Discover the best destination between Peru and Colombia. From the Amazon to Machu Picchu, find the perfect South American country to travel 🌞
When deciding where to go for your next vacation, Colombia and Peru often end up on the shortlist. Both of these diverse South American countries offer incredible travel experiences, from ancient ruins to stunning beaches to vibrant cities. But is one better than the other? Here’s a detailed comparison of Peru vs Colombia for travel.
Key Tourist Attractions
Without a doubt, Peru is home to more famous, must-see tourist attractions. Topping that list is the magnificent Machu Picchu, one of the New Seven Wonders of the World. This 15th-century Incan citadel sits high in the Andes, offering jaw-dropping scenery. The only way to reach it is via train or a multi-day hike.
Nearby Cusco also provides access to the Sacred Valley, another area dense with Incan ruins and striking landscapes. Other iconic Peruvian sites include the mysterious Nazca Lines, enormous geoglyphs etched into the desert, and Lake Titicaca, the highest navigable lake in the world. And we can’t forget the Amazon rainforest, which Peru shares with its neighbors.
While perhaps less famous, Colombia has outstanding attractions like Tayrona National Park along the Caribbean coast. Its beaches and jungles draw comparisons to Thailand and Hawaii. Further inland, travelers rave about the colorful colonial streets of Cartagena as well as the charming small towns of Barichara and Villa de Leyva.
Salento also charms visitors as the gateway to the technicolor Cocora Valley and its soaring wax palms. And let’s not forget treks to Ciudad Perdida or “Lost City,” pre-dating Peru’s Machu Picchu by 650 years.
So while Colombia offers incredible variety, Peru takes the crown for having the most renowned, historically-significant sites.
Travel Infrastructure
In terms of infrastructure catering to travelers, Colombia has an edge over Peru. Within Colombia’s main cities, you’ll find solid public transit, rideshare services, and widespread WiFi. Travel between cities is easy with frequent affordable flights on no-frills carriers like Viva and ADA. Rental cars are also readily available for self-driven adventures.
Peru’s infrastructure for tourism isn’t quite as robust yet, especially in more rural areas. While Lima does offer modern conveniences, WiFi access drops once you leave big cities. And road travel can mean winding mountain roads. That said, Peru’s steady tourism growth points towards infrastructure improvements down the line.
So Colombia pulls ahead here, yet savvy travelers can still navigate Peru without issues.
Budget for Travel
If going easy on your wallet is key, Peru is generally cheaper than Colombia for travelers. By Western standards, neither country is expensive and costs continue dropping in remote areas. But overall Peru offers better bang for your buck.
A basic dorm bed in Peru comes in around $8-12 per night, with private rooms from $20 up. You can sample tasty local specialties like ceviche or lomo saltado for $2-3 a plate. In Colombia, expect to spend closer to $15 per night for a dorm and at least $25 for budget private rooms. Meals and activities also cost a bit more compared to Peru.
So while Colombia isn’t breaking the bank, Peru allows travelers to stretch their dollars further.
Safety
In the safety department, Peru emerges ahead of Colombia based on recent stats. Colombia’s turbulent past still impacts lingering advisories, whereas Peru is considered relatively secure—minus some pickpocketing issues. Violent crime does happen more often in Colombia, while Peru sees petty theft aimed at tourists.
That said, millions visit Colombia annually without incident by taking typical precautions. Still, Peru provides extra peace of mind for nervous travelers or solo female adventurers. Danger exists everywhere, but Peru’s lower crime rates grant it the safety advantage.
Nightlife & Partying
Looking to dance the night away during your South American travels? Then Colombia is likely the better choice over Peru. Cities like Bogota, Medellin and Cali know how to keep the party going well into the night. Famous for salsa, rum and good times in general, Colombia won’t disappoint nightlife lovers.
You’ll absolutely find bars and clubs to enjoy in Peruvian hot spots too, especially Lima which boasts a surprisingly cosmopolitan scene. But Peru has a more laidback vibe overall, without the same party stamina you encounter nearly everywhere in Colombia.
So for full-on nightlife debauchery, Colombia is king among these two destinations.
Interacting with Locals
Both Peruvians and Colombians are known for welcoming travelers, yet subtle differences emerge in how locals interact in each country. On the whole, Colombians tend to be more outwardly gregarious—quick with a smile, laugh or invitation to join whatever is happening. Their natural warmth has earned them a shining reputation across South America.
