- Continents
- Countries
When most people consider a visit to Peru, they think of Machu Picchu. But, aside from this mind-blowing world wonder, there’s so much more to love. Lima is laden with gastric delights. The cobblestoned streets of Cusco are devastatingly charming. And countless quirky species await your discovery, including Nancy Ma’s night monkeys in the Amazon Jungle. All in all, Peru offers a plethora of ways to stuff your empanada.
Many people frequently mistake the Inca national flag for a rainbow Pride flag…if only that were the case. Peru is predominantly Catholic, quite conservative, and hasn’t progressed far in terms of LGBT rights. That said, Lima does have a large LGBT community, some popular gay bars, and a friendly restaurant and art scene.
Gay Activity: Legal
Lesbian Activity: Legal
Gay Marriage: Unrecognized
Right to Change Gender: Illegal
Same-Sex Adoption: Single Only
LGBT Discrimination: No Protections
Lima is the heart, and largely only artery, of Peru’s gay scene. The gay scene is primarily located between Miraflores and Barranco neighbourhoods, although neither is a Gay Village per se. Aside from Lima, Cusco does have a very small gay population and a select few gay-welcoming bars.
Gay Villages
Lima: Miraflores is the heart of the gay scene, however it’s not a Gay Village in the traditional sense.
Pride Festivals
Lima Pride: Annually in June.
Best Gay Bars
Lima: Vale Todo (Club)
Lima: Legendaris (Club [gets busy after 3am])
Lima: Sagitario (Club)
Lima: La Jarrita (Bar)
Best Lesbian Bars
Lima: Lola Bar (Not exclusively Lesbian, but very popular with the community)
5. Cusco
Deep in the Andes sits Cusco, the gateway to Machu Picchu and the cultural crown jewel of Peru. This historic city was once the centre of the Incan Empire before Spanish colonization.
4. Vinicunca Mountain (Rainbow Mountain)
Rainbow Mountain was named after the candy-stripes that have made it Insta-famous. Be warned: visiting Rainbow Mountain requires a four hour hike, often beginning at 3am.
3. Lima
Beyond the city’s spectacular galleries, museums, exciting neighbourhoods and lively gay scene, Lima is internationally recognized as a true Foodie Destination. Eat your way through the city’s plethora of cevicherias before digging into its world class fine-dining.
2. The Peruvian Amazon
The Peruvian Amazon is a hotspot for biodiversity with an almost unimaginable array of flora and fauna. Take guided riverboat tours to spot giant river otter, black caimans and kingfishers. Walking tours will introduce you to capybaras, various reptiles and countless forest dwellers. Finally, a canopy tour will bring you up close with the forest’s tropical birds including toucans, macaws and parakeets.
1. Machu Picchu
This Ancient Incan citadel sits proudly in the heights of the Andes and has been inspiring archaeologists and tourists alike since it was first rediscovered by American historian Hiram Bingham in 1911. To get to this remote world wonder, travellers have the option of taking a train up the mountain or hiking the famous Inca Trail. Both options are spectacular and will reward you with fascinating insight into Peru.
Best Time to Visit: April to October is the best time to visit Peru. It’s the dry season, and you can look forward to fine weather across the country. Lima has consistent daytime highs around 18C/65F, and evening lows around 15C/58F. In the Amazon Jungle, it can get quite hot and sticky, but it can also cool down with the occasional cold front. Daytime highs can reach 32C/90F, with evening temperatures dropping to 18C/64F. In the Andes Mountains (Cusco, Sacred Valley, Inca Trail), you’ll have daily highs around 20C/68F, and evening lows around 4C/40F.
Electricity: A-, B- and C-type sockets.
Vaccinations: Based on the entry requirements for Peru, there are no vaccinations needed for entry. To determine if you should take preventative measures to reduce the risk of illness, you should consult your doctor or a travel medical clinic.
Visas: A visa is not typically required for American, Australian, British and Canadian citizens travelling to Peru for fewer than 90 days. There may be exceptions.
LGBT Rights in Peru
Many people frequently mistake the Inca national flag for a rainbow Pride flag…if only that were the case. Peru is predominantly Catholic, quite conservative, and hasn’t progressed far in terms of LGBT rights. That said, Lima does have a large LGBT community, some popular gay bars, and a friendly restaurant and art scene.
Gay Activity: Legal
Lesbian Activity: Legal
Gay Marriage: Unrecognized
Right to Change Gender: Illegal
Same-Sex Adoption: Single Only
LGBT Discrimination: No Protections
Lesbian Peru Travel
Lima is the heart, and largely only artery, of Peru’s gay scene. The gay scene is primarily located between Miraflores and Barranco neighbourhoods, although neither is a Gay Village per se. Aside from Lima, Cusco does have a very small gay population and a select few gay-welcoming bars.
Gay Villages
Lima: Miraflores is the heart of the gay scene, however it’s not a Gay Village in the traditional sense.
Pride Festivals
Lima Pride: Annually in June.
Best Gay Bars
Lima: Vale Todo (Club)
Lima: Legendaris (Club [gets busy after 3am])
Lima: Sagitario (Club)
Lima: La Jarrita (Bar)
Best Lesbian Bars
Lima: Lola Bar (Not exclusively Lesbian, but very popular with the community)
Best Places to Visit in Peru
5. Cusco
Deep in the Andes sits Cusco, the gateway to Machu Picchu and the cultural crown jewel of Peru. This historic city was once the centre of the Incan Empire before Spanish colonization.
4. Vinicunca Mountain (Rainbow Mountain)
Rainbow Mountain was named after the candy-stripes that have made it Insta-famous. Be warned: visiting Rainbow Mountain requires a four hour hike, often beginning at 3am.
3. Lima
Beyond the city’s spectacular galleries, museums, exciting neighbourhoods and lively gay scene, Lima is internationally recognized as a true Foodie Destination. Eat your way through the city’s plethora of cevicherias before digging into its world class fine-dining.
2. The Peruvian Amazon
The Peruvian Amazon is a hotspot for biodiversity with an almost unimaginable array of flora and fauna. Take guided riverboat tours to spot giant river otter, black caimans and kingfishers. Walking tours will introduce you to capybaras, various reptiles and countless forest dwellers. Finally, a canopy tour will bring you up close with the forest’s tropical birds including toucans, macaws and parakeets.
1. Machu Picchu
This Ancient Incan citadel sits proudly in the heights of the Andes and has been inspiring archaeologists and tourists alike since it was first rediscovered by American historian Hiram Bingham in 1911. To get to this remote world wonder, travellers have the option of taking a train up the mountain or hiking the famous Inca Trail. Both options are spectacular and will reward you with fascinating insight into Peru.
More Info
Best Time to Visit: April to October is the best time to visit Peru. It’s the dry season, and you can look forward to fine weather across the country. Lima has consistent daytime highs around 18C/65F, and evening lows around 15C/58F. In the Amazon Jungle, it can get quite hot and sticky, but it can also cool down with the occasional cold front. Daytime highs can reach 32C/90F, with evening temperatures dropping to 18C/64F. In the Andes Mountains (Cusco, Sacred Valley, Inca Trail), you’ll have daily highs around 20C/68F, and evening lows around 4C/40F.
Electricity: A-, B- and C-type sockets.
Vaccinations: Based on the entry requirements for Peru, there are no vaccinations needed for entry. To determine if you should take preventative measures to reduce the risk of illness, you should consult your doctor or a travel medical clinic.
Visas: A visa is not typically required for American, Australian, British and Canadian citizens travelling to Peru for fewer than 90 days. There may be exceptions.
