How to Plan The Perfect Peru Family Vacation in 2025

Last Updated on June 14, 2025 by Oliver

I’ve said this in pretty much every article I’ve ever written about Peru and I’ll say it again: Peru is my number one country to travel to.

If anyone ever asks me, “What’s your favorite country?” or “Where should I go if I can only pick one place?” then I always say Peru. And here’s why: Peru has everything. The mountains and Machu Picchu? Yep. The Amazon rainforest? Absolutely. A stunning coastline with some amazing beaches? Yes again. Oh, and it even has a legit sand desert. Add to that some of the kindest people and hands down the best food in South America.

Ok, so now we know Peru is incredible, but today we’re talking about how to plan a Peru family vacation, which definitely takes a bit more prep. Peru is super activity-heavy, so it’s not the kind of place where you just show up and wing it, especially if you’re traveling with kids.

I’ve been to Peru three times now, and recently we did a family trip with Cara’s family, including a few of the kids, so I can walk you through exactly how we did it. I’ll share what worked, what didn’t, and how to organize it in a way that keeps everyone happy.

Family Trip to Peru – My Experience

On our family vacation to Peru, we had Carae’s parents, her brother, his wife, and their kids visit us for a while, and honestly, we had the best time.

Traveling through Peru definitely takes a bit more planning if you’re doing it as a family or with a larger group. Personally, I don’t like to travel the same way with family as I do when I’m backpacking solo. When we did our Peru family trip, we made sure everything was planned well in advance, hotels, Airbnbs, resorts, domestic flights, private transfers, all of it.

And I’ll be honest: when I’m with my family, I’m not leaving anything to chance. There’s nothing more stressful than finding out there’s no flight left, no hotel available, or no shuttle running when you’ve got a whole crew relying on you. 

So I basically turn into my own little travel agency and double or triple check every detail because I just want everyone to have a smooth, stress-free experience.

Peru Family Vacation Itinerary (14 Days in Peru)

For our family trip to Peru, I built the itinerary around activities at the start and beach time at the end because after all the hiking, sightseeing, and early mornings, everyone appreciates a few relaxing days in a nice beach resort.

We flew into Lima but didn’t stick around long. From there, we went straight to Cusco, which is where we spent most of our time. Cusco is the perfect base for a family trip, it’s packed with things to do, from cultural activities to day trips, and it’s the gateway to Machu Picchu.

I personally love Cusco and it’s hands down my favorite place in Peru. The city itself is beautiful, full of history and atmosphere, and it’s the starting point for some of the best trips in the country. From here, you’ll head out to Machu Picchu, Rainbow Mountain, and the Sacred Valley, which honestly are the highlights of the whole trip. So yeah, spending more time in Cusco is 100% the way to go.

After that, we headed to Arequipa, a beautiful colonial town surrounded by volcanoes. From there, we made our way to Huacachina for some desert fun (dune buggies and sandboarding were a hit with everyone), and finally, we ended the trip in Paracas. That last stop was all about relaxing by the ocean, staying in a nice resort, and just winding down after a packed itinerary.

Our 14-Day Peru Family Itinerary:

Day 1: Arrive in Lima & Fly to Cusco

Days 2-6: Explore Cusco, Sacred Valley, Rainbow Mountain & Machu Picchu

Day 7: Travel to Arequipa

Day 8-9: Arequipa (and optional Colca Canyon day trip)

Day 10: Travel to Huacachina

Day 11: Huacachina – Dune Buggy & Sandboarding

Day 12: Travel to Paracas

Day 13: Paracas – Beach Resort & Relax

Day 14: Return to Lima & Fly Home

Where to Stay in Peru with Kids

When I’m traveling with kids or a whole family group, I usually lean toward booking apartments. But in Peru, the hotels are often so stunning that I couldn’t resist. A lot of them are set in beautiful old colonial buildings, and they just have so much charm.

The best part is though that the rooms in Peru are super affordable. In most places, we just booked an extra twin room for the kids right next door, and it worked out perfectly. And in quite a few hotels, you’ll also find proper family rooms with multiple beds, which makes things even easier when you’re traveling as a group.

