Peru Destination Wedding Guide

In this guide, you will learn everything you need to know about planning or attending a destination wedding in Peru.

Weddings in Peru: What You Need To Know

If you’re looking for an exotic destination for your wedding, Peru should be at the top of your list.

Situated between the Andes mountains and the Amazon rainforest, Peru is home to some of the most stunning scenery in the world.

And with a diverse range of culinary and cultural traditions, you’re sure to find a venue that matches your unique style.

Whether you want a traditional ceremony or something completely modern, a destination wedding in Peru is sure to be an event that you and your guests will never forget.

But first: you need to know where in the world Peru is…

Where is Peru?

Peru is located in western South America. It is bordered in the north by Ecuador and Colombia, in the east by Brazil, in the southeast by Bolivia, in the south by Chile, and in the south and west by the Pacific Ocean.

Area: 496,225 sq mi (1,285,216 sq km), Population: (2022 est.) 33,563,000, Capital: Lima.

Peru Facts To Know:

  • Language: Spanish, Quechua and Aymara
  • Currency: Nuevo sol
  • Airports: Jorge Chávez International Airport (LIM), Alejandro Velasco Astete International Airport (CUZ), Rodríguez Ballón International Airport (AQP)
  • Official Tourism Website:https://www.peru.travel/en
  • Driving side: Right

Below you will find some more useful information about visiting Peru for your special day:

4 Tips for Planning a Destination Wedding in Peru

Planning a wedding can be stressful. Planning a destination wedding can be even more stressful!

But it doesn’t have to be. Here are some tips and things you need to know for planning a destination wedding in Peru:

1. Choose a date that works for both you and your guests

Choosing a wedding date can be a daunting task, whether you are planning on getting married in Peru or closer to home.

You want to make sure that you pick a date that works for both you and your guests.

Here are some tips to help you choose the perfect wedding date:

2. Decide on a budget

When it comes to having a Peru wedding, there are a lot of different factors that come into play – from the guest list to the venue.

But one of the most important decisions you’ll make is how much you’re willing to spend.

Here are some tips on how to decide on a budget for your wedding:

3. Find a venue that fits your vision and budget

No one ever said wedding planning was easy. In fact, it can often feel downright daunting.

Here’s some useful resources for finding a wedding venue in Peru:

4. Hire a wedding planner to take care of the details

A wedding planner can take care of everything for you, from booking vendors to creating a timeline for the day.

Here are some tips on how to find and hire the right planner for your big day in Peru

Peru Weddings: Key Information

Getting married abroad is a big decision. There’s a lot of things you need to be aware of if you want your big day to run smoothly.

To help, we have put together some useful information about getting married in Peru:

  • What is the average cost of a wedding in Peru?
  • What are the marriage requirements for Peru?
  • What is the weather like in Peru?
  • What should you pack for a trip to Peru?
  • What things are there to do in Peru?
  • What are the best Peru wedding venues?

Read on to find out more:

How Much Does a Wedding in Peru Cost?

The affidavit of the single status costs around $50.00.This doesn’t include all the other costs of translation and legalization of other documents.

Legal Requirements for Getting Married in Peru

The first step in the process of getting married in Peru is to check with the municipality where you want to get married what exactly they require.

When applying for a marriage license, you will need to provide the following documents:

  • Valid passport.
  • A sworn statement (known locally as a Certificado de Soltería) stating that you are legally free to marry in Peru.
  • Original birth certificate with Apostille, or legalized and if necessary translated into Spanish.
  • If you have already been married, provide the relevant documentation to demonstrate that you are either divorced or widowed.
  • Name change document – generally all names on all documents need to match (including your parents’ names), otherwise proof of name change needs to be shown.
  • Passport sized photos.
  • Copy of the 2 witnesses’ passports.

All the documents that you intend to use should have been issued within the last 90 days.

