Internships in Sacred Valley, Peru

As far as internships, possibilities in the Sacred Valley vary widely. The Sacred Valley is rural and has attracted many entrepreneurs; therefore, most internships are offered by small and medium sized businesses. Internships exist in the fields of education, tourism, hospitality, natural Andean medicine, health, physical therapy, nutrition, alternative health care, business, marketing, agriculture, film, photography, and many more. 

While Spanish is not necessary, very few people speak English. Therefore having at least intermediate Spanish is recommended. Luckily, there are also a number of language schools in the Sacred Valley where you can pick up some language skills.

Life in the Sacred Valley is rural, outdoorsy, slow paced, and inexpensive. There are many naturally beautiful places to visit within the valley in addition to major attractions just outside the valley. In your free time, there are a variety of treks and hikes to take. You can visit the Incan town of Ollantaytambo, the various archeological ruins, the textile centers in Chincheros, the ancient salt pools of Salineras, or the markets in Urubamba and Pisac. In just an hour by public transit, you can even visit the colonial town of Cusco. Machu Picchu is also just a one and a half hour train ride away and can be visited in a single day. The Jungle and Lake Titicaca also make great excursions during your time off. 

Culturally, a certain degree of informality exists. Therefore, it is important to be flexible and open to a different working and lifestyle. People are often late, and it is accepted as normal. It is also important to know that Peru is a developing country, so certain comforts will not always be available during your internship in the Sacred Valley. Nonetheless, the rich culture, delicious cuisine, and stunning landscapes make up for that tenfold.

Living in the Sacred Valley will be rural, and most living arrangements will entail living in organization owned houses, homestays, or guesthouses. While the locals often do not have access to hot water or WIFI, interns are usually set up with accommodations offering both amenities. 

Visas are not required to intern in Peru for most nationalities, but it is important to check if your nationality requires a visa prior to arrival. Note that students from the United States, Canada, Australia, the UK, and all European countries do not need to apply for a visa ahead of time. Instead, the visa will be given as a stamp in their passport upon arrival. Just like volunteers, interns usually enter Peru as a tourist and their passports are stamped for a 30, 60, 90, or 183-day visa. You will have to let the immigration officer know how long you’ll be staying in Peru, so be sure you prep your explanation of why you’ll be there that long. In the end, the immigration officials have the sole discretion to decide how long to stamp your visa for. If you happen to overstay your visa, you will have to pay $1 per day you have overstayed upon exiting the country. 

We recommend consulting GoAbroad’s Embassy Directory for more information about visas for internships in Peru.

Perhaps the most valuable benefit of choosing to intern in the Sacred Valley is the opportunity to experience true Spanish language immersion away from the more touristy areas. Another benefit is that you will learn how to work in a developing country. While there are challenges that come along with rural life in a developing country, the growth that will come out of the experience of interning in the Sacred Valley makes it worth it. Many interns leave with a new perspective on life, in many regards.

Choosing to intern in the Sacred Valley of the Incas will offer an invaluable Spanish language and Andean cultural immersion experience. Additionally, by interning in the Sacred Valley, you will make an impact on local businesses that will sincerely appreciate your contributions.