There are numerous ways to experience Peru from the comfort of your home: from taking virtual trips to ancient sites and museums, to cooking up time-tested Peruvian recipes. Here’s our list.
The past few months of quarantine have been a test of patience (with other household members), self control (to refrain from going out) and creativity (what to do with so much time and in one place). Whether you find yourself at home or stuck in a hotel, be sure that you can still experience Peru.
The following resources will give you and your family plenty of entertainment and learning opportunities—not to mention quality moments together. Here’s how to experience Peru during social distancing:
1. Experience Machu Picchu
Perhaps you had plans to visit Machu Picchu and you had to postpone, or you visited ages ago and want to brush up on your knowledge of the sacred and astrological meaning behind its architecture. This 360° experience of Machu Picchu walks you through the various important points of the citadel, giving you key facts along the way.
2. Experience Choquequirao
Nicknamed the “other Machu Picchu”, the lost city of Choquequirao is an impressive hidden gem located northwest of Cusco in the Vilcabamba Valley.
Though only 30-40% of the 1,800 hectares archaeological complex has been excavated, visitors will still be amazed by the collection of terraces and building that sit atop and below the hilltop monument. Before making the trek to Choquequirao, marvel at this extraordinary feat with this virtual tour.
3. Watch an inspiring Peruvian performance
Delve into the national arts scene by streaming a movie filmed, directed and starring Peruvian talent. If live theater suits your taste, don’t miss out on the Gran Teatro Nacional’s virtual transmissions of opera, dance, theater for all ages, and concerts. There’s no reason why not to get dressed up (or at least dressed), grab some popcorn and enjoy a cultural night in.
If history and archaeology is more of your thing, watch these six documentaries about Peru with family, and introduce children to Peru with these five movies.
4. Tour Peru’s National Museums (virtually)
Explore Ayacucho’s Museum of Regional History and La Libertad’s Chan Chan Site Museum before your morning coffee has a chance to cool. Peru’s Ministry of Culture currently offers virtual tours through 19 of Peru’s museums via this webpage.
Don’t miss this new cultural experience that includes popular sites such as the Pachacamac Museum and Lima’s Lugar de la Memoria (exploring terrorism in Peru during the late 20th century).
5. Listen to classic Peruvian voices and beats
When life seems to be on standby, the best remedy is to push play and listen to music. A playlist celebrating Peruvian pioneers in music is a sure way to fill you with pride and maybe even nostalgia.
The National Theater of Peru put together this playlist celebrating Chabuca Granda, the late darling of Criollo music. Get your isolation party started with this playlist of cumbia (with a touch of psychedelic rock) and bolero from Infopesa, one of the most influential record companies in Peru during the 70s and 80s.
6. Cook up a storm
Before your non-stop cleaning turns into an obsessive disorder, it’s time to get the kitchen a bit messy. Peru is the top culinary destination in the world and we have the recipes to prove it. In times like these the ideal meal is comforting, cheap and has potential for leftovers. A few of our favorites: aguadito de pollo (chicken and rice soup); causa de cangrejo (the crab filling can be replaced with shredded chicken or even canned tuna); and a filling tarwi salad.
7. Explore the fauna and flora of Peru
For those young at heart or with young children at home, looking at furry animals never ceases to bring a smile to the face. Why learn about Peru’s biodiversity and unique collection of flora and fauna? Mother Nature keeps working up schemes to get attention, so let’s give it to Her.
Bizarre fruit, native superfoods, lovable llamas and endangered animals of the cloud forest—to experience Peru is to celebrate its natural diversity.
8. Flip through digital reads and recommended titles
Have you ever been to the National Library of Peru? For those that live beyond the vicinity of the San Borja district or one a tight travel itinerary, the answer is likely no. Now there’s no excuse to not pick up a good read with the library’s selection of e-books.
Brush up on your Spanish comprehension and read from classic Latin American authors, translated works of English literature and even children’s books. Registration is free and books are “checked out” one at a time. Register here.
As well, if you have access to delivery services, add these recommended books about Peru to your reading list.
Cover photo: Geraint Rowland/Flickr
This article has been updated since its original publication on March 24, 2020.
