I was chatting with someone who just got back from Peru, and it sounds like things there are a mix of exciting and a bit unpredictable right now.

So first, good news, most places are open and running normally again, including Machu Picchu. Tourism is basically back, and a lot of people say trips are going smoothly if you plan ahead . But at the same time, there are still things to keep in mind. There can be protests or strikes now and then, and sometimes they affect transport, especially trains to Machu Picchu .

One story I heard was from a couple who were heading to Machu Picchu and had to wait hours because of delays. They said it was stressful at first, but honestly ended up chatting with other travelers and locals, sharing snacks, and it became one of those unexpected memories you don’t forget.

There was also news recently about a train accident on the way to Machu Picchu, which made a lot of people nervous. It doesn’t happen often, but it reminded travelers to double check routes and stay flexible with plans .

Another interesting thing, Peru is working on a new airport closer to Machu Picchu. It’s not opening just yet, but people say once it does, getting there will be way easier. Though not everyone is happy about it because of environmental concerns .

Also, Machu Picchu itself isn’t closing (there were rumors), but they are getting stricter. You now need timed tickets and have to follow specific routes inside. It actually makes the visit feel less crowded, according to travelers .

One traveler shared that waking up early, walking through the mist, and seeing the ruins slowly appear was “worth every bit of planning stress.” Another said Lima surprised them the most, great food, chill vibe, and not as crowded as expected.

If you’re thinking about it, I’d just say plan a bit more carefully than usual and stay flexible. It still sounds like an amazing experience.

Have you ever thought about going, or is it already on your list?

Well, to answer your final question -- not only is Peru on my list, but I'm going there in mid-May. But I'm not worried at all: I'm heading in the opposite direction from the tourist crowds; specifically, to the museums and ancient sites in Lambayeque province.

Peru is a huge country, big enough to hold all of coastal continental Europe from Portugal up through the Netherlands. It's not just Machu Picchu, though I agree that Machu Picchu is a splendid place to see, provided you can handle mass tourism better than I can.

You'll see some magnificent things!

If you haven't already seen it, you might take a look at post # 52+ in my trip report:
Praise for Peru – A report of my solo month in this amazing country

kja -- I’ve enjoyed reading the trip report you cited. I’m not finished yet, but so far I’m very impressed. I was particularly intrigued with the early section on “things I liked best” — having visited Peru ten times, I found this to be an excellent summay of what makes the country in general such a great place to visit. Though I’m not too interested in food (no matter where I am), I otherwise agreed with that section practically line by line.

Anyway, I’m looking forward to finishing the report. Even though that report is eight years old, I would still recommend it to forum readers who are interested in Peru beyond the Lima International Airport to Cusco to Machu Picchu itinerary.

I suppose I should add that among the “things you didn’t like,” I wasn’t too pleased to read about the “miles of plastic debris that line the roads around Chiclayo,” since that’s where I’m going in two months! I don’t recall seeing such debris from my first trip to Chiclayo, but that was eleven years before your visit; and anyway, I had already done a fair amount of Latin America travel, so perhaps I was already inured against that sort of sight.

@ Faedus: I'm glad you've found merit in my TR so far! Thanks for letting me know.

I'll be interested to hear whether Chiclayo has found a solution to it's plastic problem. It was a daunting issue; I can only hope for the best.

I'm glad you brought this up.
Lima did not capture me in the least when I was there....but I only spent a couple of days and the hotel was in Miraflores.

I keep hearing about the great food in Lima, and am always looking for a city or large town to visit for a week or so, just to wander round and sample local food--anything from market stalls to the famous restaurants. Oaxaca and Merida, in Mexico, are pretty perfect for this.....Cuenca is very nice and I like Quito....looking for a new easy-to-get-to city....for a solo week of just wandering and eating..

When I was in Lima, weather was grey and dizzy and it did not seem to be a city that encouraged wandering around on foot....big streets, modern buildings....traffic, etc. Looking back it was one of my least favorite cities in South America (where I've not traveled all that extensively).

IF someone wanted to visit it Lima for a week, and maybe take one side trip, where would they base in Lima? Is there a neighborhood conducive to walking around, with food markets, shops, a good hotel or two?? I'd want a small but upscale hotel, not a chain.

I'm all for Mexico City but I don't go back much due to the traffic and sprawling nature of the city; the best times are when I just more or less stay put in a certain neighborhood and just leave for an interesting site or restaurant..

So if someone wanted to come to Lima for a week or so, what area should they stay in, and what do you think about this, or is their another Latin American city easy to access from eastern US (not in Peru) that I ought to look at, instead.....

