ENGAGE THE KIDS with the Magic of the Amazon

Stories

Travel With Kids to Peru – Updated Guide 2024

Thinking about visiting Peru with kids under 10? This blog is for you!

Traveling with kids requires good planning. Our top tips for Peru with small kids are:

  1. Pick two or three destinations
  2. Choose hands-on activities instead of just sight-seeing
  3. Seek out tour guides who are trained to guide kids.

With kids – you don’t want to be changing locations or hotels every night – it is better to spend longer in destinations that have a variety of activities for your little ones.

We recommend creating a balanced mix of culture and nature by visiting Cusco and the Amazon Rainforest! When you are traveling with kids to Peru, You’ll most likely stop in Lima, which merits two of three days of your time, too. You’ll want to book internal flights to each place – but they are well connected. Cusco is a convenient 30-minute flight from Puerto Maldonado, the gateway to Tambopata – the most accessible and kid-friendly part of the Peruvian Amazon.

Below, we list recommended activities for this Lima-Cusco-Tambopata itinerary!

Lima – 2 Days

You’ll most likely fly into Lima – and it’s a vibrant, kid-friendly city – so we recommend you spend two days here.

In Lima, stay in the San Isidro or Miraflores neighborhoods – find a hotel or guesthouse within walking distance of Larcomar, so if all else fails your kids can run around the modern entertainment area and watch the surfers on the beach below.

Activities in Lima

  1. Circuito Magico del Agua is a series of illuminated fountains located in Parque de la Reserva. This isn’t open every day, so check the website for opening hours.
  2. Colonial churches: The colonial churches in the center of town may be more appealing to the adults, but the catacombs of San Francisco Monastery are sure to be interesting for the whole family (though it might scare some kids!)
  3. ChocoMuseo: There are four chocolate museums in Lima! Several have workshops for kids – check their website for dates and times. A must-do activity when Traveling with kids to Peru.
  4. Food Tours: There are a plethora of excellent food tours available in Lima – and well worth your time. It will help your kids learn about Peruvian food, and make them better order-ers for the rest of the trip!

Cusco – 4 days

The region around Cusco is chock-a-block full of archeological sites, but if your kids are like ours, they’ll be happy to see Machu Picchu and move on to more immersive activities – so that’s what we suggest.

Beware of altitude sickness when visiting Cusco – at 3,4000 meters it is quite high, although the chances are that the adults suffer more than the kids! For everyone in the family to acclimatize, start your trip in the Sacred Valley.

Activities for Kids in Cusco

  1. Visit Machu Picchu: There is a reason this UNESCO World Heritage Site is on every traveler’s bucket list. Prepare your kids with an introduction to Incan history before you arrive – encourage them to speculate on how it was built, why it was built, and what it all means. The answers to these questions are still mysteries, so their guess is as good as anyone else!
  2. Cooking class and market tour: There is a reason that Peru is referred to as the gastronomic capital of Latin America – the food is simply divine. On Airbnb experiences, you can find a variety of people offering market tours and cooking classes. You’ll walk through the market to purchase ingredients – the experience is much more immersive when you’re actually shopping for food! And then the head cooks a meal with a local.
  3. Horseback riding: this region is home to Peruvian Paso horses and many operators offer rides around the Valley. If your kids aren’t up for long rides, it’s also possible to walk around the paddock at the Sol y Luna Hotel.
  4. Hike & Learn Spanish: You will be amazed at the amount of Spanish your kids pick up when they travel – so why not encourage it, and head off the dreaded ‘Are we there yet?’ that seems to come up during any hike. Many providers are offering ‘Hike and Learn Spanish’ tours – a great way to see more of the Sacred Valley and keep your kids focused on something other than the kilometers left ahead of them.

Tambopata, Peruvian Amazon – 4 days

From Cusco, an easy 30-minute flight takes you to Puerto Maldonado, the gateway to the Amazon. The Amazon turns into a natural classroom for your kids – where they learn about the flora, fauna, science, and conservation.

