Peru Travel Tips

Visa

Citizens from European Union, North America and Japan can enter Peru with no visa. Citizens from countries of CAN and Mercosur customs union can enter Peru with no passport. The length of stay for travelers from these countries is up to 90 days.

Expense

The legal currency in Peru is Nuevo Sol (PEN). Some shops, restaurants and petrol stations also accept payment of USD. You can exchange money in exchange offices, some restaurants and banks, which are easy to find in Peru. Exchanging money with in roadside private shops is not advised. ATM can be found in main cities. Popular credit cards like Visa, MasterCard, Amex card and Diner Club card are accepted.

The consumption level varies in different cities. Compared with other cities, Lima’s consumption level is the highest: a meal costs about 100 PEN per person; the average hotel room costs about 250 PEN a night… The cost level in Cusco is lower: a meal costs about 30 PEN; a cup of wine during happy hour costs about 8~10 PEN; dormitory rooms cost about 20~35 PEN a night; taxi ride within old town costs 5 PEN… Price in Puno is even cheaper: a meal in a wharf restaurant cost 15 PEN per person…. In Machu Picchu, a hotel room costs 150~350 PEN a night; a meal coasts about 70 PEN per person.

The amount of tips varies according to the quality of service. Generally, tip is the 10% of the whole expense.

Accommodation

There are different kinds of accommodation choices in Peru, like hotels from one to five stars, boutique hotel, inn and homestay, etc. Most hotels have free Wi-Fi and restaurant. Accommodation price in Lima and Cusco is the highest. During the peak season from June to August and some holidays, the price is the highest and tourists are advised to book early enough in case of no room being left. Please note that economic hotels provide hot water only in certain periods of time.

Health and Medicare

The sanitary condition of Peru is good. The health care service has realized modernization. There are about 650 hospitals, 2,000 medical centers and 7,000 health care stations in Peru. Even though, you are advised to apply for a travel insurance. There are many chain drugstores in Lima with many kinds of medicines. You’d better prepared lemon drops, some liquid or medicine containing coca if you are going to the plateau area. If you are going to rainforest, take mosquito repellent and vaccinate yellow fever vaccine ten days before departure.

Food

Food in Peru can be divided into two kinds: chilly foods made from fish, seafood, chicken and potatoes in coastal zone like Lima; sweet food made from beed, mutton and potatoes in mountainous area like Cusco. They like eating rice, seafood, beef, chicken and vegetables, etc.

The water quality in Peru is not well, thus tap water can’t be drunk directly.

Recommended restaurants:
Maido: San Martin 399, Miraflores, Lima
La Rosa Nautica Restaurante: Miraflores, Lima, Peru
Central Restaurante: Av. Pedro de Osma 301 Lima, Barranco 15063, Peru

Shopping

The specialties in Peru are Incan art wares, Apaca products and woodwork, etc.

Markets:
Arequipa: Kuna Alpaca; Sol Alpaca
Lima: Inka Market; Jockey Plaza
Cusco: Centro Artesanal Cusco
Puno: Artesan Market

Holidays and Festivals

Because of long history, Peru has many special festivals. Notre Dame Festival celebrated from 2.2 to 2.15 each year is actually a folk song and dance festival of Lake Titicaca; Sun Festival on 6.24 is the most important festival of Quechuans; they have ceremony in Inca relics site in Cusco, because their ancestors are Incas and Cusco used to be the capital of Inca Empire.

Dos and Don’ts

1. Dress appropriately in formal occasions like dating or business meeting.
2. When meet and say goodbye, shake hands. Male friends can also hug each other. Heterosexual and female friends can kiss right cheek with each other.
3. Flowers can be gift in any occasions.
4. Don’t curse “death” to Peruvians.
5. Don’t send knife and sword as gifts to Peruvians, because they think it means cutting off friendship.
6. Avoid talking about local political issues in public.

Power supply

Power Outlet: Type A
Voltage: 220V; most four-star and five-star hotels have 110V power outlet
Frequency: 60Hz
Note: Take a plug adapter if needed.

Telephone and Internet

Wi-Fi is widely covered. Most of big hotels and restaurants provide Wi-Fi. Internet bar can be found easily in cities. Most cities and villages have public telephones.

Emergency Numbers:
Country Code: +051
Police: 105
Fire: 116
Ambulance: 117
Telephone Directory: 103
Emergency Center: 00511-2254040、4464620、3726025