From the Andes to the Amazon, Peru offers extraordinary landscapes, academic challenges, and unforgettable adventures.
Explore archaeological wonders, trek through world-famous mountains, connect with Indigenous communities, and discover why Peru is one of South America’s most geographically and culturally diverse countries.
Why study abroad in Peru?
Education style. Universities in Peru combine traditional academic foundations with hands-on, community-centered learning. You can expect lecture-based courses as well as opportunities for fieldwork, independent projects, and collaboration with local organizations.
Cultural orientation. Peruvian culture is a rich blend of Indigenous, Spanish, African, and Asian influences. Traditions vary by region, but common threads include strong family ties, community interdependence, and deep respect for heritage. Peru’s multicultural identity is reflected in its festivals, food, music, textiles, and languages.
Student lifestyle. From café culture in metropolitan areas to markets filled with regional foods and crafts, you can immerse yourself in daily life while you explore some of the world’s most iconic natural and archaeological sites.
Peruvian cities where study abroad students live:
Lima is Peru’s capital and largest city, home to roughly one-third of the country’s population. Located on the Pacific coast, it blends historic colonial architecture with modern neighborhoods, museums, universities, and a renowned culinary scene.
Peruvian cities popular among study abroad students to visit:
Cusco, once the capital of the Inca Empire, sits high in the Andes. Known for its stone streets, Incan foundations, and vibrant arts community, the city is a gateway to the Sacred Valley and Machu Picchu. Its high elevation gives it a cooler climate and slower pace of life than coastal regions.
Arequipa, often called the White City for its buildings made from sillar volcanic stone, is Peru’s second-largest city. Surrounded by volcanoes, Arequipa is known for its historic center (a UNESCO World Heritage Site), cultural traditions, and mild climate.
Trujillo, located on the northern coast, is a center of archaeology, home to major pre-Columbian sites like Chan Chan and the Temples of the Sun and Moon. The city is also known for its universities, traditional dance and nearby surf-friendly beaches such as Huanchaco.
Iquitos is the largest city in the Peruvian Amazon. Accessible only by flight or river, it serves as a base for exploring rainforest ecosystems, biodiversity research, and Indigenous cultures.
Peru study abroad highlights
Language spoken
Spanish (widely spoken); Quechua and Aymara are official Indigenous languages
Capitals
Lima
Common housing types
Homestays, single rooms
Known for
Andes Mountains, Amazon Rainforest, Inca civilization, rich culinary traditions, archaeological heritage, textile arts
Time zone
PET (GMT-5)
Currency
Peruvian Sol (PEN)
Fun facts
Peru is home to Machu Picchu, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of the New Seven Wonders of the World. There are over 3,000 varieties of potatoes that originate from Peru.
IFSA programs in Peru
IFSA offers programs designed to align with your goals.
“While some programs just make arrangements for housing and studies, IFSA had a detailed orientation full of cultural crash-courses, emphasized the importance of living with a host family, and organized excursions and longer trips with sights, experiences, and interactions that go way beyond the usual tourist’s perspective. While trips do include typical touristy stuff, there is a good mix of less superficial interactions and deeper learning that better reflects Peruvian reality, thanks to great guides and great planning.”
“I love living in Lima. Visiting the places I was curious about and that I haven’t seen for over 11 years, feeling my Spanish improve, buying chicha morada at the metro, going out to eat the Japanese-Peruvian fusion restaurants. These have been some of my great experiences. I feel like I’m getting to know my family better, learning more about them and what it means to live in Peru, my dad’s history, culture, and family, and by extension, myself.”
