Travel Spanish for Peru

What Spanish is spoken here?

Peruvian Andean Spanish is usually clear and easy to understand. Quechua is a second official language and a part of everyday life, especially around Cusco; Aymara is also spoken by Lake Titicaca. Many everyday words come from Quechua, such as 'wawa' (baby) or 'chacra' (field). On the coast and in Lima it's spoken faster than in the highlands.

Country & culture

Peru brings together desert coastline, high Andes and Amazon rainforest. The absolute highlight is Machu Picchu, along with Cusco, the Sacred Valley, Lake Titicaca and the Colca Canyon. Lima is also regarded as the culinary capital of Latin America.

History in brief

Peru was the heartland of the Inca Empire, with Cusco as its capital, preceded by earlier civilisations such as the Nazca, Moche and Chimú. In 1532 Francisco Pizarro conquered the empire for Spain, which then established the powerful Viceroyalty of Peru. In 1821 José de San Martín declared independence. Today Peru is a centre of Andean culture, where the Quechua tradition remains alive to this day.

Country & people

• About 34.5 million inhabitants (2025).
• A presidential republic with ongoing political instability and frequent changes of president.
• A commodity-dependent economy with long growth but high informality.
• Mining (copper, gold, silver – among the world's leaders), fishmeal, agriculture and tourism (Machu Picchu).

Food & drink

• Ceviche — Raw fish marinated in lime juice with onions, chilli and sweet potato, the national dish.
• Lomo saltado — Stir-fried beef with onions, tomatoes and chips, with a Chinese influence.
• Ají de gallina — A creamy chicken stew with yellow chilli (ají amarillo).
• Causa limeña — A layered, cold potato terrine with lime and a savoury filling.
• Pisco Sour — A cocktail of pisco, lime, egg white and sugar syrup, the national cocktail.
• Inca Kola — A bright-yellow, very sweet cult soft drink with a bubblegum flavour.
• Chicha morada — A sweet, non-alcoholic drink of purple corn with spices.

Useful words & slang

• „pata" — mate, friend
• „chévere" — cool, great
• „bacán" — brilliant, great
• „causa" — mate (also a potato dish)
• „jato" — house, place
• „al toque" — right away, in a flash

Example sentences from the app

• „¿Dónde tomo un taxi del aeropuerto?" — Where do I get a taxi from the airport?
• „Lléveme a Miraflores, por favor." — Take me to Miraflores, please.
• „¿Cuánto cobra hasta el centro?" — How much is the ride to the centre?
• „Quiero caminar por el malecón." — I'd like to walk along the seafront malecón.
• „¿Es seguro caminar por esta zona?" — Is this area safe to walk in?
• „Me siento mal por la altura." — I feel sick from the altitude.
• „¿Tiene mate de coca para el soroche?" — Do you have coca tea for the altitude?
• „¿Hay una farmacia por aquí?" — Is there a pharmacy near here?
• „Necesito agua, por favor." — I need water, please.
• „Hoy necesito aclimatarme a la altura." — Today I need to acclimatise to the altitude.
• „¿A qué hora sale el bus cama a Arequipa?" — When does the night bus to Arequipa leave?
• „Tengo un boleto de tren a Aguas Calientes." — I have a train ticket to Aguas Calientes.
• „¿Hay colectivo al Valle Sagrado?" — Is there a shared taxi to the Sacred Valley?
• „¿Cuánto dura el viaje?" — How long is the journey?

Travel tip

In Cusco (3,400 m), allow a day or two to acclimatise to the altitude and drink mate de coca to fend off altitude sickness.