Peru is one of the most visited destinations in South America, a country that combines a deep archaeological legacy, like the mysterious Nazca Lines and the citadel of Machu Picchu, with a vibrant culture and a gastronomy recognized worldwide. Its attraction is defined by the diversity of its three large regions: the desert coast, the Andean highlands, and the Amazon jungle.
However, this same geographical diversity presents the first logistical challenge for the traveler: defining the entry point to the country. The vast extension of Peru and the location of its main attractions (separated by the Andes Mountains) make the choice of airport a crucial decision that will define the itinerary, time, and budget of the trip.
This guide is designed to analyze the main air access points of Peru. We will detail why Lima functions as the almost mandatory international hub for most travelers. In addition, we will analyze the key domestic airports, such as Cusco, Arequipa, or Iquitos, which serve as strategic starting points to begin the different adventures in the country's regions.
Impressive Inca ruins, altiplano towns, colonial cities, and countless spectacular natural scenarios make up the proposed destinations in this collection of the best tourist places in Peru.
Located in the province of Luya, in Amazonas, it is a fortress of the Chachapoyas pre-Inca culture. The American newspaper The Wall Street Journal included it in its list of the 10 most "cool" places to visit. You will be amazed at its narrow walls and alleys. Complete a unique trip to this destination by climbing the cable car.
Photo: Kuelap (fortress of the Chachapoyas pre-Inca culture)
131 km southeast of Cusco, in the province of Quispicanchi, is this mountain that owes its attractiveness to a natural coloration, as a result of the presence of sedimentary rocks in erosion. The rainbow mountain tour in Peru can take between 3 and 4 hours. The Business Insider page included it in your ranking of the 100 trips you must do at least once in your life.
Photo: Vinicunca (Rainbow Mountain)
Located 370 km from the city of Arequipa, in the province of La Union, this river is among the 10 best places to raft in the world, according to a ranking of the travel publication Lonely Planet. The Cotahuasi River reaches grade IV and V rapids of difficulty, so it is only recommended for experts. huacachina oasis in Peru On the outskirts of Ica, this oasis is located and considered one of the best destinations in Peru for lovers of adventure. The British publication The Telegraph included it as one of the 21 most impressive destinations in the world. It was the only one on the list located in Latin America.
Photo: Cotahuasi River Arequipa
Its great fame is because it houses the most important tourist attractions in Peru. This city is a must stop for any tourist due to its routes full of culture and history. The TripAdvisor page included it among the 25 most popular destinations in the world and South America. While the magazine Travel + Leisure ranked it in position 3 of the best cities in Latin America.
Photo: Cusco Peru
Our greatest tourist attraction could not be oblivious to international recognition. Thanks to its impressive Inca buildings and impressive landscapes, the users of the TripAdvisor page included the Inca citadel in the list of the 25 most popular places of interest in the world.
Photo: Machu Picchu citadel
Before booking flights to Peru, you should know that the main entry point for international flights to Peru is the Jorge Chávez International Airport (LIM), located in Lima. The great majority of travel itineraries, even if the final destination is Cusco or Arequipa, will require a layover and a domestic flight connection from this airport. Understanding this point, let's go with the strategies for booking flights to Peru:
Flight Comparators: To find the most competitive fares on international flights, it is recommended to use search engines and price comparators (like Google Flights, Skyscanner, or Kayak). These tools allow you to monitor price changes and set up fare alerts.
Booking Window (Timing)
→ International Flights: While prices vary, the best booking window is usually between 3 and 6 months before the travel date. Buying too far in advance (more than 8 months) or with very little time (less than 2 months) generally results in higher prices.
→ Domestic Flights: Internal flights (e.g., Lima-Cusco) are a separate cost and are operated by airlines like LATAM, Sky Airline and JetSMART. For these, it is recommended to book 1 to 2 months in advance to secure good fares, especially in high season.
For travelers who fly regularly, it is recommended to sign up for the loyalty programs (mile accumulation) of the airlines or airline alliances they use most. In the same way, using credit cards associated with airlines can be a long-term strategy to redeem miles for tickets, reducing the cost of the trip.
As mentioned before, the main entry point for international flights to Peru is the Jorge Chávez International Airport (IATA Code: LIM). This airport is located in the province of Callao, next to the city of Lima, and is the most important hub (connection center) in the country.
Even though the final destination for many travelers is Cusco or Arequipa, the great majority of international itineraries require a stop in Lima to then take a domestic flight connection.
For domestic flights within Peru (like the key routes Lima-Cusco, Lima-Arequipa, or Lima-Iquitos), the airlines that lead the market are:
These airlines (especially the last two) operate under a low-cost model, so it is important to check what the base fare includes at the time of purchase.
The Jorge Chávez Airport receives a wide range of international airlines that connect Peru with the rest of the world. Some of the most important, grouped by region, are:
The beautiful citadel of Machu Picchu is located in the district of the same name Machu Picchu in the department of Cusco in the country of Peru located in the province of Urubamba. Therefore, the city of Cusco is a mandatory arrival point for people wishing to reach Machu Picchu.
Unless you arrive from nearby places, to get to Cusco in Peru, you must first arrive in the city of Lima (Peru), at least if you come from Europe or North America. Peru is the third largest country in South America with a total area of 1'285,220 square kilometers and has a modern international airport in its capital, considered among the best in South America.
From North America, there are direct flights to Lima, from the airports of the cities of Houston, Los Angeles, New York, Miami, Atlanta, New Jersey, Mexico, and Toronto.
From Europe you can get directly to Peru from airports in the cities of Madrid in Spain, Paris in France, or Amsterdam in the Netherlands; There are not many European cities with direct flights to Peru.
The cities of Bogota, Rio de Janeiro, Quito, Mexico City, La Paz, Sao Paolo, Havana, Santiago, San Jose de Costa Rica, Buenos Aires, Caracas, Santo Domingo, Guayaquil, among others, also have non-stop flights to Lima Peru.
People who come from countries in Asia or Oceania will have to make stops in the USA. or Europe, because there is no direct flight to Peru from cities on these continents.
From the Lima airport to the city of Cusco there is a distance of 1,165 km. and it will only take an hour.
A flight from the city of Lima to the city of Cusco will take about 1 hour (55 minutes to be exact), flights from Lima and any city in Peru, arrive at the Teniente FAP Alejandro Velasco Astete International Airport in Cusco; there are regular daily flights to and from Lima.
From the Cusco airport there are daily flights to and from Arequipa, Juliaca (Puno Lake Titicaca), and Puerto Maldonado (Tambopata), and international destinations such as La Paz (Bolivia).
The airport of Cusco has; ATMs, restaurants, gift and souvenir shops, bookstores, and a small medical center. On the outskirts of the airport, you will find taxis to any part of the city.
+51 84 217 551
+51 997 434 941
Av Tupac Amaru PP-10B, Santiago, Cusco, Peru 
info@incatrailmachu.com
www.incatrailmachu.com
