Language: Spanish & Quechua are the official languages.
Voltage: 220 volts. Sockets are a mixture of the European, two-pronged round variety and US flat-pin.
PRE-HISPANIC PERU Peru is one of the major original cradles of ancient cultures, together with Mexico, Mesopotamia, India and China. During Paleolithic times, Peruvian peoples started to develop hunter-gatherer villages towards 6000 BC and left their first remains in settlements such as Lauricocha in Huanuco. Towards 2500 BC.agricultural settlements were formed and farming of manioc, lima beans, quinoa, potatoes, cotton and corn started. Peruvian history is divided in five stages until the arrival of Spanish conquerors.
COLONIAL ERA Between 1532 and 1821 the colonial period left magnificent artistic testimonies such as the paintings of the Cusco School, and buildings, such as the Saint Dominic Convent in Cusco (built over the Koricancha Inca temple) and the Saint Catherine Convent (Arequipa), and cities, manor houses and churches all over Peru.
PERU TODAY On July 28, 1821 Independence was proclaimed and consolidated on December 9, 1824 with the South American Army's victory in the battle of Ayacucho. From then on, Peru has undergone several political and historical processes and is now a developing country, rich in human and natural resources
GETTING TO PERU
Direct flights or with layovers from main world cities to the Jorge Chávez international Airport, Lima. More information found at: www.lap.com.pe
VISAS
Citizens of EU, US, Canadian, Australian and New Zealand can visit Peru for up to 90 days without a visa. All nationals are advised to check with the Peruvian Consulate prior to departure to obtain current details of any documentation which might be required. All nationalities need a tourist or embarkation card to enter Peru. An embarkation card will be issued at frontiers or on the aircraft before landing. Tourist cards are usually valid for between 60 and 90 days (60 for US citizens). You must also retain this card for when you exit Peru.
MONEY
Local Currency: The monetary unit in Peru is the Nuevo Sol (PEN) which is divided into 100 centavos. Approximate exchange rates (as at May 2008) are as follows:
- 1 Pound Sterling = 3.96 PEN
- 1 US Dollar = 3.26 PEN
- 1 Euro = 3.44 PEN
Currency exchange: There are no restrictions for changing currency in Peru. However we recommend that you bring cash / traveller's cheques in US Dollars only. US dollars are commonly accepted in most hotels, stores and supermarkets in Lima and in the main cities in the country. We recommend exchanging money in banks, because they offer more security and guarantees.
Avoid street moneychangers as they do not provide guarantees, despite 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.
Do not rely on your bank card as your only source of money. Do not bring US$ notes which are torn or marked even slightly. If your notes are at all damaged you may not be able to change them in Peru.
TAXES
International airport departure tax: US$28 or equivalent in local currency, to be paid only in cash.Domestic flight taxes 12-14 PEN (approx US$4-5) or equivalent in local currency, to be paid only in cash. Where to pay: 'Banco Interbank' office at airport of departure.
Exempt:
1. Transit passengers continuing their journey within 24 hours to a third country..
2. Infants under 2 years of age.
HEALTH & VACCINATIONS
All travelers should visit a doctor 4-8 weeks before departure, since most vaccines don't provide immunity until at least two weeks after they're given. Don't forget to take your vaccination certificate with you.
Vaccine recommendations:
Malaria: Contrary to common belief you are not at risk if you only visit the highlands and the coast of Peru. The Andean mountains form an effective barrier against malaria containing mosquitos, since they die above a certain altitude.
We visited the areas around Lima, Arequipa (Colca Canyo), Lago Tititcaca (Puno, Juliaca), Cusco, Machu Picchu, Sacred Valley. For all those areas Malaria
medication is not required. However if you go further east or north into the lower altitude jungle areas you definitely need anti-malarial medication.
Yellow Fever: I got this vaccine, although one could argue if this is necessary or not when looking at the map of Yellow Fever endemic zones released by the CDC (Center for Disease Control).
Hepatitis A: The Hepatitis virus spreads through unsanitary water and food. It is generally a good idea to have Hepatitis vaccination when you go to Peru.
