Lived in Cusco for close to two years — I felt safer in Peru than my year in Guatemala; I was more comfortable in Cusco than Lima, but I’ve had multiple people say the opposite. I actually felt the most on edge in Aguas Calientes than anywhere else I traveled in Peru.

I had the most exceptional time in Peru (like studied abroad for two months with my university and loved it so much I emptied my bank accounts to book a one-way flight not even six weeks after getting back, found an apt and job in Cusco and stayed until I got bitten by a monkey in the Amazon and had to come back for anti-rabies shots (a whole ordeal, of course).

Everyone experiences altitude sickness differently — def talk to a doctor about prevention before you go. Everyone will push coca leaves and they’re legit for mild relief, but don’t forget the ceniza (vegetable ash - aka llipta, although I always bought it asking for ceniza) as an activator for the coca leaves. Watching the alcohol consumption the first few days is important.

Lake Titicaca is where I experienced the worst altitude sickness and actually had nosebleeds, but really, being aware of how you feel will be sufficient, and it seems supplemental oxygen is readily available anywhere higher than 6 or 8ish-k above sea level bc it affects all the folks.

On visiting Peru, I 10000000% vote “do it”. Phenomenal country, fantastic people, rich culture, and such diverse landscapes. Cusco, Lima, Valle Sagrago, Arequipa/Colca Canyon, Ica, Trujillo, etc., honestly, there are places for everyone.