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Peru

Nestled in the heart of South America, Peru is a mesmerizing blend of history, culture, and natural splendor. This treasure trove of profound adventures is famous for its diverse landscape, encompassed by the soaring peaks of the Andes Mountains, the lush depths of the Amazon Rainforest, and the stunning coastline along the Pacific Ocean. Drenched in a remarkable ancient heritage, Peru is iconic for its mysterious Incan citadel, Machu Picchu, arguably one of the most famous archaeological sites in the world. The capital city, Lima, is a culinary hotspot offering a unique fusion of traditional and modern, featuring pre-Colombian temples alongside kinetic nightlife. Whether you're hiking through cloud forests, exploring the vibrant streets of Cusco, enjoying oceanic vistas, or savoring world-class Peruvian cuisine, that's just the beginning of the extraordinary Peruvian kaleidoscope.

Peru is currently ranked #6 best country for solo female travellers. Check full ranking.

4.7 /5

Based on 37 experiences

4.1 /5

Based on our research

4.6 /5

Based on safety reports

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Safety:Safe

Peru offers various experiences with its rich cultural history, vibrant cities, and beautiful landscapes. Like many travel destinations, safety can depend on location, awareness, and behavior. The overall crime rate is relatively high but mostly revolves around theft. Always remain aware of your surroundings and take standard precautions such as avoiding isolated areas at nighttime, keeping personal belongings secure, and not flashing expensive items. Solo female travelers should also take precautions when interacting with strangers. Taxis are a preferred mode of transport. Always book from reputable companies or use a known app. It is generally safe during daylight while participating in organized tours or activities.

Transport:Moderate

Peru can be considered relatively accessible for solo female travelers, although some challenges may occur. The major cities provide numerous modes of transport such as buses, taxis and trains, however, the locales might be a bit challenging due to language barriers. Additionally, in remote areas, finding transportation could be a bit hard. The overall infrastructure is decent, but not perfect. Therefore, while it is fairly convenient to navigate, a moderate level of preparation and patience is beneficial.

Things to do:Fascinating

Peru offers a diverse range of activities that cater to varying interests. From nature enthusiasts who want to trek the Inca Trail or explore the Amazon rainforest, to history buffs who will enjoy a visit to the historical city of Cusco, to foodies who want to indulge in the country's famous cuisines, Peru has it all. Beach lovers have the option of surfing in Mancora or relaxing at Punta Sal, whilst city explorers can explore the bustling city of Lima. The unique culture and friendly locals add to its charm. However, Peru requires careful planning and precautions for safety, especially for solo female travelers.

Food:Excellent

Peruvian cuisine is one of the most diverse and flavorful in the world. It's a fantastic mix of traditional indigenous food with influences from Spain, Europe, Africa and Asia. The diverse landscapes from coast, mountains, and jungle have contributed to a wide variety of ingredients, making their meals colorful, rich and nutritious. Seafood, corn, potatoes, quinoa, and meats are commonly used, each prepared with a unique blend of herbs and spices offering a burst of flavors. Vegetarians will also find plenty of delicious options. The street food scene is a must-try.

Budget:Affordable

Peru can be quite a budget-friendly destination, especially for a solo female traveler. From affordable accommodations and meals to relatively low-cost public transportation, Peru offers a cost-friendly experience. It also offers free or low-cost attractions such as the historic city of Cusco, traditional markets, and gorgeous hiking trails.

Overall rating

4.7 /5

based on 37 experiences

Rating summary

Things to do

4.8/5

Safety

4.6/5

Food

4.7/5

Budget-friendly

4.4/5

Solo travel experience

I went to Peru in August and found it to be safe and people-friendly and pleasant. I recommend booking a stay in populated city center areas to be extra cautious, and hold your belongings in crowded areas but other than that, I found the place welcoming across Lima, Cusco, Sacred Valley and Rainbow Mountain.

Posted: April 21, 2024

Things to do: 5/5Food: 5/5Budget-friendly: 4/5Safety: 4/5

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Solo travel experience

From my experience, I can say that Peru is safe for solo female travelers as long as you stick to tourist areas. I visited Lima, Cusco, Colca Canyon, and Arequipa. Also went through 4 day Inca Trail to Machu Picchu. Met so many nice people and had the time of my life.

Posted: February 12, 2024

Things to do: 5/5Food: 5/5Budget-friendly: 5/5Safety: 5/5

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Solo travel experience

I traveled to Peru in October and I felt very safe. Obviously, I was aware of pickpocketers and avoided walking alone at night but I never once felt unsafe and there were lots of other female travellers.

