15 Interesting and Fun Facts You Didn’t Know About Peru

Peru is quickly becoming a top spot on travelers’ bucket lists. This incredible country offers a rich history, fascinating culture, and unbelievable biodiversity.

In this article, we’ll cover 15 interesting and fun facts about Peru that you probably didn’t know.

1. The World’s Largest Hummingbird Lives There

Peru is home to the Giant Hummingbird, which can grow up to 9.1 inches long! This captivating bird can also be found in the surrounding countries of Bolivia, Argentina, and Chile.

2. It’s the Quinoa Capital of the World

Peru is an agricultural mecca and is one of the world’s main producers of quinoa. This purported “Super Food” has been growing in the Andes for more than 5000 years. While other countries now grow this grain, Peru is still the leading producer.

3. It’s Incredibly Biodiverse

Peru has stunning coastlines, sweeping mountain ranges, and sweltering deserts. It also shares a portion of the Amazon rainforest. As you drive through the country, you can watch in amazement as the dry desert environment transitions into lush, humid greenery.

4. It’s Home to One of the World’s Highest Lakes

Lake Titicaca is considered the world’s highest navigable lake. While other lakes sit at higher elevations, Titicaca is over 120 miles long and 50 miles wide, making it also the largest freshwater lake in South America. The lake spans over into Bolivia and is a lovely stop as you navigate the winding roads through the Andes.

5. It Has a Desert Oasis

If you thought the desert oasis was a Hollywood special, think again. Huacachina is a small town in the middle of the Ica desert, surrounded by sand dunes reaching 1,600 feet tall. Hop in a dune buggy and tour the dunes or experience the thrill of sandboarding.

6. Peru Has Delicious Coffee

Columbia often gets the credit for South American coffee, but Peru also makes a great brew, with an annual production of over 4 million bags. Several regions of Peru feature coffee farms, and each region often has a distinct flavor

7. The Nazca Lines are a Great Unsolved Mystery

The Nazca lines remain one of the world’s greatest mysteries. Historians still don’t know the original purpose of the lines or how they’ve endured over the millennia. You can see a few from a local tower in Nazca or charter a flight to see them from above.

8. The Ballestas Islands Host Thousands of Penguins

Did you know you can sail among thousands of penguins in Paracas? One of the little-known facts about Peru is the existence of the Ballestas Islands. The Ballestas Islands are often compared to the Galapagos and contain thousands of endangered Humbolt penguins. You can also see hundreds of sea lions basking on the rocks and another mysterious Nazca line—the candelabra.

9. You Can Sleep on the Side of a Mountain

Peru’s famous Sacred Valley is home to one of the most extreme hotels in the world. Skylodge Adventure Suites offers transparent sleeping pods hanging 400 feet in the air on the side of a cliff overlooking the valley below.

10. It’s the Birthplace of Modern Technologies

The Inca people were centuries ahead of their time. Machu Picchu features some of the world’s first toilets, and their irrigation and water storage approaches revolutionized agriculture. The engineering used by the Inca helped usher in improvements and upgrades of many of the world’s early roads.

11. Peru has Amazing Local Spirits

Pisco is a wine-like spirit made in Chile and Peru, traditionally formulated in large clay vats. Known as Peru’s national drink, a Pisco Sour is a tangy cocktail with pisco, lemon juice, and simple syrup. You can also visit the vineyards for tastings during your travels.

Chicha de Jora is a corn-based liquor that tastes like juice. It’s delicious, yet deadly.

12. Día de Todos los Santos is a Huge Holiday

Like Mexico, Peru celebrates the Day of the Dead and All Saints Day (Día de los Santos Difuntos and Día de Todos los Santos Vivos) with their own cultural flair. It’s collectively referred to as Día de Todos los Santos.

On Día de los Santos Difuntos, families visit memorials of their loved ones and pay tribute. Día de Todos los Santos Vivos is a lively event in which people come together in celebration.

13. You Can Get Your Passport Stamped at Machu Picchu

Machu Picchu is one of the New Seven Wonders of the World. When you visit, you can get a special stamp on your passport to show you were there. A word of caution: while this is entirely legal, some countries will question it when you go through customs.

14. Cuy Has Been a Staple for 5000 Years

Cuy has been a traditional dish in Peru for over 5000 years. Visitors typically receive a shock when they learn that guinea pigs are the main ingredient of this dish. However, it’s a custom to consume cuy during festivals and celebrations. Peruvians pay homage on National Guinea Pig Day in October.

15. Driving in Peru is Not for the Faint-Hearted

If you’re visiting Peru, don’t plan to drive around the country yourself. Cities like Lima and Cusco lack the same lights and road signs that make traveling in Europe and North America safe, and the winding roads of the Andes are dangerous, especially after dark. Use a transportation service to get around safely.

Interesting and Fun Facts About Peru: A Summary

The photo featured at the top of this post is © Marco Alhelm/Shutterstock.com