Facts about Peru

» Food and water

Peruvian food is very varied and can be spicy.One of our national dishes dishes is the "Ceviche" (raw fish marinated in lemon juice). Other typical dishes include "Aji de Gallina” (shredded chicken cooked in a stew made of, bread milk and Peruvain yellow chili), “Anticuchos” (marinated skewers of heart, beef and other meats) and “Lomo saltado” (beef loin stir fried with tomatoes, onions and french fries). Each region (coast, mountain and jungle) has a wide range of typical dishes. Do not forget to drink our typical "Pisco Sour" cocktail, made from pisco (grape brandy), lemon juice, egg white and sugar.

We highly recommend you take advantage of your visit to enjoy the exquisite local and international cuisine prepared in Peru, widely recognized as one of the best in the world.

Water in Peru is potable, but the chemical content is different in each location. To avoid problems, you should always drink either bottled or boiled water.

» Climate

Lima and the coast

In Lima the rest of the coast, December to April are the warmest and sunniest months. June to August are humid, and between June and October showers may occur, depending on the city or town. In Lima it very seldom rains (average rainfall is 3 cm a year).

The Andes

In the highlands (sierra) the dry months are June to October. Weather in the highlands can fluctuate considerably in one day. It is cold at night and in the early morning, but very hot in the sun at noon. We recommend using warm clothes that allow as much flexibility as possible. December to April is rainy and waterproof clothing is necessary. Daytime temperatures fluctuate betweeb 60 º F / 15 º C and 70 º F / 20 ° C and night temperatures are from 40 ° F / 4 ° C to 50 º F / 10 ° C. An example of the varying temperatures and humidity levels is the trip from Cusco (at 3360 m / ft 11.200) to Machu Picchu (2,400 m / 8,000 ft) When leaving the city at dawn it is quite cold, but when reaching Machupicchu it is hot and humid, as a result of the change in altitude.

The Jungle

In the jungle area, where the cities of Iquitos and Puerto Maldonado are located, the average temperature is 80 º F / 27 ° C. Heavy rains fall from June to November. The clothing is the same all year round: light long-sleeved clothing, to protect you from insects when walking in the jungle. Do not forget to bring waterproof boots or shoes, a hat or cap, a raincoat, swimwear, sunglasses, sunscreen and insect repellent.

» Safety and Security

As in all major world cities, you should always be careful in Lima from pickpockets. Therefore, we recommend you carry money and credit cards in a money belt, and it is advisable not to carry a wallet unless absolutely necessary.

Main hotels offer safe deposit boxes as an additional service, and we suggest you keep valuebles such as jewelry, passports and plane tickets in them . Cameras and camcorders should be carried with care, especially in crowded places such as markets, train stations and public squares.

» Time and money

Time in Peru is the same as US Eastern Standard Time. Peru has only one time zone. Please do not forget that we are close to the tropics and that people in these regions have a different sense of time from people in the norhtern hemisphere.

The Peruvian currency is the Nuevo Sol (S /.). 100 centimos equals 1 Nuevo Sol. There are coins of: 10, 20 and 50 cents and 1, 2 and 5 nuevos soles.The bills are 1 of 10, 20, 50, 100 and 200 Nuevos Soles. The exchange rate with the U.S. Dollar fluctuates. We recommend changing money either at a bank or at an money exchange shop, not with street changers. Banks are open Monday to Friday 9:00 am to 6:00 pm and Saturdays from 9:00 am to 1:00 pm.

Most hotels, restaurants and shops accept U.S. dollars. Try to have small bills with you to facilitate the transaction. The Global ATM network, located at strategic points in the city, is an independant ATM chain. The different Peruvian banks also have their ATM’s. You can withdraw cash with most international credit cards, either in local currency or in dollars. If you withdraw money from ATM’s, make sure you take the appropriate safety measures.

» Transport

In Lima, as in Cusco, there is an abundance of inexpensive taxis. Fares vary according to distance travelled. Try to find out the standard fare for the route you are going to take (at your hotel, for example) before taking a taxi. Then make sure you and the taxi driver agree on the rate before you start travelling. The safest taxis are the ones you order by phone. If you do take a taxi on the street take only authorized taxis, with the municipality sticker displayed on the front windshield.

Top of page...