Where to Stay in Peru With Kids (Top 3 Family Bases)
Updated September 2025 • We haven’t stayed in Peru yet, this is the shortlist we’d book today based on location, family amenities, and consistent parent reviews. We’ll update after our Peru leg in late 2025.
Peru is magical, but also overwhelming when you’re planning it with kids. Do you start in Lima? Go straight to Cusco? Add Arequipa? And how on earth do you pick family-friendly hotels in places that sit at 3,400m altitude?
Here’s the good news: most family itineraries in Peru can be anchored around three main bases:
Lima → entry city, coastal parks, and kid-friendly food.
Cusco → the heart of the Inca empire and gateway to Machu Picchu.
Arequipa → calmer, sunnier, and the best stop for Colca Canyon.
Each of these works differently for families, and we’ve broken them down with three easy picks per city: a budget-friendly base, a mid-range balance, and a splurge sanity saver.
Just bear in mind these 3 cities only cover the south part of Peru, you then also have places like Trujillo and Manta further up North, Yes Peru is massive.
1. Lima (Arrival Hub & Coastal Start)
Most families begin their Peru trip in Lima. It’s huge, busy, and often unfairly skipped, but it’s worth a night or two to recover from flights and ease into the country. Base yourself in Miraflores or Barranco, where parks, supermarkets, and the Malecón coastal path keep things family-friendly.
👉 Full guide: Where to Stay in Lima With Kids (3 Easy Picks)
2. Cusco (Inca Capital & Machu Picchu Gateway)
Cusco is the crown jewel of Peru — but it sits at 3,400m, which means you’ll need time to acclimatize. Families usually anchor in the Centro Histórico (walkable plazas and markets) or San Blas (artsy hillside, but lots of stairs). The right stay makes altitude easier: quiet courtyards, warm rooms, and maybe even on-site oxygen.
👉 Full guide: Where to Stay in Cusco With Kids (3 Easy Picks)
3. Arequipa (The White City & Colca Canyon Base)
Arequipa feels calmer and sunnier than Lima or Cusco. Its historic center is flat and walkable, with plazas, cafés, and the colorful Santa Catalina Monastery — a hit with kids. Families also use Arequipa as the base for Colca Canyon, where you can spot condors soaring overhead.
👉 Full guide: Where to Stay in Arequipa With Kids (3 Easy Picks)
How to Plan Your Bases (Without Burning Out)
Arrival/Departure: 1–2 nights in Lima.
Altitude & Adventure: 3–4 nights in Cusco to acclimatize and explore.
Slower Pace: 2–3 nights in Arequipa for sun, history, and Colca Canyon.
That’s 7–10 nights total. If you’ve got longer, consider adding the Sacred Valley (Pisac, Ollantaytambo) or Lake Titicaca (Puno).
Safety & Practical Tips for Families in Peru
Altitude: Cusco (3,400m) can be tough. Go slow, hydrate, and plan downtime. Arequipa (2,300m) is easier for families to adjust.
Transport: Flights are easiest between cities with kids. Buses are long and winding, not always family-friendly.
Food: Peruvian food is surprisingly kid-friendly, rotisserie chicken, soups, rice dishes, and plenty of fruit juices.
Climate: Coastal Lima = humid and grey winters. Cusco = cool and high-altitude. Arequipa = sunny days, chilly nights. Always pack layers.
FAQ (for parents, by parents)
Is Peru safe with kids?
Yes, if you stick to tourist-friendly areas (Miraflores, Centro Histórico). Use ride apps in cities and take normal big-city precautions.
How many days do we need in Peru with kids?
10–14 days covers the highlights. Shorter trips can focus on Lima + Cusco. Longer trips can add Arequipa, Sacred Valley, or Lake Titicaca.
Do we need to worry about altitude?
Yes. Acclimatise slowly, plan quiet days in Cusco, and always consult your doctor before travel. Arequipa is easier for kids since it’s lower.
Which city is best with younger kids?
Arequipa, flat, sunny, and calmer than Cusco. But Miraflores in Lima is also easy with strollers and playgrounds.
Wrap-Up
Peru can feel overwhelming with kids, but anchoring your trip around Lima, Cusco, and Arequipa makes it manageable: city comfort, Inca magic, and sunny plazas. Each of our guides breaks down three easy stays per city, no endless lists, just the shortlists we’d actually book ourselves.
