Peru FAQ

Peru Travel Essentials

Official Name: Republic of Peru.

Population: 28 Million
Capital City: Lima, pop. 7 Million
People: 54% Indian, 32% Mestizo (mixed Indian descent and European), 12% Spanish and 2% Black and Asian
Languages: Spanish, Quechua and Aymara. Spanish is the official language of Peru; Quechua and Aymara are spoken in many highlands regions by indigenous groups. During your travels in Peru you will find that most people working in the travel industry (airlines, hotels, et cetera) speak English as a second language. You should have little trouble getting around most of the common tourist locations; however, knowing a little Spanish goes a long way. If you don't know any Spanish, it's a good idea to bring along a phrasebook.
Religion: 90% Roman Catholic, 10% other
Time: 5 hours behind Greenwich Mean Time (-5 GMT). Daylight Saving Time is not observed.
Electricity: 220V, 60Hz is standard voltage in Peru, but many four- and five-star hotels also have 110V power available. Our system of rainforest lodges also use 220V; keep this in mind when bringing recharging equipment.
Major Industries: Pulp, paper, coca leaves, steel, chemicals & minerals, tourism

Telephone Codes:

51, country code;
    01, city code for Lima;
    84, city code for Cuzco.
    54, city code for Arequipa
    74, city code for Chiclayo

PASSPORT / VISA REQUIREMENTS:

A passport and proof of onward passage are needed. Citizens from USA, United Kingdom, Canada, Australia and from many countries visiting Peru as tourists do not need a visa. However we recommend checking travel document requirements with your professional travel agent before departing.

Your passport should be valid for at least six months after your date of arrival. Tourists may stay a maximum 90 days; longer stays require an extension from the Peruvian immigration authorities (Migraciones). Non-US citizens should contact the Peruvian Consulate in their country of residence to check visa requirements.

All visitors are required to fill out and receive a copy of a tourist card. These short applications are provided on your flight to Peru or at border crossings. While traveling in Peru, keep your copy with your passport and present it to authorities when departing the country.

The international departure tax ($29 as of 2004) may be paid with dollars, its equivalent in soles or a combination of both.

CURRENCY AND MONEY EXCHANGE
Peruvian currency is known as the NUEVO SOL, written as (S/). It comes in bills of 10, 20, 50, 100, and 200 nuevo soles, and coins of 5, 10, 20, and 50 centimos, 1 sol, and 5 soles. The latest exchange rates can be found at http://www.xe.com/. US dollars are welcome at many shops, restaurants and service stations at the current exchange rate. When changing U.S. dollars, use new or undamaged bills, as torn or heavily crinkled bills are not accepted.

Most establishments accept major credit cards, including Visa, Master Card, Diners Club and American Express, but there is often an additional charge; you may want to inquire about this before ordering or purchasing anything with a credit card. Although they may be exchanged at banks and hotels, the use of traveler's checks as a form of payment is not as common; ask if they are accepted before using them.

If you have Peruvian currency left over at the end of your trip, you can exchange them for dollars at the airport or use them to pay your departure tax.

EVENTS:
Most of the main holidays based around the Roman Catholic liturgical calendar. The most important are:

    * New Year (January 1st). Peruvians like to wait for the first second of the New Year. Many of them dance and celebrate until early in the morning.
    * Carnival (February-March), which is particularly popular in the highlands
    * Labor Day (May 01)
    * Inti Raymi (24 June), In Cusco there is a big celebration
    * Peru's Independence day (28 and 29 July)
    * All Souls Day (1 November),
    * Christmas 25 December: Peruvian celebrate specially at night

Climate/Best time to Go
Peru has a variety of climates according the area:

    Amazon: The Amazon watershed begins at the peaks of the Andes, but the rainforest area termed the eastern lowlands begins at an elevation of about 1200 feet and slopes down gently northeastward to 300-400 feet. The eastern lowlands are covered with dense tropical rainforest. It is always hot and humid in the jungle regions, with two seasons. In the dry season from May to October, sunny days heat up to the high 80s, with occasional cold fronts bringing rain in the southern Peruvian Amazon. Daily rain showers characterize the rainy season from November to April; at this time it may be difficult to get around in the jungle.

