Peru
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Cusco to Copacabana Bus (2024 Prices)
Several buses connect Cusco to Copacabana. I was torn between the different companies. The most luxurious one is Peru Tour, reserved for fragile tourists like me, as they even pump oxygen into the bus (for those suffering from altitude sickness like me). They stop for 3 hours in Puno and offer a tour of the floating islands of Puno during that time. For tourists in a hurry, it can be a good option, but it’s pricey (minimum $50). Since I’ve already visited Puno, I’ll gladly skip that stop. We chose Transzela (departure at 10:30 PM) 90 soles per person. Online reviews aren’t the most flattering, but we have no complaints…
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Ollantaytambo (Peru): Paradise Exists
Last time, Ollantaytambo impressed me more than Machu Picchu, so this time I decide to stay for a week. We get dropped off there during a tour of the Sacred Valley. Part 1: Travel JournalPart 2: Practical Tips Part 1: Travel Journal JB spots a hotel a three-minute walk from the village market and main square (Hostel Apu Qhawarina, Booking link), and we go for the most spacious room to spend a week. The internet isn’t super stable but is enough to work, and the hot water isn’t scorching but is warm enough for a long, pleasant shower. Payment is cash only, though, and since we hadn’t taken out enough…
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[Travel Diary] Chinchero, Moray, Maras (Peru)
I’m happy that last time we didn’t visit the entire Sacred Valley; there are still quite a few famous places we can visit this time, so it’s a bit of a change. From Cusco, we take a one-day guided tour to Chinchero, Moray, Maras, Ollantaytambo, and Pisac. Part 1: Travel JournalPart 2: Practical Tips Part 1: Travel Journal I remember last time when I saw Ollantaytambo, I was extremely jealous of the people who could spend the night there, and I saw tourists from the guided tour finish their tour at Ollantaytambo and this time, I’ll do the same. The tour will go from Cusco to Chinchero, Moray, Maras, Ollantaytambo,…
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Lima and Cusco (Peru): ringing in the new year
After our road trip across the United States, we need to pick our next destination. It’s tough because from what we remember, there isn’t necessarily high-speed internet or hot showers in small towns in South America. We still take the gamble and go to Peru to see for ourselves. And in the end, high-speed internet has made it to the mountains, and hot water too. Part 1: Travel JournalPart 2: Practical Tips Part 1: Travel Journal Lima Don’t ask me what Lima looks like because I only saw the park across from my hotel and the beach from a taxi. We absolutely did NOTHING in Lima. The Las Vegas –…
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Taxi from Lima airport: how much does it cost? (2024)
Usually, when we arrive at an airport, we either use public transport or an Uber to get to our accommodation. In Lima’s case, there is a shuttle bus that seems really good, but it only leaves once an hour. We were very tired after a sleepless night and a 12-hour journey, so no. Uber is present in Lima, but they don’t have privileged access to the airport, so it’s not a recommended option. I had done my research and noted that the taxi fare to Miraflores, the neighborhood where we were staying, should be between 55 and 80 soles. Peruvian taxis don’t have meters, so you have to negotiate the…
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Taxi from Cusco airport: how much does it cost? (2024)
Just like at Lima airport, you’ll find a kiosk to prepay for an official taxi, right before the exit. The fare to reach Cusco’s historic center is 40 S/. There’s clearly a “tourist tax” because that’s roughly the price of a 30-minute ride in Lima, while Cusco’s center is only about fifteen minutes away. I had read that it was possible to pay less by leaving the airport and negotiating with “unofficial” taxis. Since we weren’t in a particular hurry, we gave it a shot. Sure enough, just a few steps out, drivers approach you. I’m offered 30 S/, I counter with 15. We settle on 20 S/, specifying that…
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How to withdraw money without fees in Peru?
When you withdraw money from an ATM in Peru, you are subject to two types of fees: In Peru, the vast majority of banks charge between 25 and 38 soles per withdrawal. That’s still between €6 and €10! You could get around this by withdrawing a large amount each time, but withdrawal limits are very low! Judged rather (figures observed in January 2024 in Lima). Bank Fixed fee Withdrawal limit Equivalent in % if you withdraw the maximum amount BCP 36 S/ 700 S/ 5% Scotiabank 25 S/ 400 S/ 6% BBVA 38 S/ 200 S/ 19% (!!!) Globalnet 25 S/ 400 S/ 6% These fees are colossal! If you…
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10 things to know before your visit to Machu Picchu [update 2020]
Guide updated in May 2020 1. Mountain sickness I think that 100% of the visitors of Machu Picchu must pass first by Cusco before going to Machu Picchu. Cusco is at 3 400m of altitude, so if you come from Lima (or any place < 2500m of altitude), you risk to have the mountain sickness ( soroche). Allow 1-2 days of acclimatization in Cusco. Even if Machu Picchu is only at 2500m, the route Cusco – Machu Picchu will pass by places higher than 3800m, which is starting to do a lot 🙂 To remedy this, chew coca leaves (all hotels and hostals in Cusco will provide you with free…
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[Rates 2020] How to go to Machu Picchu without having to trek, walk, get tired
Article & Rates updated in May 2020 To join Machu Picchu from Cusco is really the course of the fighter. There is no direct way where one can simply go up in a bus, make a small nap then to wake up just in front of the entrance of the ruins while saying “Oh! we already arrived!”. Moreover, many agencies, intermediaries, various options which are offered to us in Cusco do not arrange the things. Too much information kills information! Before coming here, I believed that only the Inca Trail of 4 days led to Machu Picchu. And then, I was told about a 2h walk along the rails then…
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5 months in South America & Cuba: Itinerary & Transportation (Argentina, Chile, Peru, Bolivia, Paraguay, Uruguay, Brazil, Cuba)
Update May 2017: Here is the latest version of our itinerary in South America, Cuba & the Caribbean. All that lasted 5 months… I found transportation a bit complicated to understand in South America, some border crossings are recently impossible (especially Los Antiguos – Chile Chico), I had to tear out a lot of hair to establish this itinerary. There are many land border crossings, especially between Chile and Argentina, make sure you have enough blank pages in your passport. Click on the button at the top left of the map below to access the list of destinations. CHILE Easter Island(round-the-world ticket) Santiago (round-the-world ticket) Punta Arenas (plane 160€/person) ARGENTINA…
