Embark On The Ultimate Peru Family Vacation

Last year, 2.5 million people travelled from all corners of the globe to visit Peru. It’s not hard to see why! Between the majestic cloud forests of the Andes mountains, the temperate, pristine beaches of Lima, and the awe-inspiring structures of Machu Picchu, this South American nation is truly unlike anywhere else on Earth.

Exploring Peru could be a once-in-a-lifetime experience, so it’s worth planning ahead a bit to make that experience truly great—particularly when you’re taking the trip with family. In this guide, learn how to create the best family vacation in Peru for you and your loved ones.

Why Take a Family Trip To Peru?

A family vacation is a time honored tradition that brings people together. Every family is different, and there’s no one-size-fits-all way to plan the perfect trip.

Yet, when it comes to choosing a destination, Peru is a great choice for many families who want to tour abroad.

Create Great Childhood Memories

Anyone could take their kid to Disney World. It’s rarer and more wonderful to have a childhood full of memories of exploring new landscapes, experiencing new cultures, and trying new foods with your family.

Why go on an Indiana Jones ride when you could be exploring a real ancient Inca temple? Give your kids the chance to feel like real adventurers with a trip to Peru.

Explore Ancient Wonders With Your Loved Ones

Some of the sites unearthed in Peru date back thousands of years. For many, experiencing ancient structures evokes awe, even altering their perception of time itself. Understanding the depth of human history, how short our individual lives are by contrast, and the part we each play in humanity, can change a person’s priorities.

Having these experiences with family by your side often brings relationships closer. It can catalyze a deeper, more profound understanding of our connection to one another, or reaffirm the importance of spending our short lives with the people we love.

Peru Offers Diverse Experiences For Families of All Kinds

No two families are the same. Nor are any two people within a family! The best family trips offer something that appeals to everyone.

In Peru, a family can enjoy fine dining, hikes to ancient sites, horseback riding, kid-friendly parks, luxury train rides, extreme sports, peaceful mountainside retreats, and traditional arts–all in a single trip!

How To Traverse Peru Safely With Your Family

Safety is the difference between a fun adventure and a disaster. When vacationing in Peru, there are a few things you can do to set your family up for success.

Take Appropriate Precautions

Follow World Health Organization guidelines when traveling abroad. Take reasonable precautions to protect yourself from illness or injury.

It’s wise to purchase travel insurance, like Caravan’s $129 Travel Protection. It covers everything from late cancellations to medical emergency evacuations.

Acclimate To Increased Elevation Safely

Some cities and sites in Peru are elevated higher than 8000 ft. At that height, it’s important to let your body acclimate, to prevent altitude sickness. For more information and strategies, read The Smart Traveler’s Guide to Altitude In Peru.

Use Modes of Travel That Work For Everyone

There are plenty of ways to get around Peru.

Consider your family members’ stamina, comfort level riding with strangers, and budgets when choosing modes of transit. Traveling on foot, horseback, or bike may be just right for athletic adults, yet a poor choice for kids or elders.

Private taxis offer more seculsion than public buses, at a higher fare. Do some research to make sure everyone can get where you’re going easily.

Set A Kid-Friendly & Elder-Friendly Pace For Exploration

On walking tours and hikes, make sure kids and elders don’t hit a wall or get worn out. Go at an easy pace, build in plenty of breaks, and consider bringing strollers or carrying slings when appropriate.

Keeping Your Peru Family Vacation Affordable

Between inflation and economic uncertainty, most families are feeling the squeeze more than ever. Fortunately, a trip to Peru doesn’t have to break the bank.

Consider Inclusive Peru Family Vacation Packages

Paying the full price for every hotel room, meal, taxi or train ride, and ticket to each event will definitely add up—particularly if the family includes all the grandkids and cousins!

Fortunately, bundle pricing and tour packages offer great deals. Many offer even better savings the more people you include. Booking early, using credit card points, and seeking out group rate discounts on travel sites are more great ways to save.

