First Time Peru Visitors: Where to Stay, What to Skip, and How to Plan It Right

If this is your first time in Peru, planning can feel deceptively simple—until you realize how much altitude, distance, and timing actually matter. Cities that look close on a map behave very differently in real life, and small choices early on can make the difference between an incredible trip and one spent exhausted or unwell.

This guide is written specifically for first time Peru visitors who want to see Machu Picchu without overpacking their itinerary or underestimating the logistics.

What first time Peru visitors often get wrong

Most first time Peru visitors focus on attractions first and logistics second. In Peru, that order should be reversed.

The most common mistakes:

Arriving directly into high altitude and scheduling major activities immediately
Treating Cusco as the only base for the region
Underestimating travel time between destinations
Packing too many locations into a short trip

Cusco sits at roughly 3,400 meters (11,150 ft). For many travelers, that altitude is manageable—but not instantly. Ignoring acclimatization is the fastest way to derail a trip.

Cusco vs the Sacred Valley for your first nights

One of the biggest decisions for first time Peru visitors is where to stay at the beginning of the trip.

Cusco is higher, busier, and better for culture, food, and nightlife. The Sacred Valley—towns like Ollantaytambo and Urubamba—sits lower and is physically easier on your body.

For many first-timers, a split approach works best:

Start in the Sacred Valley to acclimate more gradually
Move to Cusco later once your body has adjusted

If you want a detailed comparison, this breakdown of San Blas vs the Historic Center in Cusco explains neighborhood differences clearly and helps decide where Cusco fits best in your plan:
https://dreamytraveling.com/san-blas-vs-historic-center-cusco/

How to structure a first-time Peru itinerary

For first time Peru visitors, slower is almost always better.

A realistic pacing for a 7–10 day trip:

Day 1–2: Sacred Valley (Ollantaytambo or Urubamba)
Day 3: Machu Picchu
Day 4–6: Cusco
Optional add-ons: Lake Humantay, Rainbow Mountain, or Lima

Trying to add Arequipa, Lake Titicaca, or the Amazon into the same window often turns the trip into transit instead of travel.

Machu Picchu logistics that surprise first timers

Machu Picchu is not a day trip you casually add later. Tickets are timed, trains sell out, and entry rules change often.

Key points first time Peru visitors should know:

Machu Picchu tickets should be booked in advance, especially in high season
Most visitors reach Machu Picchu via train from Ollantaytambo
You cannot freely wander; routes are fixed and monitored

For official ticket rules and current circuits, use the Peruvian Ministry of Culture site as your primary reference:
https://www.gob.pe/cultura

Altitude: what actually helps

There is no shortcut for altitude, but first time Peru visitors can reduce risk.

What helps:

Sleeping lower the first nights
Light activity only for the first 24–48 hours
Drinking water consistently
Avoiding alcohol early on

What does not:

Rushing itineraries
Assuming fitness prevents altitude sickness
Booking strenuous hikes immediately

If altitude anxiety is a concern, staying outside Cusco at first is often the simplest fix.

Is Peru a good destination for couples or first-time international travelers?

Peru is an excellent destination for first time international travelers—but only if expectations are realistic.

It offers:

Strong tourism infrastructure
Clear transportation routes
High-quality accommodations at many price points

It requires:

Comfort with altitude
Patience with logistics
Flexibility when plans shift

If you’re traveling as a couple, this guide on where to stay in Cusco for couples focuses on quieter areas and pacing that works better for shared travel styles:
https://dreamytraveling.com/where-to-stay-in-cusco-for-couples/

Final planning advice for first time Peru visitors

For first time Peru visitors, Peru rewards restraint. Fewer bases, more buffer time, and realistic expectations lead to a far better experience than trying to “see it all.”

Plan your route first, your attractions second, and your hotels last. When in doubt, choose lower altitude and fewer transfers.