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Destination:

Peru


Basics

topWhen to Go

There is no single climate in Peru—the deserts, jungles and mountains each have their own microclimates and natural weather patterns. Temperatures are fairly stable year round—it's colder in the highlands and hot in the lowlands. The rainy season is Nov-Apr in the mountains and rainforest. Most visitors come in July and August (the time when North Americans and Europeans have their summer vacations). Many Peruvians travel during this time as well, especially for the national holidays in late July, when prices can double.

The dry months (May-Oct) are by far the best for camping and climbing trips in the Andes. The heaviest rains in the highlands are January-April, and disruptions in bus traffic because of landslides can be severe, especially in February and March. The Inca Trail is closed in February for maintenance.

On the desert coast, it almost never rains but can be interminably cloudy April-December, especially on the central and south coasts. It's generally hot and humid in the Amazon rainforest (it is a jungle, after all), though occasional cold fronts from the south, known as friajes, can make temperatures drop. Bring a fleece or other warm layers just in case. Be sure to take a sweater (or something heavier) if you're going to Cusco and Machu Picchu, which can be chilly once the sun goes down. The best times to visit are May and Sep-Oct, missing the busiest tourist months and skirting the rainy season. But there is really no bad time to visit Peru.

topTime Difference

5 hours behind Greenwich Mean Time (-5 GMT). Daylight Saving Time is not observed.

topPassport & Visa Requirements

A passport and proof of onward passage are needed by citizens of the U.S., Australia, Canada, and the U.K. for tourist visits of 90 days or less. Your passport must be valid for 6 months beyond your travel dates.

topSecurity

Most visits to Peru are trouble-free, but you should take precautions and stay alert. Most crime consists of pick-pocketing and purse snatching, so whenever possible, don't take a bag and keep items such as wallets in your front pockets, preferably zipped. If you must take a bag, make it an inexpensive one, keep it close to you and don't leave it unattended, especially in airports and bus terminals. Do not carry expensive jewelry around with you. It is recommended that you don't go out alone late at night (after 10 pm), except by taxi.

Be especially careful in Lima and other urban areas popular with tourists. Potentially dangerous areas in Lima that you should avoid include discos and bars downtown; San Miguel (Avenida La Marina), Lince and especially La Victoria; anyplace in Villa El Salvador after 6 pm; anyplace in La Victoria, Surquillo, and the port of Callao (except the airport).

topHealth and Safety

Vaccinations and Medications

Yellow fever vaccines and antimalarial medications are recommended in some areas of Peru - visit the CDC site for more information. Those who are limiting travel to Cusco and Machu Picchu do not need vaccinations or antimalarial drugs.

In jungle areas, using bednets, wearing long sleeves and pants, and regularly applying insect repellent can also help prevent malaria and other mosquito-borne illnesses like dengue fever.

Altitude Sickness

At high-elevation locations such as Cusco, Puno and Arequipa, many visitors experience symptoms such as light-headedness, shortness of breath, racing heartbeat, fatigue, headache or nausea. To reduce discomfort, avoid smoking, alcohol, strenuous exercise and heavy meals. Coca tea can help alleviate symptoms, as can taking oxygen. For other recommended remedies, as well as treatments for dry eyes and skin, consult this article by our Wellness Ambassador.

Most people will acclimate to the altitude within 24 hours or so – if acute symptoms persist, descend to a lower elevation as soon as possible and seek medical assistance. If hiking the Inca Trail or planning other strenuous mountain activities, it’s advised to spend a few days at high elevation before setting out.

Sun and Exposure

Do not underestimate the power of the sun, especially at high elevations. Wear a sunhat and sunglasses, use a sunblock of SPF 15 or higher, and drink plenty of water, even on cloudy days. When hiking in the mountains, hypothermia can be a risk – be sure to carry water and high calorie food such as chocolate, dress warmly in layers, and bring a waterproof jacket.

Water

We recommend not drinking the tap water in Peru.

Wildlife

In rural areas and forests, snakes, spiders, scorpions and insects can pose dangers. Always watch where you are stepping and putting your hands, and shake out shoes and clothing before putting them on. Avoid handling insects unless you know exactly what they are – even small ants and caterpillars can deliver a painful bite or sting.

Piranhas and stingrays are common in Amazon rivers. Piranhas pose little real danger to humans, despite their fierce reputation, but to be on the safe side, ask the locals or your guide which areas to steer clear of. Stingrays dislike waves, crowds and noise, but are hard to spot in calm, remote waters – wear boots or tennis shoes to help prevent a sting.

topMoney Matters

Local Currency

Peru's currency is the Nuevo Sol, available in bills of 10, 20, 50, 100 and 200 nuevos soles. US dollars are widely accepted. We recommend purchasing a small amount of soles for the little expenditures you might incur during your journey (buying a bottle of water, buying a souvenir, etc.)

