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Peru

Overview

Few destinations have as much to offer visitors as Peru, an astonishingly varied country. Here you’ll find panoramic mountain ranges, vast deserts, beautiful beaches and tropical jungle, not to mention fantastically rich history, archaeology, wildlife and enduring indigenous cultures.

Images of the extraordinary remains of ancientcivilizations will inevitably jump to mind. The Inca stronghold Machu Picchu is one of the most famous and photogenic archaeological sites in the world and the mysterious Nazca Lines boggle the mind, but there are hundreds of similarly fascinating and even older sites to discover.

All are set in stunning landscapes, whether parched desert costa (coast), soaring sierra (mountains) or remote selva (rainforest) overflowing with wildlife. Such a diverse landscape generates diverse pleasures; the visitor can hike through snowy peaks one day, and relax on the beach the next; paddle a dugout through lowland rainforest or hop on a traditional reed boat on some of the world’s highest lakes.

There are a wealth of sports and activities on offer, from sandboarding and surfing to extreme mountain biking and rafting. Add to this medicinal hot springs, mesmeric music, well-stocked museums, rich culture and uncommonly friendly people and you have a destination with something for everybody.

General Information

Western South America.

Area

1,285,220 sq km (496,225 sq miles).

Population

28.7 million (CIA estimate 2007).

Population Density

22 per sq km.

Capital

Lima. Population: 8.27 million (2004).

Government

Republic. Gained independence from Spain in 1824, having declared it in 1821.

Peru is a large, mountainous country on the Pacific coast of South America. It has borders with Ecuador and Colombia to the north, Brazil and Bolivia to the east, and Chile to the south. The Pacific Ocean lies to the west.

There are three natural zones. The Costaregion, which contains Lima (the capital), is a narrow coastal plain consisting of large tracts of desert broken by fertile valleys. The cotton, sugar and rice plantations and most of the so-far exploited oil fields lie in this area. The Sierracontains the Andes, with peaks over 6,000m (20,000ft), most of the country’s mineral resources (silver, zinc, lead, copper and gold) and the greater part of its livestock. The Selva, an area of fertile, subtropical land, lies between the Andes and the border with Brazil. The Amazonian jungle has vast natural resources. The absence of land communications, however, left the area largely uncharted until full-scale oil exploration began in 1973. The population is largely Indian and Mestizo with a noticeable influence from African, Chinese and European (mainly Spanish) settlers.

Language

Spanish and Quechua are the official languages. Aymara is spoken in some areas of the region of Lake Titicaca. Many other dialects exist in the jungle regions. English is spoken in major tourist areas.

Religion

81% Roman Catholic, 2.1% other denominations, 16.3% unspecified or none.

Time

GMT - 5.

Social Conventions

Shaking hands is the customary form of greeting. Visitors should follow normal social courtesies and the atmosphere is generally informal. A small gift from a company or home country is sufficient. Dress is usually informal, although for some business meetings and social occasions men wear a jacket and tie.

Electricity

220 volts AC, 60Hz. (110 volts AC is available in most 4- and 5-star hotels.)

Head of State

President Alan Garcia since 2006.

Passport / Visa

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Passports

Valid passport required by all nationals of countries referred to in the chart above.

Visas

Not required by nationals of countries referred to in the chart above, travelling as tourists for stays of up to 90 days, except:
1. nationals of Malta who do require a visa.

Note: Nationals of countries not referred to in the chart above are advised to contact the embassy to check visa requirements (see Contact Addresses).

Visa Note

All visitors must hold return tickets or letter of guarantee from travel agency and sufficient funds for their stay.

A business visa is required for all nationals if the purpose of the visit is business. Any business-related unpaid work can be made on a tourist visa. Upon arrival in Peru, the business visa holder must register at the Dirección General de Contribuciones for taxation purposes. Business visa holders can remain in Peru for 90 days. If wishing to extend the visit, an application must be lodged with the Dirección General de Migraciones.

