Peru Travel Information
The country of all countries. Peruvian identity formed when the indigenous Andean origins—the Inca vision of the Cuatro Suyos—clashed with the conquering spirit of the Spaniards. While the original outcome was submission to Western culture, the inevitable fusion of these civilizations forged a complex new identity of Peru that’s full of contradictions as a result of differing life principles and values full of contradictions as a result of differing life principles and values. Circumstances added other elements to this fusion which made it even more complex. Eastern spirit and values; the joy and hardworking nature of Africa,and the Italian, French, Japanese and German ways of life and customs. Peruvian identity is rich, diverse and has both Andean roots and a strong international influence.
TRAVEL DOCUMENTS:
Passports must be valid for at least 6 months beyond the period of intended stay with at least 2 free pages in the visa section when entering Peru.
Always carry your documents, tickets, medication and valuables with you while travelling. They should not be packed in your checked luggage. They should be carried with you while travelling.
Unless insured, your baggage is transported at your own risk. It is recommended that you pack a change of clothing in your carry-on luggage in the event of misrouted or delayed luggage.
VISA REGULATIONS AND GUIDANCE:
Tourist visa: Not required
Although Canadians do not need a tourist visa to visit Peru, all travellers must complete a form called the Andean Migration Card (Tarjeta Andina de Migración) upon arrival. This document must be presented prior to departure from Peru. Failure to produce this document may delay your exit and/or result in a fine until a replacement is obtained.
The length of stay—up to a maximum of 183 days—is determined by immigration officers.
Ensure you receive an entrance stamp in your passport from Peru’s immigration office at the port of entry, even at land borders, where immigration offices may not be open at all hours or may be difficult to locate.
If your passport is lost or stolen, a new Andean Migration Card and a new entry stamp on the replacement passport must be processed at the National Superintendent of Immigration (Superintendencia Nacional de Migraciones) (Spanish only).
Travellers carrying more than US$10,000 or its equivalent in any currency or any monetary instrument must declare the amount exceeding US$10,000 when entering or leaving Peru. Furthermore, it is prohibited to carry currencies or monetary instruments exceeding US$30,000 when entering or leaving Peru.
HEALTH & MEDICAL:
These precautions are to ensure nothing prevents you from having the time of your life on this magical journey!
- Yellow fever is a disease caused by a flavivirus from the bite of an infected mosquito.
- Travellers get vaccinated either because it is required to enter a country or because it is recommended for their protection.
- There is a risk of yellow fever in The Peruvian Amazon.
- Proof of vaccination is not required to enter this country.
- Vaccination is recommended based on our Amazon itinerary.
There is currently a shortage of the yellow fever vaccine in Canada. It is important for travellers to contact a designated Yellow Fever Vaccination Centre well in advance of their trip to ensure that the vaccine is available.
- Malaria is a serious and occasionally fatal disease that is spread by the bite of an infected mosquito. There is no vaccine against malaria
- Protect yourself from mosquito bites. This includes covering up, using insect repellent and staying in enclosed air-conditioned accommodations.
- Antimalarial medication is recommended based on our Amazon itinerary. See a health care provider or visit a travel health clinic, preferably at least six weeks before you travel to discuss your options.
For a list of Toronto Travel Clinics, click here.
Discuss travel plans, activities, and destinations with a health care provider.
Protect yourself from mosquito bites.
AIRPORT CHECK-IN & LUGGAGE:
Please ensure you check-in at the airport at least 3 hours prior to your departure time.
It is recommended you call the Airline Information Number or check online to verify your flight times. Due to increased airport security measures, please be sure to leave ample time for check in as late arrivals could be denied boarding. Please also confirm that your frequent flyer number (if applicable) is on file upon check-in.
In the unlikely event that your luggage is misdirected, please report it at the Lost Luggage Counter before leaving the airport.
Please ensure your luggage is tagged with your name prior to departure from your home. These tags will expedite the identification and safe handling of your luggage at the hotels.
SECURITY CONSIDERATIONS:
Petty theft can be a threat to visitors in Cuzco, so take care not to wear expensive-looking jewellery or have other valuables on show while you are out. Use a money belt to carry your cash and have it secured in a position that you can access discreetly. If you are carrying a handbag, put a foot through the strap if you put it down even for a moment in a public place. Most of this is common sense and most visitors have a trouble-free stay. Try not to be alarmed, dress sensibly and enjoy your trip.
With respect to air transportation, never leave your luggage unattended and never, ever agree to carry on items, packages or suitcases for other people. Report any such requests to airline personnel or your travel staff immediately. While on the program, be sure to follow the instructions of the travel staff regarding luggage and movements within the airport.
