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Peru Travel Guide

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PERU TRAVEL TIPS
A collection of important information that can make your trip more enjoyable.

Peru is located in the central part of the western coast of South America. It stretches across 1,285,215 square kilometers and has a population of some 23.5 million. Peru's inhabitants are mostly of Andean stock in the highlands and mixed-blooded "mestizos" on the coast, blended in with a hefty influx of European blood, largely Spanish. If you plan to travel Peru take a moment to brush up on the travel tips that will help you be more prepared for travel anywhere in Peru.

 

PERU GENERAL INFORMATION

Language: Spanish and Quechua are the official languages. Aymará is spoken in some areas of the region of Puno. Many other dialects exist in the jungle regions. English is spoken in major tourist areas.

Electricity: 220 volts AC, 60Hz. (110 volts AC is available in most 4- and 5-star hotels).

GEOGRAPHY: Peru is a large, mountainous country on the Pacific coast of South America. It has borders with Ecuador and Colombia to the north, Brazil and Bolivia to the east, and Chile to the south. The Pacific Ocean lies to the west. There are three natural zones, running roughly north to south: Costa (Coast), Sierra (the Highlands) and Selva (Amazonian rain forest). The Costa region, which contains Lima (the capital), is a narrow coastal plain consisting of large tracts of desert broken by fertile valleys. The cotton, sugar and rice plantations and most of the so-far exploited oil fields lie in this area. The Sierra contains the Andes, with peaks over 6000m (20,000ft), most of the country’s mineral resources (silver, zinc, lead, copper and gold) and the greater part of its livestock. The Selva, an area of fertile, subtropical uplands, lies between the Andes and the border with Brazil. Sections of a proposed international highway are at present being built through it, with some sections already in use. The Amazonian jungle has vast natural resources. The absence of land communications, however, left the area largely uncharted until full-scale oil exploration began in 1973. The population is largely Indian and Mestizo with a noticeable influence from African, Chinese and European (mainly Spanish) settlers.

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PERU ENTRY REQUIREMENTS

Passport needed. Visas are required only from the following countries: Cuba, Iran, Iraq, Kuwait, Bulgaria, Russia, Pakistan, India, and China. Vaccines are necessary only if travelers are visiting areas where there is an epidemic such as yellow fever and hepatitis B. Click here for more Visa Information.

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GETTING AROUND PERU

Peru is a big country, so many travellers take internal flights if they have limited time. Aero Continente has effectively monopolised the domestic market. Prices have risen accordingly, and route coverage is limited. LanPeru, co-owned by LanChile, also conducts domestic flights. There are also a handful of small airlines flying to remote destinations in light aircraft. There's an 18% tax on domestic flights, but you can avoid most of this if you buy tickets abroad. There's a 4.00 departure tax on domestic flights.

Public buses are the usual mode of transport over long distances. They are cheap, frequent and relatively comfortable, at least on major routes. When travelling between towns, have your passport with you, as it will need to be shown at police checkpoints. Armed robberies on night buses are not unheard of in Peru, so travel on a day bus (or fly) if you have the option. Trucks often double as buses in remote areas. The fare is usually standardised according to the distance, but agree on the fare in advance. Local buses are slow, cheap and crowded; when you want to get off just yell out. Taxi fares need to be haggled over; there are no metered cabs.

The government-owned railways (INAFER) are facing imminent privatisation. Services go from the coast to the highlands; the Central Railroad runs from Lima to La Oroya, where it branches north and south. The northbound line goes to Cerro de Pasco and the southbound to Huancayo; although there are plans to open the southern route to passenger trains, both of these routes are currently for freight use only. A short passenger line continues from Huancayo to Huancavelica. The Southern Railroad runs between Arequipa to Lake Titicaca and Cuzco. Services are cheap and fairly comfortable, but not particularly safe.

Boat travel is important in Peru's eastern lowlands. Dugout canoes powered with outboard engines operate as water taxis; larger cargo boats are often also available as water transport.