Take this opportunity to connect with nature, helping them to focus on sounds, smells, forms, and colors. And remember that you can maximize their experience in the forest by keeping quiet so they have more chances to spot wildlife along with the activities.

This is a comprehensive experience, where activities are chosen a la carte, letting you customize your experience and find something for everyone in your family. Usually, kids do between 3-4 activities per day. We have activities designed especially for kids and guides that are trained specifically to work with kids. We recommend three nights at Posada Amazonas

Activities for kids in Tambopata at Posada Amazonas:

1. Climb the Tower: Climb to the very top of the canopy tower to get a birds-eye view of the whole Amazon Rainforest!

kids in the canopy tower at posada amazonas

The tallest canopy tower in the region, surrounded by amazing Amazonian rainforest. Photo by Carlos Gonzales

2. Visit a jungle farm: a farm in the jungle? You bet! Meet the farmer tending to exotic fruit right in the heart of the Amazon.

3. Meet the Ese Eja Native Community of Infierno, during the whole experience, and share their traditions and stories. At Posada Amazonas, most of the team is from the Community.

4. Ethnobotanical walk: Learn about the plants that the native community has been using as medicine for centuries! You’ll learn about one plant that turns you blue and another that numbs your tongue!

5. Discover a new species: Your kids will delight in trapping insects at the light trap – and working with researchers to learn about the different species of moths and insects -and possibly identify a whole new species.

kids discovering new species at posada amazonas

Kids on the light trap discovering new species at Posada Amazonas

6. Nature Walks: Feel confident to send your kids on a nature walk with our highly trained guides – who will bring the forest alive with stories and ‘treasure hunts for your kids.

In addition, Posada Amazonas has a beautiful playground just next to the main restaurant, so you can feel free to take a cup of coffee or relax after your daily activities sitting nearby without losing sight of your little ones.

Playground at Posada Amazonas lodge

Playground at Posada Amazonas Lodge – Photo by Louis Guillot

Additional destinations you should consider? well Peru is wide and diverse, so if you have time consider:

  • Ica, Paracas, and Nazca, there you will find from nature to adventure experiences.
  • The beaches in the north of Peru are amazing, if you consider that, then visit Vichayitos and Organos

We hope you have found these places interesting. Most importantly, please make sure to bring your reusable bottle of water and drink a lot of water, bring with you a good first aid kit and games or activities to keep kids entertained during long trips

Have an amazing family adventure!

By Natasha Martin

NOW READ: 3 nights family expedition at Posada Amazonas

  • What our guest say

    • Valuation Excellent
    • 5/5

Maria Carrero June 2026

Lauren Kuenstner June 2026

Adam C June 2026

Perry Killam June 2026

Brad Taylor-White June 2026

Sue_szb April 2026

Beam May 2026

David Staro May 2026

Serg Averkin April 2026

Carlotta May 2026

Asha S May 2026

Laurence W April 2026

We stayed last february for 4 nights in the TRC lodge. I never could have imagined that I would explore the amazon in such confortable and immersive way. The lodge itself is such a luxurious place, in the middle of nowhere! The food was nicely curated everyday to offer new bits and pieces of the Peruvian cuisine. The absolute highlight of our stay here was for sure the activities and our guide Carmen, who accompanied us everyday! We were able to choose our everydays activities with our very reduced group and our guide. Carmen guided us on very activity, spotting and explaining what animals we saw and interesting facts about our surroundings. Her knowledge and excitement were so infectious that it would even make the sightings even more special! Read all

One of the most unique experiences we’ve had! You are deep in the heart of the Amazon and truly feel immersed in nature. Our guide Dino was awesome and taught us so much about the rainforest-he is like a walking encyclopedia, and his love for the forest really shows. Also very unique to listen to nightly talks from the research team-it really adds to the experience. Food was great and staff very friendly. Bring lots of bug spray and an adventurous spirit! Read all