Best Place to Stay in Cusco: Hotel Monasterio San Pedro

We loved this place. It’s right in the center, has a cute courtyard and old monastery vibes, and the rooms are super cozy. Breakfast is great too, and you can walk everywhere in Cusco from here. Super convenient.

Book Here: Hotel Monasterio San Pedro

Best Place to Stay in Arequipa: La Hosteria Boutique Hotel

This hotel is beautiful. It’s in an old colonial building and feels super charming. The rooms have that vintage feel, but everything’s clean and comfy. Plus, it’s just a short walk to the main square which makes exploring easy.

Book Here: La Hosteria Boutique Hotel

Best Place to Stay in Huacachina: Ecocamp Huacachina

Definitely a cool spot. These are glamping tents with real beds and proper bathrooms, right in the dunes. Great vibe, good food, and just a short walk into the oasis. The kids absolutely loved staying here, felt like an adventure.

Book Here: Ecocamp Huacachina

Best Place to Stay in Paracas: The Legend Paracas Resort

This one was the treat at the end. It’s a full-on beach resort right by the ocean with a pool and palm trees. Super relaxing after all the hikes. Great for kids and perfect for doing nothing for a few days.

Book Here: The Legend Paracas Resort

Peru Family Vacation Packages

If this all sounds a little too much for you in terms of planning and being responsible for everything, I get it. When we did it, I had to plan everything myself: flights, accommodation, transport, tickets, even meals each day. I personally loved doing it (it’s basically my job), but I can absolutely understand how it might feel a bit overwhelming.

There’s always the alternative option of booking a family tour in Peru. I haven’t tried every single tour company out there obviously, but I can vouch for G Adventures. They run small group adventure tours around the world and offer family packages too, which makes them a great choice for this kind of trip.

👉 Check out G Adventures’ family trips here if you’d rather skip the planning and just enjoy the ride.

Realistic Peru Family Vacation Cost (2 Weeks for 4 People)

Category	Estimated Cost (USD)	Notes
Flights	$2,000 – $3,500	International return flights, depending on season and where you fly from.
Domestic Flights	$400 – $800	Lima to Cusco and Cusco to Arequipa.
Accommodation	$1,400 – $2,100	~$100–150/night for family rooms or two separate rooms.
Private Transfers	$400 – $600	For airport pickups and city-to-city travel (private vans or cars).
Tours & Activities	$800 – $1,200	Includes Machu Picchu, Sacred Valley, Rainbow Mountain, etc.
Food & Drinks	$600 – $1,000	Eating out daily—Peru has great food and it’s super affordable.
Tickets & Entry Fees	$200 – $400	Machu Picchu, museums, and other attractions.
Miscellaneous	$200 – $300	Tips, snacks, souvenirs, SIM cards, etc.

💰 Estimated Total: $6,000 – $9,000 for 14 days
You could do it cheaper with hostels and buses—or spend more with full-on resorts and private guides—but this is a realistic middle ground based on how we did it.

Best Time to Visit Peru With Family

With or without kids, the best time to visit Peru is definitely during the dry season, which runs from May to October. If you’re tied to school holidays in the US, then a trip during the summer break works perfectly as it lines up with the best weather.

Peru is always pretty busy, especially around big attractions like Machu Picchu, so don’t stress too much about crowds during school holidays. Honestly, I didn’t notice a huge difference between peak season and regular season, it’s just one of those countries that always has a mix of tourists, backpackers, and tour groups.

☝️ But if you’re planning to visit in the dry season, book EVERYTHING ahead of time.
And I mean everything, hotels, transfers, Machu Picchu tickets, even domestic flights. Things sell out fast in this season and you don’t want to risk missing out with the whole family in tow. I’ll get into more detail on that later.

Best Things to Do in Peru with Family

As I mentioned earlier, Peru is all about activities, hiking, sightseeing, and cultural stuff. Yes, there are beaches and even some great surf spots, but most families (and I’m guessing you too) come here for the big hitters like Machu Picchu and the Andes.

Machu Picchu: The highlight of any Peru trip. It’s honestly one of the most impressive places I’ve ever been. You can hike there over 4–5 days, but for a family trip, I’d stick with the scenic train from Cusco. Just make sure to book your Machu Picchu entry and train tickets well in advance.

