The Delfines Hotel is probably best known for its casino—one of the best in Peru—but non-poker enthusiasts will also appreciate the gourmet dining options, a view of the nearby scenic golf course, and cozy, professionally designed rooms. The hotel itself is named after its two resident dolphins, Yaku and Wayra, who are sure to charm visitors as much as the breathtaking views and impeccable service.

Art and culture enthusiasts will definitely appreciate a stay in the Country Club Lima Hotel, located in the upscale district of San Isidro. The boutique hotel is housed in a 1927 building featuring colonial artwork, marble baths, and a generous range of amenities including a health club, sauna, and outdoor pool. This gives visitors all the comfort of a large hotel while maintaining an intimate, personalized feel. All 75 suites feature elegant modern designs, and most have beautiful city views.

The Miraflores Park Hotel is the first choice for most visitors who want the best in comfort, luxury, and convenience. It offers the best access to most of the city’s top attractions, and has consistently been recognized for its service and facilities. Although geared largely toward business travelers—its business amenities are the best in the country—it also offers excellent views of the Pacific Ocean from many of its rooms and includes a fitness center, spa, and outdoor pool. It’s also a great takeoff point for many activities including biking, golf, and theatre and museum visits.

The Casa Andina is also a top choice for art appreciators, with its exclusive art collection featuring the work of many contemporary local artists alongside classic pieces. The 148 rooms are spread across 17 floors, and most have great views of the city and the Pacific. All rooms have flat-screen TVs and a luxurious modern design. Visitors can enjoy a wide range of amenities, which include a heated pool, terrace, state-of-the-art gym, massage room, and a range of business centers and meeting rooms.

Medications and insurance: First, make sure you have adequate travel insurance on hand, as medical treatment can be costly. Malaria vaccines usually take ten days to kick in, so plan in advance. Bring medications for common discomforts, such as aspirin for headaches, antibiotics for cuts and scrapes, and antihistamines for insect bites and allergies. You can ask your doctor for a list of recommendations when you come for your vaccine.

Skin protection: Bring a good sunscreen with an SPF of 15 or higher, especially if you’re going in the high summer. Insects are common year-round, so a good insect repellent is essential—experts recommend one with a high DEET content as opposed to “natural” products like citronella, which are much less effective.

Footwear: You’ll probably be doing a lot of walking, so comfortable shoes are essential. Your best bet is a pair of tennis shoes or sneakers, or anything light and canvas-topped that’s already broken in. You may also want to bring an old pair you can afford to lose for when you have to wade in water or trudge on muddy trails. Rubber or gum boots may also be necessary. You can get most of these in Peru, but size options may be limited.

Vision: Waterproof lightweight binoculars can help you see more of the wildlife. If you’re not sure of the weather, get fog-resistant ones. Polarized sunglasses are also useful for really bright days, as the sun can sometimes be too strong for comfort. Alternatively, you can bring a wide-brimmed hat—it provides shade and also comes in handy when it rains.

Clothing: Much of it depends on the season, but since most tourists come in the summer, lightweight clothing is recommended. Jeans aren’t ideal as they’re heavy and take a while to dry. Stick to breathable fabrics such as cotton, and bring both short and long-sleeved shirts as temperature changes can be drastic throughout the day. Other items to consider include wool socks (great for padding rubber boots), swimsuits, and a light jacket or parka if you’re traveling in the highlands.

Donations: Although not essential, gifts to small villages you pass on the way will be greatly appreciated. Books (in Spanish), school supplies, clothes, and food are some of the more popular donations.

This is where travel insurance, of the kind offered by major insurance providers such as Endsleigh, is so important for anyone planning to spend time in a foreign country. This kind of insurance is designed to offer protection to those traveling abroad for a range of potential problems that they could encounter either before during or after the trip. The kinds of situations that cheap travel insurance can offer protection against include: the airline company that a holiday flight is booked with going out of business, theft of valuable items while on holiday, loss of luggage due to negligence on the part of the airline company, and medical expenses incurred as a result of injury or illness sustained abroad.