TEMPERATURE & WEATHER:
The Peruvian winter (May – September) is the driest season and therefore the best time of year to travel, especially if you are planning to visit the Cusco area or trek the Inca Trail to Machu Picchu.
From May – September Lima is shrouded in a dense fog called La Garua; a thick layer of low-hanging clouds paired with low temperatures and gloomy drizzle. In Lima, the average high is 19º Celsius (66º Fahrenheit) and evening low is 13º Celsius (55º Fahrenheit). The further away from Lima you travel along the coast, the sun gradually begins to break through the mist.
The Andes highlands have two seasons: wet and dry. In the Sacred Valley/Cusco the average high is 20º Celsius (68º Fahrenheit) and evening low is 4º Celsius (39º Fahrenheit) due to the altitude.
PERU'S GEOGRAPHY:
Peru is an extremely diverse country, with 11 ecological regions and 84 of the world’s 117 different types of “life zone”. It has a huge variety of scenery thanks to its geography, which also provides it with a wide range of natural resources. The country has 3 main regions according to the traditional method of dividing the country by altitude: coast, mountains and jungle.
Characterised by a narrow band of deserts and fertile valleys alongside the Pacific Ocean. The fertile valleys spring from the rivers that flow down from the Andes mountain range itself, as opposed to the lower-lying Sierra, and into the sea.
This is the mountainous region of Peru, where the Andes mountain range dominates the landscape and contains various ecological regions and altitudes. The northern Andes are lower and more humid than the rest, while the central Andes are the tallest and steepest, and it is here where you find the country’s highest peak, Huascarán, at 6,768 meters above sea level. The southern Andes are wider and are also known as the altiplano, or high Andean plateau.
Located in the east, this is a vast region of plains covered by vegetation in the Amazon River basin, which begins at the confluence of the Marañón and Ucayali rivers. It is Peru’s largest region, and consists of a highland jungle, or de montaña – the mountain’s eyebrows, (over 700 meters above sea level), which is characterised by its cloud forests, and lowland jungle (less than 700 meters above sea level).
TIME DIFFERENCE :
AIRPORT TRANSFERS:
BANKING & CURRENCY:
This answer depends on your personal preferences and the level of comfort you desire.
Bartering is generally accepted in Peru, with the exception of larger stores and restaurants. In larger cities prices in general may be higher, particularly in Lima, and may increase during festivities such as the National Holidays (July), Easter (April) or Christmas due to higher demand for services such as bus and air transportation.
The currency in Peru is the Sol (PEN) and the exchange rate at time of printing is 1 Sol = $.41 CDN. We suggest you purchase a small amount of Soles before you arrive.
Many ATMs are available for all major credit cards (Visa, Master Card, Cirrus, etc.), but you need to take cash if you go outside the major centres. ATMs and banks are a rare find in those areas. Most ATM machines in Peru charge for withdrawing money from your home bank accounts. Presently the only Bank that adds no surcharge is the Scotiabank. At the Lima airport most ATMs are Globalnet, but after arrivals come out and take the stairs on your left (or lift just after the stairs) once at the top take a right and then after the Serpost post office on the left there is a cafe and opposite there are a bank of ATMs, Scotiabank, BCP, and BBVA. If going from departures just turn left, past Starbucks and then on the right. You can withdraw USA dollars or Peru Nuevos Soles.ATMs offer English and Spanish instructions.
You will have opportunities to purchase local handicrafts in rural communities (Cusco, The Amazon etc.), which accept CASH ONLY.
The USA dollar is accepted at almost all commercial places, and many times, prices are quoted both in USA $ and S/. You can pay with dollars and receive dollars or soles in exchange. Bring new crispy low denomination bills as they are well accepted by money changers. Old, torn bills are not accepted. Like in the USA, any transaction in cash for USA$10,000 or more has to be reported to the local authorities.
ELECTRICITY AND PLUG STANDARDS:
Electricity in Peru is 220 Volts and 60 Hertz (cycles per second). If you plug in a 110-volt appliance, prepare yourself for a puff of smoke and a broken piece of equipment.
If you want to use a 110-volt appliance in Peru, you’ll need to buy a power adapter. But always check before spending money on an adapter, as many modern laptops and digital cameras can safely take both 110 and 220 volts (they are dual voltage). So if you’re taking a laptop to Peru, you’ll probably only need a plug adapter.
Many of Peru’s more luxurious hotels have outlets for 110-volt appliances, specifically for foreign tourists with foreign-made electrical items. These outlets should be clearly labelled, but always check if you’re unsure.