Rainbow Mountain: I’m sure you’ve seen it on Instagram. It’s a popular day trip from Cusco and definitely worth it. Skip the group tours and hire a private driver and go in the afternoon when the crowds are gone. You’ll pretty much have the place to yourself.

Sacred Valley: The Sacred Valley is just outside of Cusco and full of cool ruins, cute towns, and beautiful landscapes. Great for kids and families since you can break it up into short, easy stops like Pisac, Ollantaytambo, and Moray are all worth a visit.

Colca Canyon: If you’re heading to Arequipa, Colca Canyon is the go-to day trip. It’s one of the deepest canyons in the world, and spotting the massive Andean condors flying overhead was such a hit with the whole family.

Sandboarding in Huacachina: A total change of scenery. You’ll drive dune buggies through the desert and sandboard down giant dunes, super fun and something completely different. It’s not as intense as it sounds, the kids in our group loved it.

Tips & Tricks for the Perfect Peru Family Vacation

Buy your Machu Picchu tickets well in advance: Get Circuit 2 tickets for the classic postcard view. Also pre-book train tickets and entry times.

Book hotels, flights, and shuttles ahead of time: Especially during high season. You don’t want to show up and have no transport or nowhere to sleep.

Acclimatization is key: Cusco is at 3,400m, and altitude sickness is real. Spend at least 1–2 days taking it easy before doing any big hikes.

Try all the food: Peruvian food is unreal. Loads of local dishes, Japanese fusion, and street food. Ceviche, lomo saltado, and fresh juices were all hits with our family.

Explore Cusco on foot: The city is walkable and packed with charm: cobblestone streets, cute courtyards, and colonial architecture everywhere.

Bring layers: The weather changes fast, especially in the mountains. Mornings and nights can be chilly, even if it’s hot in the daytime.

Download Google Translate: Especially handy in smaller towns where English isn’t widely spoken. It saved us more than once.

Use soles, not dollars: Most places accept credit cards, but for markets or taxis you’ll need Peruvian soles. Get small bills if you can.

Be smart with the water: Stick to bottled or filtered water. Most hotels have refill stations so bring a reusable bottle.

Consider private drivers over tours: It’s often not that much more expensive, and with kids or bigger groups it makes the whole day way easier and more flexible.

Take it slow: Don’t pack too much into one day. Between the altitude and the distances, Peru is better enjoyed at a slower pace.

FAQs About A Peru Family Vacation

Is Peru safe for family travel?

Yes, totally. We never had any issues. Of course, like anywhere, use common sense, don’t flash valuables and be mindful in busy areas. But overall, Peru felt super welcoming and safe, especially in tourist-friendly places like Cusco, Arequipa, and Paracas.

How to prepare for a trip to Peru?

Book everything in advance, especially for the high season. That means flights, hotels, Machu Picchu tickets, and train rides. Bring layers (the weather changes quickly), and give yourself time to acclimatize in Cusco. Oh, and don’t skip out on travel insurance.

Can you do Machu Picchu with kids?

Absolutely. We took the train from Cusco, which is super easy and fun for kids too. No need to do the multi-day hikes, just book your train, bus, and entry ticket in advance. It’s a long day, but so worth it.

What to do in Lima Peru with Kids?

Lima has some fun stuff! The parks are great, especially Parque Kennedy and the cliffs around Miraflores. We also loved the fountains at Circuito Mágico del Agua. And the food in Lima? Amazing with lots of good options even for picky eaters.

Are there Peru Family Vacation Packages?

Yes, tons. But honestly, we planned it ourselves and it was great. You can totally DIY this trip, just book your hotels, transport, and activities ahead of time. That way, you keep the flexibility but still make sure it’s all smooth.

Final Thoughts on a Peru Family Holiday

I get that Peru might seem a bit intimidating for a family vacation. It’s definitely not your typical beach weekend in Mexico or Florida. It takes a bit more planning, and it’s full-on when it comes to activities and moving around. So I really think this is something everyone in the group needs to be up for, you know?

If your kids are going to hate every second of hiking or long drives, then yeah, it might not be the right trip. But there are plenty of ways to make it fun for everyone. I mean, who doesn’t love a couple of days at the beach in Paracas or cruising around the dunes in Huacachina? With the right mix, Peru can be an amazing and unforgettable family adventure.

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