Here are the answers to the most frequently asked questions about Peru. If you have any other concerns, please write us at: domande@peruetico.com

Regions and climates of Peru

Andes: This climate has two definitive seasons, a dry season from April to October, with sunny days, cold nights and little rain – the best time to visit Peru – and a rainy season from December to March. In the Andes, there are sudden changes in temperature throughout the day (from 20^oC/68^oF to 2^oC/35^oF).

Amazon: This humid, tropical climate has two very different seasons, one dry and sunny (from April to October) with temperatures over 30^oC/86^oF, and one rainy (from November to March) with frequent downpours and rising rivers.

Coast: Here, too, the two seasons are very different. In the summer (from December to March), temperatures reach 27^oC/80^oF. The winter is very humid and wet, with temperatures as low as 12^oC/54^oF. During the winter, there is often “garua,” a mist that covers the sky for the entire day, especially in and around Lima. The northern coast, however (from Piura to Mancora, near the Ecuadorian border), is sunny due to its semi-tropical climate, and you can go swimming there year-round.

Health

• Cusco is at an altitude of 3,400 meters (11,000 feet) above sea level, and Lake Titicaca at nearly 3,900 meters (12,800 feet)! Always consult a physician before your trip if you are over 60 years old, have had bypass surgery or have heart or respiratory problems. Health comes first!
• Soroche, or altitude sickness, presents symptoms such as fatigue, heaviness, headaches, light nausea and accelerated heart rate. Most tourists complain of a very mild version of these symptoms during the first 24 hours of their stay (at over 3,000 meters (9,850 feet) above sea level), and they generally disappear after a good night’s sleep. We recommend, however, avoiding physical strain, alcohol, smoking and fatty foods, and trying some natural remedies, such as bananas and especially coca leaves, chewed or served as a tea (mate). Another cure is taking a Sorochepill (sold in any pharmacy), which calms these symptoms significantly.
  
• Vaccinations: If you are planning on visiting the splendid Amazon, you must get the vaccination against yellow fever at least 10 days before entering the jungle. Bring the certificate of vaccination with you; they will probably ask you for it! This is the only mandatory vaccination for travel to Peru!
  
• Anti-malarial medication is not mandatory for those who visit Manu National Park or the Tambopata-Candamo Reserve in the Amazon.
  
• Only drink bottled or boiled water. Always check with the server before drinking fruit juices sold on the street!
  
• Atahualpa’s Revenge: Better known as “traveler’s diarrhea,” quite common but easily solvable with a couple of days of rest. We advise you to consult a doctor or pharmacist, drink lots of water and tea and eat lightly (white rice!).

Safety

Peru is a peaceful country (please disregard guidebooks that take an alarmist point of view). Just be sure to take normal travel precautions. Do not show off valuables or cameras with huge zooms. Avoid walking at night in deserted areas. Call a taxi service rather than hailing a cab on the street. We also recommend that you carry a copy of your passport with and that you leave the original (along with other valuables) in your hotel. In the case of a strike – particularly by taxi drivers or transport companies – we advise you to wait patiently for it to end before traveling.

What to bring

The climate in Peru depends on where you are, and the difference in temperature between day and night is considerable if you are above 3,000 meters (9,850 feet). Bring comfortable clothing that is suitable for every temperature (at night it can go below freezing!), sunscreen, sunglasses and insect repellent. We recommend “layering.” As a matter of fact, when you are in Peru, you are just as likely to wear a swimsuit as a winter jacket, no matter during what time of year you travel.

Luggage

Suitcase or backpack? The eternal dilemma… and, as always, the answer is… it’s up to you and your personal comfort. If you do excursions to Machu Picchu, Lake Titicaca and the Colca Canyon, you can leave your bags in the storage room at the hotel where you are staying and take only what is strictly necessary with you.

