October 2019 - Proyecto Peru Blog

Learning Spanish in Peru: My experience

February 13, 2026October 30, 2019 by Coen

In this article, Laura Graichen shares her experience learning Spanish with Proyecto Peru.

Five years ago, I came to South America with zero knowledge of the Spanish language. I thought that I would be able to get by with just some hand signals and a few rords, but nothing could have been further from the truth. Some basic knowledge of Spanish is actually indispensable as it makes traveling a lot easier. In addition, it is a much nicer travelling experience if you can chat a little with the locals. You immediately get a lot of respect if they only see that you are trying!

8 free things to do in Cusco

February 17, 2026October 16, 2019 by Coen

This article was published in October 2019. Some information may be out of date

Chances are that the Inca capital, Cusco, is on the programme during your tour through Peru. From here you can make trips to the famous surrounding Inca ruins in the Sacred Valley and of course the once in a lifetime excursion to the not-so-hidden Inca city of Machu Picchu.

Cusco is a lively, welcoming and friendly city where you will find many remnants of the resourceful Inca. For this reason many travellers choose to stay in the city for a little longer. And even if you’ve just booked an expensive excursion to Machu Picchu or are travelling on a limited budget, these eight tips for free activities in Cusco prove that a few extra days don’t have to cost much at all and are also great for those volunteering or interning for a few weeks.

4 tips to be a more responsible volunteer

February 12, 2026October 9, 2019 by Coen

Volunteering abroad can be a meaningful experience. It can broaden your perspective, strengthen your skills, and allow you to contribute to a community in a practical way. However, good intentions are not enough. Poorly designed volunteer programs can unintentionally cause harm, create dependency, or prioritise profit over impact.

If you are considering volunteering in Peru or elsewhere, here are four principles to help you approach the experience responsibly.

The best bars in Cusco

February 12, 2026October 1, 2019 by Coen

“You can’t buy happiness, but you can prepare a cocktail. And that’s kind of the same thing.”

This article was published in 2019 so some information may be out of date

When googling Cusco while researching volunteerin in Peru, I’m sure you are bombarded with cute photos of llamas and alpacas (and, of course, you’re not able to tell which one is which). And you’re also bombarded with beautiful photos of Machu Picchu, Rainbow Mountain, the Sacred Valley, Lake Humantay, and the list goes on.