The 8 best destinations in Peru for couples

Machu Picchu is located in Peru, one of the best tourist destinations on the planet. The Inca citadel is a favorite destination for all kinds of visitors, especially couples. Statistics indicate that more couples are encouraged to visit the Inca archaeological site. But Peru has many other ideal tourist destinations to be visited as a couple. These are, for the most part, relaxing destinations near the sea and with a spectacular view. But there are also places of great interest for couples in the mountains and in the beautiful Peruvian jungle. Which are they? Meet the eight best places in Peru to be visited as a couple.

Tourist couple observing the Inca citadel
Tourist couple observing the Inca citadel


Mancora in Piura

Couple walking along the beach of Mancora
Couple walking along the beach of Mancora

Mancora is considered one of the best beaches in Peru. It is located in the department of Piura on the north coast of the country and about 1,165 kilometers by road from Lima. It is famous for its hot climate and warm waters with daytime temperatures ranging from 25ºC. to 30ºC. Mancora has a beautiful beach resort where young people from all over the country and the world come in search of sunny days and party nights.

Mancora has hotels of varying quality, from 5-star services to backpacker services. The hotels offer comfortable services for couples such as swimming pools, rooms with ocean views and the best restaurants. In Mancora, tours such as turtle swimming expeditions, whale watching, surfing lessons, ATV rides and more stand out. Among its most traditional dishes are ceviche, seco de chabelo, malarrabia and more. Couples prefer to visit during the summer days, between December and April.

  • How to get there? – By road in an interprovincial bus trip of 20 hours on average (from the city of Lima). By plane in a trip of 1 hour on average.
  • How much does it cost on average? – An all-inclusive tour of 3 days and 2 nights in Mancora with hotel included (3 stars) has an average cost of 2,500 soles (approximate cost for a couple).

Punta Sal in Tumbes

Punta Sal beach in Tumbes
Punta Sal beach in Tumbes

Punta Sal in the department of Tumbes is also one of the best beach resorts in Peru. It is located in the department on the north coast of the country, bordering Ecuador and about 1,188 kilometers by road from Lima. It is famous for its hot climate with temperatures ranging between 27ºC. and 32ºC. Unlike Mancora, it has a more welcoming and relaxed atmosphere. It stands out for the good quality of its hotels, with services up to 5 stars.

Punta Sal is famous for the adventure sports and outdoor activities that can be practiced on its beaches. Activities such as surfing, bodyguarding, snorkeling, boat rides, diving, as well as turtle and whale watching tours (seasonally between July and October) stand out. Nearby are the towns of Tumbes and Puerto Pizarro where you can take an excursion to the mangroves of Tumbes, a protected area for its beautiful geography, flora and fauna.

  • How to get there? – By road in an interprovincial bus trip of 21 hours on average (from the city of Lima). By plane in a trip of 1 hour 15 minutes on average.
  • How much does it cost on average? – An all-inclusive tour of 3 days and 2 nights in Punta Sal with hotel included (3 stars) has an average cost of 3,500 soles (approximate cost for a couple).

Chachapoyas in Amazonas

Couple appreciating the Gocta Waterfall
Couple appreciating the Gocta Waterfall

Chachapoyas is one of the most recommended tourist destinations in Peru due to its natural landscape of high jungle, its flora, fauna, geography, as well as its history with archaeological remains. It is located in the department of Amazonas, in the northern jungle of the country, at an altitude of 2,483 meters above sea level. In Chachapoyas couples will find a humid and warm climate with temperatures ranging between 14ºC. and 23ºC. during the day. At night, temperatures are between 8ºC and 14ºC.

In Chachapoyas couples can stay in hotels of varying quality, from 2, 3 and 4 stars. There are many options for activities. The visit to the Kuelap fortress, the excursion to the Sonche canyon, the hike to the Gocta waterfall, the Leo caverns, the palm forest and more stand out. In this Amazon region you can see beautiful species such as the cock of the rock or the spectacled bear. Couples can relax in pools, waterfalls or tasting the excellent local gastronomy.

  • How to get there? – By road in an interprovincial bus trip of 23 hours on average (from the city of Lima). By plane in a trip of 1 hour 20 minutes on average (flight to the airport of Chachapoyas).
  • How much does it cost on average? – An all-inclusive tour of 3 days and 2 nights in Chachapoyas with hotel included (3 stars) has an average cost of 2 thousand soles (approximate cost for a couple).

Paracas in Ica

Tourist couple in Paracas
Tourist couple in Paracas

Paracas is one of the most beautiful beach resorts in Peru. It is located in the central desert coast of the country, in the department of Ica, about 259 by road from the city of Lima (via the Panamericana Sur). In addition to its beautiful beach, its relaxing sun most of the year and the interesting marine fauna, it has good quality hotels, restaurants and other tourist services. This makes it an excellent option for couples.

In Paracas there are tourist hotels of 2, 3, 4 and 5 stars. The restaurants are of good quality where Peruvian dishes such as ceviche, rice with chicken, lomo saltado, aji de gallina and fresh fish stand out. However, its main activities are boat rides such as the excursion to the Ballestas Islands (candelabra figure in the desert) or the route to the Paracas National Reserve. There the visitor will appreciate species such as pelicans, seagulls, guanay, the Humboldt penguin, sea turtles, sea lions and more.

  • How to get there? – By road in an interprovincial bus trip of 23 hours on average (from the city of Lima). By plane in an average of 30 minutes (flight to Pisco airport).
  • How much does it cost on average? – An all inclusive tour of 3 days and 2 nights in Paracas with hotel included (3 stars) has an average cost of 2 thousand soles (approximate cost for a couple).

