6 Destinations For The Perfect Family Summer Vacation To Peru

April 28, 2023 | by: Kuoda Authors

Plan a trip that makes travelers of all ages happy with a family summer vacation to Peru as you go on an epic tour of this diverse destination. From historic landmarks to enriching cultural experiences to landscapes that truly feel like paradise, this is one of the best places to travel all together. But what are the best things to include during your trip? Which parts of Peru are the best for multigenerational travelers looking to have an unforgettable vacation?

You’ll want to visit some of the big highlights, like the vibrant city of Lima and the wondrous Machu Picchu, but you should also add some more unique destinations! Discover a desert oasis hidden in the southwest, explore lesser-known ancient sites, and uncover the best Peru has to offer. Here are six can’t-miss destinations to help inspire your perfect summer getaway.

The best things to do in Lima to kick off your Peru family vacation

The Church of San Francisco located in Lima’s center is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Your adventure begins in Lima, the energetic capital city known for its incredible cuisine, stunning beaches, and an art scene that’s constantly blossoming with new talent. After a long international flight with the kids, spending a few days in the sun while exploring the city is an awesome way to start your trip.

Every family needs a day to ease into vacation mode as you adjust to the new time zone and decompress from your travel day! Spend your first morning in Lima with a walking tour of the city. Take a stroll through Lima’s Historic Center, studying the intricate architecture of the Convent of San Francisco and the surrounding buildings. With a local guide leading the way, you’ll learn about the importance of this UNESCO World Heritage Site and what makes this neighborhood unique.

After a day of exploring the history of Lima, enjoy some thrills with a paragliding trip over the Pacific. Families who live for adventure can soar over the Malecon and get some of the best views in the entire city. If you and your kids prefer a less heart-pounding excursion, wait until the evening when the Parque de la Reserva turns into a magical waterpark for the Magic Water Circuit show! It’s an exciting display of lights, colors, and music that takes you on a journey through Peruvian folklore.

While you’re staying in Lima, spend your nights at the Casa Andina located in the residential neighborhood of Miraflores. The idyllic location is known for delicious restaurants and plenty of shopping perfect for grabbing some local souvenirs. At Casa Andina, your family has plenty of different accommodation options depending on how many beds you need, whether you’re looking for a five-star suite to share or a few rooms to give everyone a bit of privacy. There’s also a sauna and spa for the parents to enjoy while the kids can play at the pool.

Explore the hidden wonders of Cusco

Learn as a family the importance of Cusco’s chocolate culture at ChocoMuseo.

Once, the city of Cusco served as the capital of the Incan empire, the center of an ancient civilization that continues to leave modern historians awestruck. Today, the city is a colorful tapestry of ancient customs and modern life, where tradition overlaps with innovation. Travelers will have plenty of activities to choose from depending on your travel goals!

If anyone in the family has a sweet tooth, head to the ChocoMuseo, an interactive museum that teaches you about the cultural importance of chocolate as well as how the delicious confection is made. Treat your family to a chocolate workshop, where you’ll all get the chance to craft your very own chocolate bar or truffles! Learn how the cacao bean gets roasted and transformed into a delicious dessert.

Take a morning to explore some of the Incan archeological sites nearby, like the Sacsayhuaman Ruins. This stone structure overlooking the city was once an active religious site for the Incas. Today, walking here takes about 45 minutes from Cusco’s city center so it’s an easy but worthwhile trip for the whole family.

For any curious minds and science lovers, head to the Cusco Planetarium. Here, astrologers of all ages will get a glimpse at how the Inca Empire used stars to rule over an entire continent. From religious ceremonies to successful agriculture and even building architecture, the Inca looked to the stars for guidance. Plus, you can take a look at the unique Incan constellations and talk about how they differ from other ancient civilizations!

How to visit Machu Picchu with kids

Have a family experience visiting the Inca empire of Machu Picchu with the little ones.

After experiencing Lima’s energetic capital, get ready to step back in time all the way to the 15th-century Incan empire. Traveling to Machu Picchu as a family is a must for the most unforgettable vacation. But, making the trek with little kids may sound like an overwhelming experience, so here are some other options for visiting this Incan citadel.

