Key takeaways
Peru has three competitive mobile operators with 5G live in Lima and Cusco, but coverage fades fast once you leave the main cities. Remote jungle lodges near Iquitos, island communities on Lake Titicaca and long stretches of the Inca Trail have no signal at all. A Roamix Peru eSIM connects you to the strongest local network on arrival, skipping the airport SIM queue. Budget 6 to 10 GB for two weeks, download offline maps before the Inca Trail or any Amazon river journey, and always carry local PEN cash for markets, transport and trail fees.
- Claro leads with roughly 35 to 55 percent market share and the widest 5G rollout across Lima and Cusco.
- A Roamix eSIM activates on arrival at Jorge Chavez International and works on the strongest available local network.
- The Inca Trail has no signal along its four-day route; download detailed offline maps before leaving Cusco.
- Altitude sickness is a real risk above 3,000 m; a connected phone helps you access medical guidance and altitude tracking apps.
- Cash in PEN is essential at mountain markets, on Lake Titicaca islands and for many tour operators outside Lima.
Best way to get data in Peru
For most visitors to Peru, a Roamix eSIM is the most cost-effective option, offering local network speeds in Lima and Cusco without airport queuing or roaming fees.
| Option | Best for | Good to know |
|---|---|---|
| Roamix eSIMRecommended | Best for: Most travellers | Instant activation on arrival, no SIM kiosk needed, and connects to Claro, Movistar or Entel for the best available signal. |
| Local physical SIM | Best for: Long stays needing a local number | Available at the LIM airport Claro and Movistar counters. Requires your passport and takes time to activate. |
| Pocket wifi | Best for: Groups sharing one connection | Available for rent at Lima hotels. Another device to carry and charge, and it does not help in the dead zones. |
| Carrier roaming | Best for: Very short trips with minimal data needs | Latin America roaming rates vary widely. Most home-carrier plans charge daily add-ons that quickly exceed the cost of a Roamix plan. |
Free wifi is common in Lima's Miraflores hotels and cafes and in Cusco's main hostels, but it is slow and unreliable in smaller towns and nonexistent at jungle lodges and on the Inca Trail.
How much data you need
Data needs in Peru vary sharply between Lima's fast urban 5G and off-grid sections of the Inca Trail or Amazon. Download generously before any wilderness segment.
4 to 6 GB
One week Lima and coastal trip
City navigation, rideshare, food delivery and social uploads in a well-covered urban area.
8 to 12 GB
Two week Inca Trail and highlands circuit
Large offline map downloads, tour bookings, altitude apps and messaging while in coverage, with minimal use on the trail itself.
3 to 5 GB
Amazon jungle and remote areas
Front-load with offline maps and lodge contacts; actual on-trip data use is low because jungle lodges are off-grid.
Data per hour, by activity
- Maps and navigation
- 5 MB
- Social media and browsing
- 100 to 150 MB
- Music streaming
- 70 MB
- Standard video streaming
- 700 MB to 1 GB
- Video calls
- 500 MB to 1.5 GB
Download offline map packs for Cusco, the Sacred Valley, Colca Canyon and any river route before you leave a city with strong signal. Apps like Maps.me handle Peru's rural roads well.
How to set up a Peru eSIM
Install your Roamix Peru eSIM over wifi before departure. It activates automatically when your phone connects to a Peruvian network on arrival at Jorge Chavez, so you land already online.
- 1
Buy your plan on the Roamix Peru eSIM page before departure.
- 2
Scan the QR code or tap to install the eSIM over wifi at home.
- 3
Label it Roamix and set your home SIM as primary for calls and texts.
- 4
Enable data roaming for the Roamix line only.
- 5
Land in Lima and the eSIM connects automatically to Claro, Movistar or Entel.
Works on eSIM capable devices including iPhone XS and newer, Google Pixel 3 and newer, and recent Samsung Galaxy models. Your phone must be carrier unlocked.
Roamix sets the correct APN automatically on most devices. If data does not start after landing, enter the APN from your order and toggle airplane mode off and on.