There are two types of electrical outlets in Peru. One accepts two-pronged plugs with flat, parallel blades, while the other takes plugs with two round prongs. Many Peruvian electrical outlets are designed to accept both types.
If your appliance has a different plug attachment (such as a three-pronged UK plug), you’ll need to buy an adapter. Universal plug adapters are inexpensive and easy to carry around. It’s a good idea to buy one before you go to Peru (most major airports have a store selling plug adapters).
Some international plug adapters have a built-in surge protector, providing an extra layer of protection.
Even if you are travelling with all the correct converters, adapters etc., you still might not be prepared for some of the quirks of the Peruvian electrical system.
Treat dubious-looking plug sockets with the respect they deserve. If they are obviously falling to pieces, show burn marks or other warning signs, don’t risk using them.
Power outages are also common in Peru, so if you have work deadlines to meet, try not to procrastinate for too long as you might suddenly find yourself with no power and no internet. If you are staying in Peru for a while and you’ve purchased a desktop computer, it’s worth buying a battery backup so that your computer doesn’t die every time the power flickers out.
Power surges are also a potential problem, making a surge protector a wise investment if you are staying in Peru for extended periods (or plan to live in Peru) and want an added level of protection for your valuable electronics.
CELL PHONE, ROAMING CHARGES & Wi-Fi:
VIDEO CREW/FILMING:
HOSPITALITY DESK:
CLOTHING / DRESS RECOMMENDATIONS:
Peru’s climate can greatly affect what you should pack when visiting. Since Peru is primarily cool and temperate, you should mainly pack layers and warm clothes and also clothes for warmer weathers. Lima is the capital city of Peru and has a low elevation unlike many other parts of Peru. Lima is a coastal area and is also near some beaches.
Due to its elevation, Cusco’s climate is cool and remains steady throughout the year, so it is important to pack layers and other warm clothes.
It rains occasionally in Peru, primarily in the summer months. You would be best off bringing a rain coat or an umbrella when travelling to Lima and Cusco, Peru.
Cuzco enjoys high daytime temperatures up to 20 degrees Celsius (68 degrees Fahrenheit) from May to September, despite this being Peru’s winter period, and you will be fine wearing cotton trousers, shorts and T-shirts in Cuzco itself on sunny days. The temperature drops considerably at night, however, and can reach below freezing, so make sure that you have a warm sweater and fleece or coat to go out at night.
For trekking around Cuzco and toward Machu Picchu you will need layers of clothing so you can adjust to changing temperatures and be prepared for rain showers. Wear lightweight pants and a long-sleeve shirt. Take hiking boots or footwear with strong ankle support and a warm sweater and have a dry change of clothing with you at all times. Take high factor sunscreen, sunglasses and a rimmed hat to deal with the sun during the day. You’ll need gloves and a warm hat if you are trekking as temperatures drop. Daytime temperatures go from an annual minimum of 46 degrees to a high of about 80.
For those attending the cruise portion of the trip, bring cotton/linen long sleeve shirts and light weight pants for excursions.
FOOD, DRINK AND CUISINE:
This fusion gives rise to dishes like the unique anticucho de corazón (skewered cow heart), tacu-tacu stew and carapulcra, dishes which have African heritage. Nutritious pastas arrived along with Italian migrants, whose adaptations have resulted in traditional dishes like green or red pasta. Ceviche, Peruvian’s emblematic dish, emerged from a fusion with Japanese cuisine. Lastly, the trend of Novo-Andean cuisine boasts indigenous foods worthy of the most elegant settings, reclaiming the national flavour that is such an important part of our identity.
Ferrán Adriá, owner and chef of the Spanish restaurant “El Bulli” and recognized as one of the best chef in the world, says: “I know the Peruvian cuisine has a lot of tradition and a great variety of products that would surprise me. What is traditional for Peruvians may be modern for us; the combination of sweet, salty and sour tastes is also something different. This makes it a very personal cuisine, with lots of tradition but which is also open to change. I believe that Peruvian cuisine will offer a lot to talk about.”
Juan Mari Arzak, chef and owner of the three Michelin-starred Arzak restaurant, says: “Peru is one of the places I would like to go. I have heard about ceviche and Peruvian potatoes, which are like jewels. I’ve read a lot about their gastronomy, and I believe it is considered one of the great cuisines. It’s a cuisine with heritage, with roots in the past, and a nutritional balance. Usually, cuisines evolve over time, and some lose their richness because the ingredients change, but in Peruvian cuisine, this doesn’t seem to have happened because the quality of their products doesn’t have anything to do with price. They have great markets and great ingredients, an immense variety. There you will find everything, including a history that not many people know, comes from there.”