This latter point particularly illustrates the importance of travel insurance, as it is bad enough if either yourself or a member of your family suffers injury or illness on holiday abroad – but this situation can be a great deal worse if you do not have travel insurance and are thus liable for the costs of any medical care and expenses required to get back to the UK. Health care systems vary considerably between different countries, and there is no guarantee that another country will offer health care for those who cannot afford to pay the costs of it.

Museum of the Convent of San Francisco

The Convent of San Francisco was the capital’s cemetery until the 1800s. Although now a museum of religious art, it shows hints of its past identity—catacombs, underground tunnels, wells, and the remains of some 25,000 worshippers. Several other places of interest, including churches, museums, and historical centers, can be found within a few blocks, so it may be worth an entire day’s trip.

Plaza Mayor

Located at the center of Lima’s most historic neighbourhood, this town square, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is an unwitting tribute to the city’s architectural background. The buildings surrounding the area boast wooden balconies, ornate carvings, and palace sculptures, many of which date back to the mid-1600s and were reconstructed in the 1800s.

Larcomar

Larcomar is essentially a cliffside entertainment complex, built seemingly precariously on a bluff overlooking the Pacific. Once you get over the breathtaking view, you can head inland for a wide range of entertainment venues: arcades, restaurants, cafes, ice cream parlors, and dozens of stores selling everything from local handmade clothing to souvenirs.

Nazca Lines

All we know about the Nazca lines is that they were probably made by a tribe dating back to 300 BC. The drawings span over 50 square kilometers in the southern Nazca Desert. Some are seemingly random lines, while others clearly represent animals, trees, and flowers. Theories as to what they were range from alien landing strips (as some of the drawings can only be seen from over 1500 feet high) to solar eclipse predictors. Musings aside, the sight is definitely worth a couple of days’ travel out of the city.

Alpamayo

Once dubbed the most beautiful mountain in the world, the Alpamayo is a popular site for hikers because of the area’s calmness, good weather, and picturesque views. You don’t have to do the hike to appreciate its beauty—indeed, hikers warn that the path can be challenging—but its distinct shape can be seen from way off, making it one of the most striking landmarks of northern Peru.

At the center of this practice is ayahuasca, an indigenous herb with an effect not unlike that of magic mushrooms. It’s a hallucinogen, but rather than distort your view of reality, it makes it clearer. One is said to have a heightened sense of awareness, all five senses taking in his surroundings. This gives the feeling that the traveler is one with nature, offering a form of relaxation that’s not quite like a day at the spa. It opens doors for meditation, reflection, mental healing, and all manner of possibilities.

The practice isn’t new; its main proponent outside South America is probably William Burroughs, who wrote about it in his book The Yagé Letters. Here he details his trip to the Amazon jungle to find the elusive herb, locally known as yagé, which he said would be his “final fix.” Curiosities were piqued, not to anyone’s great surprise, and locals were quick to rise to the occasion. They began singling out areas where ayahusca grew in abundance, and arranging trips to the most peaceful, scenic parts of the forest.

Ayahuasca has been used by American Indian healers as early as the 1770s, purportedly to find “lost souls and bodies.” The name translates to “the vine of souls.”  A typical tour takes you deep in the jungle, where nature lends itself well to quiet musings and meditation. People are encouraged, before taking the herb, to ask themselves a question about their career, future, or something equally important—and assured that at the end of the experience they would have an answer.

There’s no telling whether mystic tourism will catch on, or whether it will even push past scientific skeptics and become mainstream. For the moment it’s an exotic alternative to the usual route, drawing mostly people who want to take the road less traveled. One thing’s for sure: with locals eagerly offering it, more than a few curious souls will be waiting to give it a try.

Islas Ballestas: Nicknamed the “Peruvian Galápagos” (referring to the famous islands off neighboring Ecuador), this small cluster is home to rare sea lions, turtles, penguins, and a variety of wild, endangered seabirds. It forms the bulk of the Paracas Natural Reserve. From offshore, the bird droppings (guano) on top of the beautiful rock formations can be mistaken for polar ice caps.