Currency and methods of payment:

• The official currency of Peru is the Nuevo Sol (S/.), divided into 100 cents. They have coins of 5, 10, 20 and 50 cents and 1, 2 and 5 Nuevos Soles, as well as bills of 10, 20, 50, 100 and 200 Nuevos Soles. The American dollar is accepted in most shops, restaurants and service stations, using the exchange rate of the day. At the moment, 1 dollar is worth 2.90 soles.
  
• Most shops accept major credit cards: Visa, Master Card, Diners and American Express. If you use travelers’ checks, make sure to verify their acceptance in advance.
  
• The opening hours of Peruvian banks are generally Monday to Friday from 9:00 am to 6:00 pm. Some banks open on Saturdays until midday. In the most important cities, the different banks have ATMs.
  
• In Peru, there is a lot of false currency around! Pay a lot of attention when you exchange money, and try to do it only in authorized locations. The Euro’s exchange rate is generally disadvantageous. It is hard to exchange dollars that are even slightly ripped. Check your change…

Time Zone

Peru’s clock is on New York time (GMT-5) November-February and Chicago time (GMT-6) March-October.

Visa

Citizens of most American and Western European countries do not need visas. Upon arrival in Peru, you will automatically receive a tourist visa, usually valid for 90 days.

Transportation

• Airplane: There are flights and connections from Lima to all the principal cities. The airport tax is approximately $6 for domestic flights and $30 for international flights, and they must be paid in cash at the airport upon departure. The best airline company is without a doubt Lan Peru, but otherwise there are Taca and Star Peru.
  
• Bus: There are many companies across the country, but we recommend Cruz del Sur.
  
• Train: The tourist train service covers two routes: Puno-Cusco (roundtrip) and Cusco-Ollantaytambo-Machu Picchu (roundtrip).
  
• Taxi: In Lima, the taxi from the airport to the city costs approximately $15; in Cusco, 6 Nuevos Soles. In Cusco, the day rate is 2.50 soles; after 10:00 pm, it rises to 3 soles. In Lima, always agree upon a price before getting in, because there are no taximeters!
  
• Micro: The micros or combis are vans that function as public transportation in the cities. They are not used much by tourists, but they are the cheapest (0.50-1 sol) and most typically Peruvian way to travel. Pay attention to the guy who shouts the routes… he can be hard to understand!

Other useful points…

• If you have an International Student Identity Card (ISIC), bring it with you, because you will qualify for a series of discounts (airplane, Inca Trail, museums, Machu Picchu).
  
• BTC (Boleto Turistico del Cusco – Cusco Tourism Ticket). This is an entrance ticket to 16 places that make up the tourist circuit of the imperial city. It lasts 10 days and costs 130 soles (70 soles for ISIC card holders under 27 years old). The Temple of the Sun (Qoricancha) and the Cathedral are not included in the BTC.
  
• Train to Machu Picchu. It leaves from Cusco or Ollantaytambo and there are different prices depending on the train. For more information: www.perurail.com
  
• Tourist agencies: We recommend using only authorized agencies. Be careful of the people who offer tours on the street, at the bus terminals, in the airports or in taxis; they could mislead you.
  
• Markets: Very useful for getting to know Peruvian customs and habits, they are also a charming and colorful place where you can try local foods. For breakfast, we recommend the delicious fruit juices, fresh squeezed on the spot by the talkative mamitas! Our casera in the San Pedro market in Cusco is at booth number 51!
  
• Communications: To call home, we recommend you go into one of the many Internet cafes (they’re everywhere!) and call from one of their phone booths. Surfing the Internet costs about 1,50 Nuevos Soles an hour.
  
• Current: The electrical current is 220 volts and 60 Hz. The sockets are the same as the two-holed sockets in the United States.
  
• Children: Our personal recommendation is not to give any cash to children who are begging. The money usually goes to the father, who spends it on alcohol.
  
• Brichera/Brichero: These are nightlife characters in Cusco, on the prowl for a foreigner who will marry them and bring them to Europe or the United States. From the word “bridge.”
  
• Photography: In the Andean culture, photography is not always welcomed, so you should always ask permission first. Sometimes, they will request a few soles in exchange for a few snaps.