Home
Peru
PLAN MY VISIT
Peru Destinations HotelsThings to do Transport Maps Vacations Team
  • Top Destinations
PLAN MY VISIT →
  1. Home
  2. Peru
  3. Travel Guides

Development and Society in Peru

After a turbulent 20th century, Peru progresses every year toward making the best use of its abundant natural resources and tourist attractions. Peru’s economy has been marked by a reliance on foreign powers — first under colonial rule and then through a series of trade agreements with other countries. In the 20th century, Peru dealt with an onslaught of intertwined political and economic difficulties, including communist insurgencies, authoritarian regimes, massive debt, and rapid inflation. By the early 1990s, the main terrorist groups had been largely disbanded, and the economy began to recover.

Flag of Peru

Team Anywhere Peru designs awesomepersonalized vacations  using local knowledge and decades of experience.

Quality of Life

In the early 2000s, Peru experienced rapid economic gains. With this progress came increased levels of education and health. Today, the average life expectancy in Peru is 74.5 years, and the literacy rate among adults is 89.6 percent. Educational resources have also expanded, and 97.1 percent of children are enrolled in school. Children in the city have a strong educational advantage over children in rural areas. Of underage workers in Peru, 68 percent of them live in rural areas, performing tasks related to agriculture and mining. 2012 marked the beginning of significant improvements in child labor laws, and stricter regulations will hopefully mean more education for children in agricultural communities.

Catholic social mores (Catholicsm is the predominant religion in Peru, albeit, comingled with indigenous beliefs) and a culture of machismo have preserved traditional gender roles in Peru. Divorce is still taboo, and married women usually remain in the domestic sphere. Open-air marketplaces — still one of the most common shopping destinations — are still predominantly run by women. As in many Latin American countries, large, close-knit families have regular get-togethers on weekends and during public holidays.

Economy and Employment

Peru has a large number of subsistence farmers, referred to as campesinos, and rural populations that still live in relative isolation throughout the Andes. Starting in the late 1960s, the divide between the upper class and the blue-collar workers began to shrink. In the past two decades, the Peruvian government and economy have made huge developments in infrastructure and increased transportation options have made it easier for tourists and natives alike to explore Peru’s many distinct environments and cultures.

Peru’s economy relies mostly on agriculture and its deposits of oil, minerals, and precious metals. Peru also exports a large amount of produce. Most of the produce ends up in South America, but some of it makes it as far as the U.S., thanks to a 2007 free trade agreement. Peru also has an abundance of natural resources, including zinc, copper, mercury, silver, and gold. Mining companies provide jobs to Peruvians, but Peruvian companies don’t typically own the resources. U.S. and Argentine companies own the pipelines extracting gas from the Amazon Basin.

Amazon%20Basin

The American corporation Halliburton owns the refinery at the Camisea gas fields, and the Colorado-based Newmont Mining Corporation operates the Yanacocha Gold Mine in northern Peru. From an environmental standpoint, many of these resources have not been properly managed.

Natural Disaster Setbacks

Several natural disasters have stymied healthy economic growth in Peru. Earthquakes wreak havoc in southern Peru, an area that sits on top of the shifting Nazca tectonic plate. Besides the immediate damage, these catastrophes have done long-term damage by destroying or damaging tourist attractions. For example, in 2001, an earthquake dismantled one of the towers of the 17th-century cathedral in Arequipa.

Arequipa%20Cathedral

Other cities hit by severe earthquakes in the past decade include Pisco, Chincha, and Ica. At unpredictable intervals, a mysterious weather pattern called El Niño brings Peru to a standstill. In 1982 and 1998 devastating storms flooded parts of northern Peru. Both storms occurred at politically precarious times, making existing turmoil much worse.

Tourist Attractions and Preservation

One of Peru’s most diverse resources has faced a tremendous amount of damage. Unfortunately for the plants, wildlife and natives of the jungle, the Amazon is home to some highly-prized natural resources. Companies have started to extract oil from the Amazon Basin. Mobil Oil has started to explore opportunities in the Las Piedras and Candamo Valley — areas with indigenous groups and rare populations of plants and animals. Some Peruvians living near the jungle also participate in illegal deforestation.

The Manu National Park and Pacaya Samiria National Reserve are large reserves in the Amazon, both committed to preserving the Amazon and supporting ecotourism. In 2001, Peru started allowing community-managed conservation areas. The Chaparrí Ecological Reserve and Tamshiyacu Tahuayo Reserve are both successful examples of local governments stepping in to augment limited federal resources.

Despite the country's rich history and many attractions it wasn't until the late 1990s that Peru began to fulfill its potential as a tourist destination. 16 percent of Peru’s land is found in 68 protected areas. These areas get some funding from the government, and receive large donations from foreign organizations. The Peruvian government is also working to make sure popular tourist sites aren’t worn down by large numbers of visitors. In order to visit many monuments in the Cusco region, for example, you must purchase a tourist ticket. The government has also imposed limits on how many people can hike the Inca Trail at one time. This will hopefully ensure that growing numbers of visitors can continue to visit and admire all of Peru’s stunning attractions.

