Peru Tourist Traps

  The entry line at 6:15 a.m.
by ddbleu
 
  • The entry line at 6:15 a.m.
      The entry line at 6:15 a.m.
    by ddbleu
  • the crooks of cavassa bus line in Lima terminal
      the crooks of cavassa bus line in Lima...
    by Prinsalsita
  • larco mar shops
      larco mar shops
    by riocopa
  • Museo de Historia Natural - the condor
      Museo de Historia Natural - the condor
    by ValbyDK
  • Plaza.
      Plaza.
    by mrotsmit
 

Most Viewed Tourist Traps in Peru

26.

Street Sellers   Cusco

Street Sellers, Cusco

 5 Reviews  Everywhere you turn you'll see street venders plying their wares. You can't blame them they are trying to make a dollar. Alpacha sweaters are big on the list of merchandie. It's good to know when... 

 See All 19 Tourist Traps in Cusco

27.

Disenchanted   Machu Picchu

Disenchanted, Machu Picchu

 6 Reviews  Hi, Just a quick warning for those thinking of booking a tour company to see Machu Pichu in the future. We went recently with Gecko (Peregrine) Travel and after promising in our itinerary that we... 

 See All 12 Tourist Traps in Machu Picchu

28.

Too Expensive   Machu Picchu

Too Expensive, Machu Picchu

 1 Review  Don't get me wrong. Of course you need to visit Machu Picchu, of course you need to get there. But because of this obvious necessity of mass tourism, the whole place has evolved and continuing to... 

 See All 12 Tourist Traps in Machu Picchu

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Reviews from VirtualTourist Members

Machu picchu

by turnip2000

Though this isn't a "tourist trap", I wanted to strongly suggest that you arrive as early as possible. You will have to wake up around 4:00 a.m. from "Macchu Picchu city" and take a train, but it is worth it for several reasons. If you don't hike in and you wait to long to take the train you will be surrounded by thousands of tourists. You can't even take a picture or enjoy the moment. Go early and you will not regret it. The trekkers have the place all to themselves. Trek in with a guide (which you must have). Make sure the groups is under 12 and the guide is experienced (most are).

Tip Photo
Juli is NOT the Rome of America

by melosh

Juli is a small town on Lake Titicaca where I had a memorable and fantastic 2-3 day visit during carnival, but this beautiful sign is a perfect example of ludicrous tourist trapping overstatement. Even the citizens of Juli saw the humor in it. Fortunately, I seriously doubt it has trapped many tourists. If you do not take this sign seriously, you will be in a better position to appreciate what this town has to offer. During a regular time of year it might be worth a couple hours to see the museum-churches, but during carnival I enjoyed it more than Puno or Juliaca precisely because it was small and not really a tourist attraction. The market place building was also unusual architecturally.

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Huaca del Sol near Trujillo

by Paul2001

The Huaca del Sol is one of the more frustrating places to visit in Peru. That is because you cannot actually visit it. The Huaca del Sol is a Moche pyramid ruin built around 500 A.D. The slopes of the pyramid are very steep and are at a 77 degree angle in some spots. What we see today is only a portion of its original size. It was probably three times as large during the times of the Moche. Because of its immense size one wishes that we could examine the place more closes or at least see the views from the top patio. Unfortunately Huaca del Sol is not open to the public for reasons I am not sure of but most likely because it yet to be excavated. Go to the Huaca de la Luna for the views of the Huaca del Sol. That is where I took this picture.

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Be careful using go2peru.com!!!!

by ddmpls

I read a caution about go2peru's practices on trip advisor and phoo phoo'ed it. Today a day before I leave for Peru the prepaid hotel reservations that I have begged them to confirm via email, their Miami USA number does not seem to ever work. Blew up. Go2Peru says the hotel failed to make my reservation, but I suspect they did not contact the hotel, just as they did not contact me. Booking hotels online in Peru seems rather difficult in general, I had another hotel fall through this week as well. I have not taken my trip yet, but I will say that Waisi Lodge in Puerto Maldonado handled my reservation online in a very proffessional manner.

Wildlife near Iquitos

by SirRichard

If you are looking for wildlife and seeing animal in its natural environment around Iquitos, you will have to travel away from the city along the river, at least 2-3 HOURS. Don't trust those offering you animals seeing walkings if the lodge is less than 2 hours from Iquitos, as civilization made animals disappear in a big area around Iquitos. I went to Cumaceba Lodge as I was tired and just wanted to relax in a hammock, but if you are looking for some more adventure, don't take this lodge as basecamp, is nice but all animals are in farms.

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ShoeShine

by SirRichard

You will find many many boys doing shoe shine around. This is not really a tourist trap, as they work mostly with locals, but if you want to try a shoe shine, don't pay them more than 1-2 soles.Anyway they don't bother you if you just say no, so be polite and if your shoes need it, go for it, is really cheap and they (usually) do a good job!

