Savvy Exploring

Stuff you should know about drinking water, the airport, staying connected, getting around, money, altitude, the bathrooms and more.

Whether you are shopping for food or souvenirs, or just experiencing the local culture, I recommend checking out the markets. Exploring local markets is always one of my favorite things to do and Peru’s markets are some of the most colorful I’ve seen and are perfumed with wonderful aromas of fruit and herbs.

You can easily find a multi-course filling meal for $5-$10 or a fancy meal for a fraction of what you would pay in the states.

Street food is very reasonable in Cusco, making it easy to eat your way across the city, trying a little bit of everything, and I highly recommend that you do.

Cusco is a colorful city with lots of culture and history. It was once the capital on the Incan Empire and today is a huge tourist hub and backpacker haven. Cusco is one of those places where you can find a bed for the night for anywhere from $5 to $300 and a meal to match. Cradled in the mountains, its winding cobblestone street have a new surprise around every turn, and often a view.

Salineras de Maras is an intricate system of terraced salt pans that are dug into the mountain. Salt is water carefully channeled through them so the salt can dry and be collected.

A historic town in the Sacred Valley with lots of character, dazzling festivals, sites, and many hiking options. Also a great place to acclimatize to the altitude.

The costumes may looks a little dark, but the tone is anything but. This festival may have a Christian name, but it has lots of Incan roots and character.

There are a few options but this free hike is great for thrill seekers who want to be right out on the cliff edge. You get a panoramic view of the town and pyramid, while traversing steep narrow trails to several ruins.

This is a massive ruin where you can to spend anywhere from an hour to a day. See stonework comparable to Machu Picchu, in a beautiful setting, with a fraction of the crowd.