A Love Letter to Peru, My Forever Amor

Mi Querido Perú, I’ll love you forever.

I fell in love with Peru years before ever stepping foot on her blessed soil. Everything my Peruvian friends had told me about their country was magical, mysterious, and oh, so enticing.

Breathtaking sights, rainbow mountains, flavors beyond description. I was anxious to finally visit this truly unique country that I had heard so much about.

I arrived in Peru on January 11, 2022. I’ll always remember that day. Mostly because leaving the airport I felt as if I was having near-death experience after near-death experience driving through Lima. The streets are always full, the faded road markings can hardly be called suggestions, and everyone drives like they’re auditioning for Fast & Furious: Mach Speed in Machu Picchu.

A friend I had met in Spain was visiting her parents in Lima at the time, and she generously invited me to stay with her family in Independencia: my first stop in Lima.

Independencia is on the northern side of Lima, almost on the outskirts of the bustling, overpopulated city. They have steep, dirt streets and unfinished brick houses that blend into the dusty mountainside. Some call it a shanty town.

There, I was introduced to mototaxis, Peru’s version of tuk-tuks.

They quickly became my new favorite thing. What better way to get around a city full of Dom Toretto drivers than in the back of a seatbelt-less, brightly-colored, and uniquely-decorated rickshaw?

From the mototaxis that sped through the unpaved, dusty streets to the yellow chickens that hung in the street markets, these new sights and experiences marked my first week in Peru.

I’ll never forget the first pollo a la brasa I had from La Leña.

My Peruvian friends in Spain always told me that the dishes they made for me in their homes were good, but couldn’t compare to the real ones in their country. The freshness, the quality of the ingredients, the Peruvian sazón is truly one of a kind.

That night before I fell asleep, the taste still lingered on my tongue—and my mouth waters just thinking about it. And it wasn’t the only thing that kept me up at night. Noise filled this rustic part of the city: motorcycles, cats fighting (or doing other things), dogs barking, music at full blast, glass breaking into a thousand pieces, roosters… The sounds of Lima you miss when you leave.

There, in Independencia, Lima, was where my Peruvian love story began.

The People: Generous. Welcoming. Humble. World-Class Examples of Hospitality.

Since my very first day in this generous, unforgettable, and rich country, strangers welcomed me into their homes and shared with me their love for El Peru.

Many have shared with me home cooked meals and treated me like family. I’ve been blessed by countless acts of kindness from beautiful Peruvian people across the country.

I’ve been welcomed into homes, cities, and oceans—and a beautiful culture that has left an irreplaceable mark on my own heart.

The Food: The Best in the World

Peruvian food is simply unbeatable.

It’s the best in the world. Peru is home to some of the best restaurants in the world, and is the 12-year winner of the World’s Leading Culinary Destination.

Peruvian gastronomy is world-renowned, incredibly diverse, and astonishingly delicious.

From the famous pollo a la brasa and ceviche to regional dishes like seco de cabrito and pachamanca, there’s something for everyone. (Stay tuned to get my complete guide to Peruvian food so you’re truly prepared to enjoy everything when you visit.)

The Culture: Rich in History, Language, and Color

A country with over 91 different indigenous languages, including Quechua—one of the most widely spoken in the world—Peru has deep indigenous roots. From centuries of Inca rule to the Spanish conquest and later African, Asian, and Italian influences, Peru has had a rich mezcla (mix) of cultures, history, and influences.

The most predominant is the Inca culture, which can still be recognized in language, traditions, textiles, and religious beliefs, especially in the Andes region.

There’s so much to learn about the culture in this magical country. You could truly spend a lifetime exploring Peruvian culture… and still feel like you’ve only touched the surface.

The Places: Jaw-Dropping, Diverse, and World-Renowned

Machu Picchu. Rainbow mountains. Turquoise lakes. Stunning beaches. Spectacular waterfalls. With almost 2,000 miles of incredible coastline, the world’s longest continental mountain range, a huge portion of the Amazon rainforest, and several stunning deserts, Peru really does have it all.

This country is full of picturesque places and hidden gems—most of them unknown to the casual traveler, and absolutely adored by those of us who love Peru and all it has to offer.

The Magic: Undeniable.

Peru is a destination where you will experience unforgettable and magical moments.

Like listening to a blind Quechuan man play “Maldita Pasion,” musica andina (music from the Andes), and sing “Maldito amor ven un momento / A terminar mis agonías / Y entre tus labios tráeme veneno / Para morir en tu presencia” in Aguas Calientes on my way to Machu Picchu.

Or opening a tent door and seeing a llama chilling there, eating some grass, high in the Andes mountains (llamas are my favorite).

Or surfing the longest wave of my life in one of my favorite places in the whole world—and feeling the happiest I’ve felt in a long time.

Or watching the clouds disappear and reveal a breathtaking Machu Picchu, at almost 8,000 feet—after hiking for 3 days to reach this sought-after destination.

Or taking that first bite of seco de cabrito and wondering how I had ever lived without those flavors and textures and puro sabor (pure flavor) in my life.

Peru is magical, in every sense of the word.

Peru stole my heart, long before I had even arrived. And my heart will always be blanco y rojo, no matter how many other world wonders I visit, passport stamps I acquire, or dishes I enjoy. Peru, you will always be my favorite. I’ll love you forever.

So come visit. Bring your highest expectations. You won’t be disappointed.