Peru Packing List: What to Pack for a Peru Family Holiday

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Last Updated on January 20, 2026 by Ariana Svenson

With many years of travel to Peru with kids under our belts, we believe we are very well placed to provide an excellent Peru packing list for family travel!  In this post we will therefore cover a range of relevant topics relevant to your Peru family holiday.  Wherever in Peru you’re headed, and when.

We’ll go through what to pack for Peru according to the season and your planned activities – the key question here relates to whether or not you’ll be hiking.  Of course you may need to know what to wear for that all-important Machu Picchu visit, if that’s included in your Peru family vacation.  Other things to consider when taking a family trip to Peru include souvenirs (or Peruvian clothing) that you might buy after you arrive.  Also, what sort of gifts to pack (or not to pack).  You’ll also need to take account of the factors detailed below, such as weather and location.

Whether you’re wondering what to include on a family packing list for your Amazon rainforest trip or what to take for Machu Picchu family tours, read on to create your ideal family packing list for your Peru adventure!

When is the Best Time to Visit Peru with Kids?

When you visit will have an impact on what you need to pack.  The first thing to be aware of when packing for Peru is that the climate differs according to season and location.  Our favourite time of year to take a family vacation to Peru is during December to January.  This is because that’s the off-peak period, and Peru family holidays are best enjoyed when there are fewer tourists around.  Of course whether to not you can go then may well depend on work, school and other commitments.

Whenever you go, the climate varies a lot from one region to another.  So where you’ll be going during your family holiday in Peru plays a key role in determining what to put on your packing list for Peru.

What Places will you be Visiting in Peru with Kids?

What to Wear in Lima, Peru & The Coast

What to wear when you’ll be in the capital during the coldest months or when visiting the coast during the summer season can vary hugely.  If, for example, you spend time in Lima between June and October, then you’ll need to pack items like a warm, waterproof jacket for each family member to protect them from the wind and the rain.  The weather can be cold during these months, especially in the mornings and evenings.

In the city you may all need smarter clothing, especially for evenings out.  This guide to Lima with kids might provide inspiration for your Peru adventure.

For those heading to the Peruvian coast during the peak tourist season in January, you can expect the warm weather, clear blue skies and sunshine that create the ideal conditions for swimming, surfing and sunbathing.  You will thus need light beachwear when visiting places like Mancora at this time of the year.

What to wear in Cusco & Rainbow Mountain

A warm, weatherproof jacket is also an essential item on any packing list for Cusco, Peru.  This also applies when visiting Rainbow Mountain.  Again mornings and evenings will be particularly chilly between June and September.

Alternatively, add a warm fleece and a lightweight waterproof jacket to your Rainbow Mountain and Cusco packing list instead.  This way you can layer your outerwear according to the conditions.

Find further info on going to Cusco with kids in this complete guide.

More on Rainbow Mountain with children in this dedicated article.

If you are visiting Machu Picchu, read Best Tips for Visiting Machu Picchu with Kids and Machu Picchu with baby.

What to Wear in the Amazon Jungle

An Amazon jungle packing list also has its own requirements.  Spoiler alert – it’s a rainforest, and therefore you should expect wet weather and high levels of humidity.  Everyone will thus need to add items like loose, long-sleeved shirts and full length pants to their Amazon rainforest packing list.

Why are garments with long legs and sleeves the best clothes to wear in the Peruvian Amazon rainforest?  Because of biting bugs!  Quick-drying garments are also ideal.  You may also need a sun hat (get one with a strap) and sunglasses, hiking socks and rain boots (though the latter may be supplied by your tour operator).

Take a look at this post if you want to know about how malaria can affect kids.

The Best Luggage for Peru with Kids

What about luggage?  Peru often has narrow streets, ands sometimes you’ll find these are paved with cobblestones.  This makes wheeling a suitcase difficult, and doing so may also cause damage to your luggage.

The ideal luggage for Peru is therefore a backpack.  If you want the best of both worlds, you could buy a convertible rucksack that can be wheeled or carried on your back as conditions dictate.  For a family vacation in Peru that involves lots of adventure, however, a standard backpack is probably the best choice.

