Yes, it’s been a minute since we put out a new post. But we’ve been busy traveling and rethinking our strategy for giving you the best content on authentic & adventurous travel.
And while we were doing that, we noticed something in our site stats: Last month (April 2022) we had thehighest number of website visits EVER! Over 500 of you read our articles.
First, THANK YOU! We’re humbled that so many people (mostly ones we’ve never met) enjoy our website and believe in Earth-friendly (and fun) travel.
From another perspective, this means we are doing something right. Because not only are people coming back, but we are growing at a steady pace. It motivates us to keep going and to keep improving as we bring the tenets of Earth-Friendly travel to reality.
We understand 500 is not a huge number for the internet. However for a couple that has a child (and a “real job”), we expected progress to be slow. And as long as progress is being made, we are going in the right direction together.
WEEEE!!!
What’s Next
Which brings me to the next point.
Gringo Inca is going to streamline the platforms it’s on. This will bring you better content in fewer places. We’re choosing to use platforms that have received higher engagement and that we enjoy using.
Specifically, we are moving from being active on Facebook to Pinterest. Our new investment in a GoPro Hero 8 will be more useful on Pinterest, and we’ve found the platform is simply more fun and easier to work with for both us and our audience.
I’m also going to pause the articles on Medium. I had been writing travel stories there, trying to get my name out to a new audience of writers and peers.
But, although I did make some professional contacts, my articles on Gringo Inca get more visits. And our readers don’t necessarily find my stuff on Medium.
So from now on, my attempts at travel writing will go under the blog post section on Gringo Inca. I hope you enjoy them as much as I enjoy creating them.
We’re also working on a podcast. This is in the initial stages, so I don’t have much detail. It’s a new adventure that is exciting and nerve-wracking, making us feel like Bilbo when the dwarves and Gandalf forced themselves into his home.
But, you can expect easily digestible episodes on fun and responsible travel tips and stories, likely 15-20 minutes in length. At least that’s the idea now.
Finally, our BIG ASS Aruba article is taking some time to develop. That’s because we want to show what we enjoyed about the island and how you can have an epic trip there, too.
We want it to be fun to read but also inspiring and informative. It will be the next thing posted on Gringo Inca. Stay tuned!
Thanks for being a part of this effort to connect people, cultures, and in sharing adventures worldwide.
Yup, that’s right! We scored some sweet tickets to Lisbon and visited a country that’s been on our list for awhile. And, it did NOT disappoint! Here’s what we discovered when we went to Portugal, and what’s next for Gringo Inca…
Outdoors Adventures Abound!
We spent almost our entire waking time outside. That wasn’t because of Covid restrictions. In fact, Portugal is perfect for lovers of the outdoors.
First, the weather was perfect for just strolling around castles all day. Or bathing in the beauty of a place like Sintra. And Portugal’s amazing beaches include the home to a 100-foot wave and a world surf reserve– more on those later :)
You can just walk for hours exploring the cities, and nearby parks include a new adventure sport park near Porto!
There are also ancient towns that have kept their medieval style, and which are perfect for walking around all day.
And if you’re looking for a longer adventure, the Camino de Santiago is great for hikers and cyclists!
The Culture
I appreciate a place that doesn’t have to wake up early and dances until late on a weekday. So, Portugal was my kind of spot. But there were other things that stood out too, including the seafood and pastries.
And if you’re a Harry Potter lover, there are a LOT of similarities between Porto and scenes from the books (JK Rowling lived there).
Again, we’ll have more on this in future posts. But we really fell in love with the Portuguese culture (even if we couldn’t understand the language!).
What’s Next
We’ll be writing our favorite tips for visiting Portugal. As always, we’ll focus on responsible (aka Earth Friendly!) tourism.
We went to Portugal and loved it. And we want you to love it too!
Talk to you soon! Até logo! (ok, we maybe learned SOME Portuguese)
Nobody likes finding out the special souvenir they bought was actually mass-produced and not even from the country they visited! Fortunately, you’ll have LOTS of options for souvenirs to buy in Peru. And it’s easy to make sure your purchase benefits someone local. You just need to follow a few simple tips.
The Market
Most importantly, know where to buy things! Everymajor city (and even small towns) has a tourist market.