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PERU CUSTOMS

Articles exonerated from customs duties:

Note: Passengers may bring as luggage articles that are not included in this list, paying a flat duty of 20% of CIF value for articles whose value does not exceed US$1,000.

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PERU TELECOMMUNICATIONS

Peru has a modern telephone service that has been upgraded to standard technologies. Fixed and mobile phones service are run by private companies, that have improved the quality of service. Since the telecommunications sector was privatized, the State limits itself to monitoring rates and customer complaints. ou can place national and international long distance phone calls from phone boxes with coins or phone cards that are sold at gas stations, supermarkets, kiosks and even in the streets. Calls can be placed without an operator assistance. Cellular phones service have also improved at leaps and bounds. Mobile phones can now be used in all the main cities around the country, making communication easier. National long distance calls: Many cities of Peru have direct dialing service, you simply have to dial 0, the regional area code and the telephone number. In case the city does not have direct dialing service, dial 109 and ask the operator to connect you. Area codes of principal cities within Peru:

PERU BUSINESS PROFILE

Economy: The Peruvian economy is divided into two distinct parts: a relatively modern industrial and service economy concentrated on the coastal plain, and a subsistence agricultural economy in the interior. Inevitably, one consequence has been huge migration from the interior to the coastal cities. About one-third of the workforce is engaged in agriculture, producing rice, maize and potatoes for domestic consumption and coffee as the principal cash crop. There is also a substantial illicit economy based on the production of coca (which has grown recently due to the collapse of world coffee prices). Fisheries are also important, and provide substantial export income. Much of the foreign investment of the early 1990s was directed towards Peru’s major industry, mining, which accounts for about half of export earnings. Peru is a major producer of copper; in addition, there are sizeable deposits of lead, zinc, silver, gold, and some oil reserves. Manufacturing is concentrated in processed foods, chemicals, metal products, machinery and textiles. In the service sector, tourism has grown considerably during the last two decades, and now brings in almost US$1 billion annually.
During the early- to mid-1990s, Peru implemented important market-oriented reforms, including a drastic overhaul of the fiscal and monetary systems, privatisation of key industries (mining, telecommunications and energy), trade deregulation and measures to attract investment from abroad. The strategy was reasonably successful, boosting exports and government tax revenues while attracting foreign capital. The defeat of the Sendero Luminoso insurgency also served to boost investor confidence. Throughout most of the decade, Peru was among the most dynamic economies in Latin America, with an average annual GDP growth of around 5 per cent. The economy stalled in 1997 – affected by the Asian and Brazilian financial crises, the effects of El Niño (especially upon agriculture) and internal politics – but has since recovered. The official unemployment rate is 9.7 per cent, but it is estimated that up to 40 per cent of the workforce are underemployed. During 2004, annual growth 4 per cent. The inflation rate is 2.3 per cent.
Peru is a member of the Andean Treaty and the Latin American Integration Association, ALADI, which promotes trade and economic development in Latin America. The USA is substantially Peru’s largest trading partner; others are China (PR), Chile, Spain and Colombia.

Business: Although the majority speak Spanish, many businesspeople speak some English. Office hours: Mon-Fri 0900-1700.

