What language is spoken in Peru?

The main language in Peru is Spanish. It is the language of government, schools and business, and the vast majority of Peruvians speak it. Quechua and Aymara are also official languages in the areas where they are most widely spoken, mainly the southern Andes and the shores of Lake Titicaca.

Peru's official languages

Peru's Constitution makes Spanish the official language nationwide. It gives the same status to Quechua, Aymara and the other native languages in the regions where they predominate.

Spanish

Spanish is used in public institutions, business and the media, and it is understood everywhere in the country. In the cities, it is almost the only language you will hear. Peruvian Spanish has a reputation for being clear and fairly slow, especially in Lima, so it is a good place to practice if you have a little classroom Spanish.

Quechua

Quechua was the administrative language of the Inca Empire, and it is still widely spoken across the Andes and in parts of the Amazon, in towns as well as in the countryside. Around Cusco you will hear it in the markets, in the villages of the Sacred Valley and on treks. Many people in the Andes are bilingual, with Quechua as their first language and Spanish as their second.

Aymara

Aymara is spoken in the Puno region and around Lake Titicaca, on both sides of the border with Bolivia.

Amazon languages

In the rainforest, native communities speak dozens of different languages, such as Asháninka and Awajún.

Between one and two million Peruvians do not speak Spanish at all and use only their native language, mostly in rural areas. This variety mirrors the variety of cultures in the country, and it also creates real challenges in schooling, healthcare and access to public services.

Do you need to speak Spanish to travel in Peru?

No, but a few words go a long way. Most Peruvians speak little or no English. You will find English in hotels, some tourist restaurants, airlines and at major sites like Machu Picchu.

In Lima and Cusco

In tourist areas such as Miraflores and Barranco in Lima, or the historic center of Cusco, you can get by with English and some gestures. In markets, taxis and small local restaurants, Spanish quickly becomes necessary.

In Andean villages and on Lake Titicaca

In mountain communities and on the islands of Lake Titicaca, people will speak Spanish to you, and sometimes only Quechua or Aymara. This is where a guide makes a real difference: they translate, explain, and make genuine conversations with local families possible.

Useful Spanish phrases

Hola (hello), gracias (thank you), por favor (please), ¿cuánto cuesta? (how much is it?), la cuenta, por favor (the check, please), no entiendo (I don't understand). Peruvians appreciate the effort, whatever your accent.

A few words of Quechua

A word or two of Quechua almost always gets a smile. Allillanchu? (hello, how are you?), sulpayki (thank you, in the Cusco region), tupananchiskama (goodbye, see you next time).