PERU INFORMATION: Geographic Situation

Peru covers an approximate surface of 1,285,216 Km², embracing three regions: coast, highland and jungle.

Coast The coast has 2,500 Km in length with a maximum width of 200 Km to the north and 40 Km to the south: The greatest concentration of population is centered in the south.
Highland The Andes, the mountainous range the most extensive in the world, cuts Peru from north to south.
Jungle This enormous region, lush and green as no other, is the least populated of Peru.

Peru is located in the central and occidental part of South America. It limits by the north with Ecuador and Colombia; by the east with Brazil and Bolivia; by the south with Chile and by the west with the Pacific Ocean.

PERU INFORMATION: Vaccinations

Yellow Fever – a vaccine certificate is needed for some jungle regions, such as Puerto Maldonado.Some zones of the jungle demand the presentation of the mentioned certificate.

PERU INFORMATION: Population

Peru population is the representative of a number of races including the natives of this South American country, since it is actually a mixture of people coming from several origins.Since Peru has a multi ethnic population, its culture and other aspects of general life are also reflective of a variegated cultural pattern. Perú has a population of more than 28 million inhabitantsbeing Lima, the main city, the one which has the most population concentration (approximately 9 million Hab.)

PERU INFORMATION: Health

The ‘Soroche’ or the effect of the altitude is an important point to keep in mind when you travel to a country of such high altitude like Peru. Generally, altitudes higher than 3,000 meters can produce a sensation of queasiness and general weakness, accompanied by headachesto the people not accustomed to such heights. This effect can be experienced in the regions of the highest altitudes in the country, like Cusco and Puno as a consequence of a lower concentration of oxygen in the atmosphere.

PERU INFORMATION: Language

The official languages in Peru are Spanish and Quecha, having the same importance other indigenes languages such as the Aymara and other dialects, mainly used in the Amazon part of the country.

PERU INFORMATION: Religion

The religion of Peru is an inheritance of the Spanish conquest, for this reason, it is a mainly Catholic country (more than 75% of the population). Since the 16th century, along with Catholicism, expressions of the native religion, based on the cult of the Sun, the Pachamama (Mother Earth) and elements of nature have also been present

PERU INFORMATION: Best Season to Visit Peru

None of the seasons of the year are bad to tour Peru. Bearing in mind the climate, the best time to go is from May to September, coinciding with the dry season on the highland and the Jungle. The rain from November to March can make difficult the activities such as treksor jungle trips. Some of these activities may eventually be suspended.

PERU INFORMATION: Luggage

Since there are a great variety of climates in Peru, luggage should be varied according to the regions that you have planned to travel through.
Independently of the season of the year, if the journey includes visits to the coast, highland or jungle, you will need comfortable clothing such as: large shirts and trousers to avoid mosquito bites, blouses, trousers, comfortable walking shoes and tennis shoes. During the rainy season, it is necessary to carry an umbrella and for the jungle it is best to bring a raincoat. It is also advisable to take a solar protector and a hat.

PERU INFORMATION: Visa

People who arrive from European countries or US do not need a visa.

PERU INFORMATION: Electrical Current

The electrical current is 220 volts.

PERU INFORMATION: Tipping

Restaurants normally include a 10% service charge in the bill. In this case, an extra tip is not necessary. If a service charge is not included, then a 10% tip can be given. For smaller restaurants or family owned establishments tipping is not common, but a friendly tip to a waiter is always gratefully received.
In hotels, porters expect about US$0.50 per bag and taxi drivers do not expect a tip, so Peru tipping is normally at the discretion of the tourist, depending on the quality of the service received.

PERU INFORMATION: Climate

It is curious that the difference of relief can modify the climate of a region.

The Coastal region (Lima, Trujillo) – From April to September is the coldest period. It is hot in the summer mornings and from the end of December and March the sky is clear. During the night, it can make a little cold so it is advisable to wear a warm jacket.

The Andes (Mountains) – There are two distinct seasons, marked by the presence or lack of rain. The rainy season comes from Novemberto March, with frequent and heavy rainfall which can last some hours, especially during the afternoon. The dry season is characterized by a blue sky during the day. The temperatures remain comfortable when there is sunshine, but it is generally cool at sunrise and sunset.

Jungle Climate (Amazon Rain Forest) – As in the High Andes (mountains), there are also two seasons: one from November to May, during which it rains practically every day for several hours, and another from June to October, known as the dry season, when heavy but by short periods,the rain can fall. The climate of the jungle is essentially characterized by humidity that varies from 80% to 100% depending on the seasons and the temperature, which varies a little.

PERU INFORMATION: Airport Taxes

For national or domestic flights, the airport tax is US$ 6.10. This tax is paid in each exit from an airport, in domestic flights, and the payment is per person.

For International departures the amount you have to pay is US$ 31. This tax will be paid at the bank offices located in the airport, receiving a self-adhesive small sticker that usually adheres to the air ticket. At the moment of passing by the migration control, this payment voucher will be shown to the authority.

These taxes are paid after your Check-in. You need to take your boarding card to the bank desk (not far from the Check-in desk) and pay the respective tax

Terrestrial Trips are subject to the toll payment in the freeways and highways.

PERU INFORMATION: Economy

The Peruvian economy is the greatest seventh of Latin America after Brazil, Mexico, Argentina, Colombia, Venezuela and Chile. The main economic resources of the country come from the commercialization of minerals, petroleum, tourism, coffee, cotton, wood and fish

PERU INFORMATION: General Information about Restaurants

In the most important cities, there are establishments for all tastes and wallets. Good Peruvian food is found all over and the best places almost always offer a menu which includes international dishes. In the villages, the number of restaurants is much more limited and they generally offer only local food.

PERU INFORMATION: Drugs

Both the traffic and the consumption of drugs are equally penalized, even when coca leaves can be acquired easily in the markets. Probably after a certain time in Peru, you would develop the habit of drinking coca tea and would like to take some at home. It is best not to fall into this temptation and, even though it is less colorful, it is preferable to buy it in tea bags with the health registration seal to avoid any problems with the police in case of some inspection, either in your country or with the Peruvian police when you leave the country.

PERU INFORMATION: Local Time

The time in Peru is 5 hours behind GMT (Greenwich Mean Time) and is similar to EST (Eastern Standard Time) in the United States. However, Peru does not operate daylight savings time in order to save energy, therefore the hours are the same year-round and do not vary from one geographic region to another.

PERU INFORMATION: Currency and Exchange

The Peruvian currency is the Nuevo Sol. The most acceptable foreign currency is the American dollar, preferably in cash since travel checks are more difficult to exchange. The present exchange rate is One American dollar = 2.7 Nuevo Sol

PERU INFORMATION: Customs

Arrival – On arriving in Peru it is necessary to fill in a customs declaration, on which is listed the objects which carry duty. These are listed on the back of the document. The articles which are of free entry into the country are those normal to any traveler.After having completed passport control and before leaving the airport, if you arrive in Lima by plane, you have to go through a control system that consists of the following: the passenger pushes a button: if a green light turns on, they can go their way; if it is a red light, the customs officer must thoroughly check all the luggage.

Departure – It is absolutely prohibited to take out objects of pre Colombian art, although some locations freely sell them. Also, it is not advisable to take leaves of coca, even though it is not specifically prohibited. In the country, the consumption of coca leaves is normal and the leaves are sold legally to make tea or to chew. Departure with this product can lead to a ‘fright’ or cause some loss of time at customs.