Yes, these are touristy by definition. But they are actually great spots to buy authentic, locally-made stuff. And it’s easy to know if the product is local. Just ask the vendor- who is often the the maker too.
What to Buy
Definitely try out the woolen products like sweaters, scarves, and hats. If it’s made from alpaca, even better :)
So fuzzy. So warm.
Handmade bags are a great way to personalize your trip or gift too.
Not a fan of wool? Tourist markets also have artists who sell their paintings, ceramics, and traditional Peruvian gourds called burilados.
If you want to buy food, I recommend coffee or chocolate. That’s because artisan coffee and chocolate in Peru come from small-scale farmers in often remote areas of the country.
What to Avoid
Honestly, I just try to buy directly from the maker of the product. This is easy in Peru since so many wool, art, or coffee/chocolate products are artisanal and sold in local markets.
If it looks mass-produced or you can’t figure out who made it, then there’s a good chance the profits aren’t going to the local community.
And we don’t like that
Conclusion
You won’t break the bank finding souvenirs to buy in Peru. And by purchasing the right thing, you’ll help local economies and have a cool, useful conversation piece for the rest of your life!
Of course, the main purpose of visiting is something besides shopping for most of us. Make sure you’ve picked the right experiences so you don’t miss out! Check out our sample itineraries to get started on an adventure you can feel good about :)
It’s a conundrum that’s becoming more and more common. How can we travel and enjoy the amazing things this planet has created, without destroying it with greenhouse gases? Can we really travel carbon-free?
Let’s be honest up front: It is impossible to create a carbon-free trip to Peru. Even if you don’t fly in, you will have to take a bus or boat, which with 99.99% certainty will be spewing pollutants. So you add to your carbon footprint upon arrival.
And once in Peru you won’t be able to travel from one city to the next without taking a gas-powered bus (or even worse, a plane). The geography and pure massiveness of Peru prevent us from walking or biking from city to city. That’s in addition to the fact that the highways get sketchy at night.
Having said that, you can do a LOT to minimize your carbon impact. Below I describe how to lower your footprint, and later show an option to offset your travels for a carbon neutral vacation.
Easy Tips to Travel Carbon-free in Peru
Transportation
The biggest contributor to visitors’ carbon footprints is transportation, but fortunately you can make a huge difference with some easy practices:
Bike and walk whenever possible in towns. Many hotels offer bike rentals now, and there are also bike rental agencies in Lima. Try not to use a taxi.
Buses over planes: Buses use wayyyy less gas per traveller than planes. And Peru has a pretty nice bus system that connects every major city and town. I don’t recommend a private car because they use more gas per person than a bus, and Peruvian roads are notoriously nuts.
If you have to fly: Direct flights use less carbon than flights with layovers since a lot of gas is used during take-off. Economy class is the most eco-frineldy as well. And pack as lightly as possible to lighten your overall load on board.
Other
Once you get transportation down, other steps are simple and enjoyable.
Eat local food. Local is always freshest and best anyway!
Buy local (double check that the source actually IS local). In Peru you can usually buy directly from the creator of a product at the markets, so you know it wasn’t produced in a factory overseas and shipped over.
Support local communities. This is also easy in Peru! Stay in the communities and in local, eco-friendly hotels. Take the hikes less used to pass through and contribute to communities off the beaten path. You’ll get more authentic experiences in spots that don’t see daily legions of tourists.
Bring water bottles and a way to clean your drinking water. This can be tablets or a bottle with a filter. Avoid buying plastic water bottle, the scourge of Peru!!!
Thinking Bigger- Change How You Travel
SLOW IT DOWN. This isn’t just for Peru. When you slow down your travel, you lower your carbon footprint. That’s because you spend more time walking around a community, and less time jumping on buses and planes.
Even better, consider backpacking throughout South America. You’ll have to pack lighter and can enter/leave Peru in a bus or boat instead of a plane.
An added benefit is slow tourism is much more enjoyable and fulfilling!
Getting Your Footprint to Zero
Calculate, Then Offset?
Ok, so you’ve followed these rules and STILL don’t have a carbon-neutral trip. Maybe you’ve heard of the sneaky trick called offsetting.
