Have you ever sat back and dreamt of traveling the world? You pack your bags, hop on a plane, and have one of those life changing experiences you see on social media and TV. The idea sounds amazing, but when you open your eyes and view your bank account, you feel like it is almost impossible to take a vacation. You realize that your job is paying you just enough to survive, so how could you possibly fit a vacation into your budget? While money is the main reason why many people never take their desired vacation, it is merely an excuse. You do not need to be rich to travel if you understand that you are the creator of your life. Once we stop allowing our bank accounts to define how we live, we will realize that if we create the life we want, our bank accounts will rise accordingly. So, let’s stop blocking our blessings, grab our passports, and visit one of the most beautiful and inexpensive countries out there: Peru. You deserve time off, and Peru is definitely a country that gives you a sense of adventure and fulfillment without breaking the bank.
Here are 5 travel tips that will help fit a vacation to Peru in your budget:
- Lose the anxiety. Decide, execute, and go!
The internal energy you feel being in Peru is extremely powerful and well worth the trip, so before you even start to think about the lack of funds, ease your anxiety by making a decision. The word “decide” essentially means to kill all options, and that’s what you need to do when it comes to planning your vacation. Decide that you are going to take this vacation and know that no one and nothing will get in your way. Stand firm in your decision and believe that you truly deserve the trip.
Upon making the decision to take your trip, you must start saving money every month. Right now, Ally Bank has a great interest bearing savings account that will help you to easily separate your everyday money from your “I am a World Traveler” fund. Give yourself at least 4-6 months to financially save. If you find that you need a little more time to save the needed funds, no worries. Take the time you need, but do not stop dedicating time, money, and energy to planning your vacation!
- Book your flights first, and don’t forget to research the airlines.
When traveling throughout Peru, you will need to reserve at least 2 or 3 roundtrip flights during your journey. To be financially smart, purchase your roundtrip ticket from your home to Lima. Use the Skyscanner or Momondo apps to reserve your flights. If you are flying from America, you will find tickets that range from $300-600. Plan to get your plane ticket at least 2-3 months ahead of your departure date to ensure that you get a good deal.
Once you arrive in Peru, there are plenty of small local airlines that you can fly with, and those local flights can range from $20-$70 roundtrip. In order to save the most money, be sure to view the baggage guidelines for each airline and pay for your luggage when you purchase the ticket. Baggage fees can be ridiculously expensive on foreign airlines, so be sure to financially plan prior to arriving.
- No travel agent needed. Plan this trip yourself.
If you want to get the best use of your money, take time and plan your own vacation to Peru. Do the research (study different Instagram accounts like @experienceperu, @peru.destinations, @peru, and various other travel websites) to get specific details on what you want and where you want to go. You should first book the flights needed during your trip. Following that, a month or so prior to your trip date, book your excursions and reserve your hotels. Make plans to stay in Peru for at least 8-10 days. This will allow you to see different parts of the country. You can have a great experience, see everything, eat everything, and relax for under $2,000 if you travel with friends and plan in advance.
- Plan to visit Rainbow Mountain, the Huacachina Sand Dunes, Lima, and Machu Picchu.
To enhance your experience in Peru, read the New York Time’s Best Selling book “The Celestine Prophecy,” by James Redfield. Throughout this book, you will learn so much about yourself and life as you follow the journey of a man in search of life insights while traveling throughout Peru. To make your trip even more exciting, be sure to visit some of the key places the author travels to in the book.
Here are few must-see places and tips for each location:
Rainbow Mountain will be one of the most beautiful places you will ever see in life, however, in order to see its true beauty, prepare to hike like you’ve never hiked before. Pack snacks and warm clothing as you embark on an eye-opening experience. Flash Packer Connect has one of the best early morning Rainbow Mountain tours. This tour group has excellent transportation, service, and food for under $200. Keep in mind that the bigger your travel group, the cheaper your tour will be. They have excellent tour guides and their staff is extremely helpful when planning your trip.
Huacachina Sand Dunes will be tons of fun, especially if you are traveling with a group of friends. You can ride through the sand dunes in your dune buggy, and you can also sand board down extremely high sand dunes while having the time of your life. Huacachina Hostels is one of the most exciting tours to use. This tour company even offers a wine tour for you and your group to unwind and relax after you explore the sand dunes.
Machu Picchu is just as beautiful in person as people describe it, so be sure to take it all in when you arrive. Thousands of people travel from all over the world to visit these Inca ruins, so in order to get there in the most luxurious and cost-effective way, take the Inca Trail train. They offer different trains at different prices for you to take. Their First-Class train is one of the best trains, as it offers guests a full-course meal, cocktails, music, and excellent service. The First-Class and The 360° trains give you the luxury and excitement you need without having to spend ridiculous amounts of money for the experience.
Lima is the capital of Peru and it is nothing short of amazing. You can explore some of the cheapest hotels on Booking.com, reserve it, and pay for your stay when you arrive. When deciding where to stay, be sure to look for great spots in Miraflores, as it is one of the best and safest places to stay. Don’t forget to rent a bike, go paragliding across the city, and visit the beaches while you’re there.
- Relax in Cusco and Paracas.
Getting used to the altitude is difficult when you first get to Cusco, so take your time, drinks lots of coca tea, and pack oxygen in your suitcase before you arrive. Once you arrive, you’ll want to stay in a beautiful hotel with a great location. One of the best 5-star hotels to stay at in Cusco is the Casa Cartagena Boutique Hotel. This hotel gives you a luxury feel without costing you a fortune. The food is amazing, the location is phenomenal, and their staff and butler service are among the best in the city. Spend time relaxing at their spa, and take a day to visit some of the best restaurants and attractions nearby.
Casa Cartagena Boutique Hotel
During your trip, be sure to visit Paracas. It is about 3-4 hours from Lima, but it is definitely worth the drive. The weather is warm, the people are great, and the town is small and quiet. After visiting the sand dunes in Huacachina, take time to wind down at Hotel Paracas. This Marriott International Hotel is one of the most beautiful and peaceful places to visit, whether you’re traveling alone, with a partner, or with your friends. The food is amazing and their lounge and pool area is one of the best places to relax.
There are endless amounts of fun you can have in Peru, so whether you are hiking up mountains, taking photos with the alpacas, or sand boarding down sand dunes, Peru is definitely a place to experience happiness, peace, and adventure. The food is inexpensive, the flights are inexpensive, and you can live a 5-star life without spending tons of money. Make 2019 a year filled with nothing but additional income and passport stamps for you. It’s about time we all start to live our best lives both fearlessly and abundantly. Take that well needed vacation because we know you deserve it!