Check out our recommended kids’ travel backpacks in this post.

Find stylish, practical backpacks for moms & mums here.

Get inspired for taking to the Inca Trail with kids in this article.

The Best Clothing for Peru with Kids

Clothes are the easiest items on the list!  So what to wear in Peru?  Layers, layers and more layers is the ideal solution for anyone taking Peru family vacations.  That way it’s easy to dress each day and adjust your clothing according to the conditions.

Of course, there are plenty of alpaca beanies, mittens and jumpers for sale in Peru.  So don’t go overboard with bulky jackets and the like when packing for Peru, as you will probably be unable to resist stocking up while you’re there.  Laundry is also available everywhere and can be done for you at very affordable rates.

Kids’ Clothing for Peru

Below you’ll find some of our favorite tried, tested and true trekking gear for Peru with kids.  Though, remember, exactly what to pack for your Peru family trip will depend on where you go and when.

• Warm pajamas for cold areas
• Underwear
• Socks & hiking socks if trekking
• Thermal layers
• Long sleeved shirts
• Fleece layers
• Warm or lightweight waterproof jacket
• Gloves, scarf & beanie
• Sturdy sneakers or hiking boots
• Flip flops – for hotel, beach & hot springs (at Machu Picchu)
• Swimsuit/s
• Sunglasses – with UV protection
• Sun hat – with strap

You can also find our kids’ hiking gear recommendations in this guide.

Hiking Footwear for Peru with Kids

If you’re wondering what hiking shoes do I need for Peru, then here’s our answer – based on years of experience on going to Peru with the family.

Unless you are doing some seriously hard core hiking, then multi-purpose shoes are best.  Ideal these will be lightweight with good traction.  Having fast-drying footwear can also be a bonus, especially in wetter areas.  Choose hiking shoes for your kids and yourself carefully, and always – ALWAYS – break them in before you go.  That Machu Picchu family trip may well be a disaster if you don’t!

Find all the best hiking boots for women in this article.

Baby Gear for Peru with Kids

Peru has everything you might need for a baby or toddler including disposable nappies, teething rings, dummies or pacifiers and plenty of baby food.  So I don’t know about you, but I would pack only enough nappies to get you to Lima.

A good range of baby toiletries is stocked in Peru’s larger supermarkets.  It can be fun buying a different brand.  However, it is hard to find the earth-friendly variety there.  If this matters to you then do pack your own stuff.

Baby Gear for Peru

• Stroller or pram – we love the BOB Gear All Terrain Pro
• Carrier – we recommend an Ergo Baby Carrier
• Car seat – See below!
• Travel Crib – this can also be used as a playpen

Fortunately, international airlines include in their infant plane ticket allowance a stroller or pram, a car seat, and a travel cot, which is great as babies and toddlers do come with a lot of stuff!  Domestic airlines do not tend to have such generous allowances, however.  So, if you’re taking any internal flights in Peru, or your own country, do take heed.

I used a lightweight, all terrain stroller with big wheels that roll relatively well over cobblestones.  Strong wheels are a must for any buggy you take to Peru.  There is not much in the way of pavements or sidewalks, either, outside of Lima and the wealthier suburbs of Cusco.

Kids’ car seats are not often used by Peruvian children, so you may get some strange looks when using one.  Given the unpredictability of traffic there, though – as well as the frequent traffic accidents.  I highly recommend using a car seat to protect your children.

Most decent hotels can provide a cot free of charge, but for budget traveling, bringing your own travel cot is a wise idea.  Or you could do as the locals do and co-sleep when in Peru.

This is a useful general post on travel essentials for babies.

Trekking with Babies & Toddlers in Peru

You can find a complete post on hiking with toddlers & babies here.

If you want to carry your child, you’ll need a baby or toddler hiking carrier!

Packing for Peru with a Family – Snacks

Surely every parent knows that hungry kids and fussy eaters are no fun.  Hungry kids who refuse to eat foods they’re not familiar with is good for no-one.  I highly recommend taking some of their favorite snack foods for the first few days.  At this time they (and you) may feel disoriented and tired from the trip.

