The 4 best road trips in Peru

Peru has plenty of lesser-known pre-Incan archaeological sites, lush jungles, and tranquil beaches to explore – but you'll need a car to reach them.

While car rental prices in Peru are steep compared to bus tickets, the ability to make the various stopovers on one of these epic road trips is well worth the investment.

Before embarking on a road trip to any region, keep in mind some road etiquette in Peru: tourists driving here will find that big city traffic is chaotic, and locals don’t always heed typical rules upon interregional highways (speed limits, turn signals, etc.).

If you avoid driving at night and take things slow, your road trip will be a safe and unforgettable success.

Here are the best road trips in Peru.

1. Southern coast adventure

The best route for adrenaline activities

Lima-Nazca; 450km (280 miles); allow 2-3 days

From the bustle of the Peruvian capital Lima, venture south down the arid Pan-American Highway and cruise past weekend getaway favorites like San Bartolo (surfers should prioritize a stop at Cerro Azul, a small fishing town favored by local wave hunters).

Continue through Peru’s vast southern desert for another 90 minutes and the Pan-American reaches the unique coastline of Paracas.

A stop in Paracas will allow you to stretch your legs as you stroll the rugged beaches and spot wildlife such as sea lions or take an epic boat ride out to what’s known locally as the "poor man’s Galapagos Islands," Islas Ballestas, to Humboldt penguins.

From Paracas’ Pacific coastline, Ica is just an hour inland and bordered by wineries and pisco producers. Just 10 minutes beyond the city center is the desert oasis, Huacachina. The natural pool is surrounded by spectacular dunes, making Huacachina a hot spot for dune buggies and sandboarders.

After a full day of adrenaline-induced activities, get back in the car and head to your last stop on this southern road trip: Nazca.

This is your chance to change modes of transportation by opting for a six-seater plane ride over the mysterious geoglyphs known as the Nazca Lines. Two miles out of town are the spiraling stone canals also built by the Nazca culture (in 200 CE and 700 CE), the Cantalloc Aqueducts.

Detour: Stop in Palpa before you get to Nazca to see the Palpa Lines, the lesser-known but just as impressive geoglyphs, viewable from a lookout 8km (5 miles) south of Palpa. Better yet, combine the viewing with the same flight over the Nazca Lines.

2. Central to high jungle

Best for exploring coffee fields and German-Austrian ancestry

La Merced-Pozuzo; 157km (98 miles); allow 4-5 days (not including pit-stops)

The gateway to Peru’s central jungle, La Merced is your jumping-off point for this scenic road trip that concludes in the tranquil selva alta (high jungle) of Oxapampa, reachable only by land.

As you leave La Merced, take the time to stop by the native Ashaninka Pampa Michi community to learn about their history and culture. Continue north on Av Castilla along Route 22B, eventually merging onto Highway 5N (which cuts through the northern jungle).

At the fork of Puente Paucartambo, take a right to reach Villa Rica (left takes you to Oxapampa, so you’ll be circling back to this point to continue the road trip). This warm corner of Peru is famed for its delicious coffee.

When it’s time to circle back to Puente Paucartambo, take the exit to Oxapampa. It should take less than two hours to reach the picturesque high jungle, but you will feel worlds away from previously visited tropical towns.

Austrian-German settlers arrived in this isolated area in 1853 and left a lasting mark on its architecture, culture and gastronomy. Recognized as a Biosphere Reserve by Unesco, this unique town is next to the thriving Yanachaga Chemillén National Park.

After strolling around the clean and calm town of Oxapampa, chowing down on chicken schnitzel and cooling off at El Tigre waterfall (a 10-minute drive from the plaza), jump back in the car to continue north for nearly two hours to reach Pozuzo.

Along the way, you can stop at two more waterfalls: Torre Bamba and Rayan Tambo. The reward for navigating the narrow dirt road to Pozuzo is a cold pint from the town’s German-style brewery, Dörcher.

Planning Tip: Organize your road trip through the jungle between April and October to avoid the rainy season.

3. High altitude cultures in southern Peru

Best for archaeological sites

Cuzco-Puno; 389 km (242 miles); allow 3-4 days

Trains, planes and busses all link the imperial city of Cuzco to Puno but traveling to the folkloric capital of Peru by car means traversing the highlands while soaking in all the cultural highlights at your own pace.

Stay on Highway 3S the whole route, stopping off at the pre-Incan Pikillacta. Built by the Wari culture around 650 CE, the archaeological site is a bit of a mystery, yet it has been incredibly preserved. Continuing south just 15km (9.3 miles), you will run into the "Sistine Chapel of the Americas," Iglesia de San Pedro in Andahuaylillas.

Less than two hours further along the route is another archaeological gem, Raqchi, which contains a two-story temple dedicated to Viracocha, the most prominent Inca deity. Be sure not to fill up on too hearty a lunch as you’ll soon be crossing La Raya Pass, the highest point of your trip at 4335 meters above sea level (14,222 feet).

Take your postcard-perfect photos and hop back in your vehicle before the high-altitude chills numb your fingertips. A few hours later, you’ll have reached Puno, your final destination and the gateway to Lake Titicaca.

Though you’ll want to feast on a plate of trout ceviche or chupe de quinoa (quinoa stew) to celebrate the end of this scenic yet windy drive, take it easy as the altitude of Puno is 3822m.

Detour: Not long before arriving in Puno, pull off Highway 3S to see the chullpas (funerary towers) of Sullistani, which reach heights of up to 12m.

4. Northern coast beaches and mangroves

Best route for a relaxing getaway

Piura-Tumbes; 287km (178 miles); allow 3-4 days

This run along Peru’s northern coast is a good chance to surf and soak up the sun. Along the way, you’ll stop at idyllic little beach towns, each one adding to the chilled-out vibe of this road trip.

This route begins in Piura, a bustling city where colonial buildings line its Plaza de Armas. Peruse the Casa Grau museum, dedicated to the famous naval hero. Hop onto the Panamericana Norte Highway and whisk yourself away to Organos.

Characterized by turquoise waters and sandy beaches, Organos is 15 minutes from the popular surf town of Máncora but is far more laid-back. Kayak, windsurf or simply stroll along the coastline dotted with cozy bungalows and a few stylish cafes.

Continue your journey north, whizzing past Mancora. Your drive along the coast will bring you to countless other beach towns, but after an hour and a half, you can count on stretching your legs in Zorritos.

Thanks to the Humboldt Current, the fishing and surfing village enjoys a warm climate and pleasant water temperatures all year long. Some 25 minutes outside of Zorritos is El Tubo, a natural hot spring.

Head over in the evening with a cold drink and enjoy the calm surrounding desert landscapes. Another fantastic option would be the medicinal mud baths known as Los Hervideros.

Cruise along the coast for one more hour to reach your final destination: Tumbes. Synonymous with biodiversity, this small region of northern Peru is home to the incredible Mangroves National Sanctuary. Take a break from behind the wheel and paddle your way through these coastal swamps.

Planning Tip: Aim to drive between July and October to squeeze in a whale-watching excursion near Organos.