South America with Kids: Our First Peru Trip
South America had been on our family’s “someday” list for years. We finally stopped fantasizing and, instead, booked the tickets. Peru was the first stop — a place that’s both legendary and, to be honest, a little intimidating for family travelers. I’m sharing our real itinerary, how we flew there on a budget, how we handled altitude, what surprised us about safety, and the packing tricks that saved us (and our sanity) more than once.
Why Peru — and Why Now?
After a month of remote work in Mexico, we wanted a bigger adventure. Peru checked all the boxes: epic landscapes, ruins, friendly folks, and affordable living. Plus, the kids had become obsessed with llamas after a documentary binge. (Not a joke.)
Still, we hesitated. Was it safe? Could we manage the altitude with a five-year-old and an eight-year-old? Would we blow our budget on flights and last-minute gear?
Short answer: Yes, you can do Peru with kids. No, you don’t need to be a “travel family” influencer to pull it off.
Our 12-Day Peru Family Itinerary (With Real Numbers)
We had two weeks, but wanted some downtime at the end, so our “active” Peru time was 12 days. Here’s how it broke down (and what it cost):
Tip: All prices are for a family of four. We’re not ultra-budget travelers, but we’re not splurging, either.
| Day | Location | Highlight | Approx. Costs (USD) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lima | Miraflores, Parque Kennedy | $80 (hotel & food) |
| 2-3 | Cusco | San Blas, acclimatization | $190 (flight, Airbnb, food) |
| 4 | Ollantaytambo | Ruins, train to Aguas Calientes | $130 (train, hotel, food) |
| 5 | Machu Picchu | Sunrise tour | $250 (entry, guide, bus) |
| 6-8 | Arequipa | Santa Catalina Monastery, plaza | $180 (bus, hotel, food) |
| 9-10 | Colca Canyon | Condor spotting, hot springs | $150 (tour, meals, lodging) |
| 11-12 | Lima | Parque de la Reserva, farewell dinner | $90 (hotel, food, taxi) |
Total: $1,070 — not counting international flights. (Spoiler: those were cheaper than I expected. More below.)
Getting There: Flights & Jet Lag With Kids
We searched for flights for weeks. What finally worked:
- Used Skyscanner and set alerts for “everywhere” to Lima.
- Booked a one-way via Miami — $240 per person (American Airlines, carry-on only rates).
- Return flight from Lima to Charlotte with a layover in Panama — $267 per person.
Kids handled the overnight surprisingly well. I stashed snacks, coloring books, and downloaded a few Netflix episodes. The best $10 I spent? Inflatable footrests — not fancy, but meant more sleep for everyone.
Pro tip: Book a window and an aisle in the same row (leave the middle open). Most folks avoid the middle seat, so you might score extra space.
Altitude: How We Managed (And What We’d Do Differently)
Cusco sits at 3,400m (11,150 ft). That’s high. We read a ton of horror stories about altitude sickness, especially in kids, so we took it slow:
- Spent first night in Lima, not Cusco.
- Arrived in Cusco midday, drank so much water, and let the kids nap as needed.
- Avoided big hikes the first two days — we did playgrounds, museums, and short walks only.
- Always carried coca candy (legal in Peru) — not a miracle, but the kids thought they were cool.
None of us got more than a mild headache. That said, if you or your kids have heart or lung issues, talk to your doc first. And don’t skip travel insurance that covers medical evacuation. (We used SafetyWing — about $45/week for the whole family.)
Staying Safe (And Sane): Our Take
Peru felt safer than I expected. In big cities, we used the same common sense as at home. Here’s what made the biggest difference:
- Never flashed phones or wallets in crowded markets.
- Used official taxis (or ride apps like Beat in Lima).
- Carried copies of passports, kept originals in the hotel safe.
- Let kids wear brightly colored hats — easy to spot in a crowd.
Biggest hassle? Persistent street vendors. A polite “no, gracias” works, but sometimes you just have to move on quickly.
Packing: What We Brought (And What We’d Leave Next Time)
We each had one carry-on backpack and a small daypack. Here’s what actually got used:
- Layers: T-shirts, hoodies, rain jackets. Weather changed hourly.
- Good walking shoes — and sandals for the kids (for hot springs and showers).
- Small first aid kit: bandaids, ibuprofen, motion sickness pills, hand sanitizer.
- Water bottles (we refilled at hotels, used purification tablets for tap water outside Lima).
- Travel laundry detergent — we hand washed a lot.
- Basic snacks (granola bars, nuts) and a few familiar treats to smooth out tough travel days.
What we wish we’d left at home? Fancy camera gear (we used our phones), and three out of four books (everyone just wanted comics or audiobooks in the end).
Quick Family Peru Packing Checklist
| Item | Must-Have? | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Rain jackets | Yes | Weather is unpredictable year-round |
| Sun hats & sunscreen | Yes | UV is strong, even when cloudy |
| Travel laundry soap | Yes | Handy for quick washes |
| Basic first aid kit | Yes | Pharmacies are easy to find, but not always nearby |
| Stroller | No | Sidewalks are rough, carriers are better for little ones |
| Water purification tablets | Maybe | Useful outside major cities |
| Plug adapters (Type A/B, C) | Yes | Peru uses two types of plugs, often in the same hotel |
Family Routines: Keeping the Crew Happy
Kids need predictability, even on the road. We tried to stick to a loose routine:
- Breakfast at “home” (Airbnb or hotel) whenever possible — brings a sense of normalcy.
- One “big” thing per day (ruins, hikes, museums), then lots of free play.
- Rest time after lunch (even if just reading or drawing in a plaza).
- Early dinners. Peruvians eat late, but our kids were wiped by 7pm.
We leaned into local food — pollo a la brasa, lomo saltado, and the occasional Inca Kola (which is an acquired taste, honestly).
Favorite Tools & Resources
- Skyscanner for flights
- Airbnb for apartments (often cheaper than hotels for families)
- SafetyWing for travel insurance
- Beat (Lima taxi app)
- Rome2Rio for figuring out buses/trains
One last story: Our highlight wasn’t Machu Picchu (though that was epic). It was a rainy afternoon in Arequipa, watching our kids play soccer with local kids in the plaza, laughing at the language mix-ups. No tour guide, no ticket needed. That’s the magic of Peru with family.
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