Inca%20Trail%20Machu%20Picchu

Archaeology in PeruA Taste of PeruDevelopment and Society in PeruEnvironmental Issues in PeruFood and Drink in PeruGetting Around in PeruGetting to PeruHolidays and Festivals in PeruIs Peru Safe?Money in PeruMusic and Art in PeruPeru AirbnbPeru Entry RequirementsPeru's Government and EconomyPeru Surfing GuidePeruvian archaeologyPeruvian HistoryPolitical Struggles in the 20th and 21st CenturiesProtected Areas in PeruReferencesReligion in PeruThe Fujimori Regime and Economic Growth in the 21st CenturyThe Geography of PeruThe Inca Empire, Spanish Conquest, and IndependenceThe People and Culture of PeruWeather in PeruWhen to Visit Peru
Excellent!
Trustpilot Rating
Based on 705 reviews
Trustpilot
One of the best I have ever used
Having traveled a lot, I have used many travel companies. The responsiveness and efforts to meet our needs were unmatche...
Dec 08, 2022
– A. Hershe.
Trustpilot Rating
Top Travel Agent for Peru
Anywhere in Peru was amazing! They did everything and more for myself, my mom, and sister while we were in Cusco and Lim...
Nov 21, 2022
– Mandy D.
Trustpilot Rating
Without a Doubt the Best Service Ever!
Peru was beyond beautiful and every journey and experience was tailored to make sure we were safe, happy, and taken care...
Sep 05, 2022
– Cindy Val.
Trustpilot Rating
A PERFECT vacation experience in Peru!
I keep raving about Anywhere.com, especially in Peru. Cesar customized our trip based on the attractions we wanted to se...
Aug 29, 2021
– Raisa S.
Trustpilot Rating
5 nights in Peru
This is the second time we have used Anywhere (Costa Rica last year). The Peru team guided by Cesar was superb. Always o...
Mar 10, 2020
– Steve & P.
Trustpilot Rating
Excellent choice for our trip through…
Excellent choice for our trip through Peru. Lima/Cusco/machu Picchu/back to Cusco then onward to Chile. Good hotels, exc...
Mar 02, 2020
– Anne
Trustpilot Rating
Highly recommend Anywhere Travel
Anywhere does a fantastic job of really building the perfect trip for you. Just tell them dates, general budget, and wha...
Feb 29, 2020
– Ben Gurtn.
Trustpilot Rating
Wouldn't travel any where without Anywhere
Thank you for making this a perfect trip for us. All arrangements worked like clockwork and we never missed a beat as we...
Jan 21, 2020
– IcameIsaw
Trustpilot Rating
I would recommend Anywhere.com Peru to…
I would recommend Anywhere.com Peru to anyone! They did an excellent job coordinating our itinerary and transportation. ...
Oct 25, 2019
– Eddie A.
Trustpilot Rating
Thank you Anywhere.com
I used Anywhere.com to plan a trip to Peru. The trip they organized for me and my mom was amazing. The agent, Sara, was ...
Aug 16, 2019
– Rori
Trustpilot Rating
Outstanding Job!
Anywhere.com did an OUTSTANDING job with helping be coordinate and facilitate the best adventure that I have ever had in...
Aug 06, 2019
– Adam
Trustpilot Rating
Our 2nd time with Anywhere and HAPPY!
We love Anywhere! We just have to pack and we are taken care of basically during our whole stay. Everything is nicely ar...
Jul 18, 2019
– Valery
Trustpilot Rating
Anywhere.com provided us excellent…
Anywhere.com provided us excellent service during our Costa Rica trip in 2016 and Peru trip in 2018.From planning,bookin...
Jun 22, 2019
– Sunil
Trustpilot Rating
Peru June 2019
Anywhere.com planned every step of our trip perfectly. We are very happy with their service.
Jun 21, 2019
– Lata
Trustpilot Rating
Our experience with Anywhere travel in…Peru
Our experience with Anywhere travel in Peru was, in a word, remarkable. The sights, experiences, and accommodations wer...
Jun 14, 2019
– Stuart
Trustpilot Rating

Let's Dream Together

Share your bucketlist to get inspiration and local connections.

We care about the protection of your data. Read our Privacy Policy.

Peru Vacations
  • Adventure
  • Family
  • Luxury
  • Romantic
  • Trekking
Highlights
  • Unique & Authentic
  • Coasts
  • Mountains
  • Beaches
  • Cloudforests
  • Lakes
  • Surfing
  • Spiritual
  • Culinary
PLACES TO GO
  • Machu Picchu
  • Nazca Lines
  • Cusco
  • Lima
  • Aguas Calientes
  • Puno
  • Arequipa
  • Iquitos
  • Sacred Valley
  • Nazca
  • Amazon
THINGS TO DO
  • Culture
  • Get a Guide
  • Ruins
  • Archeology
  • Culinary
  • Train Rides
  • Hiking
  • Museums
  • History
  • Boating
  • Birdwatching
  • Cooking Lessons
Trustpilot 5 of 5 rated service
Trustpilot "Excellent"
Plan My Visit→+1 (888) 456-3212
MessengerContact AnywhereWhatsapp ContactCall USA: +1-888-456-3212

© 2023 Anywhere Inc. All rights reserved.Privacy Policy