Peru captivates travelers with its ancient Incan heritage, including the iconic Machu Picchu, diverse landscapes from Amazon rainforest to Andean peaks, and vibrant culinary scene. This South American gem offers world-class hiking, rich indigenous cultures, and colonial architecture in cities like Cusco and Lima.
Cultural orientation
Essential context for travellers.
Peruvian time is notoriously flexible — social events and some tours may start 30-60 minutes late; only business meetings are expected to start punctually
Quechua is widely spoken in highland communities alongside Spanish — learning a few words shows deep respect and generates warm responses
Coca leaves are a sacred Andean tradition offered to pachamama (earth mother) and used for altitude acclimatization — chewing or making tea is legal and culturally important
Photography of indigenous people in traditional dress requires respectful permission and often a small propina (tip) is expected and appreciated
The Andean concept of ayni (reciprocity) means favors are returned in kind — accepting help graciously and reciprocating is culturally valued
Do's and don'ts
Quick guide to local norms.
Do
- Greet shopkeepers and locals with 'Buenos días/tardes' before asking for assistance — jumping straight to requests seems rude
- Accept coca tea (mate de coca) when offered in highland areas — refusing may cause mild offence and the tea genuinely helps with altitude
- Dress modestly when entering churches and indigenous communities — cover shoulders and knees as a minimum sign of respect
- Ask permission before photographing people, especially indigenous women in traditional dress, and offer a small tip if they agree
- Carry small bills and coins — many local restaurants, markets, and transport have no change for large notes
- Learn basic Spanish phrases — even a few words dramatically improves interactions outside tourist areas
Don't
- Don't point with a single finger at people or sacred sites — use an open hand gesture instead
- Don't photograph military installations, police checkpoints, or official government buildings — this can cause serious problems
- Don't bargain aggressively or rudely — light-hearted negotiation is fine but insulting lowball offers cause genuine offence
- Don't assume all indigenous textiles and crafts are the same — quality varies enormously and genuine hand-woven alpaca is completely different from machine-made imitations
- Don't carry archaeological artifacts across borders — even small shards found at sites are illegal to export and carry severe penalties
- Don't drink tap water anywhere in Peru — always use bottled or filtered water, including when brushing teeth outside high-end hotels
Local customs
Traditions and practices you'll encounter.
Pachamama (Mother Earth) Offerings
Before eating, Peruvians in highland areas sprinkle a few drops of chicha or pisco on the ground as an offering to Pachamama. Participating when invited shows cultural respect and understanding of Andean cosmology.
Chewing Coca Leaves
Coca leaf chewing is a centuries-old Andean tradition for altitude, hunger, and sacred rituals. A ball of leaves with a small amount of bicarbonate held in the cheek releases mild stimulant alkaloids — it is legal in Peru and culturally sacred.
Carnival Water Fights
During Carnaval (February/March), Peruvians across the country throw water balloons and buckets at strangers in friendly celebration. Visitors should expect to get wet and join the fun rather than taking offence.
Inti Raymi Festival
The Festival of the Sun on June 24 at Cusco's Sacsayhuamán fortress is the most important Inca ceremonial recreation. Thousands dress in traditional costume and the elaborate theatrical ceremony connects modern Peru to its Inca heritage.
Quinceañera Celebrations
A girl's 15th birthday (quinceañera) is celebrated as a major life milestone with religious ceremony, elaborate dress, and large family gatherings. Visitors may witness weekend celebrations in town plazas with live music.
Etiquette by setting
How to navigate everyday situations.
- Greetings
- Handshake for men meeting men; cheek kiss (one side) between women and between men and women in social contexts; always use formal usted with older people and strangers
- Dining
- Wait for the host to say 'buen provecho' before eating; sharing dishes is common and encouraged; leaving food on your plate is not considered rude
- Dress
- Smart casual in Lima restaurants and business settings; layers essential for Andean highlands where temperatures swing 20°C in a day
- Gifts
- Bring a small gift (wine, chocolates, flowers) when invited to a Peruvian home; fruit or sweets when visiting highlands communities
- Business
- Business cards exchanged with two hands; meetings begin with small talk before business; trust built through personal relationships
- Tipping
- 10% at restaurants in Lima and tourist areas (not always included in bill); S/10-20 per day for local tour guides; S/5-10 per porter per day on treks
Useful phrases
A few words go a long way.
Hola
Hello
OH-lah
Buenos días
Good morning
BWEH-nos DEE-as
Buenas tardes
Good afternoon
BWEH-nas TAR-des
Gracias
Thank you
GRAH-see-as
Por favor
Please
por fah-VOR
¿Cuánto cuesta?
How much does it cost?
KWAN-toh KWES-tah
¿Dónde está...?
Where is...?
DON-deh es-TAH
La cuenta, por favor
The bill please
lah KWEN-tah por fah-VOR
Qué rico / Rico!
Delicious
keh REE-koh
Allillanchu
Hello (Quechua)
ah-yee-YAN-choo
Sulpayki
Thank you (Quechua)
sul-PAY-kee
No entiendo
I don't understand
noh en-TYEN-doh
Religion & spirituality
Understanding faith in Peru.
Main: Roman Catholicism practiced by approximately 75% of population, deeply intertwined with indigenous Andean beliefs in a unique syncretism called 'Andean Catholicism'
Sites: Lima's Cathedral on Plaza Mayor, Cusco's Cathedral built on Inca foundations, Convent of Santo Domingo over Koricancha Temple, and hundreds of colonial churches throughout Peru
Holy Days: Semana Santa (Holy Week before Easter) with processions nationwide; Corpus Christi in Cusco (June); Inti Raymi (June 24); Señor de los Milagros in Lima (October); Día de los Muertos (November 2)
Conversations: Religion and politics are sensitive topics in Peru; avoid criticism of the Catholic Church or Inca spirituality, and be respectful of the complex syncretism between indigenous and Catholic traditions