Visit the hometown of the Castle in the Sky from Miyazaki’s films — essential things to know before traveling to Peru

▲Machu Picchu, the “Lost City of the Incas” surrounded by high mountains in Peru, served as the inspiration for Hayao Miyazaki’s “Castle in the Sky.” (Photo / Courtesy of Wikipedia)

Travel Center / Comprehensive Report

With its diverse geography and multiple climates, Peru — a land shrouded in mystery in Central and South America — is the homeland of Machu Picchu, the “Castle in the Sky” from the works of legendary Japanese animator Hayao Miyazaki. But Peru has much more to offer than just Machu Picchu. CNN has compiled a list of must-see sights and important tips for travelers visiting Peru.

Known as the “Lost City of the Incas,” Machu Picchu is hailed as one of the New Seven Wonders of the World. Its stunning natural landscapes and mysterious historical ruins attract countless visitors from around the globe each year. CNN points out that because Machu Picchu is located at an altitude of 2,350 to 2,430 meters above sea level, it’s important to drink plenty of water or get adequate sleep before your visit to avoid altitude sickness.

The Inca Trail within the ancient ruins is mostly paved with stones, and the uneven surfaces between the rocks make the hike quite strenuous. According to CNN’s report, in addition to wearing proper footwear, if you want to reduce the physical burden while walking, local porters are available to help carry your luggage. These porters not only carry bags but also serve as guides. “Basically, they can carry anything — including you,” CNN mentions. If needed, or if you’re extremely exhausted, porters can also carry tourists, but this must be arranged with the travel agency in advance.

 ▲CNN recommends trying Peru’s must-eat dish ceviche (left) and its famous brandy (right) when visiting Peru. (Photo / Screenshot from...)CNN)

Beyond the classic ruins, CNN also suggests not overlooking Peru’s largest city — the capital, Lima. “If you only focus on visiting ancient ruins and ignore this city, you’ll be making a huge mistake,” says CNN. Lima boasts delicious cuisine and fine wines, such as the addictive ceviche and locally brewed beers like Cusqueña and the Pisco brandy, all of which are must-tries. Additionally, due to its proximity to the Pacific Ocean, Lima offers many beautiful seaside spots, such as the Miraflores district, as well as the Museo Larco, which showcases millennia-old murals and is worth a visit.

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Furthermore, when traveling in Peru, it’s important to note that purple is considered an inauspicious color by locals and is only used during religious ceremonies. It is generally avoided in everyday life, and you should also be cautious about giving purple-colored gifts. As for foreign tourists who prefer to pay with credit cards, Peruvians are less enthusiastic about it. Even though many shops display signs indicating card payment options, they much prefer cash. When traveling to Peru, it’s a good idea to carry some small bills — preferably under 50 soles (about NT$530) — to make it easier for vendors to give change. Moreover, since ATMs can be hard to find in Peru, when you run out of soles, many local shops also accept U.S. dollars.

Finally, CNN reminds travelers that when using toilets anywhere in Peru (especially in hotels), be sure not to flush toilet paper down the bowl. Due to poor drainage systems in many parts of Peru, flushing toilet paper can easily clog the toilet. In such cases, you may need to communicate in Spanish to borrow a plunger, and many toilets also have signs posted to remind visitors of this.