No data on arrival usually means data roaming is off for the Roamix profile. Go to mobile data settings, select the Roamix line, enable roaming and restart if needed.
Visa and entry for Peru
Citizens of the United States, Canada, the European Union, the United Kingdom, Australia and most Latin American countries enter Peru visa-free for up to 90 days. No pre-authorization or eVisa is required for the majority of Western passport holders.
- eVisa or ETA
- No eVisa or eTA is required for most nationalities visiting Peru for tourism. Nationals of a small number of countries require a tourist visa applied for in advance at a Peruvian consulate.
- Passport validity
- Your passport should be valid for at least 6 months beyond your planned departure date from Peru.
- Onward ticket
- Proof of onward travel is commonly required at immigration. Have your return or onward flight details accessible on your phone.
Keep digital copies of your passport, travel insurance and onward ticket accessible on your Roamix eSIM for fast retrieval at immigration.
Entry requirements change. Verify current rules at the official Peruvian Ministry of Foreign Affairs website before travel.
When you land in Peru
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How people message here
WhatsApp is by far the dominant communication platform in Peru and used for everything from family chat to business inquiries. SMS is rarely used between locals.
Do you need a local number?
A local number is rarely needed for tourists. Most tour operators, hotels and restaurants communicate via WhatsApp with any number.
Keep your home SIM active for SMS two-factor authentication on banking apps, and use your Roamix line for all data including WhatsApp calls.
Airports in Peru
LIM
Jorge Chavez International Airport
Lima
Free wifi is available throughout the terminal but is slow and unreliable during peak international arrival banks. Activate your Roamix eSIM before landing for a faster connection.
With Roamix data active you can compare Airport Express Lima bus fares against rideshare in real time, and pull up your hotel address before joining the taxi queue.
CUZ
Alejandro Velasco Astete International Airport
Cusco
Free wifi is available in the terminal but signal can be weak. The airport sits at 3,310 m and acclimatization starts the moment you land.
Activate your Roamix eSIM before landing to load altitude sickness guidance, your Machu Picchu entry time and your hotel's address while still inside the terminal.
AQP
Rodriguez Ballon International Airport
Arequipa
Free wifi available in the terminal building. Coverage is reliable inside the arrivals hall.
Use Roamix data to book a taxi or rideshare into Arequipa's historic center and check tour departure times for Colca Canyon before you leave the airport.
IQT
Francisco Secada Vignetta International Airport
Iquitos
Basic free wifi in the terminal. Iquitos is unreachable by road, so this airport is the only fast way in or out of the Peruvian Amazon.
Download offline river maps and your jungle lodge contact details over Roamix data at the airport before heading to the port for your riverboat transfer.
Apps and internet access in Peru
Peru has a fully open internet with no platform censorship, so all major apps work normally on a Roamix eSIM.
There is no censorship of social media, messaging or search in Peru. No VPN is required for any mainstream service.
WhatsApp, works
The dominant messaging platform in Peru; works fully for text, voice and video.
Google Maps, works
No restrictions; download offline maps for the Sacred Valley and Amazon before you lose signal.
FaceTime, works
Works normally over both data and wifi.
Social media, works
Instagram, TikTok, Facebook and X all work without restriction.
Getting around Peru
Peru mixes internal flights for long distances, buses for the Andean circuit, trains to Machu Picchu and boat transfers in the Amazon. Data is useful for every mode.
Domestic flights
Flying is the practical way to cover Lima-Cusco or Lima-Iquitos. Use your Roamix eSIM to manage check-in, boarding passes and schedule changes in real time.
Tourist buses and shuttles
Inca Rail and Peru Rail trains to Aguas Calientes (Machu Picchu Pueblo) require advance booking. Tour buses and shuttle services between Cusco, Ollantaytambo and Puno run on fixed schedules. Book via app or online before you leave the city.
Rideshare and taxis
InDriver and Uber are available in Lima and Cusco. Always use a data connection to verify the fare and driver before getting in. Metered taxis are rare; negotiate the fare in advance otherwise.