    The Andes: Known as the backbone of South America, the Andes consist of two parallel ranges, the eastern and western cordilleras, extending from the northwest to the southeast, and comprise the second highest mountain range in the world. 160 miles inland from the Pacific, the Andes jut up to heights of 20,000 feet. Most of Peru's Andes lie between 9,840 feet to 13,120 feet, with peaks separated by deep canyons. The weather in the high sierra separates into two defined seasons: in summer, from May to October, days are sunny; nights are cold and rain scarce. Rainfall is abundant from December to March. Temperatures in the highlands fluctuate between 35° F and 68° F.

    Pacific Coast: Peru's dry coast is a narrow ribbon of desert between the Pacific Ocean and the steep foothills of the Andes. It rarely rains here, except when the El Niño phenomenon takes place every five to six years. The ocean's cool Humboldt Current brings rich sea and shore life to Peru's coast.
    Despite lying only 12 degrees from the Equator, the coast has two distinctive seasons: in the summer, from December to March, temperatures reach 80° F. In the winter, from May to October, temperatures may fall to the low 50s amidst high humidity. Winter is typically a season of foggy mists (known as garúa) and drizzle. At the northern tip of coast, temperatures may climb to the high 90s.

Health:
For the latest health information and vaccine recommendations for Peru, contact your physician, travel clinic or visit the Center for Disease Control website: http://www.cdc.gov/travel/tropsam.htm

Best Unique Gifts

• knitted alpaca sweaters, mitts, hats (especially in the Puno and Cuzco areas)
• woven ponchos
• knickknacks made from totora reeds grown in the Lake Titicaca area
• weavings (as wall murals ) made from rolls of yarn stuffed with wool (you’ll know it when you see it)
• pottery and carved gourds
• handcrafted knives, pens and lighter holders all decorated in colourful stones

Best eats/Must tries
• Cuy - aka guinea pig, a delicacy in the highlands
• Lomo Saltado - a kind of stir-fried beef dish with onions, vinegar, ginger, chili, tomatoes and fried potatoes,
served with rice (found on every menu)
• Papas Rellenas - stuffed baked potatoes, delicious and found in the highland regions on just about every street corner
• Ceviche - a must try along the coastal areas. Can be made with either shrimp or sea bass. One of the most authentic Peruvian dishes.
• Palta Rellena - avocado stuffed with chicken salad. An excellent appetizer
• Choclo con queso - corn on the cob with cheese
• Caucau - a stew made with tripe, potatoes, peppers and parsley (especially popular in the Colca Canyon region)
• Rocoto Relleno - a spicy bell pepper stuffed with beef and vegetables
• Cocada al horno - for the sweet tooth, made with coconut, egg yolk, sesame seeds, wine and butter
• Picarones - cassava flour fritters made with eggs, deep fried and served in honey
• Tejas - a sugar candy wrapped in waxed paper, pecan flavour is the best

Drinks
• Chicha Morada – Our favorite Peruvian drink, Chicha Morada is made from the juice of purple corn, with a chai-like blend of spices and laced with bits of pineapple. It all comes together in a vibrantly refreshing and very tasty drink.
• Inca Cola - you’ve got to try it! Its a yellow soda pop that tastes like fizzy bubble gum or a little like vanilla.
• Pisco Sour - even though it comes from the village of Pisco, you can drink one just about anywhere in Peru. It’s very similar to a Tom Collins and is made with white grape brandy
• Mate de coca - a tea made from coca leaves, good to drink if you feel the signs of altitude sickness setting in.
• Cuzquena and Arequipena - good local beers available in both larger bottles and as dark varieties
• Guinda - a sweet cherry brandy

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