All nationals are advised to check with the Peruvian Consulate prior to departure to obtain current details of any documentation which might be required. Postal visa applications are not accepted unless submitted through a travel agency.

Types of Visa and Cost

Tourist and Business: £19.20. Costs are subject to change according to exchange rates.

Validity

Up to 90 days.

Applications to:

Consulate (or consular section at embassy); see Contact Addresses for details.

Working Days Required

At least 24 hours; longer if authorisation from the immigration office in Lima is required.

Money

Currency

New Sol (PEN; symbol S/.) = 100 céntimos. New Sol notes are in denominations of S/.200, 100, 50, 20 and 10. Coins are in denominations of S/. 5, 2 and 1, and 50, 20, 10, 5 and 1 céntimos.

Currency Exchange

Only a few bureaux de change in Lima will exchange currencies other than US Dollars. Outside Lima, it is virtually impossible. US Dollars can be exchanged everywhere and banks, hotels and many shops also readily accept US Dollars (although very old, torn or damaged notes are usually rejected). It is not recommended to exchange money from street vendors.

Credit/Debit Cards and ATMs

All major credit cards are accepted, but usage may be limited outside of Lima. ATMs are now generally regarded as one of the best ways to obtain money in Peru.

Traveller's Cheques

Banks will exchange traveller’s cheques although it can be a slow process outside Lima. To avoid additional exchange rate charges, travellers are advised to take traveller’s cheques in US Dollars. The ability to use traveller’s cheques is also quite limited in some areas so you should check whether or not they will be accepted in the area you are visiting prior to travel.

Banking Hours

Mon-Fri 0900-1800, Sat 0900-1300 (may vary during the summer).

Exchange Rate Indicators

Date	Jun 07
£1.00=	PEN6.36
$1.00=	PEN3.16
€1.00=	PEN4.30

Transport

Getting Around By Air

Aerocóndor (website: www.aerocondor.com.pe), LAN (website: www.lan.com), Star Up (website: www.starperu.com), Taca (website: www.taca.com) and LC Busre (website: www.lcbusre.com.pe) handle virtually all domestic air traffic linking Lima to Andahuaylas, Arequipa, Ayacucho, Cajamarca, Chiclayo, Cusco, Huánuco, Iquitos, Juliaca-Puno, Piura, Pucallpa, Puerto Maldonado, Tacna, Tarapoto, Trujillo, Tumbes and other cities. Flights to Huaraz are occasionally offered. For information on internal flights, contact the Peruvian Corporation of Airports (Corpac) (website: www.corpac.gob.pe).

Getting Around by Water

Transportation is available between Pucallpa and Iquitos (journey time - 4 to 7 days) and from Iquitos to the border with Brazil and Colombia (journey time - 2 to 3 days). However, river travel can be long and uncomfortable.

Getting Around by Rail

Peru Rail (tel: (01) 444 5020/5; website: www.perurail.com) runs comfortable tourist trains between Puno and Cusco and between Cusco and Machu Picchu.

Ferrocarril Central Andino (tel: (01) 226 6363; website: www.ferrocarrilcentral.com.pe orwww.rrdc.com/op_peru_fcca.html) runs a twice-monthly tourist service on renovated trains between Lima and Huáncayo. This spectacular route is the second highest railway in the world (the highest being in Tibet).

Getting Around by Road

Traffic drives on the right. The well-maintained Pan-American Highway runs down the length of Peru’s coast, with intersecting highways running east into the mountains. Many mountain roads are unpaved, and almost all are badly potholed. Landslides are frequent in the mountains during the rainy season (December to March), making for slow travel. The Touring y Automóvil Club del Perúand the Instituto Geográfico Nacional sell maps. Travel guides like Guía Toyota include good road maps. The minimum driving age is 18. There is no countrywide emergency breakdown number.