Other legal requirements are:

  • To apply for a marriage license, one must be at least 18 years old.
  • You should apply for the marriage license at least 6 weeks prior to the ceremony.
  • The license is valid for 6 months from the issue date.
  • Certificado médico prenupcial: Most municipalities request a medical check before they allow you to marry.
  • Domicile certificate: Most municipalities require that at least one partner is living in the town or city where the wedding is taking place.
  • Newspaper clipping showing you published your marriage announcement in the newspaper.
  • When submitting the documents, most municipalities require the attendance of two witnesses. These same two witnesses are also required to be present on the day of the ceremony.
  • The waiting period is anywhere between 2 weeks and 2-3 months.
  • All international paperwork has to be translated into Spanish by an official translator. It is mandatory that they be authenticated with an Apostille stamp from your home country first or legalized by a Peruvian consulate in the country of origin and then by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Peru.

You can choose whether the civil ceremony will take place in the municipal building or if the official should come to a special location in which case extra charges apply.

Before making any wedding or travel preparations, make sure you have all the paperwork needed for your marriage to be recognized in your home country by checking with the local county clerk or marriage official where you intend to marry.

What you need to have in your possession before leaving the country is a legal document that can confirm that your marriage is legitimate and has been registered – the marriage certificate.

If you are not a Peruvian national the process requires considerable time and effort.
However, if you are not prepared to put in so much work, but have your heart set on getting married in Peru, we advise you ‘secretly’ get married in your home country and then have a Wedding Blessing or so called Humanist wedding ceremony in Peru afterwards.

What Is The Weather Like in Peru?

Peru is a very diverse country, and there isn’t a single time of year when all of Peru has the best weather; in fact, the Southern Hemisphere winter (June – August) is the ideal time to visit the Amazon and the Andes, while during the same time the coast experiences chilly, gloomy, and foggy conditions.

The months of December through April are ideal for traveling along the coast and in Lima because the weather is typically warm and sunny during this time of year; more specifically, January – March are the best months for going to the beach and swimming in the ocean.

What should you pack for your trip?

In the winter:

For Lima and the coast in the winter (June to August), pack spring and fall-appropriate clothing,

including a sweatshirt or sweater and a jacket.

Pack loose-fitting, light clothes, maybe with long sleeves against mosquitoes, and a sweatshirt for the evening in the Amazon. Also, in the southernmost region (Puerto Maldonado), as well as in the Amazon at an altitude higher than sea level, bring a sweater and a jacket for the evening.

For the Andes at around (2,500/4,000 meters) (8,000/13,000 feet), such as at Cuzco, Arequipa, and Lake Titicaca, pack spring and fall clothing for the day, as well as a sweater, heavy jacket, and hat for the evening, and also a sun hat, sunscreen, and hiking shoes. If you plan on climbing to the highest peaks, bring along a down jacket, scarf, gloves, and warm boots.

In the summer:

During the summer (December – February), pack light clothes for Lima and the coast, as well as a sweatshirt for the evening, an umbrella or a light raincoat if you are going to the north of Lima during El Niño years, and also a light jacket for the southern part of the coast.

If you are going to the Amazon, pack tropics-friendly, loose-fitting clothes made of natural fibers (cotton, linen) or synthetics that breathe, maybe with long sleeves to keep insects at bay. For the Amazon, bring a sweatshirt or a light jacket for the evening. If visiting areas of the Amazon that are located at altitudes higher than sea level, you can add a sweatshirt or a light jacket for the evening.

For the Andes, at an elevation of around 8,000–13,000 feet (2,500–4,000 meters), such as in Cuzco, Arequipa and Lake Titicaca, you should pack clothing appropriate for spring and fall for during the day, and a sweater, a jacket, and a hat for the evening. Additionally, you should bring a sun hat, sunscreen, an umbrella or raincoat, hiking shoes, and a pair of hiking boots. Bring along a down jacket, a scarf, gloves, and thick boots if you plan on climbing the highest peaks.