Don’t Overpay For “Tourist Traps”

Some sites are truly iconic. But, plenty of people want to make a buck off clueless travelers drawn to Peru’s wonders by overcharging for services, knockoff attractions, or even scams.

Read reviews of attractions across multiple sites to make sure they’re legit. Compare prices for things like taxi rides and guided tours beforehand.

Ignore people who approach you with unsolicited offers near popular sites, particularly those claiming to be “tour operators,” “photographers,” or taxi service drivers. Legitimate tour guides wait for you to approach, and many can be booked ahead of time.

Choose Where To Save & When To Splurge

Devote your resources to the parts of the trip you and your family will get the most out of. If you’re a big food family, budget for some of Peru’s truly unique dishes and extravagant meals. Make up for it by, say, booking hostels instead of 4-star hotels, or limiting the number of sites you explore.

Conversely, if exploring ancient structures is the big draw, budget for premium, small group tour experiences with professional guides. Splurge for train fare to major sites. Save elsewhere by packing your own trail-friendly food or buying groceries on the trip.

If you know you’ll need your privacy, bump up your budget for soundproof accommodations and private accommodations, and perhaps limit your trip to one or two locations to benefit from long stay rates (and save on transit expenses).

Weigh The Benefits & Drawbacks of Off-Season Travel

During the off season, everything from hotel stays to guided tours are offered at discounted rates.

Peru’s off season runs from November to February in the highlands (i.e. Cusco and The Sacred Valley). In contrast, Lima and coastal Peru’s off season is from May through September.

In the Andes, November and February bookend Peru’s rainy season. It rains intensely for about 2-5 hours, usually in the afternoon or evening.

Mornings and early afternoons are often either sunny or slightly overcast, depending on your location. Temperatures hover in the range of 64°F (18°C) - 72°F (22°C) in Cusco, and nights cool to near-freezing (though not below it).

In Lima, May brings in garúa, a dense fog that rolls into the harbors and stays through September. The gray mist is persistent, creating 80% humidity. The climate remains temperate. Daytime temperatures range from 61°F (16°C) to 68°F (20°C), while nights cool to 59°F (15°C).

The biggest benefits of off season travel are the discounted rates and the reduced crowds. There’s more space to yourself or for your groups, both at popular sites themselves, and on trails and buses between them.

The biggest drawbacks are closures and limited activities. Heavy rains can make certain paths and sites unsafe, and their managers might close them at short notice. Certain beaches or docks may be closed, if the fog makes boating or swimming unsafe

The Inca Trail is closed every February for planned maintenance. Maintainers clean up debris from rainy season storms and ready it for spring visitors.

Ultimately, traveling during the off season can be a great way to save money, particularly if you’re able to plan ahead. Indoor events and urban parks are rarely affected by the wearher, and professional guides offer morning tours of sites to avoid the rains.

The 5 Most Family-Friendly Cities & Towns In Peru

In the amount of time the typical family has for a vacation (often the length of a seasonal school break) it’s not possible to visit every single city and town in the country—no matter how beautiful!

Fortunately, there are five Peruvian places that truly stand out for their family-friendly atmospheres.

Lima

Lima is the capital of Peru, and its coasts are perennially popular. Unlike other Peruvian cities, Lima is at sea-level, making it a good destination for families who want to avoid altitude acclimation risks.

Its family-friendliness goes beyond its position. It’s the home of Friendship Park, a downtown destination popular among kids, thanks to its duck ponds, steam train, and jungle play area. It’s also where families can find Playa San Bartolo Beach: the best-rated beach in Peru for safety and kid-friendliness.

Within Lima is Miraflores, a district full of food and culture with cross-generational appeal.

Cusco

Families visiting Cusco do have to deal with elevation acclimatization. Fortunately, once you’re settled, it’s a great destination to enjoy with kids.

The Qorikancha Ruins are among the easiest archeological sites to access with little ones. You don’t even have to leave the city to explore it.