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PERU SOCIAL PROFILE

Food & Drink: The hot and spicy nature of Peruvian food, created by ají and ajo (hot pepper and garlic), has become celebrated at home and abroad. Peruvians enjoy a wide variety of vegetables; there are over 2000 kinds of indigenous and cultivated potatoes alone. Tropical fruits are abundant, as are avocados. Ceviche is a local speciality (uncooked fish marinated in lemon or lime juice and hot chili pepper, served with fried corn, sweet potatoes, onions and flavoured with coriander). Escabeche is a cooked fish appetiser eaten cold, served with peppers and onions. Corvina is sea bass, which can be prepared in a variety of ways, and is always an excellent choice. Typical dishes made with scallops (conchitas), mussels (choros), octopus (pulpo) and shrimps (camarones) are plentiful and delicious. Chupe de camarones is a chowder-type soup made with shrimps, milk, eggs, potatoes and peppers. Other staple dishes include papa a la huancaina (yellow potato with cheese and chili sauce), arroz con choclo (rice with corn), cau cau (tripe cooked with potato, peppers and parsley), causa relleña (potato cakes with chicken in the centre, but also cooked with avocado or crabmeat) and tamales (boiled corn dumplings filled with meat and wrapped in a banana leaf). Specialities include sopa criolla (spicy soup with beef and noodles), ají de gallina (shredded chicken in a piquant cream sauce), anticuchos (strips of beef or fish marinated in vinegar and spices, then barbecued on skewers) and lomo saltado (pieces of beef sautéed with onions and peppers, served with fried potatoes and rice). Rice and potatoes accompany virtually every dish. Traditional desserts are arroz con leche (rice pudding), alfajores (wafer-thin spirals of shortbread dusted with icing sugar) and served with manjar blanco (a caramel sauce), picarones (doughnuts served with syrup) and mazamorra morada (purple maize and sweet potato starch jelly cooked with lemons, dried fruits, cinnamon and cloves). Table service is the norm in hotels and restaurants and many of them also offer buffet-type lunches. The most famous drink is pisco sour, made from a potent grape brandy. Other pisco-based drinks are algarrobina (pisco and carob syrup), chilcano (pisco and ginger ale) and capitán (pisco and vermouth). Chicha de jora (fermented red or yellow corn juice) and chicha morada (non-alcoholic purple corn juice) are popular drinks dating from Inca times. Peruvian beers and national wines are good.

Nightlife: There are many good bars, pubs, discos and casinos in the major towns and tourist resorts. Peñas always serve snacks and some serve full meals. Here one can enjoy criolla or folk music, especially at weekends. Nightlife in Lima and Cusco has a wide array of choices. Most discos, peñas, pubs and karaokes are open until 0300 or 0400 in the morning.

Special Events: The following is a selection of special events occurring in Peru in 2005; check with the Embassy or Iperú for further details (see Contact Addresses section):
Jan Marinera Dance Festival, La Libertad. Feb Carnival, celebrated nationwide, but particularly in Ayacucho, Cajamarca, Iquitos and Puno; Huanchaco Beach Olympics. Feb 1-12 La Virgen de la Candelaria, Puno. Mar La Vendimia (wine festival), Ica; Holy Week, celebrated nationwide, but particularly in Ayacucho and Tarma. Mar-Apr Lord of the Earthquakes, Cusco; Peruvian Paso Horse Contest, Pachacámac. May Qoyllur Rit’i - Pilgrimage for the Snow Star (largest indigenous pilgrimage in the Americas at Quispicanchis), near Cuzco. Jun Corpus Christi Festivities, Cusco; Inti Raymi (Festival of the Sun), Cusco; San Juan Festival, Iquitos. Jul Festival of the Virgin of El Carmen, Paucartambo. Jul 28 Independence Day, celebrated nationwide but with the largest festivals in Lima. Aug Santa Rosa de Lima Day (Patron Saint of the Americas and The Philippines). Sep International Spring Festival, Trujillo (parades, handicraft and art exhibits, folk music and gastronomy contests). Oct Procession of the Lord of the Miracles, Lima. Nov Bullfighting Festival, Lima. Nov 1 All Saints’ Day. Nov 5 Puno Day. Dec 24 Santuranticuy Fair (fair selling images of saints and other crafts), Cusco.

Social Conventions: Shaking hands is the customary form of greeting. Visitors should follow normal social courtesies and the atmosphere is generally informal. A small gift from a company or home country is sufficient. Dress is usually informal, although for some business meetings and social occasions men wear a jacket and tie. Life is conducted at a leisurely pace.

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PERU HEALTH & VACCINES

In order to avoid the most usual stomach upset you have to be careful with the water you drink. t is not recommended to drink water directly from the tap. It is advisable to drink only bottled or boiled water. You have to be very cautious of where you eat. Making sure they adhere basic hygienic standards. If not it will be advisable to consume canned food. When visiting cities in high regions, do not have carbonized drinks, eat fresh fruits and lemon flavor candies to avoid altitude sickness (soroche), also have tablets of "coramina" handy, these pills are ideal to avoid soroche. You should also try to avoid heavy foods because digestion is much slower than in the coast. In case you suffer a great pain, you should call your insurance doctor.

