Peru and Galapagos a little help please -
I have a few questions before I start packing and head out on our trip to Peru and The Galapagos in a few weeks - 1. Did you need 2 walking sticks or was one enough? My husband and I have 1 set that we usually share, should I purchase another set? 2. Did you need to bring local currency or did most places take a credit card or US$? 3. How bad were the bugs - we are going in May - what bug repellent did you use? 4. Did you bring special shampoo, conditioner and/or hair products that were safe for the Galapagos (similar to reef safe suntan lotion but for your hair - this is more for the women 
. THANKS For any help
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I can answer the Galapagos part….their currency in the American dollar, so that’s easy. You will be spending most time there on islands where there are no shops. You pay by credit card on the ship. Not many bugs the two times I’ve been, March and December. You are on the equator so the sun is fierce and it’s good to keep covered up anyway. You can pre-spray clothing with Premethrin or use Deet or Picaradin on exposed skin for mosquito protection. You can discussed any need to take malaria meds with your doctor or read CDC guidelines.
Walking sticks on Galapagos. Depends on your mobility. I never used them previously but may use one when I go in July. Some islands are sandy, some have jagged lava, so that is when I will have mine with me, but I’ll only use one. I think it’s a personal preference. The ship usually has spares. Keep away from behind people using sticks, they are a trip hazard. I’ve almost had my eye poked out twice when people pointed at something with their stick.
I went to the Galapagos in May about 10 years ago, I don’t remember spraying bug spray. I haven’t the need for a walking stick, but the lava can be tricky if you have never walked on it before and/or have balance issues. I’m assuming in Peru, you are going to Machu Picchu, once again I don’t remember a bug issue, lots of up and down on steps that are not the same size. You can use some American dollars in Peru, but you are going to want to get the local currency for small items or take a picture of someone holding a baby lamb, a baby llama, etc! Have a pisco sour for me!
The gals with the baby llama take American dollars with gratitude. No need for local currency. However, they want bills that are fairly new – not worn and beaten up. I've heard that they have trouble exchanging American currency that is not in good condition.
There are usually at least two young women with the baby llama and a dollar each was plenty when we were there. Maybe a couple of dollars each now.
I think those are alpacas in the picture (picture from 2017).
Some cute young girls, and their llamas, who want to pose with you (for a few dollars).
A closeup of one of the young girls.
And one more of the gals with a baby llama (and a baby on her back).
We went to Machu Picchu twice: You can see our trips at
https://www.mikeandjudytravel.com/2017SouthAmerica-01.htm and
https://www.mikeandjudytravel.com/2021-1Galapagos-01.htm
I did Peru and the Hidden Galapagos last May (2025), and found 2 walking sticks helpful at Machu Picchu and on one Galapagos Island (can't recall which one now) where there were lava flows that had like a hard shell that had cracked so you'd step on one side and it would shift suddenly under your feet and then shift back as you walked across it - the sticks definitely helped balance. Our TD had some walking sticks to hand out to people who did not have any, but I don't think there would have been enough for everyone to have 2 -- I brought my own that fold down into about three sections and pack into a small-ish nylon type bag. If you take your own, make sure you have rubber tips for them.
I did not use any local currency - as noted above Ecuador uses the USD and in Peru I used a credit card. We had few, if any, bugs but depending on rain amounts I was told Peru can have mosquitoes and, altho at a high altitude, Machu Picchu is jungle type area and the hotel provided mosquito repellant that I used, but don't think I really needed - we had no bugs in the Galapagos - most places there had a slight breeze. I brought my own reef safe products but the ship provided shower gel and shampoo and lotion. After the first day on the ship I don't think anyone "did" their hair - after the hiking and water sports and full days it seemed like folks came back, showered and just let their hair air dry...
Have a great time - it was an amazing trip!