How Much Does a Peru Trip Cost for a Family? (Points vs Cash Breakdown)
We just took our two kids, ages 2 and 4, all the way to Peru, including Machu Picchu.
If we had paid cash for this trip, it would have cost us over $25,000.
But we didn’t pay that.
We used a mix of points, credit card benefits, and a little bit of cash to bring that number way down. And I’m going to walk you through exactly how we did it, what was worth it, and what actually ended up being more expensive than I expected.
Because here’s the thing no one really tells you about Peru:
some parts are shockingly affordable… and other parts add up fast, especially when you’re traveling as a family.
If you’re new here, I teach families how to use points, miles, and credit card strategies to travel for nearly free.
👉 Grab my free beginner’s guide to points and miles here
The Big Picture: What This Trip Cost
Before we get into all the details, here’s the high-level view.
If we had paid cash for everything, this trip would have been just over $25,000 for the four of us.
The biggest driver of that cost was flights. Hotels were next. And then Machu Picchu ended up being one of those “this doesn’t seem expensive… until you add it all up” situations.
But because we used points and credits strategically, we paid a fraction of that total.
Now let’s break it down.
Flights: Where the Real Savings Happened
Flights are what make or break a trip like this.
If you’re traveling as a family of four, your default assumption is probably that you’re flying economy and just trying to keep the cost as low as possible.
That’s what I thought too when I first started traveling with kids.
But even that wasn’t cheap.
When I priced out these same flights in economy, they were coming out to around $6,000 round trip for all four of us.
So even the “budget option” was expensive.
But luckily, I travel with points and miles, so I knew that I could get my flights for way cheaper than that.
What We Booked Instead
For this trip, we flew business class to Peru. All four of us.
Now, if we had paid cash for those seats, it would have cost about $22,000 round trip, which is obviously not realistic for most families, including ours.
Instead, we booked those same flights using points. We used 35,000 miles per person, each way, which came out to 280,000 points total for our family round trip, plus about $30 to $60 per person in taxes.
That’s the kind of redemption that makes this whole strategy worth it.
Why We Chose Business Class with Kids
This wasn’t just about flying in comfort. Our flight left at 11 PM and landed at 5 AM.
If you’ve ever done a red-eye with kids, you already know… if they don’t sleep, nobody sleeps. And then your entire first day of your trip is basically a wash.
Having lie-flat seats meant they could actually sleep. And that made a huge difference, not just for the flight, but for how we felt when we landed.
Business class with kids often isn't about luxury. It’s about making the trip actually work.
How We Booked It
We flew LATAM for the long-haul flights.
At the time, I booked these through Alaska miles, which unfortunately isn’t an option anymore.
But you can still book these same flights through partners like Virgin Atlantic, Japan Airlines, or using Avios through programs like British Airways or Finnair.
See More: How to Find 3+ Business Class Seats Using Points and Miles
My 2 year old enjoying his business class seat on LATAM.
Hotels: Where Points and Credits Changed the Experience
We stayed in four different places on this trip, and each one served a different purpose.
Some were simple and practical. Others were where we really saw the value of points and credit card perks.
Lima: Souma Hotel Lima (IHG Vignette Collection)
Our first stop was Lima, where we stayed at the Souma Hotel for two nights.
We booked this using 75,000 IHG points, and the cash price would have been around $425.
It was a nice hotel, but the biggest win here was that they let us check in early at 1 PM.
After a red-eye flight with kids, that mattered more than anything else.
We were able to relax, get the kids settled, and not just wander around exhausted waiting for a room.
Souma Hotel Lima (IHG Vignette Collection)
Sacred Valley: Tierra Inka Hotel (Ollantaytambo)
Next, we went to the Sacred Valley and stayed at Tierra Inka Hotel.
This was a smaller boutique property, and it cost about $149 per night, so $298 total.
And this was one of my favorite parts of the trip.
If you’re booking something similar in the Sacred Valley, you can check current rates here.
The hotel included breakfast, had free water available, and the views from our room were incredible. You could see the Ollantaytambo ruins and the Andes mountains right from the window.
It felt quiet, relaxed, and much more authentic than staying in a big city hotel.
The Transfer That Wasn’t Just a Transfer
We also booked transportation from Cusco to the hotel through them, and this ended up being one of the best values of the trip. It cost $79, but it wasn’t just a ride.