Theoretically, you can calculate the amount of carbon from your trip and even “offset” it by donating to projects that decrease the amount of carbon in the atmosphere.
So you may be wondering, why not just book a trip and offset it, without worrying about the other practices? Because carbon offsettingis imperfectat best.
Most of the projects either are not verified by a 3rd party, would have occurred regardless of offsets, or don’t even happen. This is not just me saying it, but many climate professionals who have studied the subject.
Wendover explains this incredibly well in their video.
Plus, on a practice level, the more carbon we have to offset, the more difficult it will become as we search for even more land to set aside and projects to realize.
So offsetting, at its absolute best, is only a bridge to a carbon-neutral world and not at all the solution. At its worst it’s just a book-keeper’s trick to make it only appear we are on the path to carbon neutrality.
If you still want to try offsetting, Sustainable Travel’s carbon calculator is promoted by the World Wildlife Fund. Here is their travel calculator for carbon offsetting.
Conclusion
Again, it’s impossible to travel carbon-free to Peru. But with some easy changes to your travels, you’ll have an adventure you can feel good about.
And as you simplify your transportation and slow down your travels, or even go off the beaten path, you’ll both lower your footprint and have a more fulfilling experience. So there’s no reason not to do this!
Do you have thoughts on traveling carbon free in general? Let us know below!!!
One can find indigenous communities all over the Peruvian Amazon. Most of them have their own territories full of lush tropical forests. In this region are diverse ethnic groups. Each has its own culture, traditions and knowledge. Ecotourism in the Amazon is a crucial piece to cultural preservation today.
In the last 30 years tourism to native communities has been increasing. Native people are open to tourists and to benefit from their presence. And so some communities have lodges and guest houses. These are usually linked to tour operators with nonprofit or private support.
Because early experiences in tourism were positive, more communities have recognized tourism as a possibility for sustainable income. They understand that healthy forests can generate diverse opportunities other than forest-destroying logging activities.
Why is Ecotourism Important in the Amazon?
But these communities cannot reverse or escape from the vicious circle of forest degradation if tourists do not come. There is no value in preparing infrastructure if tourists will not arrive. While communities provide good service and infrastructure, they often need to be linked to tourist agencies and websites to get business.
Communities that don’t receive business often lower expectations and can lose interest in ecotourism. This damages ecotourism’s potential for future development. So, when visiting indigenous communities in the Amazon, one directly contributes to sustainable development and conservation. This is why our presence as a tourist is so important.
Tips to Visit the Amazon
The Amazon is obviously worth visiting. It’s beautiful and a unique ecosystem. It’s even better if you do it the local way. Inform yourself about boat services departing from Iquitos, Pucallpa or Puerto Maldonado (all regional capital cities with airports) to towns or communities and select a few as potential destinations.
It’s a good idea to visit the port in the city and have a look at boat destinations. Inquire about conditions, prices and points of interest. From here a truly unique experience can start.
Be Prepared to Rough it!
Once on your trip, one never knows what will be found in the communities. A hotel or a guest house are common accommodations. But for a more cultural experience, many families let you camp one their land. The cost is very reasonable.
Do not expect much, and be prepared with your tent and mosquito net. Seriously, bring a mosquito net!! Take an air mattress if camping, and of course warm-weather clothes. It’s also very advisable to pack a personal medicine box and extra food.
Distance from the main city makes a difference among the communities. Those nearer to cities are usually more integrated, and one can find more tourist-oriented amenities. Those further inland are not so integrated and are not used to visitors. And those deep into the jungle have even fewer amenities and less awareness of tourists.
When going by yourself or with a group of friends to visit a community without prior coordination, the first thing you must do is visit the chief or president of the community. If they are not around, another local authority that can accept your presence there. They will also announce your visit and provide recommendations. They can also inform you of where to stay, local attractions, and guides.
What to Do in an Amazon Community
It is worth visiting the farm with the families. Definitely go with them to their agricultural plots and have a look to what they produce and how they work. You can join them to go fishing in their canoes. You will be invited on a hunt if truly lucky!
Some communities have shamans who will be open to giving you Ayahuasca (for a price). One needs to be sure they want Ayahuasca. If you have doubts, just put it off for next time. Someone in your group needs to stay sober too.