River boats
The only way to reach most Amazon lodges. Signal disappears quickly once you leave Iquitos. Download your lodge GPS coordinates and offline river maps before boarding.
InDriver is the safest taxi app in Lima and Cusco, allowing you to set your fare. Avoid unmarked taxis and always verify the plate matches the app. In Cusco, mototaxis are common for short distances.
Money and payments in Peru
The Peruvian Sol (PEN) is the only accepted currency outside tourist shops and hotels. Always carry PEN cash for market purchases, rural transport and entry fees at archaeological sites.
- Cards and cash
- Cards are widely accepted at Lima restaurants, hotels and large shops. Outside Lima, many smaller towns, mountain markets and local transport are cash-only.
- ATMs
- ATMs are common in Lima, Cusco, Arequipa and Puno city centers. Use bank ATMs inside supermarkets rather than street machines to avoid skimming risk. Choose to be charged in PEN to avoid dynamic currency conversion fees.
- Payment apps
- Yape and Plin are the dominant mobile payment apps used by Peruvians. As a tourist you will mostly use cards or cash, but some vendors accept Yape QR payments.
- Tipping
- Tipping is appreciated but not obligatory. Around 10 percent at sit-down restaurants and guided tours is standard. Tour guides expect a tip at the end of multi-day hikes. Taxi drivers do not expect tips.
Daily budget
Budget travellers can manage on 80 to 120 PEN per day in smaller cities; Lima and Cusco tourist areas cost more at 150 to 300 PEN for mid-range dining and transport.
Local tips for Peru
- Language
- Spanish is the dominant language in cities and tourist areas. Quechua is widely spoken in the highlands, especially in markets and rural communities around Cusco and Puno. A translation app with offline Spanish works fine for all standard travel needs.
- Food
- Lima is widely considered one of the best food cities in the world. Ceviche, lomo saltado, causa and cuy are national staples. Cusco's San Pedro market is a great place to eat affordably. Pisco sour is the national cocktail.
- Plugs
- 220V, Type A and C plugs
Apps worth having
InDriver
rideshare
Dominant ride-hailing app in Lima and Cusco, lets you set the price and confirm driver details before riding.
Maps.me
navigation
Excellent offline maps for Peru including the Sacred Valley, Colca Canyon roads and Amazon towns where Google Maps data can be thin.
PeruRail or Inca Rail
transport
Book and manage train tickets to Aguas Calientes and Machu Picchu Pueblo; trains sell out weeks ahead in peak season.
Safety and health in Peru
Peru is generally safe for tourists in the main travel circuit. Petty theft is the primary risk in Lima's Miraflores and historic center and in Cusco's market areas. Altitude sickness is a serious health risk above 3,000 m and should not be underestimated on arrival in Cusco.
- Stay reachable
- Keep your Roamix eSIM active for real-time altitude sickness apps, to call for emergency medical help at altitude and to contact your lodge or guide if plans change in the Amazon or on the trail.
- Health
- Yellow fever vaccination is recommended for Amazon travel. Altitude sickness medication (acetazolamide) should be discussed with a doctor before departure. Travel health insurance that covers helicopter evacuation from remote areas is strongly advised.
- Tap water
- Do not drink tap water anywhere in Peru. Use bottled water or a filter for all drinking, brushing teeth and ice. Tap water is safe for showering.
Networks and coverage in Peru
Peru's three operators, Claro, Movistar and Entel, provide solid 4G LTE across Lima, Cusco, Arequipa and most regional capitals, with Claro and Entel having launched 5G in Lima and Cusco. Coverage outside cities depends heavily on altitude and terrain, with the Amazon basin, high Andean trails and Lake Titicaca islands presenting significant dead zones. A Roamix Peru eSIM connects to the strongest available network the moment you land at Jorge Chavez, so you arrive with navigation and maps ready before you queue for a taxi.
Claro
Market leader with 35 to 55 percent share, strongest 5G rollout in Lima and Cusco, and the best national rural 4G reach including along the Pan-American Highway.
Movistar (Telefonica)
30 to 36 percent share with reliable 4G nationally, strong in Lima and mid-size coastal cities, and solid coverage in the main Andean towns.