When exchanging money, take crisp, new, untorn bills. Money changers and banks will refuse to change even slightly damaged notes. Try to acquire small bills whenever changing money—there seems to be a constant shortage of change in Peruvian cities.

Don't accept bills that are torn or taped, because almost no one will accept them: Counterfeiting is a problem in Peru. Check your bills by holding them up to a light. You should see a watermark and a very small strip that says Peru 50 or Peru 20 depending on the denomination of the bill.

It's best to pay in cash for as much as possible. Restaurants and hotels often levy a service charge (about 6%) for processing a credit card. Also, you can bargain for discounts in cash, but rarely with plastic.

Credit Cards & Travelers Checks

Credit cards are accepted in all major cities of Peru, though many businesses add a surcharge. Traveler’s checks are less widely accepted and can be difficult to exchange. You’ll need your passport as ID.

Changing Money

Banks are the safest place to change money, though exchange rates are higher than at the casas de cambio. Banking hours are generally 9am-6pm weekdays and until noon on Saturdays. ATMs are readily available in major towns and cities, and are by far the easiest way to obtain local currency. Be aware ATMs within banks will not be accessible on Sundays.

Taxes

Airport departure taxes are US$31 for international flights from Lima, and US$6.82 for domestic flights from any Peruvian airport. You must pay the tax in cash (US$ or soles) after checking in for your flight; the exact amount is calculated at the exchange rate that day. Some smaller airports charge a lower domestic airport departure tax.

Tipping

In top restaurants, an 18% service charge is usually included in the bill if you are paying by credit card. There may be a 10% service charge if you pay in cash. If the service is excellent, add another 5%. In restaurants that do not accept credit cards, a 5%-15% tip is normal if you are satisfied with the service. Peruvians in inexpensive restaurants almost never tip.

Skycaps and bellboys: About 2 soles per bag.
Housemaids: About 2-3 soles per night in first class hotels.
Taxi drivers are not normally given a tip.
Tour guides and crew (drivers, porters, etc.): Roughly 15 soles per tourist per day for tour guides, and the same amount divided among the crew.

topPhone

Cell phone use is widespread in Peru, having reached many rural areas far sooner than traditional land lines. In Lima, you can rent cell phones by the day, and they are inexpensive if you are planning on staying in Peru for more than a month. Cell phone numbers all begin with 9.

Public phones are very common in all towns and cities; in addition to the official-looking ones, you may find small boxes tucked within convenience stores. These public phones are either coin-operated or use prepaid cards that can be bought in almost any corner store. The cards have a phone number and a code that you dial in—instructions are usually in Spanish. Every department in Peru has a separate three-digit area code prefix, with the first digit 0 (for example, Cusco department is 084). Lima is the exception with the two-digit 01.

Internet cafes often offer voice-over Internet calls, and you'll find small stores for making international calls. These are generally cheap and of acceptable quality, and far, far cheaper than making calls from your hotel room.

Dialing Codes

Country Code: 51

City Codes: From outside Peru, do not dial 0 after the 51
Lima 01
Cusco 084
Puno 051
Arequipa 054
Iquitos 065

Information & Emergency Numbers

Directory Assistance 103
Operator Assistance 109
Police 105
Ambulance 117
Fire Department 116
Tourist Protection Hotline 0 800 4 2579

topElectricity & Adaptors

The voltage in Peru is 220V, while the voltage in the USA is 110V. Therefore, it's necessary to bring an adaptor for appliances that are not equipped wth a 110V-220V range. Most outlets accept both flat and round two-prong plugs.

topLuggage Requirements

Flights on LAN have a limit of 70 lbs per person for checked luggage, and 17.6lbs of carry-on luggage per person.

The train to Machu Picchu has a limit of 11 lbs total for luggage per person. Please prepare accordingly with a small bag for your time in Machu Picchu. You should arrange to leave your remaining luggage at your hotel or with your tour host.

topWhat to Wear

In Lima and on the coast, temperatures vary little and are balmy enough for a shirt or T-shirt and light pants in the day. At night, it's best to have a lightweight sweater or jacket for the coastal breezes. In the Andes, you should take precautions against both the plummeting temperatures at night and the high UV radiation during the day (long-sleeved shirts protect against sunburn better than T-shirts; also wear a sunhat and strong sunscreen). Fleeces are essential, as is a sun hat for day and a warmer hat for nights. For the jungle, long sleeves and pants are recommended to fend off mosquitoes. Don't forget a comfortable pair of walking shoes, and be sure to bring sturdy, waterproof hiking boots if doing any trekking.

Women should dress modestly when entering churches, but otherwise need only worry about modesty in more remote communities. Men who wear shorts away from the beach will stand out as foreigners from a long way off.