Conclusion
Moving around as a local and visiting indigenous communities has no comparison. Granted, backpacking in the jungle takes more homework than trotting through Europe. But your visit will be a life-changing experience for you. And, it will be a true contribution to communities´ sustainable development.
Diego Shoobridge has decades of experience working in sustainable development and with indigenous communities in Peru. He currently works at Upper Amazon Conservancy.
There are lots of options if you want to read about Peru. And I read as many as I can get my hands on. The best ones delve into history, provide cultural lessons, and give thrilling trip ideas/inspiration. Let’s dive right into the best books to read for Peru.
Best Books to Read for Peru: My Recommendations
Culture
Yo No Soy tu Cholo
Yo No Soy tu Cholo by Marco Aviles goes deep into racism, identity, inequality, and their intersections in Peruvian society. He also relates them to his experience abroad (a native Peruvian, he lives in Maine, USA). It’s eye opening, thoughtful, and incredibly hard to put down.
This book is hard to find in English. But an excerpt can be found in this article.
History
A Kim MacQuarrie Book
Read either (or both!) of Life and Death in the Andes or Last Days of the Incas. I love this author, Kim MacQuarrie. His writing style, immense knowledge, and extraordinary research skills lead to gripping books that teach the reader.
Last Days of Incas is the best way to understand the Incas and Spanish of that time. It makes walking around Cusco an educational experience.
Actually the most fascinating aspect to me was how close the Incas were to winning the war, despite powerful factors working against them. This was something I never knew until reading Last Days.
Life & Death in the Andes, meanwhile, is my favorite book on South American history. MacQuarrie’s north-south trip stops at important sites from Colombia to Argentina, but more pages are dedicated to Peru than any other country. You’ll get a better understanding of Peruvian history and South America overall if you read it. Plus you’ll get some epic trip ideas.
Travel Inspiration
Turn Right at Machu Picchu
An inspiring decision leads to an epic story that weaves the three distinct but somehow connected histories of Manco Inca, Hiram Bingham, and the possibly very nerdy Mark Adams.
Adams goes on an epictrek in Cusco. There he follows footsteps of great explorer and leaders of the past, whose histories he relates to us. This book is fun, hilarious, and above all makes the reader want to follow Adams on their own adventure.
This list is cat-approved
Following Ghosts in Northern Peru
Don Moore follows the footsteps of Northern Peru‘s little-known Moyobamba Route. Read this book to learn a ton of overlooked history and for cheeky anecdotes, many of which anyone who’s experienced culture shock will appreciate.
…And One Non-Recommendation
Inca Land by Hiram Bingham is on many “What Books to Read for Peru” lists. Bingham’s expedition to Machu Picchu and surrounding areas is inspiring, but the writing style is just too dry.
You can get a lot of information about Bingham from Turn Right at Machu Picchu, and there are plenty of resources on Machu Picchu itself. So I’d skip this one, unless you’re really interested in knowing minute details of the 1911 Machu Picchu expedition.
Conclusion
These books should get you ready for visiting Peru. And be sure to check out where you want to visit- starting with the South, Central, or North of Peru.
Photo by Willian Justen de Vasconcellos on Unsplash
Surfing started in Peru centuries ago, only to swell in popularity on international shores yet remain on the fringes in of its home culture. It’s actually natural that surfing started in Peru. The long, lazy waves that eventually lick the rocks and sand are easy on the newbie. And being one myself, I finally took up an invitation to surf in Lima.
My Experience
It became evident that this is truly a Peruvian sport. Although I rose early (for a Saturday), this wasn’t necessary. You can rent a board any time of the morning or afternoon in Miraflores.
So, punctuality isn’t an issue. Definitely a very Peruvian thing.
The weather was sunny but the water frigid. My black swimsuit, a rental, made me feel like a warm sushi roll. Maybe this explained surfing’s relative lack of popularity. There are about 10 million people in the city, but only ten came to surf in Lima that day.
My arms spun and legs kicked as I followed my friend in the water. To the uninitiated, a surfboard is like a bigger, heavier boogie board. And that makes the simple act of getting in position a workout itself.
I tried to follow my friend’s instructions after turning the board to face the shore. And I shut down the voice in the back of my head saying “it’s OK if you don’t get up, a lot of first timers don’t“. My interest was in riding waves, not feeling pity for myself.
