Tap water is not drinkable

Tap water in Peru, and pretty much everywhere else in South America, is unsafe to drink. Most households boil their water to purify it before keeping a bottle or pot of clean water on the stove or in the refrigerator. Many travel websites recommend that if you boil your water, you bring it to a boil and then let it cool for five minutes.

While this method is intended to cover all bases and is guaranteed to kill 100% of all bacteria and parasites, it is not truly necessary. Once your water has reached a boil, it is safe to drink, and there is no need to continue boiling it for another 5 minutes, especially if you are camping and need to conserve gas. If you don't want to boil your water or don't have access to a stove, you can purify it with chlorine tablets or drops. Pick some up before you go at a camping store, or look for an adventure gear store once you arrive in Peru.