A Love Note to Peru (& Why You Should Visit!)

I waited so long to visit Peru. There’s no real reason I didn’t head there sooner. The country has been on my “must visit” list for years, but there’s always been a reason why I can’t go. “The season is not right,” “I don’t want to go alone,” “the time is not good,” yada, yada, yada. There was always an excuse, but the truth is, I could have gone if I really wanted to.

But last November, I finally bit the bullet. I told myself it was now or never. Yes. It was off season for hiking. Yes, I still didn’t feel well enough for altitude trekking. And yes, I didn’t have as much time there as I wanted.

But as I always say, there is no perfect time to visit. There is only a perfect time for you.

Peru lives up to all expectations.

From the moment I landed, I knew Peru and was about to begin a lifelong love affair. There are a few places where the vibe of the universe matches yours like two perfectly connected locks. People who reach out to you and say, “It’s okay, you’re home now.”

Peru was that kind of place for me. I spent over two weeks eating my way through the gastronomic capital of Lima, seeing the famous Nazca Lines, the colonial city of Arequipa and its beautiful architecture, hiking Machu Picchu, and falling deeply in love with Cusco and its art, museums, and food.

First, there was food. I had high expectations because I knew Peru was a foodie destination. Many of the world’s best restaurants are located in Lima, and everyone I know who has been there has always spoken highly of the local cuisine.

But still, I was shocked by how delicious the food was. Peruvian gastronomy is a blend of Andean, Japanese, Chinese, Italian and West African cultures. You can get tons of incredibly fresh produce, seafood, and meat. There is an innovative cuisine that blends all cultures and respect for expression as well as quality.

From Lima’s famous fine dining restaurants to the hole-in-the-wall joints I discovered, the food was always flavorful, generous, and downright delicious (the only bad meal I had in my entire time was at the hostel). Heck, I usually don’t eat dessert, but I was ordering chocolate left and right. It was too good to just pass up. (Here is a list of my favorite places:)

Second, the people were amazing. The people make a destination worthwhile, and while there are friendly people everywhere, certain cultures are much more outgoing and friendly than others. I found Peruvian people to be quite welcoming. Everyone has been so awesome, whether it’s through social media, hiking, or just everyday interactions.

For example, in Arequipa I stumbled upon a breakfast restaurant that had just opened. (Isidro – go there, the food is great!) The owner used to work in restaurants in New York, so we spent a lot of time working that out.

Third, the scenery! From arid deserts to Amazon jungles, cloud forests, canyons that feel like you’re in Arizona, and mountains that remind you of New Zealand, the sheer diversity was not what I expected. I knew from travel plans and photos that there was a diverse geography, but when I finally started exploring the country and seeing it for myself, I was very surprised by all the microclimates.

Peru is a country that just stands out. (And while the hike is definitely difficult if you’re not used to the altitude, it wasn’t as bad as you might think!)

Since traveling to Mexico in late 2020, I haven’t tried so hard to find a destination. Peru really lived up to the expectations set by my friends and research.

I’m late to the party and I know people don’t tell you what they don’t already know. But consider again the voices of the choir, echoing the common belief that Peru is a special place. Don’t make my mistake and procrastinate. Get there as quickly as possible.

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