Top 8 Things to Do in Peru with Kids

The Incan Empire was the largest in pre-Columbian America and its influence left a lasting impression on the world. Beneath the Andes, Incan sites preserve the culture and heritage of the ancient civilization. As a family, you can travel across magnificent natural landscapes to view these vestiges of the past.

Beyond the borders of the colonial quarters of Cusco, you can find UNESCO-listed heritage sites that display Incan history. Adventurous families with older children can choose to walk the famous Inca Trail to the fascinating site of Machu Picchu at sunrise. Easier trips to the Maras salt mines and Moray crop circles are ideal for families with younger kids.

You can explore the Incan treasures in the Sacred Valley, discover the historic Sacsayhuamán site, and more on tours that are educational, inspiring, and set against magnificent natural backdrops.

Best Archeological Sites to Visit: Machu Picchu • Wiñay Wayna • Maras salt mines • Moray crop circles • Chan Chan • Sacsayhuamán

Family vacations in Peru are as much about exploring the country’s rich history as they are about participating in action-packed adventures. Incredible activities are possible in Peru’s remote regions and many are suitable for all ages.

Ziplining tours through Peru’s many dense forests are remarkable ways to experience the wilderness. Many of Peru’s beaches are blessed with glassy waves for sensational surfing. There are rushing rivers on which to enjoy whitewater rafting, towering dunes for sandboarding, and dusty desert trails for cycling.

These experiences only scratch the surface of the ways you can experience the rainforests, beaches, and deserts of Peru as a family.

Best Activities to Enjoy: Ziplining • Whitewater rafting • Sandboarding • Surfing • Cycling • Horseback riding

Peru’s rich cultural history extends from the cities to villages that rest in the hills. Museums, heritage sites, and authentic Peruvian restaurants in Peru’s best destinations to visit are great places in which to embrace the local culture as a family.

Exhibits in museums and galleries display pre-Columbian art, Baroque architecture reveals diverse cultural influences that have shaped the cities, and Peruvian eateries serve century-old dishes. Your family can absorb the unique culture of Peru as you partake in tours and experiences of these highlights.

You can also visit charming boutiques and textile markets to purchase unique jewelry, crafts, and other items to take home a piece of Peruvian culture.

Best Museums to Visit: Museo Inka • Museo de Arte de Lima • Museo Santuarios Andinos • Museo Huacas de Moche • Museo Oro del Perú

Several places in Peru are gateways to the Amazon Rainforest, inviting your family to discover the region’s unique wildlife.

The Amazon is famous for its biodiversity and home to a variety of animals, birds, bugs, and plants to spot on guided tours. Children of all ages can join their parents on experiences beneath the flourishing forest canopy, including walks along shady trails and 4x4 cruises to remarkable viewpoints.

As you explore the thriving rainforest, keep your eyes peeled for jaguars, sloths, and so much more. Trips to the macaw clay lick are unforgettable, Lake Condenado is a treasure trove of elusive creatures, and the Manu Wildlife Center is filled with animals.

Best Animals to Search For: Sloth • Caiman • Howler monkeys • Jaguar • Macaw

Spend your family vacation on the Peruvian coastline, specifically in the resort town of Paracas, to observe the wildlife that flocks to these shores.

Paracas and its surrounding marine sanctuaries are home to all sorts of wonderful sea creatures. Sea lions and Humboldt penguins gather on the breathtaking beaches of Islas Ballestas islands, flocks of pelicans and seabirds circle in the baby-blue skies, and dolphins leap from the sea.

Whether on a 10-day tour or staying for longer, cruises can guide you across the glistening waters flanking Paracas’ golden shores to see these fascinating marine beings as you capture stunning wildlife photography and create marvelous memories.

Best Marine Life to Search For: Sea lions • Humboldt penguins • Pelicans • Dolphins • Whales

Peru is a large country, with many magnificent places to visit and things to see. On wheels you can explore more than ever as a family.

Tours through the rainforests in 4x4s allow you access to viewpoints and wildlife-viewing spots within the Amazon. and dune-buggy trips across the desert are a stunning way to race across the sands to the Huacachina oasis. Better yet, you can explore forest and desert by bicycle to see the scenery like never before. You can follow shady trails or dusty tracks to viewpoints inaccessible via other modes of transportation. Along the way, you can get up close to the wildlife and see Peru from new perspectives.

As you travel Peru with kids, opting for tours on wheels lets you experience the breathtaking natural scenery of cities, remote villages, and far-flung landscapes.

Best Cycling Routes to Enjoy: The Sacred Valley • Peru’s Great Divide • Andes Mountain range • Lima • El Misti

The Peruvian coastline boasts sun-washed beaches flanked by palm trees and surrounded by sapphire seas stretching as far as the eye can see.

Peru family vacations are best spent with some time on the beach. You and your children can swim in crystal-clear waters and snorkel around reefs to see the fascinating marine life. You can settle in at seaside restaurants overlooking the South Pacific Ocean for lunch and dinner. Water sports offer older children an opportunity to surf the glassy waves or tube across the glistening sea.

There is so much to do as a family on the beaches of Peru and you can spend many days embracing the warm Peruvian sun on golden sands.

Best Family-Friendly Beaches to Enjoy: Playa Santa Rosa • Huanchaco • Los Órganos • Barlovento • Paracas

Horseback riding in Peru is a great way to connect with local culture and see sensational landscapes as a family.

Many horseback-riding trails wind across the Peruvian countryside, inviting families to experience the country in a unique way. You can explore the mountains surrounding Cusco and view the Incan sites peppering the Sacred Valley. You can trot to Rainbow Mountain to see one of Peru’s most colorful and inspiring natural wonders. Horseback tours can range in length, tailored to your family's goals.

Each trip can also include a short experience at a traditional Peruvian village, where you can try the local cuisine and learn about the ancient cultural traditions with friendly locals.

Best Places to Horseback Ride: The Sacred Valley • Colca Canyon • Cusco mountains • Rainbow Mountain • Pilcopata Forest

When planning your custom trip to Peru, consider our Peru family vacations that include these things to do in Peru with family. Here you can find sample trips designed with families in mind and discover an itinerary suitable for your children, no matter their ages and interests.

You can also explore our Peru travel guide for further information on what to expect in the country. From the best time to visit as a family to must-see places, we share everything you need to know about traveling in Peru.