Entel
9 to 25 percent share, competitive 5G in Lima and Cusco, and growing 4G in secondary cities. Good option for visitors spending time in the main tourist circuit.
- Typical speeds
- Urban 5G delivers 50 to 150 Mbps in Lima and Cusco. Regional 4G runs 10 to 40 Mbps in cities like Arequipa and Puno.
- 5G
- 5G launched in Lima and Cusco in 2024 on the n78 band. Lima's districts of Miraflores, San Isidro and Barranco have the densest 5G coverage.
For the Lima to Cusco to Machu Picchu circuit, any of the three carriers covers you well in the cities. Claro gives the best rural buffer for buses between towns. Download offline maps for every section of the Inca Trail and any Amazon excursion before leaving a city.
The four-day Inca Trail to Machu Picchu has no mobile signal on any carrier. The Amazon jungle around Iquitos, most of the Madre de Dios river basin, Lake Titicaca's Uros and Taquile islands, and remote Colca Canyon sections all go off-grid. Machu Picchu itself has limited and congested data during peak visiting hours. Peruvian networks use widely supported LTE bands. A Roamix eSIM works on any recent unlocked iPhone XS onward, Google Pixel 3 onward and current Samsung Galaxy models.
Where to go in Peru
Peru packs ancient Inca ruins, Amazon rainforest, dramatic Andean peaks and one of South America's best food cities into a single destination. The contrast between sea-level Lima and high-altitude Cusco at 3,400 m means data is crucial for altitude apps, navigation and booking tours that sell out weeks in advance.
Best time to visit
May to October is the dry season and the best time for the Inca Trail, Machu Picchu and Colca Canyon. June and July are peak months. November to April is the wet season with lush green landscapes but muddy trails.
Lima and the Coast
Peru's capital and South America's culinary capital, where the clifftop Miraflores district overlooks the Pacific surf, Barranco's bohemian galleries fill colonial mansions and the historic center's Plaza Mayor anchors UNESCO heritage. Lima is also the staging point for the Paracas Reserve and Nazca Lines.
- Miraflores malecón
- Barranco arts district
- Larco Museum
- Plaza Mayor Lima
- Paracas National Reserve
Excellent 5G across Miraflores, San Isidro, Barranco and the airport corridor. 4G is reliable throughout greater Lima and along the Pan-American Highway south toward Ica and Paracas.
Cusco and the Sacred Valley
The ancient Inca capital at 3,400 m and the spiritual heart of Peru, where Machu Picchu, Ollantaytambo, Pisac market and the Moray circular terraces sit within a day trip of the city. Cusco's Plaza de Armas and San Blas neighborhood are among the most visited sights in South America.
- Machu Picchu
- Plaza de Armas Cusco
- Ollantaytambo
- Pisac market
- Moray terraces
Solid 4G and 5G in Cusco city, Pisac town and Ollantaytambo town. Machu Picchu has patchy congested signal during peak hours. The Inca Trail between Km 82 and Machu Picchu is off-grid.
Arequipa and the Southern Andes
The White City built from volcanic sillar stone, backdropped by the El Misti volcano, serving as the gateway to Colca Canyon, one of the world's deepest gorges where Andean condors soar at dawn. Arequipa's Santa Catalina Monastery is a city within a city.
- Santa Catalina Monastery
- Colca Canyon condor viewing
- El Misti viewpoints
- Yanahuara district
- La Calera hot springs
Good 4G in Arequipa city and the Chivay gateway town. Signal weakens along the Colca Canyon rim road and disappears in the canyon itself.
Puno and Lake Titicaca
Sitting at 3,810 m on the shores of the world's highest navigable lake, Puno is the gateway to the floating Uros reed islands and the traditional Taquile and Amantani island communities. The city is also Peru's folklore capital, famous for vibrant Andean dance traditions.
- Uros floating reed islands
- Taquile Island
- Amantani Island
- Puno Cathedral
- Sillustani funeral towers
Moderate 4G in Puno city. The Uros floating islands have patchy signal and Taquile and Amantani islands are largely off-grid. The Bolivian side of the lake has separate coverage.
