Peru GF (Lima, Cusco, and Machu Picchu)
GF chicken sandwich and yuca fries from Atón, Cusco!
Hey gluten-free adventurers! This school break, my family and I visited South America for the first time, passing through Peru- Lima and Cusco, and of course, the iconic Machu Picchu. This was an interesting one in terms of accommodations and safe food options!
Our first stop was Lima. We checked into the Hilton Miraflores and were pleasantly surprised by their gluten-free breakfast options., including vegetarian omelettes, fresh fruit, and yuca bread! (Ask the staff for gluten-free bread and they will bring you some, freshly baked!) Of course, this was no GF bakery with croissants/pancakes etc, but it definitely worked for us considering the new country/hemisphere and trying to out my AP Spanish Lang to the test to ask about gluten-free food en español! Plus, the executive lounge is great for gluten-free snacks with guacamole, nuts, vegetables, and more!
In Peru, we signed up for an Airbnb cooking class (check out the link here: https://www.airbnb.com/experiences/365618), and it was great! We toured local markets, picked out fresh produce, and then went back to the Airbnb location to cook as a group alongside a Peruvian chef. We had communicated about my dietary restrictions beforehand, so they had prepped a separate and clean area for me to prepare my food and swapped the soy sauce for simple salt! (Plus, we had brought mini GF-Kikkoman soy sauce packets from home, pro-tip!) We made the classic Lomo Saltado, delicious yuca fries and tasted exotic fruits native to Peru- it was a wonderful, full-day experience. (Overall, a very accommodating experience!)
Next we headed to Cusco. Altitude sickness hit us hard, but we managed to find some really great gluten-free spots when we could get ourselves up and out of the hotel! First, we found Atón, a tiny, cozy, family-owned restaurant tucked away in an alleyway. The entire menu is gluten-free! It was amazing- I got to try cheese empanadas for the first time! The menu also had lots of vegetarian options, and was great in English and Spanish! They mainly had empanadas and homemade sandwiches on a seedy bread.
Another highlight was Nuna Raymi. This place was super unique, sourcing all their ingredients locally and serving only authentic Peruvian cuisine. We got fresh guac and yuca fries as an appetizer, and my main dish was salmon on a bed of quinoa and veggies! GF fruit fondue was for dessert- delicious!
Now, let's talk Machu Picchu. Pro tip: Bring snacks. The options on the trains and in Aguas Calientes are very limited for gluten-free. I managed to find some safe veggie rolls at a sushi restaurant in Aguas Calientes (the little town they take most tourist groups before heading up the mountains) and a decent caprese salad at a local restaurant, but it definitely wasn't enough to fuel all that hiking. I had brought some protein bars, a muffin, and more, which definitely held me over.
So there you have it- Peru is a beautiful culture of cuisine, and with a little planning, you can definitely find some Celiac-safe options.
Remember, traveling with Celiac Disease doesn’t have to be stressful or impossible- with a little planning and some insider tips, you can have a worry-free adventure. :)
Feel free to sign up for the email list, or email me directly, if you have any questions about Celiac-safe travel in Peru or could use any further guidance! Safe travels!
- Chloe G. 🌍✨