Colca Valley: Travel guide Arthur Frommer calls this the best place to see giant condors in South America. Visitors are treated to scenic volcanoes capped with (real) snow, gorges cutting through verdant valleys, and vast patches of desert. The trip there takes you through a couple of nature reserves, where on a good day you may spot local wildlife like llamas and alpacas.

Manu National Park: If you’re up for a long drive, this biosphere reserve—the country’s second largest protected area—is well worth the trip. Because it’s so remote, it has one of the best-preserved flora and fauna in the continent, with habitats ranging from cloud forests to the Andes highlands to tropical rainforests. It also has the world’s highest level of plant, bird, and mammal diversity.

Huascarán National Park: Nature lovers and adventure-seekers will love the wild topography of this UNESCO Biosphere Reserve, which runs almost the entire length of the Cordillera Blanca in the north. You’ll need the whole day and a good deal of stamina to explore its hundreds of glaciers and alpine lakes, and enjoy the unparalleled views from its peaks.

Llanganuco Lakes: Just a short distance from Huascarán, the Lagunas Llanganuco offer a quiet respite from the Cordilleras. The twin turquoise lakes are tucked away in a valley, fed by glaciers and always clear enough to reflect the mountains around it. Some 35 miles off, you’ll also find giant bromeliads called the Puya Raimondi, which rise up to 40 feet high and bloom just every hundred years.

Of course, a great vacation starts with smart planning—and that’s where Island Getaway comes in. With links to a wide range of accommodations, it’s the best way to get the best deals on lodging and see as much of Hilton Head South Carolina as your time allows. Villas, condos, waterfront suites, budget hotels—there’s something here for every type of traveler. And if it’s your first time to visit, the site also offers ample information on the area’s history, culture, and local attractions.

Golf is one of the most popular activities on Hilton Head Island, with dozens of golf courses each boasting magnificent views and championship-level greens. The Heritage Golf Classic tournament takes place in spring every year and attracts thousands of players, from beginners to pros. Celebrity sightings aren’t uncommon here. Other popular golf sites include the Harbour Town Golf Links, the Robert Trent Jones course in Palmetto Dunes, and the Golf Club at Indigo Run.

Nature lovers will love Hilton Head’s diverse wildlife, which includes dolphins, alligators, various bird species, and the endangered Loggerhead Sea Turtle. If you have a few hours to spare, get on a bike and explore the island on two wheels—the hard-packed sandy beaches and generous cycling trails make it easy and particularly scenic. Make sure to check out the Hilton Head Island lighthouse at Harbor Town Marina, one of the busiest areas on the island.

No visit to Hilton Head is complete without swinging by the beach, of course. The town offers four public beaches: Alder Lane Beach, Coligny Circle, Driessen Beach Park, and Folly Field Beach Park. Activities range from swimming and sunbathing to diving, fishing, and parasailing. Each beach has its own safety rules and may ban certain activities according to weather conditions, so make sure to plan your activities ahead. Check Island Getaway’s informative guides and reserve your accommodations as early as possible—it’s the best way to ensure a great vacation!

Just four hours from the Arizona border, Puerto Peñasco has been called Arizona’s Mexican Beach, especially since it’s a popular weekend hub for locals. Online rentals such as Seaside Mexico make it all the more convenient—with dates, accommodations, and activities all at your fingertips, you can plan your Mexican getaway in minutes and start packing right away. Seaside Mexico also offers rental services for Barra de Navidad in Jalisco, Riviera Nayarita in Nayarit, and San Carlos in Sonora.

Puerto Peñasco golf attracts as many visitors as its beaches, thanks to its picturesque views and the mild weather it enjoys for much of the year. The Puerto Peñasco Mayan Resort boasts a signature golf course designed by professional golfer Jack Nicklaus, and is easily accessible from local tourist destinations. Other courses can be found in nearby hotels in and around the hotel zone. Whether you’re after a few swings or a complete golf vacation, planning your stay is easy with Seaside Mexico and its wide selection of accommodations.

Fishing is also a major activity in Puerto Peñasco, where it has always been a major source of livelihood. It still is today, although the area is leaning more heavily recreational fishing from tourists. Many people come to the beaches to fish, especially during the Puerto Peñasco fishing festival which kicks off in June every year. It’s a heavy season, though, so it’s best to make your reservations early. Months before your trip, check out the dates on Seaside Mexico and book your hotel and activities to get the best spots.

