Peru, with its vast beaches and dormant volcanoes, has turned into a major expat destination in recent years. Although it is home to people of various ethnicities, expats moving to Peru often experience a hefty culture shock. This does not come as a surprise. Not only is culture shock a common phenomenon among expats, Peru also has its ups and downs. Luckily, the best way of kicking your culture shock to the curb is by exploring your new home abroad.
As most expats are living in Peru’s bigger cities such as Lima or Arequipa, chances are that you quickly feel trapped between the concrete and crazy traffic and lose sight of Peru’s natural beauties. But getting away from the hustle and bustle of the city will be well worth your while. Peru is a very diverse country with a varied ecosystem. On your travels, you will see the wide mountain ranges of the Andes, beautiful beaches, and vast rainforests. One of your stops should definitely be Lake Titicaca, one of the highest lakes in Latin America.
The Peruvian countryside is also often explored by hikers. Indeed paying a visit to Peru’s rural villages is a good idea, as different traditions have prevailed in different regions of the country. You can even document your trip by filling a beautiful custom photo book from LuLu.com with your Peruvian adventures! The Peruvian people are proud of their Inca heritage and do not hesitate to celebrate it with Andean music and monthly festivals. As you get to know your new home and its culture, you should also stop by Machu Picchu. The ruins of the 15th century-city is the biggest symbol of Peru’s culture which is closely intertwined with its Inca history. And while you are there, maybe you can learn a few words Quechua along the way.
If you are living in Peru and have decided to take a break from working here, you should not forget to be prepared before embarking on this epic journey. Before taking a trip to the rainforest, for instance, malaria prevention is important, not to mention vaccinations against rabies, hepatitis A and B, typhoid, and yellow fever. You can take the Pan American highway to drive across the country. However, you should try to avoid mountainous terrain if you are not an experienced driver or drive extra carefully, as rocks might fall on the roads and block them completely. If you use common sense and maintain an open mind while you enjoy your time away from the big city, you will learn to love your new home abroad in no time.