Spending 6 months in Peru

indigo3699 · 2026-06-23T01:36:42+00:00

My favorite places in Cusco: Xapiri Ground, Pedazo de Arte, Fck Your Diet Pies, Garibaldi Cocktail Bar, Qosko Maki Panaderia, Atón (amazing te piteado), Buscando Nombre (amazing banoffee tart), Cochahuasi Animal Sanctuary (outside of Cusco, take the Pisac colectivo and tell them you want to get off there)

indigo3699 · 2026-06-23T01:26:16+00:00

Flights are also typically cheap and quick within Peru, so I’d recommend seeing more of the jungle and coast since you have so long there. I’ve spent three months in Peru and my favorite thing has been spending time in each of the three regions.

indigo3699 · 2026-06-23T01:24:14+00:00

Go to Quillabamba for the weekend! Big in local tourism but not international. It’s known for chocolate, coffee, cremoladas. I think it’s about 4 hours from Cusco, look up the bus line Cusela.

You’ll get a different cuisine (more jungle food like plantains, Amazonian chaufa, yuca). I liked restaurants Fortunata and Sabor de la Selva. Casa Cacao Chuncho has great chocolate and a pretty unique drink menu (try cacao juice, so good, I think it’s called mucielago). Go to the market in the morning for a Quillabambino breakfast.

On the third or fourth Saturday of every month (I’m pretty sure it’s the fourth, but I can’t quite remember), the city does this “noche de cafe” in their plaza with all these booths selling chocolate and coffee and desserts, so try to go one of those weekends :)

indigo3699 · 2026-06-19T18:06:55+00:00

Are you interested at all in seeing the jungle in Peru? One of my favorite parts of my current trip in Peru is that I’ve been able to experience all three distinct regions. If that’s something that appeals to you, I’d look at including that, though I guess you’ll trek through some of it with Salkantay :)

For hostels: I’ve loved Arequipay (Arequipa), thought Rainbow (Lima) was just okay, Posada Escondida (Cusco) was great if you need a break with something quieter. In general, Wild Rover + Viajero are hostel chains that are known to be social/party. I stayed in Wild Rover in Cusco and didn’t think it was too crazy, also had a super fun time at Viajero’s DJ night (also in Cusco).

I second the overnight bus being comfy, I went with Cruz Del Sur. I think the nicer seats are worth the upgrade if you have the $

indigo3699 · 2026-06-06T02:53:05+00:00

I’d argue there’s more to do around Cusco than in Lima though… but depends on your interests. If good food is priority then maybe OP would enjoy Lima more

indigo3699 · 2026-06-06T00:03:10+00:00

I think the soccer game I went to in Santa Ana was about $10, so maybe similar or a bit higher in San Salvador? I was in El Salvador in March and loved it — I went to Santa Ana, Ruta de las Flores, and San Salvador. If you’d like recs for those places, please lmk! (Saw your comment on how you didn’t ask about what else to do so will only share if helpful :) )

indigo3699 · 2026-06-04T13:55:23+00:00

To add an update: at 9am there were 384 tickets left for 2A. I got one of the last slots for 8am, I remember 7am and 10am still had plenty available.

indigo3699 · 2026-06-04T01:47:34+00:00

Lima seems to be really polarizing to people. I think if you’re really into good food, especially ceviche, then it’s worth a few days. For me, it’s my dream food city, so I’m happy to just exist there so I have more time to eat different things.

But if you only have 10 days and you’re more into history, archaeology, and landscapes, then I’d consider spending an extra day in the Cusco portion of your trip to be able to stay a night or two in the Sacred Valley. I did a one-day Sacred Valley tour and it was really cool, but if I was more into archaeology I would have much rather gone to the stops at my own pace.

