How To Navigate Peru and Chile: Lima and Santiago Through Our Eyes
Why we went to Peru
Cheryl has always (like every third person we meet) wanted to go to Machu Picchu, one of the world's seven wonders.
Note from Cheryl–I wrote a report on the Incas in third grade and felt I needed to follow through!
How We Decided To Travel
When you go someplace as far as South America, our goal isn't so much to save money as it is to make the money we spend worth it. We decided first that we'd use Adventures By Disney for this trip. Beyond that, our son had just been to Chile, which didn't seem too far away (it turns out we were wrong), so we also thought spending three days in and around Santiago while we were that close was a good idea. Finally, after reviewing the Disney itinerary, we noticed that they didn't spend any real time (besides boarding a plane) in the capital city of Lima. So, we added three days to explore, eat, and get accustomed to the surroundings before joining the tour.
But wait…why Disney?
Adventures By Disney is a division of the enormous entertainment company and is NOT directly related to the cruise line. Most people we've met are surprised to hear it even exists. Not only do they exist, but ABD is also the most highly-rated part of this vast conglomerate! This is our third Disney Adventure, and Cheryl had to be talked into in the first one. Joe walked into the room and suggested the Disney trip to Rome, Tuscany, and Venice.
“Disney takes us around Italy? Pass!”
Joe showed her some reviews, and we tried them, and now we're believers who've just completed our third trip (and our fourth Disney adventure is booked for 2025!).
What Does Adventures By Disney Do That Makes It So Special?
While ABD takes you to many of the same sights as other tours, how they take you and is included in the tour is a different story. First, the word “adventure” is literal. Disney wants to immerse you in the culture and fabric of where you're visiting. In Venice, we made masks with the help of a master. In Southeast Asia, we climbed into the tunnels the Vietcong used in Vietnam and visited a school for the deaf in Laos. Reading ahead, we knew we'd be hiking and white water rafting in the Sacred Valley while in Peru. This would be more physical and “in your face” than a tour showing you the area.
Disney also scores huge deals to make this an epic trip. The lodgings are first-rate (the hotels we stay at are iconic by themselves). Every day, they pack in surprises that aren't “expensive” to provide, but add that “Disney” touch to the trip. I won't spoil the fun, but our guides threw in the unexpected every day.
Finally, let's chat about the guides: while our Tauck trip included a single guide and subject matter guides when we toured specific areas, Disney pairs Adventurers with TWO guides. One guide is from the home country, and one is from the USA. So in Peru, Rudy was Peruvian, and Ralph was from the USA. Because you have double the number of guides, they're able to play off each other, they also are available for questions or to take pictures more often, and they get to know you so when you have free time, they can point you toward an experience that matches what you're looking for in an incredible vacation. Of course, when needed, Disney also provides the subject matter guides. In Italy, we had three other guides on top of our two subject matter guides. In Peru, we had two.
Getting There
Because we flew American Airlines, we connected through our local airport in Texarkana through Dallas. Then, we connected again in Miami to fly to Lima. Between Lima and Cusco and from Cusco to Santiago, we flew Latam Airlines, a reputable South American airline.
Do You Need a Visa? – Important Information Here!!!
You will need a valid passport to enter either country. American citizens don't need a visa for Peru or Chile. When you enter Peru, you are taken through the usual line to have your passport inspected and then off to get your luggage. In Chile, the process is a little more complicated. There is a QR code you will need to download to your phone and fill out; this is shown to an inspector before you enter the country. Look for it on a big wall sign soon after you disembarked from your plane. After inspecting your passport, they will also give you a PDI slip that you need to show at your hotel so you don't pay the value-added tax (VAT). Take a picture of the PDI slip because it's easy to lose, and you must show it again when exiting the country. Finally, take a photo of your passport and have a copy in your luggage in case your passport is lost or stolen.
MONEY
Planning the First Days in Lima and Final Three Days in Santiago
In future installations, you will see that we overlooked an essential step in planning our trip to Santiago. However, we used Viator, Hotels.com, and Booking.com to compare hotels and find activities. Tour books are always an essential part of Cheryl's homework, so she also gets the lay of the land. She read several books to dig into the local customs and find things to do in Lima and in Chile.
Getting Around While in Lima and in Santiago
In Lima, we exclusively used Uber. The app was easy to use, rides were plentiful, and trips were not expensive. Guidebooks told us that Uber was the preferred way most travel experts loved because taxis try to negotiate rates, while Uber posts your rate beforehand.
In Santiago, Uber is technically illegal, but it is widely used. At the airport, the speaker system warns against using “illegal taxis,” but many are available once you leave the airport. Uber is also prevalent. The subway in Santiago is also easy to use, affordable, and adorned with beautiful artwork.
Okay…that's how our trip began. Next, let's show you around Peru and Chile through our eyes!
Now it's your turn. What did we miss? Are there any resources YOU use when visiting Peru or Chile that we should include here? Why do you use them? Please comment below!