Travel Peru

Province: Cusco

2004-12-18T15:51:00.000-08:00

Introduction:
Cusco is the former capital of Tahuaninsuyo, the center of the Empire of the Four Regions and the "Navel of the world". From this city unfurled one of the most remarkable empires in the history of mankind. The Incas expanded in less than one hundred years their frontiers from the North of Quito in Ecuador to Santiago de Chili far South. In eastern direction they reached Argentina. Although the Incas are not well known in the western world, they were bigger than many ancient cultures intensively studied.

History and location
Cusco or Qosqo was built at 3.400m in the shape of an enormous puma (see picture above right). The body of the puma contained the most important palaces, temples and governmental buildings while the fortress just outside the city, known as Sacsayhuamán, formed the head of this sacred animal. The square between the legs of the puma is the Plaza de Armas.
The city today is a strange mixture of Inca architecture and the Spanish-Moorish colonial style. The Spanish destroyed unfortunately most of the temples in Cusco for building catholic churches. Inside the Santa Domingo (see picture left above) you can still visit the temples built in name of the natural elements as lightning, rain, Moon (Quilla), Sun (Inti), wind, etc. Most of the enormous palaces every new Sapa Inca (the emperor) built to performance his duty do still exist and some of them are turned into museums.

The legend tells us that the first Sapa Inca Manco Capac and his royal wife Mama Occllo received the assignment of the God of the Sun the Inti itself. They established the capital city of a new empire where the golden staff sunk in the ground and improved life of the people living in this part of the world. The Spanish arrived in Cusco late 1533 and were astonish by the beauty of the capital city. Eyewitnesses described the place as a city of gold and light. Streets were quiet, the Incas had no horses and the biggest domestic animal was the llama which can't be used to pull any kind of cart. Street life was quiet because only the inhabitants on sandals walked there. Every street was clean and had two canals: one as sewerage and on the other side of the street a canal with fresh and clean river water.

After the Spanish stole all the gold and other valuables, they burned Cusco totally. Only the foundations, made by the Incas to overcome earthquakes and time, survived the disaster. Cusco is today most probably the most beautiful city in Latin America. Take care the first day when arriving, you get 3.400m above sea level and this can be hard if you come from the lowlands, take it easy!

Around Cusco
Visiting Cusco is the climax of traveling in Peru. Make sure to foresee enough days to see the city and its surroundings. In and around the city there is so much to see that one needs at least 4-5 days to see the minimum. A city trip includes generally some of the majestic churches and cathedrals (mostly La Catedrál and La Compañía at the Plaza the Armas) and the palace of Inca Garcilaso de la Vega converted to the museum of history of Cusco and some other places in Peru.

These buildings can be visited with or without a guide but everybody needs to get a BTG (a tourist ticket that gives access to the most important tourist building in Cusco and 8 ruins outside of the city, included the Sacred Valley). The BTG costs US$ 10 and half the price for student (don't forget your student card of course). To visiting the Sacred Valley, better get a day ticket in one of the many agencies on and around the Plaza de Armas. Most of the agencies work in pool, so it doesn't really matter where you go. Prices are between S./12 and S./25. On the right hand side you can see the famous stone with the 12 corners at the palace of Inca Roca. The two guys posing are meanwhile older than the stone and can tell everything about it :=)
Cusco has excellent nightlife and many pubs and discos offer free tickets on the Plaza the Armas, generally from 8pm until 11pm. At night, the Plaza changes into a market where typical clothes, souvenirs and artisan are sold. Everybody should make a walk by sunset in and around the center of Cusco. The Avenida el Sol is one of the main boulevards. The most important banks, the impressive palace of justice and one block further the Santa Domingo (see picture above) are found in this avenue. This church is also known as the Q'oricancha ("The Gold Walls"). It is where the INTI RAYMI festival starts every year the 24th of June. This was the beginning of a new solar year according to the calender of the Incas.

Province:
Urubamba, in the department of Cusco
Location:
on the eastern slopes of the Vilcanota River, 2.400m above sea level
Weather:
subtropical, hot and humid. Av temperature 13°C. Nov-March rainy season, heavy rains, April-Oct dry season, higher temperatures

Some buildings and cities were never found by the conquistadors or just left alone because of their uninteresting position. Machu Picchu is the most important place that the Spanish never discovered. Officially the American professor Hiram Bingham found this magical place in 1911. The sacred city and the Incas became very famous since then, the Taj Majal of Latin America and probably one of the most beautiful places in the world. Very little information stood the test of time about Machu Picchu. Archeologists found out that the city was a religious place of pilgrimage, constructed in the 15th and the first half of the 16th century and probably never finished. It could be that their work was interrupted by the Spanish invasion or the civil war just before the conquista between Atahualpa and Huascar.

