Peru

At A glance

Capital City: Lima

Land size: Peru Standard Time

Population: 32,275,736 (2022 est.)

Official languages: Spanish, Quechua and Aymara

Currency: Sol (S/ / PEN)

UNESCO properties and sites:

• Chan Chan Archaeological Zone
• Chankillo Archaeoastronomical Complex
• Chavin (Archaeological Site)
• City of Cuzco
• Historic Centre of Lima
• Historical Centre of the City of Arequipa
• Lines and Geoglyphs of Nasca and Palpa
• Qhapaq Ñan, Andean Road System
• Sacred City of Caral-Supe
• Huascarán National Park
• Manú National Park
• Historic Sanctuary of Machu Picchu
• Río Abiseo National Park

Source: https://www.cia.gov/the-world-factbook/countries/peru/


Peru has so much to offer beyond the beautiful site of Machu Picchu. In fact, Peru's incredible diversity offers a tapestry of experiences, from the arid deserts of the coastal regions to the pristine beauty of Lake Titicaca.
Cruise along the legendary Amazon River, immersing yourself in the biodiversity of the Amazon rainforest. Discover the colonial charm of Cusco, the former capital of the Inca Empire, with its cobblestone streets and vibrant markets.
Peru's rich history, diverse landscapes, and vibrant traditions offer something for every traveler.

Peru is a haven for equestrian enthusiasts. Ride through the awe-inspiring Sacred Valley of the Incas, following ancient trails that lead to iconic archaeological sites such as Machu Picchu and Ollantaytambo. Explore the mythical landscapes of the Colca Canyon, cantering through picturesque valleys, and breathing in the crisp mountain air.
Create lifelong memories as you uncover the soul of Peru from the back of a horse, forging unforgettable connections with nature, culture, and the spirit of this captivating country.

 

Brief History

Ancient Peru was the seat of several prominent Andean civilizations, most notably that of the Incas whose empire was captured by Spanish conquistadors in 1533. Peru declared its independence in 1821, and remaining Spanish forces were defeated in 1824.
After a dozen years of military rule, Peru returned to democratic leadership in 1980 but experienced economic problems and the growth of a violent insurgency. President Alberto FUJIMORI's election in 1990 ushered in a decade that saw a dramatic turnaround in the economy and significant progress in curtailing guerrilla activity. Nevertheless, the president's increasing reliance on authoritarian measures and an economic slump in the late 1990s generated mounting dissatisfaction with his regime, which led to his resignation in 2000.

Poverty and unemployment levels have fallen dramatically in the last decade, and today Peru boasts one of the best performing economies in Latin America.
Jose Pedro CASTILLO Terrones won the second round of presidential elections on June 6th 2021 and was inaugurated on July 28th.


Source: https://www.cia.gov/the-world-factbook/countries/peru/

 

Cultural Insights

Possibly as a legacy of the strongly hierarchical pre-Hispanic cultures or European colonialism, self-discipline is strongly advocated among Peruvians. The control of one's emotions and feelings is highly valued among all Peruvians, but especially among men.

Respect for elders, shown through such actions as giving up one's seat for elderly people on buses, also has a strong place among public values. These values of discipline and respect for others are in sharp contrast to a political scene marked with great levels of authoritarianism and widespread corruption.

Public expressions of sexuality, including that of homosexual behavior, is strongly discouraged.


Source: https://www.everyculture.com/No-Sa/Peru.html

 

Transportation

By Air

Lima Airport (LIM)
Jorge Chávez International Airport, as it is officially called, is the main airport in Peru, serving Lima, the capital city. The airport offers both domestic and international flights handling over 25 million passengers per year. Therefore, the airport is the far busiest airport in Peru. Over 30 airlines operate the airport and the main ones include Avianca Peru, LATAM Peru, Star Peru and two low-cost carriers Viva Air Peru and Sky Airline.

Cusco Airport (CUZ)
Alejandro Velasco Astete International Airport, or simply Cusco Airport, serves the city of Cusco. Being the second busiest airport in Peru, it handles almost 4 million passengers annually. There are several airlines operating the airport, all providing primarily regional connections. Among the biggest carriers are LATAM Peru and Sky Airline Peru.

Arequipa Airport (AQP)
Rodríguez Ballón International Airport, as it is fully named, is an airport serving Arequipa, Peru’s second-largest city. Each year, the airport handles around 2 million passengers. Several airlines operate the airport including LATAM Peru, Sky Airline Peru and two low-cost carriers JetSmart and Viva Air Peru. The airport serves primarily regional flights.

In most cases the airport tax (TUUA) is included in the ticket price; in certain cases the airline will tell you that you have to pay this tax before boarding the flight.


