Lifestyle

For Lima: April–November is drier and sunnier (Lima's 'winter' is actually grey but mild). For Cusco and the highlands: May–September (dry season) offers clear skies and the best trekking conditions. For the Amazon: June–October is drier. Overall, there's no bad time to arrive - Peru's diversity means good weather somewhere year-round.

Yes - Cusco at 3,400m (11,150ft) causes altitude sickness (soroche) for most new arrivals. Symptoms include headache, nausea, fatigue, and shortness of breath for 1–3 days. Drink coca tea, stay very hydrated, avoid alcohol and strenuous activity for the first 48 hours, and consider spending a day in the Sacred Valley (2,800m) first to acclimatize gradually.

Top picks: (1) Machu Picchu (Inca Trail or train from Cusco), (2) Colca Canyon (condors, hot springs, trekking from Arequipa), (3) Huacachina desert oasis (sandboarding, 4hr from Lima), (4) Paracas and Islas Ballestas (Peru's 'mini Galápagos', 3hr from Lima), (5) Amazon lodges (3–5 day trips from Cusco or Puerto Maldonado). Peru rewards exploration richly.

Lima is widely considered the gastronomic capital of the Americas. Central is ranked #1 in the world (World's 50 Best Restaurants), Maido #7, and Lima has more entries on that list than any other South American city. Beyond fine dining, the everyday food - ceviche, chifa, anticuchos, market cuisine - is extraordinary, diverse, and incredibly affordable.

Lima offers big-city amenities - world-class dining, coworking spaces, fast internet, nightlife, and a large expat community in Miraflores. Cusco is smaller, more intimate, steeped in Inca heritage, with a backpacker/spiritual community vibe. Cusco is 30–50% cheaper but has fewer services and the altitude is challenging. Lima for career and gastronomy; Cusco for adventure and culture.