Bus: Operated extensively, providing a cheap means of travel. Greyhound-type buses are operated by numerous companies, the biggest of which is Cruz del Sur (tel: (01) 311 5050; www.cruzdelsur.com.pe). Quality of service varies according to prices.

Taxi: Many unlicenced taxi companies are in operation and visitors are advised to avoid these. They usually have a red and white taxi sign on the windscreen. Licenced yellow taxis the only cabs allowed in downtown Lima. Taxis do not have meters and fares should be agreed before departure (they are relatively inexpensive). Extensive and safe taxi services are available by telephone in main cities. Taxi fares increase by 35 to 50% after midnight and on holidays. Drivers do not expect tips.

Car hire: International firms have offices in all the major cities and bigger airports.

Documentation: Foreign driving permits are valid for 30 days from the date of arrival. An International Driving Permit is required for longer stays. Permits in Peru can be obtained through the Touring y Automóvil Club del Perú. All foreign vehicles must have documentation from their own national automobile association or obtain it on the Peruvian border before entering the country. Always carry your driver’s licence, a copy of your passport and, if the vehicle is hired, a copy of the rental contract.

Getting Around Towns and Cities

Public transport in Lima is provided by conventional buses and by minibuses (combis). These operate from 0600 to 0000 on established routes; wherever possible, try to avoid using bus travel late at night.

Journey Times

The following chart gives approximate journey times (in hours and minutes) from Lima to other major cities/towns in Peru.

	Air	Road
Arequipa	1.25	14.00
Cusco	1.15	30.00
Puno (Juliaca)	1.30*	24.00
Tumbes	1.30	18.00

Note: (a) Approximate journey times are given for travel by bus. (b)* Includes one stopover.

Entertainment

Food and Drink

The hot and spicy nature of Peruvian food, created by ajíand ajo (hot pepper and garlic), has become celebrated at home and abroad. Peruvians enjoy a wide variety of vegetables; there are over 2,000 kinds of indigenous and cultivated potatoes alone. Table service is the norm in hotels and restaurants and many also offer buffet-type lunches.

National specialities:
•Ceviche (uncooked fish marinated in lemon or lime juice and hot chilli pepper).
•Chupe de camarones (chowder-type soup made with shrimps, milk, eggs, potatoes and peppers).
•Causa relleña (potato cakes with chicken in the centre, but also cooked with avocado or crabmeat).
•Tamales (boiled corn dumplings filled with meat and wrapped in a banana leaf).
•Mazamorra morada (purple maize and sweet potato starch jelly cooked with lemons, dried fruits, cinnamon and cloves).

National drinks:
•Pisco sour (bittersweet cocktail made from a potent grape brandy).
• Other pisco-based drinks are algarrobina (pisco and carob syrup), chilcano (pisco and ginger ale) and capitán (pisco and vermouth).
•Chicha de jora (fermented corn juice) and chicha morada (non-alcoholic purple corn juice) are popular drinks dating from Inca times.
• Peruvian beers and wines are good.

Legal drinking age: 18.

Tipping: Service charges of 10% are added to bills. Additional tips of 5% are expected in better restaurants.

Nightlife

There are many good bars, pubs, discos and casinos in the major towns and tourist resorts. Peñasalways serve snacks and some serve full meals. Here you can enjoy criolla or folk music, especially at weekends. Nightlife in Lima and Cusco has a wide array of choices. Most discos, peñas, pubs and karaokes are open until 0300 or 0400 in the morning.

Shopping

There are many attractive Peruvian handicrafts such as alpaca wool sweaters, alpaca and llama rugs, Indian masks, colourful weaving and jewellery. Galleries and handicraft shops abound in Cusco and the Miraflores, Pueblo Libre and downtown districts of Lima. Handicrafts markets are located in Miraflores (Avenida Petit Thouars, blocks 52 to 53) and Pueblo Libre (Avenida La Marina, blocks 8 to 10). Bargaining (regateo) is an expected practice with beach vendors and at markets.

Shopping hours: Hours vary significantly, but the standard is Mon-Sat 1000-1300 and 1600-2000.