My legs moved madly upon selecting a wave and in trying to not lose it. But before I knew it, the wave was taking me. One lingering breath to loosen up later, my feet got in position on the board.
It was the moment of truth. Steadily I stood as the board continued on its own pace towards the rocky edge.
Yet all of a sudden, I was up. And to my somewhat disbelief, I wasn’t falling. My shoulders relaxed and rolled back as a hesitant smile crept over my face.
The exhilaration of knowing I did it meshed beautifully with the thrill of being on top of the sea, and the ocean air added its own particular pleasure as the board moved left and right as I saw fit.
To the right was the Rosa Nautica, a famous restaurant at the end of a pier. Straight ahead past the rocks, the Costa Verde had its traffic. And slightly above on top of the cliffs was the popular LarcoMar, an outdoor mall attracting tourists and Lima’s most fashionable residents.
As is the standard scene in Lima, these were all packed, and the surfing beach was not.
Those people in LarcoMar are fools, I said to myself.
After Sport, Food
We ended the morning satiating ourselves with pork chicharon sandwiches. Chicharron is probably the most popular weekend breakfast in the streets of Peru, and it should be.
While munching on sweet potato fries, I observed that nobody else had come from the beach. Everyone in Miraflores had another way to spend their morning.
I hoped for their sake they changed their minds the following weekend.
How to Surf in Lima
Photo by Ernesto Leon on Unsplash
If you go, be ready to pay in cash. You can rent a board + suit for S/ 20-30 (under $10 USD!!!) for an hour. There are also lessons available. Prices depend on the number of people.
Of course, you can bring your own board. I recommend surfing at the bottom of the cliff in Miraflores. Just take the sidewalk from the Malecon or Parque Kennedy to the beach. This is the same place where you can rent boards or take lessons.
Conclusion
Surfing is a great way to have fun, work out, and conserve the environment. In Peru, waves are conserved by surfing and conservation groups. This prevents development or construction that may destroy superb surfing spots.
And the more people who surf and show interest, the more powerful these groups become!
Incan stones sit perfectly on top of each other, mortarless marvels silently mocking their Spanish counterparts. Stunningly blue skies and perfect ancient architecture juxtaposed against colonial buildings take up tourists’ imaginations. Similarly, the countless photogenic spots take up the tourists’ phone data too.
Cusco is the longest-inhabited city in the Americas. Take time to appreciate the culture and history here. And if you get antsy, there are plenty of activities in and around town, too.
What to Do
The attractions in Cusco are the city’s history and proximity to Machu Picchu. Pretty much all of the region’s adventure activities are in the Sacred Valley and not the city itself. But there are excellent hikes and activities to do in and next to Cusco, and I included those in this list.
Note: Places with (B) next to them are part of the “boleto turistico”. Sixteen sites are available ONLY with this Tourist Ticket. You can buy the ticket at the office at Avenida el Sol 103. Current prices are found on the website here.
Culture
San Blas: This artist’s haven is a 10 minute uphill walk from the city’s principle plaza and has some of Cusco’s best restaurants.
San Pedro Market: Cusco’s popular market is a lively experience of Peru’s chaotic, delicious, and culture-shock inducing market scene. It’s only a 10 minute walk from the main plaza.
Stone Walking Tour + Plaza: The (self-guided) Stone Walking Tour was so cool! A simple google search told us how to search Cusco’s streets for the 12-angled stone, the Puma in the wall, and other hidden gems in the cobblestone streets. It takes about 20 minutes. Nearby is the main plaza, always worth a visit in Peruvian towns and especially in Cusco.
Qooricancha. This Catholic cathedral was built on top of the Inca’s most important temple. The site reflects the region; Spanish stones are situated to show their culture’s dominance, yet are overshadowed by the more mysterious, mortar-less Incan walls.
The water fountain in the center of San Blas
Just walking’ in the streets of Cusco
Qooricancha from outside.
One side of Cusco’s plaza
Hikes With Incan Architecture
Cerro Wanakawri (Huanakaure): At 4,100 meters (13,451 feet) above sea level, this spiritually significant mountain overlooks the ancient Incan capital. It’s right next to Cusco and you can hike there and visit ancient religious sites.