The city is divided in two halves, a religious and a residential area with a relative big square in the middle. Approximately 1200 men could live in Machu Picchu and six men were enough to guard the city. Built on a steep mountain and surrounded by sub-tropical rainforest gives every visitor the feeling of being save and untouchable.
Next to the Machu Picchu (old mountain) is the Huayna Picchu (young mountain, see on the picture left) and can be visited. A climb of at least 30 minutes brings you on top of this very steep mountain. You need good physical condition and watch your steps. From this place Machu Picchu can be seen in the shape of a huge condor flying to the West. (Read more about the place and shape of the Sacred City) On top of the Huayna Picchu, temples and terraces were constructed and halfway on the other side of the mountain you can visit the Temple of the Moon, known as the only Inca Temple still intact. Earthquakes did unfortunately destroy most of the other temples on the Huayna Pichu.
This magical place can still be visited by the original Inca Trail. The shortest track is in 2 days (from km 104) and the most popular is the 4-day track from Ollantaytambo in the Sacred Valley. Make sure you have a good condition, solid shoes and in rainy season a raincoat. The second day is the hardest with a 1000m-climb to a pass of 4.300m. It is tricky to do the 4-day track without a guide, but the 2 days-trail can be done alone. In dry season, when the sun is burning hot, you have to make sure to have enough water with you! You'll lose sweat by the litter… Equipment like tents and sleeping bags can be rented at the agencies in Cusco.
The Inca Trail crossed the whole empire and was described by the chroniclers as the best roads they had ever seen. Although the Incas didn't know how to build stone bridges, their trails constituted one of the best communication systems of their time. Fish from the ocean arrived two hours later in Cusco. Messages and quipus from all over the empire got quick and save in Cusco. The quipus are a mathematical account system used to administer the empire. A quipu was composed of colored strings and knots. The runners or chaskis ran distances from 200m to 5km, depending on the difficulty of the terrain. Another chaski took over the message and the goods, similar to the relay race.
Although it is a hard physical exercise to do the four-day Inca Trail, the magnificent views of white mountains, glaciers, sub-tropical rainforest and the Inca ruins on the way compensate the effort many times. A chaski can be hired to carry part of your luggage. This is generally not included in the service sold by an agency, but has to be arranged by your agency or on location and is additional. Don't worry about these people and their strength. In our group once a female 16-year-old chaski of carried the rucksacks of three people and climbed over the mountain pass of 4.300m while telling stories with a smile on her face.
When doing the two-day track, a simple hotel can be found on your way to Machu Picchu. There is a (quit expensive) restaurant and generally people sleep on the floor in their sleeping bags. A room can be rented for approximately 20 soles a night a person, but there are few rooms. The next morning the first people leave at 5 o'clock to arrive one hour later at the Inti Punctu or the Gate of the Sun where Machu Picchu can be seen. Then it is a 20 minutes walk to the entrance of the city.
Machu Picchu can also be visited in one day by train. Recently a helicopter service can bring you on location in 25 minutes, but this is a relative expensive option (US$ 100, incl. bus to the ruins and entrance). The train is one of the most spectacular in the world. First the train leaves the valley of Cusco in zigzag. Then the route continues to and through the Sacred Valley of the Urubamba River and make important stops in Ollantaytambo and Aquas Calientes. The vegetation changes from plateau vegetation to sub-tropical forest. In Aquas Calientes a bus service brings you to the gates of Machu Picchu (US$ 6 back and forth) or you can go by foot (800m steep climbing and free). The entrance of the ruin itself is US$ 10 and half the price for students.

Discover Peru virtually:

2004-12-18T15:17:00.000-08:00

Province:
Lima
Location:
Capital of Peru, at the central coast of the Pacific in Latin America
Population:
alomost 7 million
Size:
approx. 33.000 sq km
Weather:
Dec-April: sunny and hot, May-Oct: cloudy and humidAv. temperature 25 in summer and 17 in winter

Introduction:
It is in this metropolis city of almost 8 million inhabitants where you will arrive entering Peru. By cruiser in the harbour of Callao or by airplane in the international airport of Jorge Chavez. He was a Peruvian aviation pioneer. The airport is located in Lima at approximately 45 minutes from the colonial center or the commercial districts as Miraflores, San Isidro, etc. The Peruvian capital was established by the Spanish "conquistadores" in 1535.

The faces of Lima:
Lima of tranquillity

he exclusive Lima of the rich. There is a beach resort coast with the nautical hobbies like wave surfing, cruisers and sailing. The new commercial center of Larco Mar in Miraflores, the most elegant restaurants of the country with view over the Pacific Ocean, its five star hotels. Also known is the Camino Real with its great shopping malls in San Isidro. The districts of artists, paintings, poets, writers, musician like Barranco, with its bars and peñas (places where there is folkloric and also afro music as in the Andes or other regions of the country).

Colonial Lima

The Checkerboard of Pizarro", founded by this conqueror in 1535. The city was organized until the beginning of this century as the center of life and economy. It was the Peruvian capital where the conquerors of the viceroy lived with people like "Perricholi". It was the City of the Kings.

Today is Lima the city of chaos, contamination and street sellers (you can buy EVERYTHING. It's possible to build a house and to furnish it, without the need to go into a store!). In this part of the city there are the dayly traffic jams. Traffic is totally monstrous in crowd hours. The past few years things have improving a bit. The "ambulantes" or street vendors avoid the colonial city or got a place assigned by authority in one of the many commercial centers. Lot's of police and security agents diminished street crime to a low level. The most important squares and parks got a face-lift and look attractive these days. The mayor of Lima "Andrade" recently is reelected and will continue the good work. He and his staff designed an action plan to convert Lima in the tourist capital of Latin America.

Lima of the slums
As a result of the population explosion and people looking for a solution to their difficult conditions of life, the "young town" or the slums surround Lima. Lot's of them found themselves in front of the same misery and hunger, crime, violence, drugs, etc. Man, woman and child are fighting against this hard situation and in search for more dignity, they organized themselves into "Comedores Populares" and courageous mothers established "the Mother Clubs".