We stopped at the Maras salt mines, had lunch along the way, and the driver waited for us the entire time. It basically turned into a half-day experience instead of just getting from point A to point B.
Our room at the Tierra Inka Hotel, surrounded by beautiful Andes Mountains.
Cusco: Palacio del Inka (Booked Through Amex FHR)
This was easily the highlight of the trip.
Palacio del Inka normally costs about $440 per night, and we stayed for 3 nights.
That would have been over $1,300.
Instead, I booked through Amex Fine Hotels and Resorts and used three separate $300 credits from Amex Platinum cards.
So we paid about $420 total out of pocket.
Why Booking Through Amex FHR Matters
This is where the strategy really comes in.
Booking through FHR gave us:
A room upgrade
Breakfast included
A $150 spa credit
An overall higher-end experience
And in our case, that upgrade was huge. We were upgraded to a suite, which meant more space, a separate living area, and a much more comfortable setup with kids.
This is one of the biggest reasons I keep the Amex Platinum card → Read More: Amex Platinum Review
Stacking Benefits with Marriott Status
Even though I booked through Amex FHR, I added my Marriott loyalty number. They recognized my Marriott Gold status and sent cookies and muffins to our room the next day.
This is why I always say: attach your loyalty number whenever you can. Even when you’re booking through something like FHR, sometimes you can still sometimes stack benefits.
All the Extra Touches
This hotel really went above and beyond.
They brought a cake and sparkling wine for my husband’s birthday.
They had grab-and-go breakfast ready for us at 4:20 AM when we left for Machu Picchu.
There was even a baby alpaca in the courtyard that the kids were able to pet and interact with.
This is one of those stays where hotel credits didn’t just save money. They made the experience better.
Birthday cake and sparkling wine, courtesy of Palacio del Inka
Final Night: Hyatt Centric Lima
For our last night, we stayed at the Hyatt Centric San Isidro Lima.
This hotel cost 8,000 Hyatt points, but I earned 3,000 points back from a promo, so the net cost was closer to 5,000 points.
We didn’t spend much time there, but it was a great stay.
One really cool thing that they did for us was they set up a teepee in the room for the kids, which they loved, and gave us drink vouchers that I used for cappuccinos. We also had a fruit basket waiting for us in the room. And being a lowly Discoverist in the World of Hyatt program, I was surprised by all of these thoughtful touches!
The Hyatt Centric San Isidro Lima is very family friendly!
Machu Picchu: Where Costs Add Up Quickly
Machu Picchu was the highlight of the trip, but also one of the most expensive and complicated parts.
Getting there is not simple.
You need multiple tickets, multiple modes of transportation, and everything adds up.
What It Cost Us
Train: about $450 total
Entry tickets: about $115
Bus from Aguas Calientes to Machu Picchu: about $45 to $50
Guide: about $89
So overall, this one day cost us around $700 to $800.
Why It Feels Expensive
We booked the cheapest train option, called Expedition, with Perurail.
It was very basic. No snacks, no drinks, just a cup of water. If you upgrade to something like the Vistadome, the price goes up even more.
And this is where I think people underestimate the cost.
$150 per person for a train doesn’t sound terrible… but when you multiply that by four people and add buses and tickets, it becomes one of the most expensive days of the trip.
Machu Picchu - 2A Circuit
Daily Costs in Peru Are Surprisingly Low
Once you’re actually in Peru, things are very affordable.
Food was around $35 to $50 for a full meal for all four of us.
Ubers were usually $5 to $7 within cities, about $20 from the airport, and around $50 for longer rides.
Activities were also inexpensive, including the water circuit in Lima, which felt like a full experience for just a few dollars.
Alpaca is surprisingly delicious!
Was It Worth It?
Because we used points and credits strategically, we were able to take a trip that would have cost over $25,000 and make it manageable.
We flew comfortably, stayed in great hotels, and had experiences we wouldn’t have paid cash for.
It wasn’t perfect. Traveling with kids never is.
But it was absolutely worth it.
Don’t Make These Mistakes
If you’re planning a trip like this, especially with kids, there are a few mistakes that can cost you time, money, and a lot of stress.
👉 I break down the 10 biggest ones in the next post/video. Make sure you check that out before you book anything.
Start Here If You Want to Do This Too
Get my free beginner’s guide to points and miles travel.
Best Credit cards for travel