The lodge was fantastic; they were very attentive to our needs. The dining staff brought special bread for my wife because of her celiac disease and offered to prepare dishes specifically for her to meet her dietary needs. The lodge guides were truly knowledgeable and went out of their way to help us see all the local wildlife. I especially loved the mosquito net service they provided. I was worried we’d be eaten alive, but their setup is fabulous; I had no concerns once I saw how they installed the impenetrable nets and curtains. The meals were as good as—or better than—anywhere else we ate in Peru. We saw the following animals: macaws, parrots, parakeets, pale-winged trumpeters, tamarins, caimans, capybaras, and a ton of insects on our night hike. Read all

We had an excellent guide who was very knowledgeable about the local animals, birds, and plants. I learned a lot. We also participated in the Wired Amazon experience and just received the video clips of the animals that walked by - ocelots, agoutis, ... some amazing animals. It was fun to set up the camera traps, and now I'm inspired to get one for our backyard. Read all

Refugio Amazonas was one of the most memorable and immersive experiences of our entire trip to Peru. From the moment we arrived, it felt like we had entered a completely different world. Waking up to the sounds of the rainforest, exploring the Amazon with knowledgeable guides, spotting wildlife, and disconnecting from everyday life created an experience we will never forget. The guides and staff were exceptional throughout our stay. Everyone was warm, welcoming, knowledgeable, and clearly passionate about the rainforest and the guest experience. Their enthusiasm and expertise added so much to every excursion and activity. For this type of Amazon adventure, Refugio Amazonas felt top-tier. The wildlife experiences were remarkable, the setting was beautiful, and the overall level of immersion was exactly what we were hoping for when we added the Amazon to our Peru itinerary. Read all

Wow what an experience! If you want to be fully immersed in Amazon life in a wonderful , comfortable eco lodge, and not have expectations of a 5 star city hotel (I'm not sure why you would, but some reviewers seemed disappointed it wasn't!) you will love this. You will be in a group, 6 in ours, but you don't all have to do the same activities, you just join another group. Plenty of spaces to chill and downtime if you need it...its hot and humid! There's a fan in the room and I heard the superior rooms have a fan under the mozzie net. Take a torch! We were never bitten, used deet repellent only. They provide rubber boots if you want them, some of the trails were very muddy, but we managed in our walking boots. We loved the open wall to the jungle, despite some bugs, but not too many surprisingly. Sooooo much wildlife, all sorts of monkeys, otters, turtles, caiman, different birds, capybara etc. Luis M was our guide, a local, and he could spot a spider from 5 metres I'm sure... great sense of humour and a wealth of knowledge, loved him. We spent 3 nights 20th-24th April, it rained on a couple of occasions but not much. Perfect holiday for an immersive wildlife experience! Read all

Beautiful lodge in the rainforest, very well maintained and clean. We had a lot of fun and excellent guides. The rooms and facilities were top-notch! Read all

We stayed at Posada Amazonas Lodge in May 2026, and it was a truly unique experience. It’s important to note that the concept is unlike a traditional hotel: the rooms (the lodge has around 30 in total) are built entirely of wood and open completely to the rainforest, with no windows. The walls are about two meters high, and everything is open-air, meaning you can hear your neighbors as well as the sounds of the forest throughout the night. There is a hot-water shower with drainage flowing through wooden beams beneath the floor, and the beds are protected with mosquito nets. The food is delicious and nutritious, and one pleasant surprise was the excellent Wi-Fi connection (Starlink) available both at the lodge and on the boats. The logistics are flawless from the moment you land in Puerto Maldonado, including a short car ride (accompanied by a security company) followed by a forty-minute cruise along the Tambopata River. The staff is incredibly friendly. Our guide, Luis M. (a member of the local community that manages the lodge), was simply outstanding, with eagle-eyed vision for spotting wildlife and always wearing a smile. Tour highlights: Canopy Tower: a 42-meter tower rising above the treetops with panoramic views. We loved seeing the river, the rainforest, and even the distant Andes Mountains on the horizon. We returned at night during a nocturnal wildlife tour, where we spotted tarantulas, white sloths, and tree frogs. Lake Tres Chimbadas: a peaceful catamaran ride (without a motor) where Luis showed us a group of red-bellied monkeys, giant otters, and caimans. The scenery and tranquility are incredible. Trek to the “Great Tree”: a forest hike where we saw deer, jaguar tracks, a three-toed sloth, and more wildlife. At the end of the trail, we reached the gigantic ceiba tree: around 500 years old, approximately 60 meters tall, and with an impressive 11-meter base diameter. Highly recommended for anyone wanting to experience the true Amazon! Read all