Once we’re all ready, we can begin the adventure of going shopping in a foreign supermarket – all those new things to try!  This is just one fun part of the culinary adventure that a trip to Peru can be.

I personally like to include our own food containers when packing for Peru.  These are so handy for the flights, and also when trekking or traveling around.

This post might give you some ideas regarding travel snacks to pack.

Packing for Peru with a Family – Toys, Books & Activities

We always take a bag of toys, activities and books to delve into when required.  Ideal items include small toys and lightweight colouring or reading books.  Flight attendants do often hand out coloring books, especially if you ask nicely.  Once you arrive in Peru, it’s great fun exploring an entire range of toys none of us have ever seen at home!

Some of our favorite items can be found via the links listed below.  As long as you take your time and try to be prepared (and patient!), family travel to Peru with kids really can be enjoyable – and pretty stress-free too.

Discover how to keep toddlers busy on the plane here.

Or check out this guide for 21 kids’ airplane activities.

We also love these toys for kids aged around one.

Looking for travel inspiration for young readers? Dive into our guide to the best Peruvian Children’s books.

Packing for Peru with a Family – Other Items

Here are some general items that you may wish to include on your family packing list for Peru.

• Camera or GoPro – Find our GOPro review here
• Flashlight or head torch
• Power adapter for Peru
• Batteries & power bank
• Refillable water bottle – BPA free ones are ideal
• Sunscreen – we like to use eco-friendly formulas
• Bug repellent – high DEET formulas are ideal
• First aid kit – travel ones are very compact

Don’t Forget to Take These Items to Peru

• Passports – plus any required visas
• Tickets
• Travel insurance
• Credit and debit cards – ideally a mix of Visa, MasterCard & Amex
• Cash in Sol – or USD for major destinations like Lima, Cusco & Machu Picchu

Further Peru Family Travel Issues to Consider

Passports

Make sure you obtain or renew any passports well ahead of time.  Also bear in mind that every country makes its own rules around taking minors overseas.  For instance we live in Australia, and  permission from both parents is required when applying for a passport.

In Peru, any parent traveling solo needs a letter from the child’s other parent granting permission to take the kid out of the country.  So do check before you go if you want to be certain of getting home!

Vaccinations

In the wake of Covid-19 in particular, the debate rages on about childhood vaccination: it’s perhaps more popular than ever not to vaccinate against basic childhood illnesses.  The Australian government, for example, has in the past proposed taking family benefits away from families who don’t vaccinate.

I fully appreciate the arguments against vaccination have at times questioned my own decisions to go ahead.  On the other hand, though, my kids have always loved to eat dirt.  So the idea of going unprotected can be pretty scary.  If you don’t plan to take your kids to Peru unvaccinated, do book them in early for the extra travelers’ vaccinations they’ll require.  Do this well in advance, not least so that your child’s body has time to recover before you head off on holiday.

Gifts

Many people who travel to Peru want to give something to the local people they encounter.  This is a lovely idea in principle, but in reality can lead to issues around jealously, encourage begging or even result in corruption.  Which of course is helpful to no-one.

The concept of Ayni is still key in Quechua society, and this revolves around the idea of reciprocal rather than one-way exchanges.  Gift-giving on a one-way basis can break down this fundamental belief, and can therefore have negative implications for the future of groups like those who live in remote part of the Andes.

If you do want to go ahead and buy gifts, these are the kind of items we’d recommend taking and giving out.

The Verdict – What To Pack for a Peru Family Holiday

If you’ve been pondering what to pack for a family adventure in Peru, we hope this Peru packing list has helped with making your mind up.  Being prepared can be key.  However, don’t forget that you can buy many things in Peru – and you’ll probably want to as well!

Taking enough clothing for several days to a week is enough, even if your trip is longer.  This is due to the fact that it’s cheap and easy to get laundry done while you’re away.

Using this list – while taking into account where you’re going and when – should mean that making your family packing list for Peru isn’t too much of a challenge.  Then you can all get on and enjoy a well-earned holiday.

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