Why Peru Should Be Added to Your Travel Bucket List

Looking for somewhere to travel over spring break, or the summer? You should perhaps consider one of the most beautiful countries I know, Peru. I am half Peruvian, and I am so blessed to come from a country with so many wonders and adventures awaiting let me explain why you should add it to your travel bucket list. 

1. Machu Picchu 

Machu Picchu is one of the seven wonders of the world, and is absolutely breathtaking. I love this llama photobomb, because if you are there you will be seeing lots of them. To get to Machu Picchu you can take a train so do not worry about hiking, and once you are there it is a lot of stairs to be walking up and down so get ready for a good leg workout. Machu Picchu is a must do if you go to Peru, if you did not go it would be like coming to Orlando, and not going to Disney World. 

Here is a picture of little me conquering the mountains, and making some friends along the way. 

2. Iquitos (Amazon River)

If adventures scream your name, Iquitos is the place for you. You have to take a plane from Lima to get here, to then get to the Amazon River. I stayed at a lodge, but it was no five star hotel, there was no electricity after the sun went down, spiders in the sinks and the showers, and you will find yourself eating bananas for all your meals. As horrible as that sounds, it was so much fun, I hung out in the hammocks a lot, we got to go fishing, take so many boat rides, and even visit some natives from the jungle.

Here is a picture of my little sister and I with some of the native girls form the Amazon, these natives actually speak to tourists everyday and they sell jewelry and other items they have made to the tourists who visit. I bought some of the jewelry while my brother bought a weapon to probably hurt me, that you blow into and it releases flying toothpicks. 

3.Pink Dolphins

You heard it right, pink dolphins. So these dolphins may not be as super adorable as a regular dolphin, but these ones are pink and that makes everything better. These dolphins get their color from a fish they eat. These can be found in the Amazon River in Iquitos if you want to take a dive, but we were also able to find some in a zoo in Iquitos as well. So if you are looking for something pink to add to your pink aesthetic on Instagram, Iquitos is the place to go. 

4. Circuito Magico de Agua

Cicuito Magico de Agua is an adult water park, but you do not have to get wet. It is an absolutely gorgeous place and must be seen at night. When you first arrive you walk under a tunnel of water shooting over you, and they have water light shows that are synchronized to music. Smaller children or you can go play in the water too, and there is all different kinds of beautiful fountains, and art created with the water. This is something so amazing to see, especially if you are exhausted after a long day of adventures. This is found in the capital city of Peru, Lima. 

5. Miraflores

Not too far from Lima, is Miraflores a city with skyscrapers, but with the beach right next door. Miraflores is mostly where the wealthy live, it has beautiful buildings, huge shopping malls, and outdoor parks. You can take a taxi and in just a few minutes you will be at the beach. The beaches are so nice, the water is so blue and beautiful and is not a common place for tourists so you will find an overwhelming amount of people compared to  how you would at Cocoa Beach. The beach is also meant for surfing, so it is a great time to pick up some lessons here. 

6.FOOD

Be ready to eat your heart out in Peru. The food is just too delicious to resist, and do not be afraid to try anything that sounds crazy, because in Peru they even eat guinea pigs. One thing that is different about Peruvian food compared to other Latin food is that Peruvians eat a lot more seafood. One of the most common and popular dishes is pictured above, ceviche. I am not a fan of raw fish, but it is spicy and tangy and well fishy. A must try if you like seafood, but there are so many other delicious plates to try that I could go on forever, so if you visit try everything!

These are just some of my favorite things about Peru, and I hope are inspired to pick up your Spanish dictionary and book your next plane ticket so you can see all the beauty that I do. Also, be ready to bring your groove with you.