@ekscrunchy: I’ve become quite fond of Lima myself, and I always devote a few days of each Peru trip to this city. Still, I realize that unlike, say, Paris or San Francisco, Lima may not be one of those cities that people fall in love with at first sight; but I think it rewards time spent on getting to know it. Anyone who is interested in Lima should check out a recent trip report posted on this forum, called “Our beautiful trip to Peru in September 2024” (posted Feb. 3 2026, author “Cherthor”) which starts out with Lima, and makes a great case for the city through both commentary and great photos.

(That trip report proceeds to Arequipa and its vicinity, which also deserve more commentary than they usually get; it then moves on to Puno, and finally, of course, to Cusco and Machu Picchu. In fact, anyone considering a trip to Peru, as well as those of us who have been there, will likely enjoy scrolling though the remarkable photos. If you’re still wavering on a decision to visit Peru, check out that trip report; if it doesn’t convince you to go there, nothing will!)

Also, I’ll mention another neighborhood of Lima worth knowing, Pueblo Libre, which apart from the fact that the famous Larco Museum is there, doesn’t seem to get much attention. Check the website pueblolibrelima.pe for more.

Many thanks! I did read that wonderful report, and there is also a recent for-centered on HungryOnion that got me thinking about a visit.

For an upscale hotel: Pueblo Libre, Miraflores, or Barranco?

Lima is a great city which is often overlooked by travellers in their desperate rush to get to the Sacred Valley , the Amazon etc. which is a shame as whilst the maybe not as many work famous attractions as some capital cities, there is a lot to see and do in the city. If remotely interested in food then it is worth a few days of anyones time.

In terms of where to stay , most tourist head straight to Miraflores where most of the chain hotels are located and which has great sea views aIlong the Malecon, the JW Marriott at the Larcomar centre is a good 5* option (the Sunday brunch is amazing!) . San Isidro is more upscale and quieter but a little less convenient but with some nice lux hotels. Centro Historico has more of the attractions close by but I would avoid staying there for safety reasons and would avoid wondering round at night. Barranco is adjacent to Miraflores but has more of a bohemian/artsy feel to it with lots of great bars and restaurants. barranco isa where we usually stay either for a few nights or renting an apartment for longer periods. 3Bbarranco is a nice comfortable B&B but the best luxury hotel , perhaps in the whole of Lima , is HotelB which is close by.

When in Lima for a few months one of our fav weekend trips was to Ayacucho - a long bus ride away up in the mountains. Well worth

I was interested to read the OPs comments which seems to be based on comments by other rather than actual experience of visiting Peru. The train crash referred to happened in Dec 25 when two trains crashed head on on the single track line - one sea and dozens injured. The train have long been back to normal. The timed entrance regime for Machu Picchu started in 2019 and is well embedded. additional rule were added in 2024 so hardly a new thing . indeed the system is well embedded and seems to be managing visitor numbers well.

The new airport at Chinchero is not good news, partly because it is an area of outstanding beauty. The market and church in Chinchero Plaza are superb and the views from there are (were) breathtaking. Still it is hard to begrudge progress as the people in the area are exceptionally poor.

There are lots of places in Peru worthy of attention; we have spent weeks at a time in Arequipa, one of my favourite cities in South America, Trujillo and Chiclayo and Chachapoyas which offer ancient civilisations other than the ubiquitous Inca, the mountain scenery and hiking the Cordillera Blanca around Huaraz is world class and leaves the Andes around Cusco in the shade.

Peru is the easiest country in South America in which to travel independently and it really is quite easy to get off the usual Gringo Trail. Transport is cheap and reliable, accommodation is generally pretty good and affordable at all levels. The food is arguably the best in Latin America whether the be in fine dining restaurants or at market stalls (some of the best ceviche I have ever tasted was in Molinos market in Cusco, the best Cuy (GuineaPig) at the world renowned Astrid y Gaston.

Downsides of travel in terms of country are that civil unrest can often lead to protests and road blocks, usually short-lived and not serious but occasionally, as in a couple of years ago, this can escalate into riots and deaths and a lot of travel disruption. Thankfully this has not been the case for some time now. Roads are no good and driving standards, even worse. Pickpocketing and petty crime, especially around markets, bus stations and on public buses seem to be a national hobby.

Despite all of these problems, essentially, Peru is a wonderful country in which to travel and very few tourists experience any major problems. as with travel anywhere, just keep your wits boy you and pack your commonsense.