Traveling with your family is always fun, and a visit to Peru with kids offers educational moments you can’t replicate elsewhere. Here, it’s easy to find cultural immersion, natural landscapes, wildlife, art, cuisine, history, and more. There are countless interesting places, diverse activities, and yummy foods to try. Why wouldn’t you take the kids? Pack your bags and let’s go!
Museo Larco
Discover the impressive private collection from founder Rafael Larco behind Lima’s first museum. This archeological museum houses fascinating art pieces from pre-Columbian societies, dating back over 5,000 years. Plus, the museum also offers excellent family programs catered just for kids ages three to twelve. The interactive activities include crafting headdresses resembling the gods of ancient Peru, a treasure hunt based on mythical heroes, and storytelling about Peru’s history as well as fun games.
Museo Larco Café Restaurante
While visiting Museo Larco, it’s the perfect opportunity to appease hungry bellies through Lima’s modern food culture. Peru is a foodie paradise, and here you can dabble in signature international and Peruvian cuisine like Duck Ceviche (duck cured in lime juice) or Tenderloin with Wild Fungi Sauce at the on-site restaurant. For drinks, parents could quaff some Coca Sour, a typical drink made of Pisco, and for kids, there is fresh juice from a variety of fruits such as lucuma and strawberry. They even have kid-friendly dishes like empanadas (baked, savory pastries), crispy chicken nuggets and spaghettini in tomato sauce.
Islas Ballestas
A boat ride on the South Pacific Ocean sure to please on a trip to Peru with kids. The Ballestas Islands support species that are similar to those of the famous Galápagos Islands including the blue-footed boobies, napping sea lions, Humboldt penguins, seals and over 200 types of migratory birds. Combine this coastal excursion with a visit to the Reserva Nacional de Paracas, appreciated for its breathtaking remote beaches, flamingos, and dolphins.
Sacred Valley
A must-visit destination for first-timers visiting Peru, the Sacred Valley showcases archaeological sites and ruins from the era of the Incas. Boasting dozens of ruins, the valley surrounding Cuzco includes notable Peruvian sites like Machu Picchu, Moray, Pisac, and more. Ollantaytambo tends to a favorite for families with small children, for easy navigability, and access to the village of the same name with a street market and chocolate museum.
Awanacancha
For a true insight into traditional Peruvian culture, don’t miss a visit to Awanacancha, a rural establishment outside of Cusco. This well-known alpaca farm is also an artisan weaving center, where kids will love to witness a true farm to the product experience. It’s also the perfect place to buy a beautiful poncho, bag, or blanket as a keepsake of your Peruvian travels.
Pacaya-Samiria National Reserve
You can’t come to Peru with kids without a trip to the Amazon Rainforest. Choose this reserve, one of the largest in the Peruvian Amazon with over two million hectares in the basins of the Pacaya Samiria and Yanayacu-Pucate rivers. Here, you’ll find 965 plants, like exotic orchids, camu camu, and quito quito, and over 1000 animal species including pumas and jaguars, Amazon river dolphins, giant otters, South American coati, and capybara.