Lima of archaeological places and magnificent museums
Peru has lot's of excellent archaeological material of any kind (ceramics, cloths, gold and silver objects money, etc.) which belong to numerous prestigious cultures : Chavin, Huari, Chimu, Mochica, Nazca, Paracas, Moxeque, Vicus, Inca, etc. Everybody can admire these fine objects of highly developed cultures in several museums in and around Lima, where these treasures are exposed.

History of Lima

The Preshispanic Period:The oldest remains found in Lima are the settlements of fishermen in the valley of the Rimac River. In a later period the Proto-Lima culture is established with two mayor movements: the Aramburu and the Maranga. In the valley of Lima appeared the collas, originally from Canta and Huarochiri. In the last stage introduced the Incas their gods in this area but let the people continue worshipping their own religian. Pachacamac was a temple dedicated to the god of the Sun.
Hispanic Period:The conquerer Francisco Pizarro founded Lima on the 18th of Januari 1535. They made Peru as the most important region of Latin America and a viceroy living in Lima represented the king of Spain.
Republican period:Jose de San Martin liberated Peru from the Spanish colonization and declared Peru independent the 28th of July 1821. Slavery was banished and Lima was for a long time considered as the best developed city of Latin America.

Lima and its people
Lima was founded by the conqueror Francisco Pizarro on the 18th of January 1533. From the beginning on, this city was considered the new capital of Peru. The wealth imported by the Spanish nobility immigrated to Peru, made Lima originally the City of Kings. All gold was exported via this city to Spain. Many of the original colonial houses do still exist, but caused by the population explosion in the beginning of this century, Lima has lost a lot of its charm.
Lima stayed a small city for almost 400 years. In the twenties the city population multiplied three times. Since the Second World War, Lima multiplied by a factor 10 (!). Today almost 8 million people live in the metropolis, almost a third from the total population of Peru (23 million). The population density has all extremes in Peru. For example: the tropical rainforest covers over 60% of the country's territory and only 5% of the population lives in this unmeasurable forest. Most of the emigrants come from the Andes. Looking for a better life they move to Lima with little possessions and encounter themselves even in a worse situation and poverty. Some are lucky and have a good life now and can afford to send their children to university, etc.
In recent years and influenced by the stable political situation, foreign companies invest in Peru and create of new jobs. The financial climate seems to improve, but as in everywhere in the world, all money is in the hands of a few. Many of the poorer people start a small business as street vendor and make their living by selling cigarettes and chewing gum but earn just enough for their food.
Since the new political climate in Peru a lot of investment has been done in hospitals, schools and universities. Most of the roads in bad quality were renewed. Many universities are private and expensive. Almost everybody that can afford university do their best to convert them into professionals. This is one of the only ways to secure future in Lima and earn good money.
Peruvians work in general a lot and workdays of 12 hours are not exceptional. Saturday is also a working day till 1pm. Every year employees got from two weeks to 1 month of paid vacation. The government is working on social security, especially for pensioners. The tax system is the only constitution that is really working well (SUNAT). They are rigorous to companies not paying taxes. Often small businesses as shops are closed with the well-known big red stickers. Don't be surprised when you ask a beer at the bar and they give you a receipt.
To give you an idea how young the economy is in Peru, the stock market of this country exists since the late 80s and stock values rose 10 times in 8 years. For the moment is the market relative stable and inflation depends upon the world market. Peru is the only country in the world where companies can put shares on the market of workers and employees. Peru wants to attract more labor-intensive industry.

Customs and necessities of Peru

2004-12-18T15:14:00.000-08:00

Everybody can freely import next items:

Attire for personal use
Hygienic items and cosmetics for personal use
An electrical shaver
A camera or video camera and maximum 5 films or videocassettes
No more than 10 CD's, disks or DAT's
A pocket calculator
Medicines for personal use
Books, magazines and common documents
20 packs of cigarettes, 50 cigars or 250 grams of tobacco
No more than US$ 300 of varied articles, limited in quantity en for personal use or as a present for others. One article may not cost more than US$ 100
A portable typewriter or computer
A musical instrument carried by your hand or in a carrier bag
A radio, a radio cassette, a tape recorder, a gramophone or a CD-player, portable or a portable device with one or more than the mentioned apparatus
A suitcase, backpack or other luggage for collective use for carrying the allowed items
In case of a disabled person or an ill traveler, the equipment they indispensably need for their mobility
Ps: also accepted is an article that's portable, not too heavy and made to be transported easily by hand
Important: if you import items to Peru (or export if you have resident in Peru) that are not part of the above-mentioned list, ask for the "Carilla de Valoración Equipaje y Menaje de Viajeros del Exterior". The Peruvian customs has also a site on the Internet (in Spanish) where you can send your questions.
Migration: the persons entering Peru as a tourist will receive a tourist visa. No lucrative activities are allowed. Even voluntary work is illegal without permission from the proper authorities.
Peruvian embassies abroad:
Although all these countries have their consulates in Lima, some of them have further offices in other cities.
Unless stated, opening days are from Monday to Friday.