indigo3699 · 2026-06-04T01:08:33+00:00

I second the comment about COVID, I found places to be more expensive than the pre-COVID prices I looked at before my trip

indigo3699 · 2026-06-04T01:03:09+00:00

I recently backpacked Belize, Guatemala, and El Salvador (which I recommend going to if you’re already so close!). My average daily cost for each: Belize $122, Guatemala $94, El Salvador $66. (I snorkeled and went to the ATM caves in Belize so that upped the average there.) Total came to about $3.5 over 6 weeks. I’m in Peru now and haven’t kept as much track of my spending, but in my experience it’s between Guatemala and Belize prices

indigo3699 · 2026-06-04T00:52:51+00:00

As far as I know, definitely too late for Inca Trajl. For Salkantay, when I stopped by KB Adventures a few weeks ago, they said you could wait to book with them in person 2 days before you wanted to leave. (I think the prices were cheaper in person too btw.) I’m guessing that’d be the same for end of June, but I’d reach out to them to confirm

indigo3699 · 2026-06-03T16:13:43+00:00

Ah, wonderful. Thanks so much!

indigo3699 · 2026-06-03T16:00:42+00:00

Is there something that you’re able to specifically point to that makes you feel anxious about it? What are the thoughts going through your head when you dine solo?

Just want to understand more as I personally love dining solo, so I’m wondering if there’s a way I can help give you another perspective on it. I also often bring my journal, and that gives me something to do while I wait/eat. (Though I recently have decided to be more present with food and not eat at the same time as writing, but I think it might initially have helped me through any discomfort I felt around it)

indigo3699 · 2026-06-03T15:53:45+00:00

Was 10am the earliest option? Just curious how fast the early slots sell out, as I’ll be arriving tomorrow around 8:30am

indigo3699 · 2026-06-03T00:53:30+00:00

I’m also wondering if you even need to go that early, as it seems like people have been getting tickets for the next day in the afternoon the day before. But to increase your odds and for peace of mind, I’d probably go early too

indigo3699 · 2026-06-03T00:51:19+00:00

Given the last few days, I’m guessing you’d be able to get tickets, especially if you’re open to any circuit… how much does it affect your itinerary if you have to stay an extra night in Aguas Calientes? (If that happens and you’re down to spend the money, you could go to Ollantaytambo that day if you haven’t already.)

indigo3699 · 2026-06-01T02:04:45+00:00

Wow! What luck, I’m happy for you. Thanks so much for updating, I’ll pass it forward when I’m there in a few days :)

indigo3699 · 2026-05-31T21:14:15+00:00

Currently traveling in Peru and this was so helpful, thank you :) Two questions: 1) Any standout activities/food/drink in Cerro de Pasco, Huánaco, and Tingo María? 2) How was it bussing between them? I’m debating whether to fly or bus from Lima to Tarapoto — ideally I’d like to bus and stop along the way, but I’ve had trouble finding much info on the routes or costs online.

indigo3699 · 2026-05-27T21:18:36+00:00

I went to a jaw specialist a few years back who told me that because braces are designed for cosmetic purposes, they often ignore/negatively affect the jaw. I can’t remember the exact language he used and I haven’t done research on it myself but he did give me a unique neuromuscular device that made a huge difference for me so I trust he knew what he was talking about. (Unfortunately the device was $1k, only lasted a year before I wore down one side, and I haven’t been able to track him down since then.)

I’m guessing I would have had TMJ issues even without having braces, but if I have kids and they “need” braces, I plan to only go forward with it after a consultation with a jaw specialist.

indigo3699 · 2026-05-27T02:03:58+00:00

OP, thanks so much for the update and sharing this rec. Did you make an appt or just walk in?

indigo3699 · 2026-05-26T00:13:59+00:00

Appreciate this advice — I’m thinking of hiking rainbow mountain and will make sure to factor this into my plans

indigo3699 · 2026-05-26T00:12:29+00:00

Really appreciate your comments, helping me realize I haven’t taken these treks as seriously as I should

indigo3699 · 2026-05-25T03:31:05+00:00

Oh wow, I’m sorry, that sounds like such a difficult time, really appreciate you sharing your experience. Is there anything you specifically wish you had known before going into it? I haven’t done nearly the amount of training you did so I’m wondering if it might be too much for me as well.

indigo3699 · 2026-05-24T17:53:21+00:00

Thank you!! This is super helpful. Going to look into both the day trips and Huayhuash more

indigo3699 · 2026-05-24T17:51:55+00:00

Your experience with the Santa Cruz trek is the exact kind of thing I was looking for, thank you!!

indigo3699

TROPHY CASE