Posted: February 9, 2024

Things to do: 5/5Food: 5/5Budget-friendly: 3/5Safety: 5/5

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Solo travel experience

I traveled alone to Peru. I visited Lima, Cusco (I took a train to Machu Picchu), made a trip to the Amazon from Puerto Maldonado, and also trekked through the Colca Canyon, Arequipa and Lake Titicaca. I primarily traveled by buses, with the exception of an internal flight to the Amazon. I didn't feel unsafe, but I definitely got a lot of catcalls walking around Lima. I recommend using the same common sense as anywhere else in Latin America, e.g. don't walk alone down dark, secluded alleys (I walked down dark, busy streets in safe areas), keep an eye on your belongings, be careful with your drinks and your cell phone, trust your instincts when dealing with strangers, ask your hotel about anything that raises your questions (e.g. how much a taxi to the airport should cost, etc.).

Posted: December 24, 2023

Things to do: 5/5Food: 5/5Budget-friendly: 4/5Safety: 3/5

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Solo travel experience

I visited Ica, Lima, Cusco, the Sacred Valley, a 4-day Inka Trail, Rainbow Mountain, and Humantay Lagoon. I booked things through GetYourGuide. The food is so wonderful, and the people are charming, I never felt unsafe. I also used Airalo for eSIM and it worked great.

Posted: December 5, 2023

Things to do: 5/5Food: 5/5Budget-friendly: 5/5Safety: 5/5

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Solo travel experience

I had a fantastic trip to Peru. In Lima, I visited a lot of museums and participated in culinary tours. I even took a flight to see the Nasca Lines. Then I jumped on a boat to see the Humboldt penguins. After that, I flew to Cusco to see Machu Picchu and I took up the challenge of climbing the Rainbow Mountain, which was very high, over 16,000 feet. It was an amazing journey.

Posted: November 8, 2023

Things to do: 5/5Food: 5/5Budget-friendly: 4/5Safety: 5/5

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Family travel experience

Peru is absolutely amazing. My sister and I traveled to Peru, feeling absolutely safe the entire time. I highly recommend hiking to the Rainbow Mountain when you are in Cusco. It was a bit of a difficult hike, but it was one of the most important highlights of the entire trip!

Posted: October 19, 2023

Things to do: 5/5Food: 4/5Budget-friendly: 4/5Safety: 5/5

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Solo travel experience

I went to Ica, where there is an oasis in the desert. I went sandboarding and saw the most beautiful sunset in my life. Then I went to Cusco, got used to the altitude, and went on a 4-day trek (Salkantay Trail) to Machu Picchu. It was hard, but it was worth it. And I simply fell in love with Cusco. If I had more time, I would go to Lake Titicaca, Rainbow Mountain, Paracas and more places.

Posted: October 2, 2023

Things to do: 5/5Food: 5/5Budget-friendly: 5/5Safety: 5/5

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Solo travel experience

I independently visited the following places and here are the impressions I got from them: - Lima: I stayed in Barranco, which is a safe neighborhood, some parts of Lima are okay during the day, but definitely should be avoided in the evening and at night. - Cusco / Machu Picchu: Cusco is overrun with tourists, I didn't feel unsafe, but I was cheated, and the bus driver from Cusco to MP tried to steal from my backpack. - Puno / Lake Titicaca: Puno seemed a bit sketchy, but I enjoyed my stay on one of the floating islands on Lake Titicaca.

Posted: September 17, 2023

Things to do: 5/5Food: 5/5Budget-friendly: 5/5Safety: 4/5

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Solo travel experience

My first independent journey outside of Europe took place last year and began in Peru, which was amazing. I felt very safe, it was easy to get around, and the people were charming. I was there when the protests broke out last Christmas and despite the significant inconveniences and confusion related to closures etc., none of the tourists I knew experienced anything dangerous.

Posted: September 13, 2023

Things to do: 5/5Food: 5/5Budget-friendly: 5/5Safety: 5/5

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Meet local women in Peru who are open to meet up for a coffee or a drink, show you around, give local advice or practice a language with.

Angela

About Me

Hi, I'm Angela. I am a university student who likes to travel. What inspires me is to learn more and more, I feel that from every experience you have, you always take something with you. Traveling for me means living, you live every moment of your trip, you see things and places that you have never seen before.

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Marión

About Me

Hi! My name is Marion and i love to travel, make friends, animals, dancing, reading and swimming. I'm a child psychologist and going on my first solo trip to Europe this August ( for my bday!) YOU can text me for whatever you need and u can stay in my house up to 5 days!❤️

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Stay with local women in Peru who offer free accommodation as part of cultural exchange. Couch surfing is a great way to meet new people, learn more about new cultures and experience destinations like a local.

Angela

Lima

Can host for:

3 days

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Marión

Arequipa

Can host for:

5 days

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Check couch surfing in Peru

Connect with upcoming visitors to Peru who are looking for travel buddies or meet ups.

Bianca

About Me

Hi, my name is Bianca, and I'm a metalhead who loves to travel and learn about different cultures of the world. My biggest passions are music and languages. Even though I'm not the biggest extrovert, I like to step out of my comfort zone and to meet other people who share the same interests :)