Argentina
Pablo Bermúdez N° 143, 2° Piso, Santa Beatriz, Lima.Tel: 433-5704 / 433-5847. Fax: 433-5141. Open: 9am-12pm.
Australia

Av. Santa Cruz N° 398, San Isidro.Tel: 421-6253 / 441-9992 / 421-6254. Fax: 421-6251. Open: 9am-12:30pm.
Austria
Av. Central N° 643, Piso 5, Edif. Las Naciones, San Isidro.Tel: 442-0503 / 422-1807. Fax: 442-8851. Open: 8:30am-12pm.
Cusco:Urb.Magisterio, 2da. Etapa, K1, Cusco.Tel: (084) 23-2196. Telefax: (084) 25-1446. Open: 9am-11am.
Trujillo:Bernardo Alcedo N° 140, San Fernando, Trujillo.Tel: (044) 23-1772. Fax: (044) 23-1662. Open 9am-12:30pm / 4pm-6pm.
Arequipa: Pérez Araníbar s/n, Variante de Uchumayo Km. 1.5, Sachaca, Arequipa. Tel: (054) 44-9608. Fax: (054) 44-9385. Open: 7:30am-12:30pm / 1:30pm-4:30pm.
Iquitos:Carretera Quistococha N° 208, Iquitos.Telefax: (094) 26-1139. Open: 11am-1pm / 5pm-7pm (Tue-Fri).
Belgium / Bélgica
Av. Angamos Oeste N° 380, Miraflores.Tel: 241-7566. Fax: 241-6379. Open: 8:30am-4pm.
Arequipa:Av. Lima N° 107, Vallecito, Arequipa.Telefax: (054) 21-6669. Open: 8:30am-1pm / 3pm-6:30pm.
Cusco:Av. El Sol N° 954, Cusco.Tel: (084) 22-1098 / 22-4322. Fax: (084) 22-1100 / 22-4900. Open: 9am-1pm / 3pm-6pm.
Bolivia
Los Castaños N° 235, San Isidro.Telefax: 440-2298. Open: 8:00am-1pm.
Arequipa:Calle Mercaderes N° 212 - Galerias Gamesa 4to. piso, oficina 405, Arequipa.Tel: (054) 21-3391. Fax: (054) 21-1111.
Ilo:Jr. Junín N° 414, 2do. piso, Ilo.Telefax: (054) 78-2401.
Mollendo:Crnel. Zavala N° 171, Mollendo.Tel: (054) 53-3848.
Puno:Jr. Arequipa N° 136, 3er. Piso, Puno.Tel: (054) 35-1251.
Tacna:Av. Bolognesi N° 1721, Tacna.Tel: (054) 71-5125
Yunguyo:Jr. Grau Nº 32, Yunguyo, Puno.Tel: 85-6032.
Brasil
Av. José Pardo N° 850, Miraflores.Tel: 421-5650 / 421-5660. Fax: 445-2421. Open: 9am-1pm.
Iquitos:Sargento Lores N° 363, Iquitos. Tel: (094) 23-4133. Fax: (094) 23-2081. Open: 9am-1pm / 2pm-5pm.
Bulgary / Bulgaria
Paul Harris N° 289, San Isidro.Telefax: 422-1145. Open: 9am-12pm (Mon-Wed-Fri).
Canada
Libertad N° 130, Miraflores.Tel: 444-4015. Fax: 444-4347. Open: 8:30am-11am.
Chile
Av. Javier Prado Oeste N° 790, San Isidro.Tel: 221-2817 / 221-2818. Fax: 221-2816. Open: 9am-1pm.
Arequipa:Galerías Gameza Mercaderes Nro 212, oficina 401-3, Arequipa.Tel: (054) 22-6787. Fax: (054) 23-3556. 9am-2pm.
Tacna:Presbítero Andía - esq. Crnel. Albarracín - Tacna.Tel: (054) 72 - 3063. Fax: (054) 72-4391. Open: 8am-1pm / 3pm-5pm.
China
José Granda N° 150, San Isidro.Tel: 442-9466. Fax: 442-9644.
Colombia
Av. Jorge Basadre N° 1580, San Isidro.Tel: 441-0530 / 442-9648. Fax: 441-9806. Open: 9am-1pm.
Iquitos: Putumayo No 247, Planta Baja, Iquitos.Tel: (094) 23-1461.
Costa Rica
Emilio Cavenecia N° 175, San Isidro.Telefax: 440-9982. Open: 9am-1pm.
Cuba
Coronel Portillo N° 110, San Isidro.Tel: 264-2053 / 264-2034. Fax: 264-4525. Open: 9:30am-1pm.
Cyprus / Chipre
Panamericana Norte Km. 14.215, Independencia.Tel: 533-3141. Fax: 533-3138. Open: 9am-4pm.
Czech Republic / República Checa
Baltazar La Torre N° 398, San Isidro.Tel: 264-3381 / 264-3374. Fax: 264-1708. Open: 9am-12pm.
Denmark / Dinamarca
Bernardo Monteagudo N° 201, San Isidro.Tel: 264-3620 / 264-4040. Fax: 264-3080. Open: 9:30am-12:30pm / 3:30pm-5:30pm.
Callao:Av. Fauccett N° 1920, Frente al Grupo Aéreo N° 8, Callao.Tel: 572-0113. Fax: 451-7695.
Arequipa: Calle Arequipa N° 164, Mollendo, Arequipa. Tel: (054) 53-2928 / 2068. Fax: (054) 53- 073
Dominican Republic / República Dominicana
Av. 28 de Julio N° 779, Piso 2 Of. F, Lima.Tel: 433-9837. Fax: 330-0650. Open: 9am-1pm
Ecuador
Las Palmeras N° 356, San Isidro.Tel: 440-9991. Fax: 422-0711. Open: 9am-1pm.
Piura:Fortunato Chirichigno, Urb. El Chipe, Piura.Telefax: (074) 32-8589.
Sullana:El Rosario N° 382, Urb. Santa Rosa, Sullana, Piura. Tel: (074) 50-2038.
Tumbes:Calle Bolívar N° 115, Plaza de Armas, Tumbes. Tel: (074) 52-3022.
Egypt / Egipto
Av. Jorge Basadre N° 1470, San Isidro.Tel: 440-2547 / 440-2642. Fax: 440-2547. Open: 9am-1pm.
El Salvador
Miguel Dasso N° 117, Piso 10, San Isidro.Tel: 440-7654 / 221-6137. Fax: 221-8211. Open: 9am-1pm.
Eslovaquia
Av. Angamos Oeste N° 1626, San Isidro.Tel: 221-2585 / 221-2586. Fax: 422-2249. Open: 9am-2pm.
Finland / Finlandia
Jr. Arias Araguez N° 210, Urb. San Antonio, Miraflores.Tel: 444-0860 / 242-4545. Fax: 444-3850. Open: 9:30am-12:30pm.
France / Francia
Av. Arequipa N° 3415, San Isidro.Telefax: 421-3693. Open: 8:30am-12:30pm.