Likewise, it’s not too challenging to reach Sacsayhuamán (Saqsaywaman) on the outskirts of Cusco. Even with toddler-age kids, it’s simple to walk to and explore, even with a baby carrier.

Cusco also has plenty of stroller-accessible, low-key activities in the city proper, including the Sagrudo Gardens, the Cusco Planetarium, and an eco park. Kids who want to feed llamas and alpacas might enjoy Awana Kancha, or the biodiverse Cochahuasi Animal Sanctuary.

Ollantaytambo

Ollantaytambo is a town in the Urubamba province in The Sacred Valley. It’s known for its warmth and hospitality, its beautiful natural landscapes, and the ways the people of Ollantaytambo keep cultural traditions alive.

Families with kids will find a lot to enjoy in the town. It’s home to ChocoMuseo, where kids can make a chocolate bar from scratch, and El Albergue Farm, a peaceful steading with llamas and alpacas.

There are also Immersive Awamaki experiences, letting families experience Ollantaytambo’s hospitality firsthand. Andean Quechua families host visiting families in their own homes, offering a traditional earth-cooked pachamanca lunch and open conversations about their traditional ways of life. Often, experiences include up close demonstrations of weaving, dying, and traditional arts.

Ollantaytambo is also one of the most kid-friendly places to experience the wonders of The Sacred Valley. It’s where you’ll find the Ollantaytambo Ruins, the Trailhead to Pumamarca, and a host of guided rafting excursion down the Urubamba River.

The Ollantaytambo Ruins are the remnants of an ancient Inca town, less than five minutess from the town’s center. The structures of Temple Hill including enchanting terraces and fountains that still run with water.

The Trailhead to Pumamarca, a 7.8 mile out-and-back trail, is an easy hike, suitable for most kids at a relaxed pace. The Pumamarca Ruins themselves are an idyllic locale, with wide grassy plazas perfect for grazing llamas and kids ready to run around and explore. The site is well maintained, safe, and offers beautiful landscape views.

The Urubamba River tours offer a unique experience. Ollantaytambo sits on the banks of some of the river’s calmest bends, making it an ideal launch point for a safe, family-friendly rafting excursion.

Aguas Calientes

Aguas Calientes is the town at the entrance to Machu Picchu. Given its location, it’s designed to welcome visitors of all stripes from all over the world—including families with kids.

Whether you’re looking for a resort hotel with an included childcare center, restaurants with menus for adventurous and picky kids alike, or fun, laid-back attractions like the bird-filled Mandor Botanical Gardens, Aguas Calientes has you covered.

Maras In The Sacred Valley

Maras is a small town in The Sacred Valley: a place almost perfect for a quiet family getaway.

Unlike Lima and Cusco, Maras isn’t a place of energy and excitement. Instead, it’s home to the mysterious, circular terraces of the Moray Ruins and the pink and white crystaline Maras Salt Flats.

The village is small, safe, and highly underrated by tourists. As a result, beautiful accomodations like Refugio Maras are wildly affordable. Refugio Maras is a full-service guesthouse hostel with five private cabins and a stunning mountain view. An entire family-size cabin oft costs around $100 USD, while hostel rooms cost as little as $18 per night.

The Best Attractions & Experiences In Peru For Each Family Member

Family vacations often involve both spending time together adventuring as a group, and setting aside other times for family members with different interests to peel off and do their own things.

Consider how these Peruvian attractions might appeal to different members of your family.

Best For The Whole Family: Machu Picchu Family Tours

Machu Picchu is one of the most extraordinary places on Earth. It’s ranked among the 7 Wonders of The World, a title it shares with the Taj Mahal and The Great Wall of China.

On a trip to Peru, it’s truly a can’t-miss experience. Yet, that’s only one reason why a whole-group tour of Machu Picchu is the best event for a family trip.

First, Machu Picchu tours come in all shapes and sizes. On jungle tours, a guide leads a group on a trek through the rainforest to the ancient site. In contrast, train tours offer panoramic views and audio guides, yet take less than a day.