Intihuatana + Tipon (B) + Pikillaqta (B): “Intihuatana” means “hitching post of the sun”. These were likely Incan astronomical clocks. Most were destroyed by the Spanish, but fortunately this one survived. Next door is Tipon, the Inca’s royal gardens. Centuries later, water still flows through the canals, and the views of the landscape are wonderful. The archaeological site of Pikillaqta is unique because it predates the Incan empire, having originally belonged to the Wari culture.
Saqsaywaman, Puka Pukara, Q’enko, Tambomachay (all B): We were able to see these archaeological sites in one afternoon. This walk is a great introduction to Incan architecture. Tambomachay’s ancient canals still stream freshwater. And nearby Puka Pukara easily has the best views. Next door is Q’enko, whose macabre ceremonies light up the imagination. Finally, Sacsaywaman has excellent examples of large stones carved into each other with no mortar. This is an Incan specialty! Cars frequently pass by these sites. So you can hop from one place to the next.
Our hike to sacsayhuaman- Photos
The best photos of our hike around the sites next to Cusco were of Sacsayhuaman. We walked about 20 minutes from our hotel through the city to its outskirts, where Sacsayhuaman sits above the plaza.
Almost there!
The field next to Sacsayhuaman
These angled walls are shaped like teeth (Cusco was built in the shape of a puma)
Can you make out the llama figure in these stones?
The awesomest people to visit Sacsayhuaman that day.
On top!
I just like this photo. I didn’t realize there was a person in the middle. But I kind of like the photo even more now. Sorry for interrupting your supposed moment of solitude, random stranger.
Day Trips from Cusco
Laguna Humantay: This turquoise lake provides great hiking opportunities and is becoming more popular. You can take a group tour or hire a taxi.
Palccoyo: Palccoyo is the “other” Rainbow Mountain. It’s less famous than Vinicunca. But, Palccoyo is closer to Cusco. For this reason I’d recommend it over Vinicunca. Just take a bus to Checacupe (2 hours), and from there another car to Palccoyo (30 minutes). The hike is about an hour long.
3 Canyons (Suykutamba): This beautiful protected area features a river weaving through tall rock formations and archaeological sites. The easiest way to arrive is via tour operator.
What to Eat
Heavy, potato and rice-based dishes are typical of the Andes. Consider tried-and-true traditional foods like “cuy”, alpaca or anticuchos (beef heart skewers).
And definitely try the soups at night!
Got a hankering for vegetarian food or similar to back home? There are touristy spots catering to other diets and gastronomies all around the city.
Note: to prevent altitude sickness, avoid heavy meals, alcohol and coffee for the first 1-2 days.
Where to Stay in Cusco
The common area in Ninos Meloc
Our room. So cozy. So blue.
Cusco probably has more hotels per capita than any other major city in Peru. But I’ve stayed at one place, Ninos Hotel, twice. That’s because “Ninos” is not just comfortable and clean.
Ninos is a “Green Leader” recognized by TripAdvisor. AND the establishment funds childcare for underserved children in Cusco.
The restaurant is also amazing and has a fireplace (did I not say cozy?).
They have two locations, both walking distance to the main plaza.
When to Visit Cusco (Including Weather)
The rainy season starts in November and ends around March. You can visit year-round but torrential rain in the afternoons is common during this period.
Year-round highs hover around 19-21 C (62-70 F), with lows around 6-7 C (41-44 F) in most months. Nighttime gets near freezing from May through August.
Inti Raymi
Every June 24th Cusco celebrates the solstice with its biggest party! Traditional dances, clothing and ceremonies highlight this celebration of the sun.
How to Get There
An overnight buscama from these locations can be comfortable and save you money on lodging:
Destination
Length of Trip
Price (Soles)
Arequipa
10.5 hours
29-167
Lima
21-22 hours
29-78
Nazca
15 hours
29-177
Puno
6.5 hours
29-65
Note: The US Dollar to Nuevo Sol exchange rate tends to hover around 3:1
Regular, frequent flights arrive from all major Peruvian cities.
Conclusion
Cusco is the navel of the world in the Incan worldview. And it will possibly be the center of your trip. After all, one can spend weeks just exploring the city and its surroundings!
