South Coast
This narrow bay southwest of the visitor center features a peculiar reddish sand that contrasts dramatically with the low yellowish cliffs behind and the…
Must-see attractions in Peru
Puno
An attraction in its own right, this 17th-century house is one of Puno’s oldest residences. A former community center, it now houses a small fair-trade…
Ayacucho
This mirador (lookout) offers fabulous views of Ayacucho, as well as decent restaurants. Taxis here charge S5, otherwise catch a bus from the Mercado…
Amazon Basin
The stairs at the northwest end of Av 2 de Mayo afford a good view of the town, and from the balcony at the southeast end there’s a photogenic river…
Ayacucho
This church, built in the mid-16th century, is full of colonial art and has one of Peru’s oldest convents attached, dating from the same period.
Choquequirao
This huge leveled platform was likely a ceremonial center. Enjoy the spectacular 360-degree views of the Vilcabamba range from here.
Templo y Monasterio de Santa Clara
Ayacucho
Attracts thousands of pilgrims annually for a glimpse of the image of Jesus of Nazareth supposedly inside on one of the altars.
Iglesia de San Francisco de Paula
Ayacucho
This white two-towered church dating from 1716 has interesting floral flourishes near the cupolas of its bell towers.
Amazon Basin
Giant river otters are often seen on wildlife-replete Cocha Juárez, although tours rarely stop here these days.
Ayacucho
This is the oldest city church, dating from shortly after Ayacucho's founding in 1540.
Machu Picchu
The plaza separates the ceremonial sector from the residential and industrial areas.
Templo y Monasterio de Santa Teresa
Ayacucho
Gorgeous church and monastery dating from 1683 with an altar studded in seashells.
Ayacucho
One of Ayacucho's oldest churches, dating from the mid-16th century.
North Coast
The story of Sipán reads like an Indiana Jones movie script: buried treasure, huaqueros (grave robbers), police, archaeologists and at least one killing…
Lima
Next to the Palacio Arzobispal, the cathedral resides on the plot of land that Pizarro designated for the city’s first church in 1535. Though it retains a…
Lima
Built in the early 20th century, Plaza San Martín has come to life in recent years as the city has set about restoring its park and giving the surrounding…
Lima
The first Latin Mass in Lima was held in 1534 on a small patch of land now marked by the Iglesia de la Merced. Originally built in 1541, it was rebuilt…
Museo Nacional de Antropología, Arqueología e Historía del Perú
Lima
Trace the history of Peru from the pre-ceramic period to the early republic. Displays include the famous Raimondi Stela, a 2.1m Chavín rock carving from…
Puno
The oldest steamship on Lake Titicaca, the famed Yavari has turned from British gunship to a museum and recommended bed and breakfast, with bunk-bed…
Lima
In the 1820s the Spanish royalists made their last stand during the battle for independence at this historic fort, which was built in 1747 to guard…
Lima
This church has an elaborate churrigueresque facade (completed in 1720), replete with stone carvings of angels, flowers, fruit and, of course, St…
Santuario Histórico Bosque de Pomac
North Coast
About 22km north of Ferreñafe, a minor road leads to the Sicán ruins of Batán Grande, a major archaeological site where about 50 pyramids have been…
North Coast
Also known locally as Huaca del Dragón, Huaca Arco Iris is in the suburb of La Esperanza, about 4km northwest of Trujillo. Dating from the 12th century,…
Lima
Located inside a little-visited 18th-century Jesuit church, this monument pays tribute to Peruvian battle heroes, from Túpac Amaru II, the 18th-century…
North Coast
One of Peru’s granddaddy archaeological sites, Sechín is located 5km southeast of Casma and dates from about 1600 BC. It is among the more important and…
Cuzco
The charmingly modest Museo Inka, a steep block northeast of the Plaza de Armas, is the best museum in town for those interested in the Incas. The…
Lima
One block west of cuadra 12 off Av Arequipa, south of the Parque de la Reserva, the 100-year-old Museo de Historia Natural, run by the Universidád de San…
Lima
The most immaculate of Lima’s historic casonas was completed in 1735, and features an ornate baroque portico (the best one in Lima) and striking Moorish…
Lima
Just north of MALI, the Museo de Arte Italiano exhibits a tepid collection of 19th- and 20th-century Italian art. Its best attribute is the glittering…
Lima
Housed in a historic 16th-century building where liberator of Peru General San Martín once slept, this cacao museum, with other outlets around the city,…
Lima
A block west of the main plaza, look for this renovated, narrow wooden bridge over an old stone stairway that leads to the beach. Especially popular with…
Lima
Protected from the ocean breeze by a colorful wall of mosaics, this park in Miraflores is the ideal place to walk hand in hand with that special someone…
Lima
This tranquil park, a veritable oasis in the middle of San Isidro, consists of the remnants of an old olive grove, part of which was planted by the…
Lima
Originally known as Parque de la Exposición, this revamped park has gardens and a small amphitheater for outdoor performances. Two of Lima’s major art…
South Coast
The most notable archaeological site in the Cañete Valley is Incahuasi, the rough-walled ruins of the military headquarters of the 10th Inca king Túpac…