Supplementary general information

2004-12-18T15:12:00.000-08:00

Tourist information and addresses:
In every significant touristic city in Peru there is an office of "el ministerio de turismo". In Lima this office is located at half a square of the Plaza de San Martín in Jirón de la Unión 1066, the street is also known as Jirón Belén. The place is open from 9h to 18h and closes Saturday on 13h. They can offer you a free magazine of "Peru Guide". With a little bit of luck you'll find an English-speaking staff. In the same street a bit further there are some other places to obtain advice about hotels, transport and local tours like the Inca Trail for example. But don't overrun. The best place to find information about Machu Picchu is of course Cusco. There is an office of the ministry of tourism in Cusco at the Plaza de Armas.
If you should arrive in the tourist and beautiful district of Miraflores in Lima, you can always knock the door of Aventura Latino Americana. Mr. Guy Vanackeren and his sympathetic wife Carine Beckers offer information in English, French, Spanish and Dutch. You can find the office of Aventura Latino Americana in Avenida Mariscal la Mar, 146 in Miraflores (Lima 18) or call them on (51-1) 447.96.85. You can also send them an email and let them know about your questions. They are also willing to let your post coming in on their address and reconfirm your fly-back ticket. Remember that reconfirmation has to be done at least 72 hours before you're flight and that company are sometimes difficult or impossible to reach during weekends and holidays.
A classic address to obtain information is the South American Explorers Club. You'll find up-to-date information about everything in Peru: detailed maps, addresses, useful tips, travel reports, weather conditions, trips for the adventurer or for business and 5-star excursions. Who wants to obtain information has to pay a fee of $30 a person and for couples $40. You find them in Republica de Portugal 146, Lima. Office hours are from Monday to Friday from 9h30 to 17h.
Money and other kinds of valuables:
Somewhere between earth and the gold of our labor you find the common finances of the world. Travelling is an expensive hobby at location and before. Getting a good backpack, walking shoes, suitable dresses, all kinds of handy tools and of course your ticket. The question is always: "How much money do I need on this holiday and how do I keep it save?" The answer depends on three factors: length of your holiday, the country where you are going to and the wanted luxury. National currencies in Peru are the Nuevo Sol and parallel the US dollar. De Sol can fluctuate so it is difficult to say how much you get for a dollar. This month (March '99) you get for 1 US$ 3.40 Nuevos Soles. Using traveler's checks in Peru is not the easiest thing to do. In some places it is hard to change them and commission vary from 5 to 10 percent. If you choose to take traveler checks with you, get Thomas Coock or Visa. These are the easiest to change and the Banco Latino and Banco de Crédito receive them (5% commission) and sometimes you have to get in line for more than half an hour just to get in and maybe then they tell you that this bank can not change them. Because only the central bank in the Center accepts them, etc.
Sometimes it is easier outside Lima to change traveler checks in exchange offices. They ask you a 5 to 10 soles commission. Try to avoid changing checks to street changers, go into an office instead. Changing money on the street is a normal thing to do in Peru. Look though for those who have a vest saying "dollar seguro" or "cambeista" and avoid the unofficial changers. We heard reports of accidents happen, a tourist received a false bill of 100 Soles. Before existed the possibility of receiving old bills ("el Sol"), so make sure that the bill indicates "Nuevo Soles". The government did a good job reducing this false players so possibilities got small to be cheated.
If you change your dollars on the street, hold the dollars in your hand or pocket, receive the Nuevo Soles and count them carefully, look for watermark, type of paper and color, compare bills with each other. Note: there are two generations, so don't start jumping if you actually see difference. If you are satisfied, then give your dollars to the moneychanger. They are used to wait until the people give them the dollars. So if one is conspicuously impatient, check twice or more the received money or just give his money back and go to another moneychanger. Go to places where more than one is working; this raises the possibility of a good and correct service. Don't get startled though if they come to you with two or more. A gringo generally changes at least $100 and they know that. The commission they earn is their daily bread.
How much money do you need to travel in Peru?
This depends on the formula of your holiday. If you choose for an organized holiday and want to eat every day in luxury and buy lots of souvenirs, count on $150 a day a person. The other extreme is the budget traveler. If you are satisfied with local menu's of 10 Soles, cheap hotels of S./15 and don't spend any extra's, you should do with $30 a day in average. Peru is a very big country (more than 1.2 million square km) so transport is a money magnet.
Who doesn't travel organized and wants 5-star luxury, count on $300 a day a person because class hotels are expensive if you rent individually a room (=not in group). The budget traveler in couple or with three persons sleeping in cheap hotels with private bathroom and looking for menus in the cheaper restaurants, should do with $80 or less a day. This does not include local trips like Machu Picchu or the Colca Cañon in Arequipa. A budget holiday of three weeks in which you want to see as much as possible will cost around $1.000, but take a $300 to $500 spare money with you!