Guides can be chosen for their in-depth knowledge, taking you on a compelling narrative journey through the ancient site. Other options allow self-guided exploration once you arrive.

Second, Aguas Calientes, the town at the ancient city’s nearest access point, makes it easy to stay a while. Once you’ve reached Machu Picchu, the town offers a wide selection of hotels, restaurants, spas, bird gardens, resorts, and even live performance venues. Certain hotels in Aguas Calientes even offer childcare services, ideal for kids too young for certain experiences.

Finally, there are plenty of kid-friendly options available. Children age 8 or younger can enter Machu Picchu for free, and kids under 12 receive discounted train and bus tickets.

Certain Machu Picchu tour groups even specialize in adventures with kids. They draw on decades of kid-oriented pofessional experience to tailor tours to meet the needs of children as young as 3.

Best For Infants & Toddlers: The Magic Water Circuit (Circuito Mágico del Agua)

Kids ages 0 - 3 need stimulation, but also routine. On a Peruvian adventure, it’s good to find places they can enjoy at their own speed without getting overwhelmed. It’s also important to go places where it’s easy to transport little kids, whether than means carrying them or pushing them in a stroller.

The Magic Water Circuit (Circuito Mágico del Agua) is the largest water display in the world. It includes 13 fountains, each illuminated in a dance of colorful lights, shooting sprays of water in shapes and patterns to music. The show runs on a 30 minute loop.

Most of the fountains are interactive, making them ideal for the littlest kids’ love of splashing. One highlight is the Fountain of Surprises, a 115 ft (35 m) tunnel of water visitors can walk through. Another is Fuente de los Ninos, a fountain specifically designed with kids in mind.

The Magic Water Circuit is found in a public park in downtown Lima, Peru. The park, Parque de la Reserva, is free, though the circuit is gated and may have a low entry fee.

If your family’s visiting Cusco, infants and toddlers might enjoy one of several stroller-friendly activities, including strolling through Sagrado Garden, San Pedro Market, or the cobblestoned Plaza de Armas; stargazing like the Inca at the Cusco Planetarium; or enjoying folk music and dance shows at Centro Qosqo de Arte Nativo.

Best For Kids Age 4 - 8: Friendship Park & Fun Jungle

Preschoolers and early elementary-school-aged kids go wild for Friendship Park & Fun Jungle. It’s right in the middle of Lima, Peru, and it’s a kid-friendly oasis amid the capital city’s hustle and bustle.

The park itself is filled with duck ponds, lagoons with paddle boats, fountains lit with colorful lights, vibrant bridges and benches, gardens with whimsical topiary, snacks, and—particularly popular among the kids—an electric steam train ride around the grounds.

The park also hosts entertainment, including a museum and, often, live music.

On the same grounds as Friendship Park is the Fun Jungle. While the park is free, Fun Jungle charges a small ticket fee. Fortunately, it’s well worth it.

Fun Jungle’s sprawling playground includes bounce houses, inflatable tunnels, obstacle courses, monkey bars, ball pits, and a giant slide.

It’s a great way for younger kids to spend an afternoon–particularly if they’ve got pent up energy and just need to run around.

Younger kids might also enjoy the alpacas at El Albergue Farm, or the “mini” bean-to-bar workshop at ChocoMuseo.

Best For Kids Age 9-12+: Family-Friendly Rafting Expeditions on Urubamba River

Families with kids ages 8+ might enjoy a rafting adventure on the Urubamba River.

Expeditions are captained and helmed by professionals, taking groups on tours over Class I - Class III rapids. All riders get to participate by rowing the raft, enjoying the exciting swift rapid sections between calm floats, and experiencing the flora and fauna of The Sacred Valley up close.

Certain expeditions require all participants to be able to swim, and some set a minimum age of 10. However, others are open to groups with kids as young as 4, so families should be able to find a rafting excursion that suits their group.

