Number one on anyone's "Peru list" is Machu Picchu, however if you are thinking about visiting Machu Picchu, please consider the following. Global Volunteers understands volunteer desires to visit historical and cultural sights while in Peru; however, we also want to ensure that your participation on the service program fulfills your commitment to serve the children at the PPA and meets the tax deductibility requirements of the IRS, assuming you intend to deduct the service program fee.

You can visit Machu Picchu, one of the New Seven Wonders of the World, either before or after the service program, although this may affect the tax deductibility of your air fare. Please consult your tax advisor. If you wish to use the weekend to visit Machu Picchu, it will be necessary to take at least a half day off from volunteering and consequently, you will not meet the IRS requirement of 40 hours of service per week on the program. However, if you arrange your travel so that you are only away from Friday afternoon through Sunday evening or Saturday morning through Monday morning, you can make this time up by participating in additional evening volunteer service options.

Other free-time opportunities include Lima's restored colonial center and Lima’s many museums, markets and cafes. The Pacific Ocean hugs the entire western edge of the Miraflores district, and one can walk for miles along the boardwalk that overlooks the water crashing on the cliffs below. Weekend trips to Paracas, the Ballestas Islands and the Nasca Lines are also popular among volunteers to Peru. Several beaches dot the Pacific Ocean coastline north and south of Lima, and there are nature preserves and hiking destinations that can be visited on day trips from Lima.