An exceptional experience that truly exceeded all expectations. What impressed me the most is that here they genuinely want to make your stay as comfortable as possible — and that, to me, is what real high-level service is all about. The guide really tries to fill every excursion with emotions and memorable moments, turning simple activities into meaningful experiences. The kitchen team puts great effort into variety and introduces you to Peruvian cuisine — it feels like a small гастрономic journey. Housekeeping works like invisible bees — you don’t notice them, but everything is always perfectly taken care of. Another big highlight is the comfort level: stable electricity and surprisingly good internet both on the way and at the lodge, powered by Starlink. Having this level of connectivity in the middle of the jungle is something truly special. From reception and the bar to the boat driver — everyone is genuinely warm and happy to have you. You can really feel that each person is a small but important part of one big system delivering outstanding eco-tourism service. Bravo — achieving this level of service in the wild is not easy, and it shows. This experience was very valuable for me and my family. I won’t get tired of thanking you for the emotions you gave us. Highly recommended. Dear travelers — don’t hesitate. Go, enjoy the incredible nature and the level of service. This is something you will remember for a lifetime. Read all

We had the most amazing time at Refugio Amazonas for 3 nights, with a huge thanks to our guide Juan Carlos! On the first afternoon we sat down and planned our activities, which we loved! We came face to face with hundreds of birds, tarantulas, leaf carrying ants spanning 10 meter motorways to work and deliver the leaves to the ant house for food, parasites, and even leaves that cause natural dyes on oxidation - we learned so much. Carlos was genuinly interested in showing us everything the jungle had to offer, humorous and caring too. Carlos knew anything and everything about what was around us, pointing out things and creatures that the untrained eye would miss, carrying a telescope at all times for us to see the birds, ensuring we got magical videos on our phones using the telescope! Read all

Many thanks to Refugio Amazonas for an unforgettable experience! Brenda and team were so wonderful and accommodating, and Alan was a great guide. Thank you for a memorable experience! :) Read all

We had an excellent time at Tambopata research center. We are tourists like most who now visit the center, but it’s great to know that you can support research and the local community by visiting a place like this. Our guide for our trip, Esau, was extremely knowledgeable and showed great passion for his job. He described it as a hobby and he would get very excited if you spotted a specific bird or a tree. His specific knowledge about each and every creature in the forest was very impressive and I would recommend asking for Esau to be your guide in the future if you plan to visit. The hotel itself is unique. You are in the middle of the Amazon rainforest - the accessibility to nature is second to none. There are no windows in the hotel rooms. We had bugs in our room, of course, but the mosquito nets keep everything out and, actually, we both slept very well. The bar staff, Harrison, is very knowledgeable with drinks and works very hard. The food isn’t the best you’re ever going to have, but you have to remind yourself you are in the middle of the rainforest and that it takes a 6 hour round trip to get to the nearest town, and so the job that the hotel does in respect of the food is actually intuitive and very good. I would recommend this hotel to my peers and I would love to visit again in a few years time. Read all

Join To Our Newsletter

Write your e-mail

Join