International credit cards:
It is strange that in travel books about Peru the use of a credit card is dissuaded. We can actually advice using credit cards in Peru, especially Visa. Try to avoid Dinners Club and company, American Express will do. You can access money with Visa and American Express at cashpoints in every big and middle big city in Peru. Especially Visa is common in Peru. You can pay in the better shops and restaurant, in hotels and tourist offices all over the country with these two cards (visa & AE). If you insert the card in a cashpoint, a menu let you make the choice between Spanish and English and you can select US$ or the Nuevo Sol. Rates are good. The dollar is a bit cheaper because of the better rates on the street to change them to Nuevos Soles.
Banks open generally from 9am to 6pm from Monday to Friday, Saturday from 9am to 12pm, especially in Lima. In the provinces banks often close from 1pm to 3pm. Avoid going to a bank on Friday or Saturday morning. Expect long queues because this is payday for many people. Cashpoints are generally less crowded, so getting money with a credit card goes quicker. Remember you need your passport to get money out of a bank or a exchange office, but not for a cashpoint of course.
Note: if you receive false money out of a cashpoint, don't panic. The company putting the money inside is not the bank itself and every bill has an invisible stamp. Go to the bank and show them the false note (even after days, but go the same bank company), they will check the stamp and give you a good note in minutes.
Note2: although we spoke a lot here about false money, it is getting rare to receive it. After two years travelling in Peru I got false money only once, so we can not call it a general problem. But always take care. But don't accept torn or old looking money from banks, moneychangers or public services. In the end, it will be difficult to get rid of them and the institutes and moneychangers don't accept old or damaged money or change them to lower rate.
A last remark about money: banks are easily to find in Peru. Except in the small villages and some non-tourist mid towns banks are found anywhere.
Sites on the Internet about Peruvian Banks:
Banco Latino
Banco República
Interbank corp
Banco Central de Reserva
Post and telephone
The central post office in Lima is found on half a block form the Plaza Mayor in the street left from the presidential palace. It's a long and crowded gallery and halfway on the right hand side you'll find the post office. Who has a prepared travel scheme can give following easy to remember addresses to family and friends. On the envelope they have to write your full name (for passport check afterwards) and "Correo Central, Lima, Peru" or if you will be next week in Cusco: "Correo Central, Cusco, Peru", or "Correo Central Arequipa, Peru", etc. Even the smallest places have their correo central. A taxi can bring you there. Generally they are situated on the Plaza de Armas or a block away. Sending letters from all over the world to Peru takes about 5 to 10 days. Sometimes letters are received after two working days, but only in Lima and maybe Cusco (in case you lose your money and family has to send money for example). Opening hours are the same of the banks.
For the moment is the only Telephone Company in Peru the Spanish Telefónica (yes, they're still here :=). Calling abroad is possible in city or town in Peru, with public phone or in a telephone office. ALWAYS ask the price a minute before calling. Recently Telefónica has dropped prices for calling abroad to 60%. For example calling to the States cost now less than 3 soles a minute and Europe less than 5 soles. Telephone cards are common and public phones accepting them as well. Sending faxes are generally around S./10.
A relative new and maybe the easiest and cheapest way to let everybody know how you are doing are the public Internet cabins. They are cheap (S./6 to even S./3 an hour) and are getting very common in Peru. In Lima and Cusco you can find them everywhere. So, before going on holiday, join one of the free Internet services like Yahoo or Hotmail.com and let everybody know from time to time how you are doing.
Car rental
Hertz rent a car
av. Ricardo Revera Naverrete 550
San Isidro
Tel 442.45.09
Avis rent a car
av. Javier Prado Este 5235
Camacho
Tel : 434.01.01
Budget rent a car
C. y Moreyra 476
San Isidro
Tel : 442.87.03
Dollar rent a car
av. La Paz 438
Miraflores
Tel : 444.30.50
Inka's rent a car
Cantuarias 160
Miraflores
Tel : 447.92.00 en 445.57.16
We actually dissuade everybody renting a car in Peru. First of all the rates are relatively expensive, secondly public transport is really cheap (it's cheaper renting a taxi all day than a car, the price is normally S./15 an hour or less) and driving in Peru is dangerous if you are not used to the crazy traffic. Many roads in Peru are from bad quality and in a city like Lima of 7 million people it is easy to loose your way.
If you take a taxi, discuss price before entering, especially because they see you are a gringo. Bid for a better price. In Cusco for example taxi's in daytime are S./2 and at night S./3. A taxi from the airport of Cusco to the center shouldn't be more than S./5 and from the airport in Lima to the center of Lima S./15 and to Miraflores S./20.