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Price for 4 days Inca Trail Hike

by MyHollyDay

Most of us book ahead of time since there is a quota in entering the Inca Trail. But check around before you finalize a reservation since some company can cost twice as much as others giving similar quality of service and equipments. A couple of girls from uk we talked to at dinner told us they paid 350 british pounds with a company(well known worldwide) that insisted on reserving before their arrival to cuzco, while we paid 310 usd through SAS Travel and they are wonderful. I would highly recommend this company, especially for their impressive food preparation in such remote area. Good equipment too, we rented sleeping bags from them and they are warm enough and clean. Our guide Roberto and Omar were very considerate and tentative to every needs in our group.

Too much crowd at Macchu Pichu

by Pierangelo

The factory of tourism downloads full trains and full buses of people on Macchu Pichu, the spirits of Inkas are like wild animals they escape the crowd... I suggest you to contact in Cuzco the anthropologist Juan Nunez del Prado and to do with him a week tour around Inka temples.Ph. 84 274352

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Verano Negro in Chincha - timing is everything

by melosh

I had read in several tourist books that the Verano Negro festival in Chincha was a week of black Peruvian music and dance that went all through the night. On the Wednesday I could go, there was a stage show in the plaza until about 12:30 AM, but no music or dance in the famous dance hall outside of town. I was told 'only Friday and Saturday night'. Interestingly the "Semana of Verano Negro' is now referred to as the Verano Negro Festival and giving a single date in the current tourist calender of www.elcomercioperu.com. ( Feb 26, 2005) So if you can go, chose this date or a Friday or Saturday. If you arrive on a day with less festival you can still buy a cajon in the market for less than 10 dollars. For $5 I bought a child's size which could fit in my luggage. Unfortunately no manual is included. Actually I had a good time, but I missed the "frensi de festejo". Perhaps you should buy...

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THIS HAS TO CATCH UR ATTENTION

by christian99

Chan Chan: A sprawling city of adobe in the Moche Valley, just beyond Trujillo, Chan Chan was the capital of the formidable Chimú empire. Begun around A.D. 1300, it is the largest adobe complex of pre-Columbian America. Among the nine royal palaces, the partially restored Tschudi Palace has unusual friezes and is evocative enough to spur thoughts of the unequalled size and sophistication of this compound of the Chimú kingdom, which reached its apogee in the 15th century before succumbing to the Incas. Chan Chan includes three other sites, all quite spread out, including a modern museum.The Ruins of Kuélap: The remote site of Kuélap, hidden by thick cloud forest and more than 800 years old, is one of the man-made wonders of Peru waiting to be discovered by visitors. The ruins are still tough and time-consuming to get to, but the fortress complex of 400 round buildings, surrounded by a...

Tourist Attractions in Peru

Top 3 Hotels in Peru

JW Marriott Hotel Lima  Lima

 7 Reviews and 251 Opinions  We did not stay here, but it was pointed out to us as the hotel used for some of the VIPs that came... 

 Hotels in Lima

Hostal Rumi Punku  Cusco

 7 Reviews and 486 Opinions  Very nice hotel including all amenities, even wi-fi. Recommend the tours booked via Sergio at the... 

 Hotels in Cusco

Sumaq Machu Picchu Hotel  Machu Picchu

 303 Opinions

 Hotels in Machu Picchu

683 Hotels in Peru
 
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Reviews and photos of Peru attractions posted by real travelers and locals. The best tips for Peru sightseeing.

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Tourist Traps: Cities in Peru
  1. Lima Tourist Traps
  2. Cusco Tourist Traps
  3. Machu Picchu Tourist Traps
  4. Arequipa Tourist Traps
  5. Iquitos Tourist Traps
  6. Cuzco Tourist Traps
  7. Puno Tourist Traps
  8. Aguas Calientes - Machupicchu Tourist Traps
  9. Nazca Tourist Traps
  10. Lago Titicaca Tourist Traps
  11. Huaraz Tourist Traps
  12. Miraflores Tourist Traps
  13. Colca Tourist Traps
  14. Cajamarca Tourist Traps
  15. Chincheros Tourist Traps
  16. Miraflores Tourist Traps
  17. Tumbes Tourist Traps
  18. Pisac Tourist Traps

More Cities in Peru

 

Popular Regions in Peru

Departamento de Cusco Tourist Traps  Departamento de Lima Tourist Traps  Departamento de Ica Tourist Traps  Departamento de Arequipa Tourist Traps  Departamento de Puno Tourist Traps  Departamento de Loreto Tourist Traps  Departamento de San Martín Tourist Traps  Departamento de Madre de Dios Tourist Traps  Departamento de Ancash Tourist Traps  Departamento de La Libertad Tourist Traps  Provincia Constitucional del Callao Tourist Traps  Departamento de Huánuco Tourist Traps 

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Questions and Answers

larricat profile photo

Q:  We will be traveling in Dec. can only spend about 6 days in Peru. Would appreciate any suggestions on how to best use our time. ... 

hawkhead profile photo

A: Firstly, if you stay on the coast, be prepared for heat and humidity. If you go inland, be prepared for altitude. I imagine you will be arriving first off in Lima? Six... 

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