Moving to Peru was one of the best decisions I’ve ever made, and as I look back on my four months in this wondrous place, I can’t help but feel overwhelmed with love and gratitude. This journey into the unknown changed my life, and for that, I am truly thankful. 

It was April 2021 when I moved from Mexico to Peru. I didn’t know much about my new home, and my goals were simple- hike, surf, explore Machu Picchu, drink Ayahuasca, and brush up on my Spanish skills. With outdoor adventures and personal goals guiding my journey, it wasn’t long before I found myself falling for Peru’s unique biodiversity and beautiful culture. 

With its stunning coastline and deserts, majestic Andes mountains, tropical Amazon rainforest, and ancient ruins GALORE- what’s not to love?! 

After exploring six cities and two national parks, it’s hard for me to pick favorites, but here’s a list of 10 things that you should do when in Peru:

1. Surf the longest left wave in the world. Peru boasts some world-class surfing, and my favorite spot (and one of my favorite places to live) is the charming little beach town of Huanchaco. It has surfing for all levels, the most chill surf town vibes, the kindest local community, and the waves are ALWAYS PUMPING! It’s an hour ride from the world-famous waves of Chicama, and a thirty-minute ride from some incredible pre-Incan ruins. I loved Huanchaco so much, I moved there twice, and I’d move back in a heartbeat. Add Mancora to your list, and if you find yourself in Lima, surf Miraflores. Peru has killer surf, go ride those Olas!

2. Sandboard, dune buggy, and go rolling down the sand dunes of Huacachina. Fun Fact: Huacachina is the only natural desert oasis in South America, and if you’re in a time crunch, it’s the perfect 3-4 day getaway! Climbing atop the dunes at night and viewing the city lights below was such a treat- especially for my burning calves haha. This is also a launch site to book a plane ride over the world-famous Nazca lines! It’s about a 5-hour bus ride from Lima to Huacachina, and it’s so worth the visit. 

3. Trek through the longest continental mountain range in the world- the glorious Andes. Here you’ll find turquoise lagoons, glacier-fed rivers, waterfalls, lush, verdant landscapes, and snow-capped peaks galore! I highly recommend venturing into Huascaran National Park, which lies just outside of the city of Huaraz. It is jam-packed with mountain adventures, and whether you’re peak-bagging at 5,000 meters or simply wandering through the wilderness, this is a place that will make your heart sing. Be sure to check out Laguna Paron, Laguna 69, Quilcayhuanca, and Humantay Lake. Days spent in the Andes were quite easily some of the best (and most painful- thanks altitude sickness!) days of my life.

 Pro tip: buy acetazolamide (Diamox) at the pharmacies in large cities like Lima/Cuzco to prevent altitude sickness. Start taking the medicine one day before you ascend.

4. Explore the exotic flora and fauna of the Amazon rainforest. What a perfect place to disconnect and reconnect with the living world around you. My days in Manu National Park were spent trekking through the jungle, searching for exotic wildlife and mushrooms, bird/monkey watching, boating down the Amazon river, fishing, and going on late-night scavenger hunts for insects and reptiles. Every day brought an incredible amount of learning, as I was constantly exposed to creatures and plants I had never seen before. My only regret was not having more time to search for tapirs and sloths haha. 

5. Climb those mountains! Peru boasts some epic rock climbing sites, and I HIGHLY recommend trips to Hatun Machay and Los Olivos.

Hatun Machay- a sacred boulder garden, and a climber’s paradise. This paradise-lost was once considered a premier sport climbing destination, and it now lies abandoned. It was incredibly interesting to get the inside scoop on a lover’s quarrel that brought the fate of Hatun Machay to its knees. Many of its bolts have been cut, but it still hosts some epic routes of all levels. It’s also an archaeological site with ancient cave carvings- SO COOL!

Prepare for altitude! I recommend using Acetazolamide for this trip. Climbing is NOT fun with a pounding headache and nausea.

Los Olivos- A 15-minute hike just outside of Huaraz takes you to the climbing walls of Los Olivos. Here you can enjoy a thrilling day of testing your strength while admiring the daily life of local farmers and the livestock that surrounds you. The routes are short (most are around 8-10m), but there is such a variety and all are well-protected.

Whether or not you’re a climber, Huaraz is a place you do not want to miss. This little mountain town is nestled right along with the Cordillera Blanca mountain range, and it ties with Huanchaco as my favorite place to live. I went to Huaraz for the climbing, but what was meant to be a week-long climbing trip turned into 3 weeks of epic adventures. Ahhh what a place!