The principal international travel insurance companies are:

AIG Assist 440-7373
Assist Card Perú 446-0710
Pan American Assistance
445-9039
446-6113

Vaccines in Peru - It is suggested for the people who are travelling to the jungle in Peru, have a vaccine against yellow fever. (According to information given by the Health Minister, there have not been any case of this illness registered in this area for 15 years). Have a vaccine, at least, 10 days before arriving at the jungle. It is necessary to carry your vaccine certificate with you, as you will be demanded to show it along the excursion to Manu. In case you arrive to our country without having taken this vaccine, you may be shot at the Jorge Chávez International Airport, the Hospital 2 de Mayo or next to the Hospital del Niño. Prices are less than US$20.00. You may also ask your doctor about the possibilities of taking a vaccine against diphteria, tetanus, typhoid, polio or hepatitis.

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PERU SECURITY

In Lima, as in every major city, and other cities within Peru, there are some areas more dangerous than others. Visitors should be alert. Before going anywhere, travelers should check to see if the area is risky to prevent any trouble.

By taking precautionary measures, it is improbable that visitors should run into any trouble. Visitors traveling through a problematic area should not wear jewelry.

Valuable items are best left at one's lodgings. Do not carry flashy handbags or briefcases. Do not carry large amounts of cash, and if taking along a film or photographic camera, ensure it is kept hidden most of the time.

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PERU CURRENCY/MONEY

Peru's currency is the Nuevo Sol (S/.). One Nuevo Sol is broken down into 100 céntimos (cents). Banknotes currently circulating include 200, 100, 50, 20 and 10 Nuevos Soles, while there are coins for 1, 2 and 5 Nuevos Soles and 50, 20, 10 and 5 cents.

Currency exchange - There are no restrictions for changing currency in Peru.
US dollars are commonly accepted in most hotels, stores and supermarkets in Lima and in the main cities in the country. We recommend to exchange money in banks, because they offer more security and guarantees.

Avoid street moneychangers as they do not provide guarantees, despite of the fact that many of them are registered in municipalities in many districts of Lima. Visitors should bear in mind that it is very difficult to change currencies other than the US dollar.

Visa, Master Card and Diners Club, are welcome in Peru. However not every establishment accepts all of them. In case of needing cash you may use one of the numerous ATMs located all over the country.

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PERU TAXES & TIPPING

Taxes: In Peru, all goods and services are taxed an 19% (IGV). Restaurants and hotels add a 10% service fee.
By law, all traders have the obligation to show the client the final price, including taxes.
On the other hand, tour packages contracted outside the country are tax exempted.


Tipping: When you are paying your bill in a restaurant, look for the words propina or servicio near the bottom of the bill. This means the restaurant has added a tip, usually between 5 to 10%. If you think the service is good, you can give the waiter an extra 10%. The cheapest restaurants usually do not include a tip. If this is the case, leave the waiter 10%. In better hotels you should tip about US $.50 a bag.

Unlike other countries, Peru does not tip their taxi drivers. Taxis are not metered here so bargain the fare before you get in the car and stick to that price. For tour guides, a recommended tip is approximately $5 a day per person. If you are in a larger group you could pay half of that. If you plan on hiking the Inca Trail, you need to tip your guide, cook and the porters.

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PERU SHOPPING

There are many attractive Peruvian handicrafts such as alpaca wool sweaters, alpaca and llama rugs, Indian masks, weaving, jewellery and much more. Galleries and handicraft shops abound in the Miraflores, Pueblo Libre and downtown districts of Lima. Handicrafts markets are located in Miraflores (Petit Thouars Ave, blocks 52 to 53) and Pueblo Libre (La Marina Ave, blocks 8 to 10). Bargaining is an expected practice with beach vendors and at markets and known as 'regateo'. Shopping hours: Mon-Sat 1000-1300 and 1600-2000 (although many shops are open Mon-Sun 0900-2000).

