Time for a quick introduction to Peru; everyone landing on this website probably heard of Machu Picchu but as Peru is a mega diverse destination with a ton of things to do, places to visit and experiences to enjoy, the following guide may help seeing the woods through the trees.

Lima

Lima is the proud capital of the nation. With almost 11m people one of the largest (and unavoidably chaotic) cities on the continent. Due to its mere size it is a city that hosts so many sights, impressions, vibes and atmospheres that it becomes an impossible task to do it all. Therefore allow us to let you in on a little secret; the key here is food. Lima is one of the culinary hotspots in the world and not only because of the large number of internationally renowned restaurants – no, in every barrio, on every corner at every dinner table food is the cultural demeanor of this massive city.

Altitude Sickness

In a country where almost one third of the territory is located over 2,500 meters (8,200 ft) above sea level, it should not come as a surprise that the altitude is something you may want to keep in mind. Almost 70% of the visitors to Peru will only feel some minor discomforts when arriving to high altitude for the first time and these discomforts can be headaches, shortness of breath, less appetite and perhaps some small stomach issues. In order to avoid having serious issues with the altitude we recommend the following guidelines;

·         Take it easy for the first 24 hours at altitude -- don’t overexert yourself and don’t go any higher. This is particularly important if you’re arriving by plane.

·         Avoid alcohol, tobacco and sleeping pills. Keep yourself hydrated by drinking plenty of water.

·         Eat high-carbohydrate foods (such as pasta, potatoes and bread).

·         Drink coca tea or chew coca leaves upon arrival at altitude and during your stay.

Weather

Peru, being one of the 16 most diverse countries in the world, is country with more climate zones and variety than the European continent as a whole. Therefore giving a clear cut overview of the Peruvian climate is an almost impossible task. Nevertheless in order to provide a bit of guidance when it comes to the weather in Peru the best way is to divide Peru into the three main geographical zones; the coastal desert, the central highlands and the jungle.

The coastal desert includes the whole coast of the country from Ecuador in the North to Chile in the South. The climate is characterized by little or no rain and an average tropical climate. Temperatures almost never go under 15ºC (60ºF) and hardly over 30ºC (85ºF). The humidity however can make the sensational temperature feel colder or warmer depending on the season. On the southern part of the Coast (Lima and down) there is also an effect called “Garúa”  which translates in “drizzle” and means a humid mist mostly in the morning allowing for little visibility at times. This effect is provoked by the cold Antarctic Ocean currents colliding with the warm desert air.

In the last couple of years Peru has truly experienced an amazing culinary revolution growing from a regional player to a cuisine that now competes with the great cuisines of the world such as Italy, France and Japan. Partially initiated by the successful chef Aston Acurio, Peru embarked on a culinary self-exploration re-discovering the wealth of their local products and cooking cultures already present in the country Peru re-invented itself in a way that few countries have done before. Following you can find some of our favorite restaurants around. 

Lima

Central

One of Peru’s flagship restaurants; named fourth best restaurant in the world and three time’s best restaurant in Peru; chef Vergillio Martinez does not only offer a great lunch or dinner but offers a complete culinary experience allowing diners to explore Peru through its ingredients and altitudes rather than its sights.

Maido

The frontrunner of Peruvian Nikkei Fusion. Recognized as one of the best restaurants in the world, chef Mitsuharu Tsumura is responsible for this ground breaking restaurant combining the best of both the Japanese and Peruvian kitchen.