Amazon and Iquitos
Iquitos is the world's largest city unreachable by road, accessible only by boat or plane at the heart of the Peruvian Amazon. River lodges, pink river dolphin tours, piranha fishing and visits to indigenous communities offer an experience impossible to reach by any overland route.
- Pacaya-Samiria National Reserve
- Belen floating market Iquitos
- Pink river dolphin tours
- Manatee rescue center
- Canopy walks in the reserve
4G in Iquitos city center. River lodges and jungle excursions beyond 20 km are typically off-grid. The Pacaya-Samiria National Reserve and most river tributaries have no signal.
Off the beaten path
A striped Andean peak of brilliant natural mineral colors, rivaling Machu Picchu as Peru's most photographed landscape and accessible on a long day trip from Cusco.
Signal: No mobile signal on the trail from the Cusipata trailhead at 4,600 m to the summit at 5,200 m. Download maps and weather forecasts over Roamix data in Cusco the night before.
A natural desert lagoon ringed by massive sand dunes south of Lima, offering dune buggy rides and sandboarding at sunset, one of Peru's most surreal landscapes.
Signal: Good 4G at the oasis and in Ica city. Sandboard tours and dune buggy rides run without signal on the dunes.
Monumental geoglyphs etched into the desert plateau by the Nazca culture between 500 BC and 500 AD, including a hummingbird, condor and spider, best seen from a small plane overflight.
Signal: 4G in Nazca town. Overflight tours require pre-booking; signal can be spotty at the small airstrip.
One of the world's deepest gorges at over 3,400 m depth, where Andean condors soar on thermal updrafts at Cruz del Condor viewpoint, with a strong thermal-bathing culture at La Calera hot springs.
Signal: 4G in Chivay and Cabanaconde towns; signal weakens along the canyon rim and disappears in the canyon trekking routes.
Man-made islands of woven totora reed where the Uros people have lived on the water for centuries, offering a completely unique form of community life on the world's highest navigable lake.
Signal: Patchy signal on the floating islands; Puno city has good 4G. Download your boat operator details before departing the dock.
A vast Inca ceremonial complex larger than Machu Picchu and accessible only by a 4 to 5 day trek, with a fraction of the crowds and dramatic cloud forest setting.
Signal: Entirely off-grid. The multi-day trek from Cachora has no mobile coverage. Download all maps and guide content over Roamix data in Cusco before departure.
One of the most biodiverse places on Earth and a UNESCO World Heritage site, spanning cloud forest and lowland rainforest with giant otters, tapirs, hundreds of bird species and indigenous communities in voluntary isolation.
Signal: Off-grid beyond Boca Manu entry point. The biological reserve zone is strictly limited to guided groups. Download all lodge and emergency contact details before leaving Cusco or Puerto Maldonado.
Peru's trekking capital, set beneath the Cordillera Blanca range where Huascaran, at 6,768 m, is Peru's highest peak. The Santa Cruz Trek and Laguna 69 are among the finest mountain hikes on the continent.
Signal: 4G in Huaraz city. Trekking routes in Huascaran National Park, including the Santa Cruz Trek, go off-grid once past the valley trailheads.
The largest pre-Columbian city in South America and a UNESCO World Heritage site, the adobe capital of the Chimu Empire covers 20 km2 of intricate mud-brick palaces and ceremonial plazas on the north coast.
Signal: Good 4G in Trujillo city, 15 km from Chan Chan. Signal is adequate near the main visitor center.
A spectacular desert-meets-ocean reserve four hours south of Lima, famous for Ballestas Islands boat tours where Humboldt penguins, sea lions and boobies pack sea-stack rocks, and a flamingo-filled bay inside the reserve.
Signal: Moderate 4G in Paracas town. The Ballestas Islands boat tour drops signal once offshore, and the reserve interior is patchy.
Events and seasons in Peru
February
Carnival Cajamarca
Cajamarca
The most raucous carnival celebration in Peru, where water and paint battles rage in the streets of Cajamarca alongside traditional Andean music, dance competitions and the coronation of the Carnival Queen.