Information and facts for the visitor PERU

2004-12-18T15:06:00.000-08:00

Introduction
Who will ever plan to visit Peru (we truly hope so) will encounter a country with a peculiar history and virgin nature of unspeakable beauty. Nobody promises hidden Inca-temples and secret brotherhoods that keep the rich history alive, but there is more than enough to see en to visit. More than once you will feel like Indiana Jones if you choose for more extreme trips. Peru is a country full of mysteries and an invaluable cultural and natural wealth. More than 60% of Peru’s territory is virgin rainforest, so grand that a lost group found an Inca settlement mid 1996 on 12 days walking from the nearest village. Lot’s of secrets and world wonders were already discovered en often not understood, but a lot more is still hidden in the veils of Peru’s ancient times.
A word about the country
Until Christopher Columbus was America unknown territory to the Western world. Therefore has this continent and especially Peru a totally different history that can not be compared with any other place. (You can read more about the history in this site). But there are a lot more interesting aspects about Peru than it’s past. The people are friendly, hospitable and curious to other cultures. This might be a genetic inheritance of the Inca-civilization. They really want to know everything and shall answer your questions frankly. And the Spanish spoken here is probably the easiest to understand on our blue ball. They speak slowly and clear without a strong influence of slang.
The Peruvians have of course their own words for common concepts, but visitors who speak basic Spanish will find their way and will learn a lot in short time. Peruvian friends are easily made and they try to adapt to the Spanish knowledge you have. Besides Spanish there are two other official languages: Quechua and Aymara. Quechua is mainly spoken in and around Cusco while Aymara will be heard on the shores of the lake Titicaca and big parts of the highlands in Bolivia. It’s still hard to find people in Peru who can reasonably speak foreign languages. Visitors who really want to travel in Peru and learn a lot about this country should consider a guided tour. This is also a tip for those who do speak enough Spanish, but the more experienced traveler always finds his or here way.
Because of all the suffering about terrorism until ten years ago, tourism is relatively new in this country. If you want to visit remote areas you should buy a good travel guide (Lonely Planet and similar sources) or choose for an organized trip. This reduces the change of encountering unpleasant experiences. For example in some places they sometimes ask double price because of lack of competence or because hotels are (nearly) fully booked or just because you are a gringo. With a guided tour these kinds of surprises are hardly possible.
The climate all year through
Peru is near to the equator so winter and summer have other effect on this side of the planet. All year long it is relatively hot, except for the areas above 3.000m (la Cordillera or the Andes) where it can get pretty cold at night. The influence of the rainy and the dry season is another important factor to reckon with. Generally the coast doesn’t know any wet season, except when extraordinarily disasters punish the country like the phenomenon "El Niño", when desserts turn into green oases and streets become rivers.
In normal circumstance wintertime at the coast (May to September) has the only disadvantage of being cloudy. Rain is rare and limited to some drizzle. The low hanging clouds in and around Lima are called "garúa" and can get quiet greasy and mixed with yellow smog. While in the Andes and the tropical rain forest (Selva) it is dry season and almost every day blue sky and sunshine. Take care of this altitude sun and in the rain forest, you’re colored like a crab before realizing it. Use a good sunblock.
When it is wet season (from November to April) it can get very wet and rain for days in the Andes and the Selva. Rising moon dough is usually known as being dryer. Think about this if you plan to do the Inca Trail or a trip in the jungle. This time of year is hot burning summer at the coast. Temperatures of 30 and more are no exceptions, especially if you go up north to Ecuador. Generally Peru can be visited all year round, extreme circumstances are rarely seen (except with "El Niño" of course).

The desert
The Andes
La Selva
May to September
Cloudy and sometimes rain
Dry and sunny
Dry and sunny
November to April
Sunny and hot
Rain and cloudy
Rain and cloudy
Temperature
Hot and dry
Wet and cold
Wet and hot
Safety in Peru
Fiction:
Let’s first get rid of some false myths about Peru. Because of the incidents in the 80’s Peru received a name that it doesn’t really deserves. Terrorism was indeed a big problem in the seventies and the eighties, but this terror has changed al lot in the past ten years. There is no more dictator on charge of the country and sins 1990 a democratic president is leading Peru out of a extreme difficult situation to a visual improvement of the economy. For the moment this is president Alejandor Toledo after a 10-years reign by Fujjimori. This country has really changed a lot. The terrorists are in jail or withdrew in the tropical rainforest where they organized another kind of business (cocaine) and don’t feel the need anymore to make it in the newspapers. The local people rejected them because the terrorists turned against their own people. What happened in the embassy of Japan is a sad story, but is purely politics and has nothing to do with hitting innocent people or tourism. The army and the (secret) police is doing everything they can to take away all aces of the splinter groups which seems to work out very well.