Tetanus-Diphtheria: If your last shots are more than 5 or 10 years old, you may need some booster shots.
Bring medications in their original, clearly labeled containers. A signed and dated letter from your doctor describing your medical conditions and medications.
Altitude sickness may occur in travelers who ascend rapidly to altitudes greater than 2500 meters, including Cusco (3000 meters) and Lake Titicaca (4000 meters).
If your health insurance doesn't cover you for medical expenses abroad, we strongly recommend to get extra travel insurance. Find out in advance if your travel insurance will make payments directly to providers or reimburse you later for overseas health expenditures.
TRANSPORT
Driving in Peru, whether in the city or on the highway, can be an adventure. Transit in this country is chaotic for anybody who is not used to it: Peruvian drivers are very aggressive and there are not many signs (the signs you do see can be ambiguous).
In addition, be careful with thefts of windshield wipers, hubcaps and even the wheels themselves; it is not a good idea to park in the streets. If you are going to drive at night, be very careful, because the roads are not in good conditions, the buses drive at high speeds and the trucks do not have lights.
Taxis: Taxis are a highly recommended method of transportation within the city, especially in Lima given the size of the city and the mess of traffic. You should decide on the cost of the ride with the taxi driver before heading out. It shouldn't cost more than US $ 5 in the big cities, so haggle over the price if necessary.
In the larger cities, there are some radio taxi companies which offer more security and can pick you up when and where you prefer, but prices are a bit higher.
Local buses are very cheap to use, but you really need to be able to speak reasonable Spanish to get by. There are also some bus stops/stations, especially in Lima, that are not recommended for tourists.
CLOTHES YOU SHOULD BRING
Regardless of the time of year and the place you wish to visit, we recommend that during your stay in Peru you bring warm clothing, comfortably fitting pants, cotton shirts, hiking boots, tennis shoes, quality sun block, and a hat.
SAFETY
The introduction of tourist police and the closure of many street vendors in areas notorious for thieves and muggings have greatly improved the security situation in Peru.
Care should be taken, especially whilst walking around the larger cities. Try to keep away from dark quiet areas if on your own, particularly late at night and try to always take a taxi. If you have had a few drinks and are returning to your hotel at night, it is best to always take a taxi directly to the hotel. We suggest that whenever possible you leave all of your important documents in the hotel safe. However you should always carry some form of ID or a photocopy of your passport.
During your visit to Peru, it is important that you take the same precautions for personal safety shared by all tourist destinations the world over, such as not leaving your personal items unattended in public areas and avoiding deserted areas at night.
WEATHER
Generally speaking, the climate varies from region to region in Peru.
On the Coast, the weather varies, with a damp and cloudy winter that runs from June to September. Average temperatures come in at 14°C. During the summer, temperatures can peak at 28°C or over. In the Highlands, the sun shines all year round during the morning, but temperatures descend at night, averaging 5°C.
The climate in the Amazon jungle is tropical all year round. In both regions, the rain season runs from December through April.
Lima is a city that features a moderate climate, ranging from a light drizzle in winter to a warm summer. Average temperature in summertime from mid-December to mid-March is 25 / 28°C. Winter, which usually features overcast skies and high humidity, has temperatures ranging from 10 / 16°C.
Cusco
- Jan: Max Temp: 18; Min Temp: 6; mm: 160
- Feb: Max Temp: 18; Min Temp: 6; mm:132
- Mar: Max Temp: 19; Min Temp: 6; mm: 109
- Apr: Max Temp: 19; Min Temp: 5; mm: 46
- May: Max Temp: 19; Min Temp: 2; mm: 8
- June: Max Temp: 19; Min Temp: 0; mm: 3
- July: Max Temp: 19; Min Temp: 0; mm: 5
- Aug: Max Temp: 19; Min Temp: 2; mm: 8
- Sept: Max Temp: 20; Min Temp: 4; mm: 23
- Oct: Max Temp: 21; Min Temp: 5; mm: 48
- Nov: Max Temp: 21; Min Temp: 6; mm: 79
- Dec: Max Temp: 21; Min Temp: 6; mm: 119