February 2 to 18
Fiesta de la Candelaria
Puno
The largest folkloric festival in South America and a UNESCO Intangible Heritage event, where over 40,000 dancers in elaborate costumes perform traditional Andean dances through the streets of Puno for two weeks on the shores of Lake Titicaca.
March
Vendimia Harvest Festival
Ica
Peru's grape harvest festival in the wine and pisco-producing Ica Valley, with vineyard tours, grape stomping competitions, live music and pisco tasting at bodegas from Ica to Paracas.
March or April (Holy Week, date varies)
Semana Santa Ayacucho
Ayacucho
Considered the most elaborate Holy Week celebrations in Latin America, with nightly processions of flowers, candles and elaborate floats through Ayacucho's colonial streets for eight consecutive days, attracting visitors from across Peru.
Second Sunday of June
Q'eswachaka Inca Bridge Festival
Huinchiri, Cusco region
The annual renewal of the last remaining handwoven Inca suspension bridge using traditional grass-rope techniques, where four communities gather to replace the Q'eswachaka bridge over the Apurimac River in a multi-day ceremony recognized by UNESCO.
June 24
Inti Raymi
Cusco and Sacsayhuaman fortress
The Inca Festival of the Sun, one of the most important religious ceremonies of the ancient Inca empire, re-enacted each year at Sacsayhuaman fortress above Cusco with elaborate costumes, processions and theatrical performances drawing thousands of visitors.
July 15 to 18
Virgen del Carmen Paucartambo
Paucartambo, Cusco region
A spectacular mountain village festival where masked dancers in extraordinary costumes representing demons, angels and colonial figures perform through the streets of the small Andean town of Paucartambo in honor of the Virgin.
Early September, ten days
Mistura Culinary Festival
Lima
One of the largest food festivals in Latin America, celebrating Peru's extraordinary culinary heritage with street food, celebrity chef demonstrations, regional product markets and ceviche competitions in Lima.
October
Señor de los Milagros Procession
Lima
The largest religious procession in Latin America, where a massive purple-clad litter carrying the image of Christ of Miracles is carried through Lima's historic center by thousands of purple-robed devotees, drawing over a million people to the streets.
November 1 to 8
Puno Week
Puno
The celebration of the founding of Puno and the mythological emergence of Manco Capac from Lake Titicaca, with folkloric dance competitions, boat reenactments on the lake and a large street fair along the main boulevard.
Through the year
- Spring
- September to November is shoulder season with stable dry weather continuing and crowds thinning. Excellent for hiking, with lower accommodation costs than July and good bird watching in the Amazon as the wet season approaches.
- Summer
- December to March is the Southern Hemisphere summer and Peru's wet season. The Amazon is lush and green and river levels are high, making some boat routes easier but jungle trails muddier. Lima's coast has warm temperatures but is overcast with coastal fog. The highlands get heavy afternoon rain and some trails are closed.
- Fall
- April and May are the shoulder months transitioning to the dry season. Rain decreases in the highlands, wildflowers bloom along trekking routes and crowds are lighter than peak June-August. Good time for the Inca Trail.
- Winter
- June to August is winter in the Southern Hemisphere but Peru's dry season and peak tourist season. Inca Trail days are sunny and cold at altitude, nights can drop below zero on the trail. This is the ideal time for the Sacred Valley circuit and Machu Picchu.
Working remotely from Peru
Lima is a growing remote work destination with coworking spaces in Miraflores and San Isidro and strong 5G connectivity. Cusco has a small but growing coworking scene, though altitude can affect energy levels in the first few days.
- Connection
- Urban 5G in Lima easily handles video calls and tethering. A Roamix plan with 15 GB or more suits a working week in Lima alongside sightseeing. In Cusco, plan for slower speeds and front-load any large uploads before leaving the city.
Lima's Miraflores district has reliable cafe wifi and coworking options. Use your Roamix eSIM as a secure backup for banking and sensitive work on public networks.