Peruvians exhibit a more reserved geniality at first. While similarly friendly once engaged, they wait for visitors to initiate interactions instead of proactively socializing the way outgoing Colombians do. But Peru’s growing tourism has polished local hospitality, making it easy to connect in major destinations.
So travelers seeking instant best friends will probably gel faster with effusive Colombians, while reserved Peruvians also charm in their own subtle way.
Cuisine
Ask any South American traveler: Peruvian and Colombian cuisine both dazzle taste buds. Distinct flavors emerge from the unique ingredients found across each country.
That said, surveys give Peru the slight advantage in terms of ultimate food destination. Influenced by ancient cultures, Pacific seafood, the Amazon and immigrant communities, Peruvian fare intrigues palates with complex combinations like sweet and salty, cooling and spicy. Showstoppers like ceviche, lomo saltado, anticuchos and chicha morada wow visitors.
Meanwhile, Colombian cooking also impresses with hearty comfort foods like bandeja paisa (meat galore atop rice and beans), ajiaco (chicken/potato soup) and fresh tropical juices. But Peru’s sheer diversity of not-so-common elements like purple corn and alpaca meat pushes its cuisine a smidge ahead.
In the end, you’ll eat memorably across both countries. Yet Peru takes the food crown by a forkful.
Beaches & Coastlines
Colombia triumphs over Peru for splendid beaches and coastal scenery by virtue of two oceans. Its long Caribbean coast entices with pretty palms and white sand, including lovely resort towns like Cartagena, Santa Marta and Palomino. Then along the Pacific, areas like Nuquí and Guapi serve up remote beachy rainforest.
By contrast, all of Peru’s shoreline borders the Pacific. Destinations like Máncora and Punta Sal please beachgoers, though resort development remains limited. Most travelers opt for Peru’s incredible cultural attractions over beaches.
For surfing both bring decent waves, but nothing globally exceptional. In the battle for best beaches though, Colombia takes the prize for quantity and quality.
Outdoors & Adventure
Yearning to hike past ruins, zip line through jungles or sandboard mega dunes? Then you’ll adore what these two action-packed South American destinations offer active spirits.
For multi-day treks towards misty ancient sites, Peru can’t be beat. The world-famous Inca Trail leads adventurers to fabled Machu Picchu through high Andean passes. Choquequirao and Ausangate hikes reveal more stunning Incan vestiges. Alternately, glimpse Peru’s desert appeal via sandboarding and dune-buggies around oasis lagoons.
In Colombia, embark on rugged journeys to “Lost City” or Ciudad Perdida through lush rainforest. Top birders flock to this biodiverse country too, eyeing rare species via expertly guided excursions. Thrill-seekers also dig Colombia’s canyoning, kayaking, kitesurfing and paragliding options.
Where to Go Off the Beaten Path
Looking to escape the tourist hordes? Then set your sights slightly lesser-known spots.
In Peru, trade Machu Picchu’s crowds for the relatively quiet remains of Chachapoyas or Choquequirao instead. Explore Lake Titicaca’s islands like Taquile aboard tiny local boats. The jagged Cordillera Blanca peaks host charming trekking villages like Huaraz too. And the remote Amazon lodges of Iquitos provide front-row jungle access.
Meanwhile in Colombia, lovely colonial towns like Villa de Leyva, Barichara and Salento charm visitors without chaos. Soak in the striking underground salt cathedral at Zipaquira too. Quiet Caribbean hamlets like Palomino and Cabo de la Vela rate as Colombian finds as well, with their own rustic beaches.
So both countries offer fabulous under-the-radar discoveries beyond each one’s classic sightseeing circuit.
Verdict: Colombia or Peru for Travel
Ultimately, Peru rates as the country with greater “must-see” status, principally owed to once-in-a-lifetime Machu Picchu. Its jaw-dropping ancient infrastructure and cultural draw give it an advantage that Colombia simply can’t compete with. From the Sacred Valley to Lake Titicaca, Peru packs in prized attractions.
That said, some travelers may vibe better with Colombia as an adventure hub, thanks to its relaxed vibes, biodiversity, lower cost and party spirit. Standing out for its friendly locals too, Colombia shines in other departments beside star attractions.
So while Peru claims the slight crown overall for epic travel, visitors absolutely can craft exceptional adventures in Colombia as well. With such diverse regions, vibrant cities and stunning nature, you truly can’t make a poor choice visiting either destination if seeking the trip of a lifetime. Just expect a different flavor depending on if you pick Peru or Colombia!