Languages of Peru

Peru Language Info

The official language of Peru is Spanish, but the nation is multilingual. Spanish is spoken by about 84% of the Peruvian population and is notably the most widely spoken language. Though, while you travel through different regions in Peru, you may notice a variation in Spanish. Some of the pronunciations of certain words will be different and expressions may be used in different settings. For example, Peruvian Spanish uses the 3rd-person plural form of “you” (“ustedes”) rather than the “vosotros”. Other languages spoken in Peru are Quechua and Aymara. Although these languages have a much less population speaking them. Today, speakers of Aymara are mostly located almost entirely in the deep south region of Peru, such as the floating islands of Uros.

While abroad, you may notice that many Peruvians like to practice their English with foreigners, but few speak the language fluently. Stay patient as you would hope they’d be with you, and you might be able to share the experience in learning a new language. The staff at hotels, restaurants, and tourist locations will speak English well. All of our tour guides are English-speaking, and other languages can be accommodated upon request.

It is always a good idea to learn some of the official languages of the country you are visiting. While Peruvians may want to practice their English, you can reciprocate by practicing some Spanish. Learning a few basic Spanish phrases will make your travel in Peru much easier and enjoyable. We recommend that you take a “Spanish for Travelers” class at your local community center, or with a software program such as Rosetta Stone. Many travel guidebooks include brief language sections – study up before you go to familiarize yourself with basic Spanish.