FAQs

Responsible Travel in Peru: Ethical Tourism and Sustainable Choices

Q: How can I travel responsibly in Peru?

Travel responsibly in Peru by supporting local communities, choosing ethical tour operators, respecting culture, and leaving no trace. Eat at locally owned restaurants, stay in locally run or eco-certified lodging, and buy directly from artisan vendors so tourism income stays in the community. Choose operators that pay porters fairly, follow conservation rules, and support local projects. Carry out all trash, avoid single-use plastics, and ask permission before photographing people, especially in traditional or Indigenous settings.

Q: Are there ethical concerns around visiting indigenous communities in Peru?

Yes. Common concerns include exploitation, uninvited photography, and “poverty tourism.” Always ask permission before entering a community or taking photos, and treat residents as partners rather than props. If photos are welcomed, consider offering a fair tip. Avoid tours that frame hardship as entertainment instead of creating a respectful, mutually beneficial cultural exchange.

Q: How can I minimize my environmental impact when visiting Machu Picchu?

Minimize your impact by using a reusable water bottle, following all site rules, and leaving absolutely nothing behind. Carry out all waste, do not remove plants, stones, or any objects, and never feed wildlife. Respect restrictions on bags, food, drones, and other prohibited items, since they help protect the site’s fragile environment and cultural heritage.

Q: Are llamas and alpacas treated ethically in tourist areas?

Often, yes, but photo interactions are commercial and should be approached thoughtfully. Llamas and alpacas are part of everyday Andean life, and it’s common to see paid photo opportunities in tourist areas. Only participate if the animals appear calm and healthy, avoid rough handling, and decline if an animal seems stressed or the situation feels exploitative.

Q: How to support local artisans and businesses when shopping?

Support local artisans by buying directly from weavers and craftspeople, paying fair prices, and carrying cash in soles. Direct purchases help sustain community economies and preserve cultural traditions. Choosing locally owned guesthouses and services also helps keep your spending in the places you visit.

Traveling responsibly in Peru means understanding how your visit impacts local communities, cultural traditions, and fragile natural environments. From interacting respectfully with Indigenous families to minimizing waste at popular sites like Machu Picchu, thoughtful choices can make your trip more meaningful and beneficial to the people and places you encounter.

This FAQ highlights the essentials of ethical tourism, focusing on respectful behavior, sustainability, and community-supportive practices. You’ll also find references to our Culture & Etiquette and Safety & Health sections, as well as the broader Peru Travel FAQ page, to help you prepare for travel that feels both mindful and rewarding.

Contents hide

1 How can I travel responsibly in Peru?

2 Are there ethical concerns around visiting indigenous communities in Peru?

3 How can I minimize my environmental impact when visiting Machu Picchu?

4 Are llamas and alpacas treated ethically in tourist areas?

5 How to support local artisans and businesses when shopping?

How can I travel responsibly in Peru?

Travel responsibly by supporting local communities, choosing ethical tour operators, respecting culture, and leaving no trace.

Sustainable travel in Peru emphasizes:

Local economy: Prioritize meals in neighborhood eateries, overnight in locally owned or eco-certified hotels, and shop directly with artisan vendors—these choices keep tourism income within communities.
Ethics: Choose tour operators who pay porters fairly, comply with conservation rules, and back projects benefiting rural villages.
Environment & culture: Carry out all trash, avoid single-use plastics, and seek permission before photographing people, especially in traditional or indigenous settings.

Sources:

PromPerú
Ministry of Environment (MINAM, Peru)
Responsible Tourism Code, MINCETUR

Are there ethical concerns around visiting indigenous communities in Peru?

Yes, main concerns are exploitation, uninvited photography, and “poverty tourism.”

Always seek consent before photos or entering a village. Treat residents as partners, not props: uninvited or surreptitious photography ignores personal dignity and spiritual boundaries. Offer a tip when photos are welcomed. Avoid tours that spotlight “poverty” or treat hardship as a spectacle rather than an authentic cultural exchange.

Sources:

Ministry of Culture, Peru
International Responsible Tourism organizations
Peru travel advisories

How can I minimize my environmental impact when visiting Machu Picchu?

Use reusable bottles, follow all site rules, and leave absolutely nothing behind.

Machu Picchu enforces a strict ban on single-use plastics, stipulates waste to be carried out, and prohibits removing plants, stones, or relics. Feeding wildlife is forbidden. Respect all restrictions on drones, larger bags, and food—these help conserve the fragile environment and heritage value for generations.

Sources:

Ministry of Culture/Machu Picchu official site
Peruvian Protected Areas Service (SERNANP)
UNESCO World Heritage guidelines

Are llamas and alpacas treated ethically in tourist areas?

Many llamas and alpacas are part of normal Andean life, but photo interactions are commercial and should be approached thoughtfully.

It’s common for locals to offer photos with well-cared-for llamas/alpacas in popular areas. Only participate when animals seem calm and healthy; avoid rough contact, and decline gently if an animal appears distressed or the situation feels exploitative.

Sources:

PromPerú
Responsible tourism NGOs
Ministry of Agriculture, Peru

How to support local artisans and businesses when shopping?

Buy directly from artisans, pay fairly, and use cash in soles.

Purchasing directly from weavers and craftspersons supports community economies and preserves cultural traditions. Markets and workshops operate mostly in soles and prefer cash for practical reasons. Choosing local guesthouses also benefits village livelihoods.

Sources:

Ministry of Foreign Trade and Tourism
PromPerú
Fair-trade and artisan organizations

Responsible travel is as much about mindset as it is about action. Simple steps—supporting local artisans, being respectful when taking photos, reducing waste, and choosing ethical tour operators—help preserve Peru’s landscapes and traditions for future generations.

After reviewing the guidance in this section, you can continue exploring related topics in our When to travel to Peru and Smart Travel Tips FAQs, which offer deeper insights into how to travel respectfully and safely. With a thoughtful approach, your vacation in Peru can contribute positively to the communities you visit while enriching your own travel experience.