Other points of interest include the sand dunes at the Altar Desert, one of the driest in the world; Bird Island, a cluster of rocky outcroppings along the shore and home to the largest sea lion population in Mexico; and a public marine research center. No matter what you’re into, there’s sure to be something for you in Puerto Peñasco—and with Seaside Mexico, you can get dibs on your favorite activities any time of the year.

Overall, however, Peru climate is classified as dry and subtropical. Much of the country gets little rainfall, except for the Andes where summers are wet and winters decidedly dry. Going into the eastern lowlands, the weather warms up considerably with rains scattered throughout the year. The coastal regions have moderate temperatures, except up north where it warms up near the equator. The mountainous regions get frequent rain, and get noticeably cooler as it nears the Andes.

The coastal climate is often compared to Greece or Italy, although there are some differences. Winter, for example, is cloudy and humid in these areas, but is less rainy than Mediterranean coastlines. This season, which is summer in North America, has comfortable temperatures down to 14°C. Summer is hot and humid, with seasonal highs of around 38°C.

Further down the coast, including the central region where Lima sits, it gets considerably cooler, with temperatures running from 8°C to 29°C and about 30% less rainfall. In the summer the temperature can go down to 18°C, but is generally between 22°C and 25°C. Rain, when it does fall, is more common during the night. Winters are noticeably foggy from the coast to a few kilometers inland, known locally as garua.

The Andes is no doubt the country’s most diverse area in terms of climate. The higher up, the lower the temperatures get, with the coldest areas reaching or dropping slightly below freezing point in the winter. Rains occur frequently from January to March. Areas directly to the east of the mountain can get close to 400 inches of rain in a year. Snow is usually seen only at altitudes over 5,000 meters early in the year, and above 3,800 meters from May to August.

The eastern lowlands, which include Iquitos, have the same climate as the neighboring Amazon Rainforest. Here the climate is steadily hot and rainy, save for brief cool periods from May to September where temperatures can drop to 10°C. Most of the time, however, temperatures are in the mid-20s with lows of 18°C and highs of 36°C.

Many people who travel to South America generally include a visit to Peru in their trip.  Tourists who visit Peru enjoy a vibrant city that has everything you need for a great holiday.  People visiting Peru can enjoy things such as the unique architecture, traditional Peruvian influences, the stretch of beaches in the Miraflores district and the great night life that this city has.  Some tourists also use this city as the start or base for tours on the Inca Trail and visits to the ancient ruins of Machu Picchu and the many glaciers and mountains that surround the city of Peru.

For many tourists and travellers one of the most important parts of organising a trip is booking suitable accommodation which is cheap, clean and has everything that you are going to be needing.  For many travellers bed and breakfast accommodation is often chosen over hotels or hostels as they have more facilities and are a more private option.  The following are some of the best rated B&B hotels in and around Peru.

One of the best B&B hotels, The Green House is located in Peru and is regularly voted as the best by travellers who choose to stay there.  This B&B has breathtaking views, beautiful gardens and comfortable and cosy rooms which are perfect for travellers who are looking to spend a few days relaxing.  The Green House has everything that you would expect from a bed and breakfast and is highly recommended by anyone who has stayed there.

Another B&B hotel, the Casa Bella, is located in Lima and is conveniently situated within walking distance of restaurants and tourist attractions.  The Casa Bella is a mansion style bed and breakfast with only 14 rooms which gives this place an intimate feel.  For golf lovers the prestigious Country Club Hotel and the Lima Golf Club are just one block down from Casa Bella.

For travellers who wish to stay in the Miraflores district, the Bed and Breakfast Tradiciones is a great choice.  This B&B is in a great location as it only takes 8 minutes to walk to the main centre of Miraflores where you can enjoy shopping and dining at some of the great cafes and restaurants in this district.

If you are planning on visiting Peru and are looking for great B&B hotels then you will be in luck as Peru has many top rated bed and breakfast hotels to suit any budget.