Top things to see

• Ascend to Peru’s top attraction, the awe-inspiring Inca city of Machu Picchu, perched atop a remote mountain northwest of Cusco. This World Heritage Site, rediscovered in 1911, is arguably the most important archaeological site in South America, not to mention the most dramatically located.

• Don’t miss a trip to capital of the Inca Empire, Cusco. This World Heritage Site, founded in AD1100, is a fascinating mix of Inca and colonial Spanish architecture. Murals depicting historical scenes splash across walls and local women still wear traditional dress.

• Trawl through five centuries of colonial history in Lima, admiring the handsome plazas and opulent mansions with their Moorish latticed wooden balconies. The main square, Plaza de Armas, is home to the impressive 18th-century cathedral and the lavish Government Palace.

• See one of the few buildings to withstand Lima’s 1746 earthquake, UNESCO-listed Church of San Francisco. Inside are an extraordinary domed roof, a vast library, masterpieces by Jordeans, Rubens and Van Dyck, and catacombs complete with ghoulish circular displays of the bones of some 70,000 souls.

• Drift out upon Lake Titicaca, the world’s highest navigable lake, and visit the unique waterborne reed islands and boats of the native Uros people. Covering 8,379 sq km (3,235 sq miles), Lake Titicaca is surrounded by ancient ruins and is home to 19th-century steamship, the Yavari.

• Delve into Manu National Park, Peru’s greatest treasure in biodiversity. Covering 20,000 sq km (7,722 sq miles) of tropical rainforest, this World Natural Heritage Site is home to around 2,000 plant species, 1,200 butterfly species, 800 bird types and 200 different mammals, including monkeys, tapirs, sloth, jaguar and capybaras.

• Visit the 5,000-year-old city of Caral, near Lima. Caral was discovered in 1994 and has recently opened to tourists following years of excavation.

• Discover more of Peru’s countless archaeological treasures, including UNESCO-protected Chan Chan, the largest pre-Inca mud city (20 sq km/8 sq miles) and the nearby huacas (religious centres) of the Sunand the Moon. The beautifully restored Huaca Arco Iris is covered with pre-Inca hieroglyphics.

• Venture into the Tambopata-Candamo Reserved Zone, 45km (28 miles) from Puerto Maldonado by river, which specialists say contains the largest and richest biodiversity of the world. The flora and fauna within includes more than 2,000 flower varieties, 1,000 birds and 900 butterflies and dragonflies.

See Contact Addresses for further tourist information.

Top things to do

•Fly above the ancient Nazca Lines, vast and spectacular geoglyphs etched into the desert 420km (265 miles) south of Lima. The most notable designs represent animals (birds, felines and reptiles), and date back to between 200BC and AD600.

• Puff your way around one of the world’s most famous mountain treks, the (literally) breathtaking Inca Trail to Machu Picchu. This ancient trail passes through snow-capped mountains, cloud forest and a string of 12 Inca ceremonial centres, including Phuyupatamarca and Wiñay Wayna.

• Explore the magnificent Incan ceremonial centre Sacsayhuamán on horseback. This is the most impressive of Cusco’s four neighbouring Inca ruins (the others are Puca Pucara, Qenko and Tambo Machay). On 24 June, thousands celebrate the Inti Raymi festival here.

• On 30 August, marvel at the religious processions honouring Lima’s patron saint, Santa Rosa de Lima. Later, on 18 October, a purple haze descends upon the city as the faithful march in purple robes to praise El Señor de los Milagros.

• Browse for exquisite handicrafts in areas like Ayacucho (specialising in pottery, leatherwork, textiles and jewellery) or Cajamarca. There is also a colourful daily market in Lima’s Chinatown district that should not be missed.

• Go to Cajamarca’s Carnival, famous throughout Peru for its annual celebrations that last for an entire month. One word of warning – try to avoid getting soaked with water, since it is the traditional Cajamarca Carnival greeting!