The ingredients for my perfect Chamis on a cold night!
Coziness doesn’t usually come in a plastic cup that a stranger hands you. But that was my introduction to Calientito.
Calientito is a warm drink made with Pisco, and it’s a tasty way to enjoy cold Andean nights. In this case it was prepared in a giant pot, and a señora poured it into plastic cups with a ladle. I gratefully sipped the steaming liquid and noticed lime and Pisco as the drink warmed me up.
In that part of Peru the drink is actually called Chamis. I imagine this is the Quechua name for Calientito. But what really matters is, Calientito is the perfect way to pass a cold evening. And if you want to sample it, you can find the ingredients at home!
Sad because it’s cold and you don’t know what to do with all this Pisco?
Have no fear! Calientitos are here!
Why Calientito is The Best Drink When It’s Cold
In that village on the side of a mountain, there were a few ways to avoid the worst of the cold. But nightly temperatures lowered to almost-freezing, and in the rainy season there seemed to be no escape.
The whole town was in bed by 8PM every day. And every bed had so many heavy blankets it was almost impossible to move under them.
Someone had also told me adobe was a good insulator, but I doubted this in the middle of freezing nights. I later recalled she moved to the warmer coast and had been there for years when she told me this.
Still, calientito is my favorite way to warm up on cold Peruvian nights. It’s a warm drink to begin with, and of course the alcohol gives a feeling of warmth too. Since it’s found in bars and shared in streets there is a social aspect. In the village this was a big plus because my Spanish skills were weak, making calientito a great way to connect with my new neighbors.
My Recipe
This is a simple drink to make. Make sure you have the following:
1 lime
1-2 shots of Pisco
1 tsp of honey
Hot tea (any kind works- I prefer green tea)
Once the tea is ready, add the honey and Pisco. Finally, cut the lime in half and squeeze the juice into the drink. You have Calientito!
Conclusion
Definitely try this at home! It’s tasty and a cool cultural experience in a time when travel isn’t super realistic.
We don’t offer exotic fruits but we can take you to somewhere that does!
I’ve stayed in a LOT of places in Peru. But this is not why I started the Gringo Inca Market. See, not everyone who claims to be a green business actually cares for the environment. Simply put, they’ve mastered the dirty marketing technique of saying they’re green while changing absolutely nothing.
This saddens me since I love Peru and nature. Plus, most tourist spots and their local economies depend on a thriving environment. No one wants to destroy a place they love to visit.
This lists places to stay in Peru that fit my own personal sustainability standards. Not every city is on this list, since I couldn’t find a good spot everywhere. But if you want to visit Peru and keep your carbon footprint low at a high quality spot, this is where you should start.
An additional note: the hotel links will take you to HotelsCombined’s website. I like HotelsCombined because they price guarantee. If you book at ANY of the places listed below, then find a lower price somewhere else, they will pay you back the difference within 30 days.
Policies like this can help you avoid the inflated precio Gringo (Gringo Price). This is a common practice where sellers raise prices substantially for tourists.
Gringo Inca Market: Top Activities in Peru
Along with the greenest hotels in Peru, I listed top activities for the cities listed. Now, the experiences I recommend are among the most popular in Peru. This means you’ll save time and some headaches buying tickets ahead of time.
Each activity link uses Get Your Guide. I like GYG because they guarantee a better, cheaper experience. This is because their packages have a better average online rating than other providers. Also, if you find the same activity for a lower price, they’ll reimburse you.
And if you have a last-minute change of plans, you can cancel with no fee up to 24 hours in advance with Get Your Guide.
So look no further for where to stay and what to do, with the best prices guaranteed to make your money last longer in South America (and feel good about it)!
Gringo Inca Market lists cities in alphabetical order, because I really liked the photo for Arequipa.
Peru’s 2nd largest city arguably has its best food scene (which says A LOT). Hike some snowcapped volcanoes, see some condors, and eat awesome food.
Where to Stay
It’s unfortunately hard to find a good green hotel in Arequipa. Your best bet is in nearby Chivay (a better spot anyway!). It has hot springs, a cool archaeological site, oh and it’s in Colca Canyon! Check out Inkari Ecolodge.
