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There's more to Peru than just Machu Picchu, so this is what travelers will need to know if/when visiting Peru.
1. There are basically three ecosystems: desert coast, mountains and jungle. Half of the country is Amazon so try to make it to Iquitos or Puerto Maldonado for Manu National Park if you can.
2. Southern Peru has better infrastructure for tourists than northern Peru. The coast is really the same throughout the country and the north has several pre-Incan ruins but the south with the Sacred Valley is better.
3. The main national dishes are ceviche, cuy (guinea pig) and lomo saltado (a beef dish served with onions and rice). Vegetarians, good luck- you can always try for papas a la huancina.
4. The number of pizza places and restaurants that offer pizza will astonish you, they are everywhere.
5. Buses are better than in Ecuador and definitely Bolivia. The best line in Peru is Cruz del Sur. Peru is also a fairly large country so except long bus trips when you move from place to place.
6. If you are short on time or do not like big cities then avoid Lima, it's a huge city not worth seeing.
7. When you travel in Peru at some point you'll come across advertisements for PeruHop (more in the south though). There are pros & cons to doing it. It is a hop on hop off tourist bus that does a route to or from Lima and Cusco with stops on the way. You won't be practicing or speaking Spanish if you do PeruHop that's for sure.
8. Avoid Machu Picchu in the months of June-August if you can. Good weather months but busiest tourist time of the year, it's mayhem.
9. Don't book any Inca or Alternative Inca trail online in advance. Wait until you get to Cusco and book through one of hundreds of agencies as they will be far less expensive.
10. If you are spending time in Cusco and seeing the Sacred Valley then definitely invest in the boleto turistico (tourist ticket) since you get into several Cusco sites and Sacred Valley ruins with it.
11. The currency are called soles and they are pronounced (so-lays).
12. The Peruvian side of Lago Titicaca has more to offer for tourists and I personally preferred the Peruvian side but Puno is not a town worth staying in, just book your tour from here or pass through en-route to Bolivia.
13. Expect a lot of public restrooms to not have a toilet seat. But you never know.
14. Prepare to have to check your backpacks or luggage for some of the bus companies.
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