel in that Peruvians are very family-friendly, that doesn’t mean there aren’t challenges. The more aware of the challenges you are before you go, the better off you’re likely to be.

For example, transportation can be a challenge, and a lot of the terrain is rough and rugged. This is where a tour company can come in handy for family travelers to Peru.

A tour company can plan things out, including travel by land, and make sure that your trip is maximized in a way that keeps the needs of your kids in mind.

Reasons to Visit Peru

In case you’re on the fence, people who have been say Peru is an amazing place and like no other. Some of the reasons you might consider it for a family-friend trip include:

• The landscapes are diverse, and there’s a bit of everything. There are the jungles of the Amazon, the peaks of the Andes, and there are beautiful beaches, as well as deserts.
• As far as family-friendly travel, if your kids are animal lovers, there are so many habitats in Peru. They’ll have the chance to see animals in their natural habitats throughout the country that they wouldn’t see anywhere else.
• There is a lot of adventure in Peru, and that’s great if your kids are older. There’s hiking, surfing, rafting and more for the thrill seekers in your group.
• Ancient history is unparalleled in Peru, particularly thanks to the sites left behind from the Inca Civilization.
• Along with history, there’s still amazing culture everywhere you turn.
• Peru is a good family-friendly destination because Peruvians value family and they love kids. They’re also very welcoming.
• Peru offers the opportunity for a luxury vacation, but at a much more affordable price than you might find elsewhere. 

Places to See

Some of the top places for families (or any travelers) to see when they go to Peru include:

• The Sacred Valley of the Incas: The altitude here is lower than at Machu Picchu and allows you to get more acclimated. There are activities that can be family-friendly, including white-water rafting, biking, and horseback riding. There are also Inca ruins at Ollantaytambo and Pisac.
• Machu Picchu: Going to Peru without going to Machu Picchu isn’t an option for the vast majority of travelers. You do need to buy tickets in advance, and you can stay nearby to the site and take a bus, or you can stay in a surrounding town and take a train ride there. Some of the hikes surrounding Machu Picchu are fairly family-friendly.
• Amazon Jungle: You can fly from somewhere like Cusco to Puerto Maldonado, and then you can see the Amazon Jungle.
• Lake Titicaca: There is a long train ride that’s scenically very beautiful going from Cusco to Lake Titicaca. You can take boat tours of the lake, and there are surrounding communities worth visiting as well.

Another tip that may be useful is to stay in Lima for a few days which will allow you to get over your jet lag and be better prepared for the altitude. You can find high-end Lima hotels, particularly along the coast, and some will have access to babysitting services.

Health/Safety

Whether you’re traveling with kids or not, there are health and safety concerns in Peru. First, you should make sure you’re only drinking bottled water, and avoid raw vegetables in most instances. If your kids get diarrhea, it can be especially dangerous.

Children under the age of two are particularly vulnerable to Hepatitis A and typhoid fever, both of which can be transmitted through water or food that’s contaminated.

Sun exposure can be a risk so make sure everyone is protected, especially at higher altitudes. To avoid altitude sickness, try to take it slow and gradually acclimate. Avoid taking children younger than three to very high altitudes.

Finally, before going, speak with your own doctor and your childrens’ doctor to find out what precautions you need to take and how to prepare in terms of health and safety.