Top Activities
Hiking Colca for epic treks and wildlife viewing (especially for condors) is the name of the game! Lots of people hop on over to Puno and Lake Titicaca afterwards.
The center of the Incan universe is a cultural gem and starting point for world class hikes like the Inca Trail and to one of the Wonders of the World, Machu Picchu.
Where to Stay
I’ve stayed at Niñoshotel twice and love it both times. Niños is a “Green Leader” recognized by TripAdvisor, and also funds childcare for underserved children in Cusco. Try their pumpkin soup. Really.
Top Activities
Get your tickets to Machu Picchu and possibly Huaynu Picchu (highly recommended!) ahead of time.
Sandboard and drink Pisco in a desert oasis just a few hours from Lima!
But since the attraction here is at risk from sand erosion, be mindful of your impact. Consider renting a board and walking up the hills instead.
Where to Stay
The Upcycled Hostel is completely made of recyclable materials and has a great vibe. Who can’t love that?!
Top Activities
It’s all about sandboarding and Pisco (or wine). The dune buggies are popular but contribute to the erosion, which puts the oasis at risk.
One of the most popular places to visit in Peru is nearby Paracas and its Islas Ballestas (“Peru’s Galapogos”). Take a boat ride and see penguins (plus lots of other awesome wildlife)!
Lima
Photo by Gringo Inca
Peru’s capital offers the country’s largest and most diverse food scene. Plus there are a ton of great museums to check out, and you can take surfing lessons in Miraflores. Almost every itinerary for Peru includes Lima.
Where to Stay
Kaminu Backpackers offers free filtered water. This is actually a big deal since Lima’s a desert city (the 2nd largest in the world!), and people unfortunately rely on plastic water bottles.
Kaminu offers bike rentals too, and is located in artsy, hip Barranco.
Top Activities
EAT! Whether it’s a hole-in-the-wall menu or a top-ranked restaurant, the food is world famous. Definitely try ceviche and check out Chinatown for Peru’s best Chinese food, too.
To learn more about Peru’s rich history and culture, Museo Larco Herrera is my personal favorite spot, but there are bunch of museums to pick from in Lima. Adventure-wise, surfing next to the cliffs in Miraflores is recommended.
Oxapampa
Photo provided by Ulcumano Ecolodge
My favorite place, combining springlike weather all yearlong, adventures, parks, great food, and exceptional beer & coffee! “Oxa” is off the radar for most international tourists but Peruvians know it as a top vacation spot.
Where to Stay
Ulcumano ecolodge is a local leader in both ecotourism and adventure tourism. They offer guests zip lining, rappelling, and rock climbing opportunities.
Top Activities
Lots of nature! There are refreshing waterfalls like Rio Tigre, a cave (Tunqui Cueva), and great wildlife viewing at Yanachaga Chemillen National Park. And nearby is Pozuzo, the original German settlement in Peru.
Puno/Lake Titicaca
Photo by yours truly
Check out Peru’s richest spot for Andean culture and beautiful clear skies. And you can have an island practically to yourself by staying at an ethical community-run homestay.
Where to Stay
Overnight in an island at the homestay in Taquile or the family-run Kantuta lodge in Amantani. This way you’ll experience the islands without the day tour crowds getting in the way.
Top Activities
The most popular is the day tour of the floating Uros islands and Taquile island. Take a kayak for a more eco-friendly adventure option.
Sacred Valley & Aguas Calientes
Often the last stop on the way to Machu Picchu, the Sacred Vally is full of Incan architecture and cultural treasures. Aguas Calientes is the very last town before Machu Picchu.
Where to Stay
Ollantaytambo’s El Albergue is a cool hotel/restaurant that uses local food, liquor, and coffee. Rupa Wasi in Augas Calientes has a great vegetarian/vegan restaurant, the Tree House.
Top Activities
In Ollantaytambo, visit the archaeological site. Tourists often comment the architecture there is even more impressive than at Machu Picchu. And the ancient baths still have running water!
There isn’t much to do in Aguas Calientes, but check out the hot springs after a long hike. Get a roundtrip bus ticket to Machu Picchu ahead of time.
What’s Next
That’s it for now. But we are going to putting more on the Gringo Inca Market. In the works are a book and sustainably sourced travel equipment. So stay tuned!
