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 regarding LGBT rights. That said, Lima does have a large LGBT community, some popular gay bars, and a friendly restaurant and art scene.
Gay Activity:Â Legal
Lesbian Activity:Â Legal
Gay Marriage:Â Unrecognized
Right to Change Gender:Â Legal, surgery not required
Same-Sex Adoption:Â Single Only
LGBT Discrimination:Â 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 in Peru
Lima:Â Miraflores is the heart of the gay scene, however it’s not a Gay Village in the traditional sense.
Pride Festivals in Peru
Lima Pride:Â Annually in June.
Best Gay Bars in Peru
Lima: Vale Todo (Club)
Lima: Legendaris (Club [gets busy after 3am])
Lima: Sagitario (Club)
Lima: La Jarrita (Bar)
Best Lesbian Bars in Peru
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 3 am.
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:Â 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. The Amazon Jungle 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:Â A-, B- and C-type sockets.
Covid-19 Vaccination Requirements: We’re dedicated to ensuring our tours are safe for everyone, but it is our belief that each traveler has a responsibility to protect themselves and their fellow travellers from COVID-19. As of May 1, 2023, Out Adventures no longer requires guests to provide proof of COVID-19 vaccination on most of our tours. If vaccination is a requirement for entry, or on select cruises, this will be communicated at the time a trip is confirmed to depart. Before booking, we recommend that you read our COVID-19 Information Page and our COVID-19 Frequently Asked Questions to understand what we’re doing to minimize risk, and what will happen if you contract COVID-19 before or during an Out Adventures tour.
Other Vaccinations: Based on the entry requirements for Peru, there are no other vaccinations needed. To determine if you should take preventative measures to reduce the risk of illness, you should consult your doctor or a travel medical clinic, as Out Adventures cannot provide vaccination recommendations.
Visas:Â 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.
Last updated on Sept 24, 2021. Disclaimer: The information provided was accurate at the time of publishing, but cannot be guaranteed.