Practical advice
Formalities and visa
French nationals do not need a visa for a tourist stay of less than 90 days in Peru. The passport is mandatory (no identity card), with a minimum validity of 6 months after the date of entry, required without exemption. Since May 2023, air crossings no longer give rise to a physical stamp in the passport: movements are recorded in the TAM digital database of the Peruvian Migration Service. Please note: land border crossings still require the physical stamp.
Altitude: prepare seriously
Altitude sickness is the main risk to anticipate. Cusco (3,400 m) and Lake Titicaca (3,810 m) far exceed the threshold where symptoms can appear. The golden rule: allow 24 to 48 hours of acclimatization in Cusco before any excursion to the altitude. Drink plenty of water, avoid alcohol for the first few days, and try mate de coca, a very effective local remedy that is completely legal in Peru. If intense headaches, vomiting or shortness of breath at rest appear, you should go back down. Talk to your doctor before departure for a possible acetazolamide prescription.
Getting around
Transfers between major cities are usually included in organized tours. For Machu Picchu, the train from Ollantaytambo (Peru Rail or Inca Rail, about 1h30) is the preferred mode of access, followed by a winding bus from Aguas Calientes. The Inca Trail (4 days of trek) requires a reservation very early, as permits are limited to 500 people per day. In Lima, use Uber or Cabify: never hail a taxi on the street.
Culture and uses
Peruvian society is deeply attached to its Andean roots. In the Quechua villages of the Sacred Valley, discretion and respect are required during ceremonies or markets. Haggling is common in craft markets (Pisac, San Pedro in Cusco). Tips are not mandatory but appreciated (10% in restaurants, a few soles for local guides and porters). Reminder: coca is not a drug in the Andean cultural context, but its consumption or the export of coca leaves out of Peru is illegal in most countries.