First and most importantly, remember to take it slow. Altitude sickness is common for travelers of all ages, so make sure the entire family is staying well-hydrated and getting plenty of rest as  you travel through Peru. Taking a couple of days to explore Cusco will also help your family adjust to the higher altitude before ascending to the top of Machu Picchu.

When preparing for your Machu Picchu trip, it’s important to decide how much time you want to dedicate to the journey. Some prefer to visit in just one day, but with so much to see you should definitely spend two to three days for a stress-free experience. Start with a train ride to Aguas Calientes via the Vistadome. This train ride gives travelers a comfortable and dreamy tour of the Andean countryside, with panoramic windows that promise great views from every seat.

Once you arrive in Aguas Calientes, you can relax and dine at some of the local restaurants, enjoying a restful night before an action packed day. Families with kids eager to make the trek up to Machu Picchu can enjoy a shortened Inca Trail hiking experience. Starting at the base of the mountain means it will only take a few hours to reach the citadel, and you’ll arrive just in time for sunset. If you have very young children or prefer a quicker experience, there’s also a bus that can transport you from the town up to Machu Picchu. Either way, it’s best to have a local guide to show you the secrets of this Incan landmark.

Soak up the sun in Paracas

Explore the Paracas National Reserve observing the vast ecosystem or sail through the Ballestas Islands.

After so many adventures and excursions, treat your family to a few days of rest in the charming beach-desert town of Paracas. Its unique landscape offers several beautiful destinations to explore when you’re not lounging poolside at the luxurious Hotel Paracas – A Luxury Collection Resort. Every room comes with a sea view and its own private terrace, so your family will be immersed in the beauty of this oasis at all times.

After a day or two of unwinding poolside, watching the kids play while you sip on Pisco Sours, spend a day exploring the Paracas National Reserve touring the stunning scenery, and learning about the region’s unique ecosystem. Or, if you’re interested in going on an incredible wildlife excursion, sail out to Islas Ballestas which has been compared to the Galapagos for its rich biodiversity including birds and marine life. Though these islands are much smaller than the Galapagos, they’re overflowing with rare species of birds, pods of sea lions sunbathing on the rocks, and even Humboldt penguins!

Escape to the desert oasis of Huacachina

Take the kids on a wild buggy ride through the desert dunes in Ica.

If you’re in search of the most unique spot for adventure, add a few days in Huacachina to your family’s summer vacation to Peru. This small town is located in the middle of a sea of sand dunes and is a literal oasis full of outdoor adventure.

Take the kids out for a day riding through the desert with a dune buggy tour. Driving through steep sandy hills will feel like one of the most thrilling roller coasters ever, giving you and your kids a joy ride to remember. Make the adventure even more amazing with a sandboarding experience, testing your skills as you slide across the warm golden waves.

Another cool thing to do that doubles as an insightful cultural tour is visiting Huacachina’s lake. It’s located at the center of town and is an amazing place to wander at leisure, but there’s also a fascinating myth attached to this lake! Learn about the mermaid that lives beneath the water’s surface, and if you’re feeling adventurous you can even take a little paddle boat across the lake to get a closer look.

Spending a couple of days in this desert paradise is even more amazing when you stay in one of the luxury boutiques nearby, like the Hotel Viñas Queirolo. Located in the middle of an exceptional vineyard, your stay is bound to feel like the perfect home away from home to enjoy during your desert escape.

Venture out to the mysterious Nazca Lines

The Nazca Lines span over more than 200 square kilometers of intricate drawings carved on the red sand.

One of the most underrated landmarks in Peru are the Nazca Lines, located just a few hours from Huacachina. These mysterious drawings are one of this country’s greatest mysteries, so if you and your family want to feel like a group of adventurous historians, do not miss out on a day trip here.

Sometime between 200 BC and 600 AD, over 200 square miles of drawings were carved in a red, sandy plateau. Thousands of years later in the 1930s, archeologists discovered the hardened hieroglyphs and began studying the unique artifacts. Since then, they have remained a mysterious part of Peru’s indigenous history. Take a plane ride over the lines or study them up close with a guided tour and see if you can make out the various shapes carved into the earth!

Plan the ultimate family summer vacation to Peru with Kuoda to make sure your trip is stress-free and unforgettable. We’ll help you design the perfect getaway, with culture, history, nature, and adventure all paired with luxury hotels and delicious Peruvian dishes along the way.