Make the Most Out of Your New Year in Peru
As wonderful as holidays are, they can get pretty hectic. You’ll have to deal with the influx of people rushing in at the last minute to stock up for the holidays. It’ll feel like a battle trying to grab the last pasta package on the shelf.
Ditch the dishes and the overcooked chicken in the oven — you’re better off catching a flight somewhere else.
The great thing about traveling for the New Year is that you don’t need to trouble yourself with the preparations. All you need is a travel package, much like the Singles’ Tour, and you’re all set for the New Year.
Peru would be a great choice. It isn’t as overhyped as other popular vacation hotspots such as Rio de Janeiro or London, but they can offer so much more than loud parties and drinks.
To start off, they aren’t as crowded. You get to enjoy the place without bumping into people. Second, the people are approachable. Peruvians love spreading joy by inviting other people to celebrate with them, even if it’s a total stranger.
If you aren’t convinced yet, here are a few more reasons why you should spend New Year’s in Peru.
What New Year’s is like in Peru
New Year’s is often associated with parties and nightlife. While that’s not exactly wrong, Peruvians hold more traditional value to New Year’s than just merrimaking.
For one, Peruvians are wary of the superstitions that abound on this day of the year. It’s critical that they observe proper behavior, or else they’ll be bombarded with misfortune for the rest of the year.
Here are a few critical superstitions that most Peruvians observe:
-
Eating twelve grapes after the clock strikes twelve. Peruvians believe that doing so grants you a wish for every month of the year. If a minute has passed and you still haven’t finished all the grapes, it is said that your wishes won’t come true.
-
Burning straw dolls. This symbolizes forgetting the past year and moving on to the next. This Peruvian family tradition is essential for the people who are turning over a new leaf.
-
Bathing in flower scents. One of the most unique traditions in Peru is the baño de florecimiento, or flower bath. In order to be blessed with good luck for the New Year, it is essential to douse yourself in a homemade concoction of floras.
-
Eating pork. The very first thing Peruvians stuff their mouths with on the night before New Year is pork. Pigs often eat moving forward. Hence, Peruvians believe that eating pork on the New Year brings more blessings and fortune in the future.
-
Decorating the House with Yellow Ornaments. Yellow is said to be the color of wealth. Peruvians also wear yellow clothing (or even underwear) as this is supposed to bring luck and happiness.
Where to Celebrate New Year in Peru
There’s a place in Peru for every kind of traveler. It’s almost impossible to run out of things to do in this beautiful country. There are far too many sights to see — and it can be difficult to choose the best place to visit in a short amount of time!
To save you the trouble, we’ve listed a few fascinating places you can visit to spend the New Year:
- Hotel Buffets
Food lovers are going to have the time of their lives trying out local and international cuisines at hotel buffets in Lima. Most highly acclaimed restaurants are expected to be fully booked as well. They often come at a New Year’s discount, and they serve menus exclusive to New Year’s only. People would fight tooth and nail just to get a reservation, so you’ll have to make haste if you plan on going out on a romantic date. Remember that this is not a last minute thing, you need to book in advance.
- The Beach
Locals and tourists alike flock to the beaches of Peru because of how perfect the climate is. They aren’t overcrowded either, but they do have enough people for you to feel like it’s an actual party.
Lima has a ton of promising beaches. Among these beaches are Punta Hermosa, Asia, Pulpos, Punta Negra, San Bartolo & El Silencio. These beaches are tourist-friendly and are affordable, so you won’t have to worry about spending more money than it’s worth.
If you would like to explore beaches outside of Lima, there’s also Mancora, Punta Sal, Ica, and Paracas.
- Cusco
When people think of spending New Year in Peru, Cusco is the first place that comes to mind. Peruvians and tourists alike often come to Cusco for their lively party scene. There are various bars, discos, and nightclubs to keep one occupied until the New Year countdown.
Once your adrenaline has died down, you can head over to the main square, Plaza de Armas, to snag yourself all kinds of goods and bites to eat. Even if you don’t have anything to buy in this area, you’ll still have a great time wandering around seeing the assortment of crafts and artisan goods.
- Sacred Valley
There’s a tradition celebrated every New Year’s in Sacred Valley. Mayors of various regions would gather and plan out a huge celebration to greet the New year. This is what the townsfolk coin as the “Sinkuy” celebration.
This celebration is held in the main square, Ollantaytambo. Thousands of people gather in this place wearing costumes, bringing chicha, and handing out animal-shaped bread.
Afterward, the people would watch the fireworks go off to commemorate the dawn of a new year.
Make New Year Your Most Romantic Holiday Yet
Even with all the festivities going around in Peru, it can feel lonely not having anyone special to spend it with. Why not find a Peruvian woman to date online? You’ll feel much better knowing that you have someone you share a deep connection with, even if you are in a foreign land.
Your New Year will be a lot more meaningful when you have a significant other to celebrate it with. Take a leap of faith and find a Latina girlfriend now!