Reality:
After putting right these changed facts, let’s talk about the real problems in Peru. First of all we have a word about health. Who wants to travel to the jungle and make a x day trip on a boat and by foot should take medicines against malaria. Try to avoid taking Lariam. First of all this pill has a destructive effect on your body and brains and secondly it makes the anopheles that might prick you more immune, which is a danger to the local people who’s body defense system doesn’t adapt that quickly.
In general, in big cities like Iquitos there is no danger for malaria and if you don’t go to far away from the Amazon River (less than one day walking), chances are still small to catch malaria. But those who want to go on extreme tracks should always take medicines. The best remedy is prevention. Good repellents avoid possible problems more than any medicine can do. You will see that in daytime there are almost no insects. But when the sun kisses the world goodbye, the mosquitoes come from everywhere. Get to sleep early and get up early. Nights are more romantic in the jungle with your eyes closed. If you forgot repellent, ask your guide. The jungle offers several natural repellents like sweet smelly fruits and termites. And they are free to get (close your eyes though while rubbing in your skin with thousands of termites :=).
Health:
In the Andes and the desert coast there are no natural enemies and diseases. But you can encounter other difficulties. Before going to a country with a lower life standard than the western world, vaccinate yourself in your local hospital. No proof of any vaccination is requested entering the country. In the text underneath we’ll speak about altitude sickness. In the end, who doesn’t blind himself watching the beauty of the mountains during the Inca Trail and makes a misstep into the abyss, should have one of the most exciting holidays of a lifetime and be back home healthy and full of stories.
Food:
Last year (’98) Peru won in a world contest for culinary local kitchens in France the first price with 406 different dishes. Food in Peru is absolutely delicious and cheap. Make sure although not to eat at the street and the extra cheap places in remote areas. Nobody can guarantee the quality of the food you’ll find on these places. Better pay some soles more for a reliable restaurant. Avoid spending hundreds of dollars in hospitals and being homesick. Around the Plaza the Arma of every city in Peru you’re able to find good restaurants. If you think or feel that you ate something of poor quality, go to a shop or a bar somewhere and ask for a "pisco puro" or a similar strong alcoholic drink. This will disinfect your stomach.
Theft:
Wherever you go, near or far, always keep the following rule in mind: don’t let your money, backpack, documents or cameras be kicked around the place. On every corner of the world there could be somebody with quick hands and an accident is happened before you know it. It is absolutely not necessary to travel paranoia in Peru. Relax and simply keep this rule at heart. Most of the Peruvians work hard and do not feel the need to steal. But a few rotten apples in every city can destroy your vacation.
Consider this remedy before you leave home: guard all valuable stuff like gold, silver, watches, etc., safe in your own house. Prevent that people will look at you like a walking bank. Buy a hidden money belt and when doing an evening walk leave passport, credit cards and spare money in your hotel. Ask the reception to guard your valuables after you putted them into a small, not transparent bag. Group travelers have it easier. Everybody can watch the stuff of the others wile going to the toilet for example.
My travel experience in Peru and Europe tells me that Peru is safer that Milan or Barcelona, just to name some. If you don’t expose what is valuable, you are reducing the change on theft nearly to zero. If it should happen, ask the local people around if nobody knows the robber ("ratero" is the word common used in Peru). Local people don’t like thieves too, because they are bad publicity and tourists bring a lot of money in Peru. More than once the goods were returned by the guardia civil or even a taxidriver the same day.
About height and dryness:
Important to know is that some arias in Peru are situated on extreme heights. Cusco for example is situated at 3.400m and Puno at 3.800m. Most of us are not used to heights and if we don’t take care the first day(s), we can get really sick. Take your time and take it easy when you arrive. Don’t drink any alcohol but drink some cups of tee extracted from the leaves of the cocaplant instead. These are common in the Peruvian Andes and help reducing the negative effects of altitude sickness and stomag problems.
At 3.500m or higher the air is dry and thin. This makes your skin and especially lips dehydrate. If you feel this coming, buy some cream or lipstick and save yourself from wetting your split lips every minute. The same can happen in the jungle, so prepare yourself. The Peruvian food is generally salty which prevents dehydration of the body. Have at least two litters of liquid a day (not only beer because you’ll have a terrible headache the next morning...)
Wildlife:
The only dangerous wildlife is found in the tropical rainforest. Take car of snakes and don’t touch any trees, insects and no caterpillars. We don’t know this green misty world; the first adventurers crossing the jungle called this place "the green hell". The Selva is very beautiful and walking in the biggest green ocean of the world is an unforgettable experience. The guide will tell you what you can and can not do.
Taking pictures:
Don’t take any pictures of military buildings, banks or any construction that has something to do with the government. If you hesitate, ask an official before shooting your picture. Taking pics of the local people is no problem in Peru if you give them a tip. In Bolivia you can not do that. The people believe that while taking a picture, you take away a piece of their soul. On marketplaces, streets and inside restaurants and nature of course it is no problem shooting all your films. If you really want to take pictures of local people without them knowing it, use a zoom because Peru is no zoo and the Indian people want to be respected.
The local people:
The religion of the people is for 99% catholic so for a mutual understanding it is important to respect their religion, history and try to avoid making them look back at the recent difficult political history of their country. For those who try to understand the situation, history and present of the people might receive some spiritual knowledge and wisdom of life during his or her holiday. Because of their isolation during centuries, these countries developed their own mentality, moral and culture.
Who got eyes to see and ears to hear will gain lots of experience in short time. These people are generally poor but have a lot to learn to the modern western world. For some things words are superfluous. In their simple way, many Peruvians show us something that we in our world forgot long time ago. Sensible open-minded visitors will feel the mysterious and mystical atmosphere hanging in many places in Peru, especially in and around Cusco. The expression left in the hearts of many travelers to Peru is an unforgettable experience that they will remind often in their lives. Many of them prefer going back to the Golden South on their next holiday.
And what can we tell you about the women? Yes, they are very beautiful and sweet. That’s why many gringo’s live in this country