Kids in this age group are also most likely to enjoy kayaking on The Piuray Lagoon, particularly if they prefer peaceful excursions.

Best For Younger Teens: Horseback or ATV Tours Of The Sacred Valley

Peru offers a truly wide range of adventures ideal for kids aged 13-17. Chief among them is exploring The Sacred Valley.

The Sacred Valley is a roughly 60 square mile expanse following the Urubamba River. It’s filled with ancient archeological sites, like the Moray terraces, as well as natural ones (i.e. Salkantay Mountain).

Older kids and teens can traverse it on ATVs or horses. Guided tours are safe, and guides draw groups attention to natural wonders and sites they might otherwise miss. Some tours are geared towards wildlife observation, with guides pointing out Andean deer or spectacled bears, or stopping at the Cochahuasi Animal Sanctuary.

Self-guided exploration is allowed in a more limited capacity.

Outside The Sacred Valley, younger teens might enjoy exploring Sacsayhuamán, the site of an ancient Incan fortress. It can be reached via trails through lush, rare Polylepis forests.

Wild falcons and alpacas are often seen among the ruins.

Teens up for traveling on foot might enjoy hiking to Q’eswachaka Inca Bridge. This rope bridge hangs 98 ft (30 m) above the Apurímac River, a key part of The Inca Trail. While it was first built in the mid-1400s, it’s rebuilt every year during a four-day celebration in June.

Best For Thrill-Seeking Young Adults: The Inca Avalanche Mountain Bike Trail

The Inca Avalanche Mountain Bike Trail rewards bike skills with thrills. The trail’s a 9.3 mi (15 km) downhill route alongside Machu Picchu, starting at the high mountain pass Abra Malaga and running down to Tanccac in The Sacred Valley.

The trail offers a steep, dramatic descent, dropping 5,900 vertical feet over the course of 9 miles. Parts of the trail run alongside the “stairs of death”.

While it’s certainly not safe for beginners, athletic young adults skilled in mountain biking often praise the trail as one of the most exhilarating challenges of their lives. The excitement of the experience is one they’ll never forget.

If the thrill seekers in your family aren’t much for biking, there are other options. Cliff jumping or paragliding from the seafront cliffs of Lima & Miraflores are perennially popular extreme sports. While they demand a decent amount of strength, they may not demand as much pre-existing skill as the bike trail.

Best For Creative Young Adults: Chinchero Arts District

If your family includes high school and college-aged artists, or even older creatives, take some time to explore the Chinchero Arts District.

Chinchero is a town and district in Peru’s Urubamba province. Its artful neighborhoods are known for their textile collectives offer authentic Inca weaving demonstrations, museums of ancient pottery and artifacts, galleries preserving and displaying traditional indigenous Andean arts, and workshops of all kinds.

Chinchero is also home to Centro Qosqo de Arte Nativo, a theatre unlike any other. It’s one of the best venues to watch indigenous Andean Wallatas dance performances.

Best For Mom & Dad: The Luxury Train on Peru Rail

Peru Rail’s luxury train cars are perfect for a day of romance and sightseeing. In the Belmond Hiram Bingham, guests take a 7-hour round trip from Cusco through The Sacred Valley, complete with gourmet meals, entertainment, stunning vista views and luxurious, private accomodations.

While the elegant interiors and beautiful scenery might not be something kids enjoy, it’s a near-perfect way for a couple to relax.

Alternatively, if Mom and Dad want to feed their spiritual side, they could spend an afternoon visiting Huacas. These sacred sites of the ancient Incas are among the greatest places to engage in deep, spiritual meditation in the world. In Peru, three sites particularly stand out:

• Huaca Pucllana, an adobe pyramid in the Miraflores district in Lima

• Pachacamac, a sacred site with several pyramid altars predating the Inca Empire, just south in Lima in the Lurín Valley.

• Qorikancha, also called Coricancha or “The Golden Temple,” a well-preserved enclosure found in the center of the city of Cusco.