Sacred Valley in Cusco

Touring around Ollantaytambo in the Sacred Valley
Touring around Ollantaytambo in the Sacred Valley

The Sacred Valley of the Incas is an area of fertile land and beautiful Andean landscapes, located only 20 to 30 kilometers from the city of Cusco. It is famous because there the Incas built their main citadels, today archaeological sites, such as Pisac, Ollantaytambo and Chinchero. One of its main towns is Urubamba (2,871 masl). Many couples stay there due to the good quality of its 2, 3, 4 and 5 star hotels, as well as its warm climate with temperatures between 18ºC. to 23ºC.

In the Sacred Valley of the Incas you can enjoy the good quality of its hotels, its tourist restaurants, its warm climate, as well as diverse tourist activities. Excursions to the archaeological sites of Pisac, Ollantaytambo, Chinchero and Moray stand out. In addition, you can visit the salt mines of Maras or do adventure sports such as zipline, canoeing and more. The Sacred Valley of the Incas is also a must on the way to Machu Picchu.

  • How to get there? – By road in an interprovincial bus trip of 21 hours on average (from the city of Lima). By plane in a trip of 1 hour on average (flight to the airport in the city of Cusco).
  • How much does it cost on average? – An all-inclusive tour of 3 days and 2 nights in Urubamba (Sacred Valley of the Incas) with hotel included (3 stars) has an average cost of 2,500 soles (approximate cost for a couple).

Colca in Arequipa

Tourists at the Cruz del Condor lookout point in Arequipa
Tourists at the Cruz del Condor lookout point in Arequipa

The Colca Canyon is famous for being one of the deepest canyons in the world (4,150 meters). It is located in the high mountains of the Arequipa region. Most visitors who travel there stay in the town of Chivay, where the best hotels and tourist restaurants are located. Another option is to take a 1-day route starting from the city of Arequipa, located 162 kilometers away by road. In Chivay there are 2, 3, 4 and 5 star hotels. There are also restaurants with the best of Arequipa’s gastronomy.

The main activities in the Colca Canyon are outdoor trekking and sightseeing of its beautiful geography. Highlights include the sighting of the Andean condor (at the Cruz del Condor viewpoint), the visit to the thermal baths of Chacapi, the two-day trekking route with an overnight stay in Sangalle, the visit to the ruins of Uyo Uyo or the visit to the local villages where their textile art and typical dances are preserved. In the city of Arequipa there are many other activities ideal for couples of all ages.

  • How to get there? – By road in an interprovincial bus trip of 22 hours on average (from the city of Lima). By plane in a trip of 1 hour on average (flight to the airport of the city of Arequipa).
  • How much does it cost on average? – An all inclusive tour of 3 days and 2 nights in the Colca Canyon (to the town of Chivay) with hotel included (3 stars) has an average cost of 2 thousand soles (approximate cost for a couple).

Titicaca Lake in Puno

Navigating the waters of Lake Titicaca
Navigating the waters of Lake Titicaca

Lake Titicaca is the highest navigable lake in the world, located between the borders of Peru and Bolivia at 3,812 meters above sea level. On the Peruvian side it is located in the city of Puno, about 1,291 kilometers by road from the city of Lima. Whether in the city of Puno or on its islands, there are good quality lodgings and hotels for couples. For example, the Ghl Hotel Lago Titicaca, with impressive views of the lake.

In Lake Titicaca you can navigate to beautiful islands where the tradition of its inhabitants stands out. The most popular tours are the visits to the islands of Uros, Taquile Island and Amantani Island. There are even excursions in luxury yachts on the waters of the lake. In the city of Puno you can do activities such as visiting the tombs of Sillustani, the viewpoint of Puma and, in mid-February or early March, the festival in honor of the Virgen de la Candelaria.

  • How to get there? – By road in an interprovincial bus trip of 23 hours on average (from the city of Lima). By plane in a trip of 1 hour 30 minutes on average (flight to the airport of Juliaca).
  • How much does it cost on average? – An all-inclusive tour of 3 days and 2 nights in Puno with hotel included (3 stars) has an average cost of 1,500 soles (approximate cost for a couple).

Machu Picchu in Cusco

Exploring the ruins of Machu Picchu
Exploring the ruins of Machu Picchu

Machu Picchu is one of the best tourist destinations not only in Peru but in the world. It is in the high jungle of Cusco, in the Andes Mountains of Peru, at an altitude of 2,430 meters above sea level on average. In Inca times it was a citadel and religious center built by orders of Emperor Pachacutec in the fifteenth century. Today, it is a historical site full of energy, with beautiful landscapes and adventures ideal for couples.

In Machu Picchu and, about 10 kilometers by bus, the town of Aguas Calientes, there are 2, 3, 4 and 5 star hotels. In addition, there are restaurants of excellent quality. In addition to the visit to Machu Picchu, you can make relaxing routes to the thermal baths of Aguas Calientes, visit museums, hikes to the mountains surrounding the Inca citadel, as well as routes to waterfalls. Many couples even give the engagement ring in the middle of the Inca city.

  • How to get there? – By road in an interprovincial bus trip of 20 hours on average (from the city of Lima). Then a stretch of 4 hours by train and bus to Machu Picchu. By plane in a journey of 1 hour on average (flight to the airport in the city of Cusco).
  • How much does it cost on average? – An all-inclusive tour of 3 days and 2 nights in Machu Picchu with hotel included (3 stars) in Aguas Calientes has an average cost of 3 thousand soles (approximate cost for a couple).

 

By Machupicchu Terra – Last updated, October 18, 2024


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