• Trek around glacial lakes and spectacular snow-capped peaks near Huaraz, in the central Andes. It is also possible to ski on the Pastoruri Glacier, see giant bromeliads (up to 15m/49ft high) and wildlife like the viscacha, puma, vicuña and the rare spectacled bear.

• Hike the extraordinarily beautiful Cordillera Blanca trail, a 180km- (112.5-mile-) long paradise of snow-capped mountains, glaciers, emerald-green lakes and archaeological sites, containing a wide variety of flora and fauna.

• Take your pick of more world-famous treks, including the Olleros-Chavín Llama Trek to the impressive archaeological site Chavín de Huántar; the Cordillera Huayhuash (Huaraz); the deep Colca Valley; and the demanding Mount Ausangate trek.

See Contact Addresses for further tourist information.

Business

Statistics

• GDP: US$77.1 billion (2006 estimate).
• Main exports: Copper, gold, zinc, petroleum and petroleum products and coffee.
• Main imports: Petroleum and petroleum products, plastics, machinery and vehicles.
• Main trade partners: USA, China, Chile, Canada and Brazil.

Economy

The Peruvian economy is divided into two distinct parts: a relatively modern industrial and service economy concentrated on the coastal plain, and a subsistence agricultural economy in the interior. Inevitably, one consequence has been huge migration from the interior to the coastal cities. Most foreign investment is directed towards Peru’s major industry, mining, which accounts for about half of export earnings. Meanwhile, tourism has snowballed and now brings in almost US$1 billion annually.

During the early to mid 1990s, Peru implemented important market-oriented reforms, including privatisation of key industries, trade deregulation and measures to attract foreign investment. The strategy was reasonably successful, and the country’s economy is relatively stable. The unemployment rate was 8.5% in 2006, but it is estimated that up to 40% of the workforce are underemployed. Peru’s annual growth was estimated to be 8% in 2006. The inflation rate was 1.1%.

Business Etiquette

Although the majority speak Spanish, many businesspeople speak some English.

Office hours: Mon-Fri 0900-1800.

Commercial Information

Cámara de Comercio de Lima
Avenida Gregorio Escobedo 396, Jesus Maria, Lima 11, Peru
Tel: (01) 463 3434.
Website: www.camaralima.org.pe

Communications

Telephone

Country code: 51. Telephone cards are available in the main cities from stands and supermarkets.

Mobile Telephone

Roaming agreements exist with some international mobile phone companies. Mobile phones can be rented in Lima and the main cities. Coverage is sporadic.

Internet

Public Internet booths and Internet cafes are widely available in cities and most towns.

Media

Privately-run broadcasters and newspapers dominate the Peruvian media scene, with the state-run media having relatively small audiences. The airwaves of Lima are home to dozens of radio stations and several TV services. Many radio stations and regional newspapers are available in the provinces.

Post

Airmail to Western Europe takes up to one week. Postal facilities are limited outside Lima. First-class airmail from Europe or North America addressed to PO boxes in Peru usually takes only a few days, but may be subject to delay. The main post office (Correo Central de Lima) is near the Plaza de Armas.

Post office opening hours: Mon-Fri 0800-2000; Sat 0900-1330.

Press

• Morning dailies include El Comercioand La República.

Radio

•Radio Programas de Peru (RPP) is a popular Lima-based news and talk station.
•Radio Panamericana and Radio America are commercial FM stations based in Lima.
• News and music radio station Radio Nacional is state run.

Climate

Varies according to area. On the coast winter lasts from June to September. During this period, the mountainous areas are often sunny during the day but cold at night. Heavy rains in the mountains and jungle last from December to April. It hardly ever rains in Lima nor most of the coast, except for Tumbes and Piura, which have tropical climates.

Required Clothing

Lightweights during summer with much warmer clothes worn in upland areas, especially at night. Mediumweights are advised during cooler months.

Map

While you're there

Climate
Map

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