Best For Grandparents & Older Adults: Soothing Natural Springs of Banos Termales de Cocalmayo

Peru’s landscapes are filled with subterranean springs, both warm and hot. As a result, there are plenty of popular spas and resorts that use these waters.

Among them, the springs of Banos Termales de Cocalmayo stand out. Found in Santa Teresa, the spa’s relaxing atmosphere and amenities often have an incredible rejuvenating effect on guests

Though they’ve never been officially medically tested, these waters are widely reputed to have medicinal properties. Older adults praise the pools for their soothing temperatures and restorative minerals.

If Grandma and Grandpa aren’t much for springs, they might enjoy the markets of Ollantaytambo. The three faires—Mercado Turistico, Mercado Abastos, and Mercado Artesanal—are fun, open-air shopping venues. Find artisan wares, try street food, and discover unexpected treasures.

Where Should Travelers With Kids Dine In Peru?

Dining can be a tricky part of travelling with kids. Between food allergies, picky eating habits, and a tendency to get messy, children can throw a monkey wrench into meal planning.

Fortunately, Peru offers plenty of restaurants, vendors, and markets appreciated by kids and adults alike.

Authentic Inca Pachamanca

Kids and adults alike love Pachamanca. It’s the art of an 8,000-year-old method of barbecue, a festive cultural tradition, and a feast of many dishes. Attending an immersive experience with the family is joyous.

Kids can’t get enough of the fact that, yes, you’re supposed to get messy when you eat it! Dig into the earth, eat with your hands, and experience the food with all your senses.

Adults enjoy savoring what is perhaps the most flavorful, fork-tender meat on Earth—and tasting the unique range of meats and vegetables served.

No matter who you are, Peruvian Pachamanca offers a rare celebration of new tastes and ancient wisdom.

Ceviche

Ceviche is a dish of raw, white-flesh ocean fish prepared in citrus lime marinade. Each chef has their own spin on the sauce, so it’s never exactly the same from one place to the next.

As the National Dish of Peru, it’s definitely worth trying on a trip. But, as a traditionally raw fish dish, it’s not often popular among kids. Fortunately, there are plenty of family-oriented seafood restaurants in Peru’s cities, offering kid-friendly options like batter-fried tilapia alongside gourmet dishes.

Quechua & Inca-Inspired Dessert

While it’s fairly well known the ancient Inca handed down the sacred culinary art of Pachamanca to their descendants for thousands of years, their desserts are hidden gems. Today, modern Quechua chefs add their spark to recipes honed for millennia.

Among the best are Champús: hot thick drinks blending tropical fruits with warming spices and cinnamon. These dessert beverages blend Incan food traits with flavor profiles from cultures all across Central and South America. Champusera, champús street vendors, are iconic figures of Lima, particularly sought after in gloomy, rainy winters.

Conversely, anyone feeling hot after a long day out might try Lúcuma ice cream! The unusual flavor stems from eggfruit, a sweet yam-like tree fruit that’s a hit in Peru. Unique among different culture’s takes on ice cream, Peruvians consider Lúcuma as iconic as chocolate or vanilla.

Enjoy An All-inclusive Peru Family Vacation With Caravan

With Caravan, families can enjoy all the experiences and amenities of an international vacation sans the travel-planning stress.

Our travel directors cultivate unforgettable trips, hand-picking standout activities, transportation, lodging, and meals long before a single guest books their spot.

Moreover, while the itinerary highlights truly standout places, its comfortable pace grants guests plenty of freedom to follow their hearts. Caravan’s precisely curated 8-Day Tour of Peru With Machu Picchu offers a journey unlike any other.

If you want to adventure through the wilds of The Sacred Valley, enjoy beautifully preserved Spanish colonial neighborhoods, and explore Incan sites among the greatest ancient wonders of the world, call us! Book toll free at 1-800-227-2826.

Or, call +1-312-321-9800 to learn more about what Caravan offers.