THE ULTIMATE PERU PACKING LIST

The Ultimate Peru Packing List

Planning a trip to Peru? Time to start getting ready!  One of the most important things is to determine what you'll be taking with you for your journey. We've put together a clear and comprehensive packing list for you. This way, you'll be well-prepared and won't forget anything.

Climate and Travel Seasons

Peru is a large country with diverse landscapes and various climate zones. The seasons in Peru are opposite to those in the Netherlands, as Peru is located in the Southern Hemisphere. The climate zones in Peru are influenced by the Andes Mountains. West of the Andes lies a desert region, where it is dry throughout the year.

The climate along the coast of Peru is affected by the warm El Niño current. This brings summer months between December and April, with temperatures ranging from 25 to 30 degrees Celsius (77 to 86°F). During the Peruvian winter, a cold current flows along the coast, causing significant fog in the Lima region. However, if you head inland during winter, the sun is more likely to shine.

In northern Peru lies the Amazon, which is tropical and humid. In the Amazon, temperatures are around 30 degrees Celsius (86°F). The dry season in this region lasts from May to September. In the mountains, the sun often shines, but it can get very cold, especially during the Peruvian winter. The dry season in the mountains also runs from May to September.

The best time to visit Peru is between May and September due to the dry season. During the Peruvian summer months, between November and February, you may experience heavy rainfall. In the other months, the weather tends to be more unpredictable.

Traveling with a suitcase or backpack

The first choice you have to make when you go on a trip is whether you opt for a suitcase or a backpack. There are advantages to both, and the best choice depends on your travel itinerary, the activities you'll be doing, but mostly on your personal preference.

The biggest advantage of a backpack compared to a suitcase is that you can carry it on your back. In Peru, you won't always find good sidewalks and paved roads, especially when traveling to more remote places outside of major cities, so a backpack can be the obvious choice. On the other hand, traveling with a suitcase is much more comfortable. You don't have to carry a suitcase on your back, making it more relaxed for longer walks.

An important difference is that a suitcase is heavier than a backpack. With a suitcase, you quickly reach the maximum weight for checked baggage. A backpack can be packed heavier, but it often has less space than a suitcase.

A backpack offers a lot of flexibility, but in most places, you can travel just fine with a suitcase. For example, in locations with only unpaved roads, you can usually take a taxi. It may be challenging to move your suitcase only in places where there are no taxis and no paved roads. So, consider your route carefully and choose what's best for you.

We often travel with our Eastpak travel bags. These have all the benefits of a suitcase, but they are essentially wheeled bags. This results in a lower weight than a suitcase, allowing you to bring more.

Tips for Your Packing List

  • Bring layers of clothing that are easy to carry, especially for higher-altitude areas.
  • When traveling to Peru, it’s important to consider which season you’ll be in at specific locations and plan your packing accordingly.
  • Pack plenty of warm clothing if you’re visiting Peru during the Peruvian winter.

General

  • Passport + copies
  • Visa
  • Credit card(s) (with sufficient monthly limit)
  • Debit card (worldwide)
  • Cash
  • Driver's license
  • Medical passport
  • Vaccination passport
  • Copies of important documents such as health insurance, travel insurance, emergency numbers, contact information for family/friends
  • Passport photos
  • Boarding pass
  • Backpack/Daypack
  • Rain cover (for backpack/daypack)

Tip: Withdrawing cash abroad using your local bank card or credit card can be expensive. When withdrawing in a different currency, you often face unfavorable exchange rates and additional transaction fees. Our solution is Wise. For a one-time fee of $9 USD, you can open an account and receive a VISA debit card. You can hold and convert money in more than 50 currencies, always at a favorable rate. Additionally, you can spend money in over 170 countries without any extra charges.

Tip: For some countries, you may need an international driver's permit, or it can be useful to have one just in case.

Toiletries

Electronics

Clothing

Additional clothing for colder regions

About the authors

How nice that you are on our website and that you have read this article! We are Mirte and Matthew, two Dutch adventurers with a passion for traveling, discovering cultures, and gaining new experiences. We've translated our love for the world into this website. We hope our articles inspire you to go on adventures! You can learn more about us through the button below.
linkedin facebook pinterest youtube rss twitter instagram facebook-blank rss-blank linkedin-blank pinterest youtube twitter instagram