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PERU CLOTHING & ATTIRE

Depending on the destination you have. Summer clothes fort he warm months and for the coolish nights a light jacket or pullover. In the Amazon region you need all the year through light summer clothes, a rain jacket and good footwear. For your stay in the highlands warm clothes are necessary and, besides, medicaments against the altitude sickness should be carried here.

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PERU SPORTS & ACTIVITIES

Mountain trekking: Practically all of the highlands and some parts of the jungle include trekking circuits, although only a few are being used commercially. Hikes are possible all year round, but the easiest period is the dry season (June to September). Hiking equipment can be bought or hired in Cusco and Huaraz which are the starting points to the most important treks in Peru, listed below.
Inca Trail to Machu Picchu: Probably the most famous trekking route in South America, the trail offers views of snow-capped mountains, high cloud forests and the opportunity to walk past 12 magnificent ancient Inca ceremonial centres, such as those at Phuyupatamarca and Wiñay Wayna. Completion of the 48km (30 mile) trek takes three to five days, and must be undertaken in a group with an official local leader. The trail fee is approximately US$50 per person, which includes a one-day entrance ticket to Machu Picchu. Due to the popularity of the trail and current restrictions in place to protect it, it is advisable to book your hike at least 30 days in advance wherever possible.
Cordillera Blanca: The highest tropical mountain range is a 180km- (112.5 mile-) long paradise of snow-capped mountains, glaciers, emerald-green lakes and archaeological sites. It also contains a wide variety of flora and fauna. Practically the entire range is a protected area within the Huascarán National Park. Routes vary from two to 12 days. Olleros-Chavín Llama Trek: This is a four-day trek between the attractive town of Olleros and the spectacular archaeological site of Chavín de Huántar. Llama 2000, as it is known, is an initiative launched by a group of campesino farmers to promote ecotourism while protecting their traditional way of life. Other trekking areas: These include the Cordillera Huayhuash (Huaraz), Colca Valley (164km/102 miles north of Arequipa), where major attractions include snow-capped volcanoes; Mount Ausangate (south of Cusco), a physically demanding eight- to 12-day walk, which requires climbing through high mountain passes and being exposed to changing weather conditions.

Mountaineering: The Cordillera Blanca (23 summits above 6000m/19,686ft above sea level) and Huayhuash (six summits above 6000m/19,686ft above sea level) are the best-known ranges for mountaineering activities – a unique concentration of mountains and relatively few mountain climbers. There is mild weather almost all year long and relatively easy access to sites that are nevertheless cut off from hectic city life.

Surfing: This is a particular favourite as the beaches of Lima (constant waves from April to September) and the north (heavy seas between October and March) rank alongside the best in Hawaii or California. Top spots include Cabo Blanco, Chicama (or Malabrigo) or Pico Alto.

Fishing: The most renowned spot for sea fishing is Punta Sal in Tumbes (North coast). Tuna fish, drums, flounder, pacific croaker, grunts, groupers and large black marlins can be found on the coast of Peru. Lake and river fishing is good in both the highlands and the jungle.

Whitewater rafting: Rafting in Peru combines amazing landscapes with some tough rapids. Some rivers can be run in one-day trips (mostly on the coast and the highlands), and expeditions lasting from three to 12 days can be arranged to run others (mostly in the highlands and the jungle). The Colca River is rated as Peru’s premier rafting river.

Mountain biking: Any part of the country, except the coastal desert and the jungle plains, is suitable for mountain biking. Some of the best circuits include those in the Pachacámac Valley and the Paracas Reserve.

Other: The main sports and activities practised in Peru are paragliding, hang-gliding, rock climbing, windsurfing, horseriding, marathon running (annual competitions at challenging heights), snowboarding, hot air ballooning, underwater fishing and scuba diving. Tennis facilities are available in Lima. Golf facilities are usually available to members only.

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PERU TIME ZONE

Peru is in Western South America, bordering the South Pacific Ocean, between Chile and Ecuador. Peru Standard Time is GMT - 5.

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