Things To Do With Kids in Peru

Things To Do With Kids in Peru

By Karen Ward

Peru is a safe, varied and fascinating destination for families with children of all ages.

1. The Amazon. The ultimate in fun exploration. Even getting to the jungle is an adventure as you travel by boat to your lodge, then sleep under mosquito nets listening to the sounds of the jungle. Look out for monkeys, caiman and bugs galore, so searching for fogs by torchlight and, for teens, there are zip lines and kayak adventures galore. The Tambopata region of Peru has lodges set up for families. What better way for children to learn about nature and the environment than on an unforgettable Amazon adventure.

2. Ruins, ruins ruins. What is not to like about scrambling around ruins on a mountain top? Machu Picchu isn't the only ancient site, the ruins of Pisaq ramble all the way up the hillside with plenty of hidden nooks and crannies to explore, Saxsayhuaman on the hill above Cusco is the biggest fort of them all and a popular spot for local children to play football. Kuelap, in the north of Peru represents a huge fortress of little round houses on top of a mountain; a king's castle if ever there was one!

3. Lima. Don't skip the Peruvian capital if you visit with kids. For a fun way to see the main sights, hop on the open top bus tour of the city center. Lima's excellent galleries such as the MALI and MAC in Barranco have regular outdoor art activities for the whole family, and the cost is less than a dollar. The Malecon is 6 miles of parks on cliff tops overlooking the Pacific Ocean. Hire a bike for a traffic-free ride and spectacular views local paragliders. Near Lima airport is the fort of Callao and the modern, large city zoo. The zoo is arranged in three sections representing the coastal, mountain and jungle areas of Peru; best visited midweek to avoid the crowds.

4. Beaches. The far north of Peru has year round sunshine and warm weather. Mancora Beach attracts families from Peru and Ecuador but, for a quieter, village feel and calmer waters head to undeveloped Punta Sal. Older children will enjoy the surf and kite surfing in this part of the country, and parents will enjoy the fantastic seafood.

5. Animals. The wildlife isn't restricted to the jungle. Sea lions, penguins, boobies and dolphins can be spotted on short, fun boat trips near Lima, at Pucusana, and Paracas National Park. Paddington did indeed come from Peru and you can spot him at the Chaparri Resrve outside Chiclayo. Any trip into the countryside in Peru will bring you close to chickens, guinea pigs, horses, llamas, alpacas, strange hairless dogs and a multitude of hummingbirds.

6. Outdoor activities. If you are visiting Cusco, then softer kid-friendly activities include horse riding in the Sacred Valley and rafting or paddling on inflatable canoes in the beautiful mountain scenery along the Urubamba River.

7. Nazca. See the real lines as featured in Indiana Jones. For lovers of all things gruesome, the deser Cementerio de Chauchilla is littered with mummified remains complete with skulls, hair and teeth. You can see a scale model of the Nazca lines behind the fascinating Maria Reiche Museum. At the Andres Calle Flores Workshop, Toni hosts a funny and informative workshop and kids can make their own Nazca style pots.

Wherever you travel in Peru, families are assured of a warm welcome from the child - loving Peruvians.

Karen uses her years of experience of living and travelling in Latin America to plan customized, great value tours for families of all agesat Into Latin America. See what else your family can do in Peru Find out how Karen can show you the real Latin America

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