Peru Weather By Month

Below you will find some useful information and handy tables of weather information to help you pick the best month to visit Peru:

Average Temperatures in Peru

The table below shows the average temperatures in Peru each month:

Month Min (°C) Max (°C) Mean (°C) Min (°F) Max (°F) Mean (°F)
January 8.1 20.3 14.2 47 69 57.5
February 8.1 20.1 14.1 47 68 57.4
March 7.9 20.3 14.1 46 69 57.4
April 6.3 20.9 13.6 43 70 56.4
May 3.7 21.1 12.4 39 70 54.4
June 2 20.6 11.3 36 69 52.3
July 1.2 20.4 10.8 34 69 51.5
August 2.8 21.2 12 37 70 53.6
September 5.1 21.6 13.3 41 71 56
October 7 21.8 14.4 45 71 57.8
November 7.6 22.2 14.9 46 72 58.8
December 7.9 21 14.5 46 70 58
Year 5.6 21 13.25 42.1 69.7 56

Average Rainfall in Peru

The table below shows the average rainfall in Peru each month:

Month Millimeters Inches Days
January 160 6.3 19
February 135 5.3 15
March 110 4.3 13
April 45 1.8 9
May 9 0.3 2
June 2 0.1 1
July 4 0.2 1
August 8 0.3 2
September 20 0.8 5
October 45 1.8 9
November 80 3.1 13
December 120 4.7 16
Year 735 28.9 105

Sunshine Hours in Peru

The table below shows the average sunshine hours in Peru each month:

Month Average Total
January 5 160
February 5 140
March 4.5 145
April 5.5 160
May 7 210
June 7 215
July 8 245
August 7 225
September 5.5 170
October 5.5 175
November 6.5 200
December 6 180
Year 6.1 2225

Sea Temperatures in Peru

The table below shows the average sea temperatures in Peru each month:

Month Celsius (°C) Fahrenheit (°F)
January 22 72
February 23 73
March 22 72
April 20 69
May 19 67
June 18 65
July 18 64
August 17 62
September 17 62
October 17 63
November 18 65
December 20 69
Year 19.4 66.9

What To Wear in Peru? (Packing Tips)

It can be difficult to know what to pack for your vacation. However, there are a few things you should keep in mind when preparing for your trip.

We’ve put together some tips on what to wear in Peru so that you can make the most of your time there.

  • Pack light and airy clothing, as the weather can be quite warm.
  • Sunscreen: The Peruvian sun can be quite intense, especially during the summer months.
  • Hat and sunglasses: A hat and sunglasses will help you in the hot Peruvian sunshine.
  • Insect repellent: Mosquitoes and other insects can be a nuisance when you’re trying to enjoy the outdoors. Pack insect repellent to keep them at bay.
  • Beachwear: Don’t forget to pack your swimsuit!
  • Comfortable shoes, and also hiking shoes: Be sure to pack comfortable shoes, as you will be doing a lot of walking, and potentially also hiking..
  • Camera: Don’t forget to pack your camera! Peru is beautiful and you will want to take plenty of pictures!
  • Passport: Other essential items to pack include a valid passport and any necessary visas.
  • Travel insurance: Make sure you have travel insurance that will cover you in case of any medical emergencies or lost baggage.
  • Chargers: Also, be sure to bring along any chargers and travel power adapters you’ll need for your electronic devices.
  • First-aid kit: It is also a good idea to pack a first-aid kit, in case of any minor injuries, and also any essential medications.

Things to Do in Peru

There are many different things to do in Peru, no matter what time of year you visit.

Here is a list of some of the top activities to enjoy during your stay:

Best Peru Wedding Venues & Hotels

With so many stunning locations to choose from, how do you know which is the best wedding venue in Peru?

Here are our picks for the top spots to tie the knot, as well as hotels to stay in:

Wedding Venues in Peru

  • Belmond Palacio Nazarenas
  • Quinta Carmela in Lima
  • Casa Diez Canseco in Santiago de Surco
  • La Isla de Villa in Chorrillos
  • Shumaj Casita
  • Inkaterra La Casona
  • Tambo del Inka

Hotels in Peru

  • Jaya Suite Machupicchu
  • Amakonkay Machupicchu
  • Vilas Insight Hotel Machupicchu
  • Innside Lima Miraflores
  • Lima 18 Boutique
  • Departamento en San Isidro, Lima
  • Amaru Colonial – Cusco
  • Torre Dorada Cusco
  • Katari at Plaza de Armas Cusco
Check out the full list here: 60+ Wedding Destination around the World