We never thought there would be cement buildings in the middle of the Amazon. That is certainly not the romanticized image of the jungle one gets from photos and movies. But when we actually went into the wild in Peru, we discovered that the Amazon is more than dense vegetation, tribes and exotic … more »
The beauty of traveling in Peru is that, within the same country, there are such diverse areas as the coast, the highlands (Andes) and the jungle (Amazon). Until last year, whenever I’d think of the Amazon, I’d immediately picture a region within Brazil. Although it is true that the vast … more »
This is the one and only oasis in South America! The city of Ica, in the South-west coast of Peru, is surrounded by deserted lands. Pure sand, heat and dryness. No surprise that the oasis of Huacachina has become the touristic jewel of the region. As if taken out of … more »
This hotel offers a perfect (and extremely rare) combination of lovely place to stay at, while contributing to a great social cause. I’d be happy to stay here considering the proceeds of every stay go towards an organization called The Ninos Unidos Peruanos Foundation that deals with unprivileged local kids. But … more »
As the sun comes down in the city of Ica, in South Peru, one can appreciate the contrast established between the building rooftops and the desert in the horizon. Just at the border of the city sits South America’s only oasis, Huacachina, that welcomes locals and tourists alike for a … more »
When going to rustic places, many travelers enjoy visiting local markets, where villagers come to exchange their products, sell souvenirs and, generally, get supplies for their daily lives. I believe that markets are, indeed, a great intro to local life: by observing what people sell, buy and use, you get … more »
The Peruvian Andes will take you through countless vistas such as this. Sparsely populated villages with a massive church in the center. We passed through this village in the Colca Valley while busing from one place to another. It was hot in the sun and cold in the shade. At … more »
The city of Puno, in Peru, in one of the most popular points of departure to explore Lake Titicaca. Nestled up high in the Andes, this lake is shared between Peru and Bolivia, and it’s the biggest in South America. Not surprisingly, being at the shore of the lake and … more »
If South America is the land of potatoes, Peru has to be the capital! In this country, there is a variety of more than 3800 kinds of potatoes. We came across this potato stall in the Mistura Food Festival in Lima. Mr. Potato was happy we took an interest in his vegetables … more »
Riding a boat up the Amazon River, in the Peru side of it, we came across a fairly developed town that the locals call “distrito“. It is indeed a sort of capital town where the things that don’t exist in the villages scattered around the jungle are more likely available. … more »