Source: https://getbybus.com/en/blog/airports-peru/

 

Money

US dollars are accepted in many stores, restaurants, hotels and service stations. Foreign currency can be exchanged at banks or exchange offices. There are also street “cambistas” who change money, but the transaction cannot be guaranteed.

You can find ATMs in almost all cities in the country, and most are connected to the Plus (Visa), Cirrus (MasterCard/Maestro), American Express and other networks. You can take cash out in US dollars or soles, but the exchange rate is often higher.

When using an ATM, try to do so during business hours inside a bank, supermarket or large commercial building. Be particularly vigilant before and after using an ATM on the street, especially at night. Some ATMs do not automatically release your card when you receive your money. You may have to push a button to release your card.

Not all shops, restaurants, bars and hotels accept credit cards, or may not accept all credit card types, and it is worth checking whether they do before ordering anything. Keep credit and debit card receipts.

Be alert to the possibility of being passed counterfeit US dollars or local currency, especially from street money changers. There have been reports of Intis (former Peruvian currency out of circulation) being provided by street money changers in Cusco tourist areas.


Source: https://www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/peru
https://www.peru.travel/en/useful-data/currency

 

Health

There are no compulsory vaccinations for entering Peru. If you are thinking of visiting the Amazon region of the country, the Ministry of Health recommends that you are vaccinated against yellow fever.

If you need emergency medical assistance during your trip, dial one of the following numbers: 225 4040 (Lima - Alerta Med); 467 4861 (Lima - Clave 5); 241 1911 (Lima - Plan Vital) and ask for an ambulance. You should contact your insurance/medical assistance company promptly if you are referred to a medical facility for treatment.
Ambulance services are not present throughout the country or are unreliable in most areas except Lima and other major cities. Training and availability of emergency responders may be below U.S. standards. Injured or seriously ill travelers may prefer to take a taxi or private vehicle to the nearest major hospital rather than wait for an ambulance.

Make sure your health insurance plan provides coverage overseas. Most care providers overseas only accept cash payments.

Adequate health facilities are available in Lima and other major cities, but health care in rural areas may be below U.S. standards.
Specialized medical care can cost tens of thousands of dollars, and you are expected to pay in full at the time of discharge. Hospitals and doctors often require payment “up front” prior to service or admission. Credit card payment is usually available. Some hospitals and medical professionals require cash payment.
Travelers should make efforts to obtain complete information on billing, pricing, and proposed medical procedures before agreeing to any medical care.

Pharmacies are widely available. However, some medications might not be offered, and brand names will differ from products in the United States.


Exercise caution if you explore herbal and folk remedies.

Exercise caution when purchasing medication overseas. Pharmaceuticals, both over the counter and requiring prescription in the United States, are often readily available for purchase with little controls. Counterfeit medication is common and may prove to be ineffective, the wrong strength, or contain dangerous ingredients. Medication should be purchased in consultation with a medical professional and from reputable establishments.

In many areas, tap water is not potable. Bottled water and beverages are generally safe, although you should be aware that many restaurants and hotels serve tap water unless bottled water is specifically requested. Be aware that ice for drinks may be made using tap water.

Many cities in Peru, such as Puno, Cusco, Arequipa, Ayacucho, and Huaraz, are at high altitude. Be aware of the symptoms of altitude sickness, and take precautions before you travel.


Source: https://www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/peru
https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/international-travel/International-Travel-Country-Information-Pages/Peru.html
https://www.peru.travel/en/useful-data/health

 

Electricity

Peru operates on a 220V supply voltage and uses type A, B and C plugs.

The Type A electrical plug (or flat blade attachment plug) is an ungrounded plug with two flat parallel pins. Although the American and Japanese plugs appear identical, the neutral pin on the American plug is wider than the live pin, whereas on the Japanese plug both pins are the same size. As a result, Japanese plugs can be used in the US but often not the other way around.

The pins on Type A and Type B plugs have a hole near the tip that fits into ‘bumps’ found on the contact wipers of some sockets, so that the pins are gripped more tightly allowing for better contact and also to prevent the plug from slipping out of the socket. Some sockets have spring-action blades that grip the sides of the pins, making the holes obsolete.

The Type B electrical plug has two flat parallel pins and a round grounding (or earth) pin. The earth pin is longer than the other two so that the device is grounded before the power is connected. As with the type A plugs, the American and Japanese versions vary slightly.

The Type C electrical plug (or Europlug) is a two-wire plug that has two round pins. It fits into any socket that accepts 4.0 – 4.8 mm round contacts on 19 mm centres. They are being replaced by E, F, J, K or N sockets which work perfectly with Type C plugs.


Source: https://www.iec.ch/world-plugs

 

Communication

Time zone in Peru: Peru Standard Time (GMT-5)

International country code – 51

After suffering a sharp retraction in the number of subscriptions and revenue during 2020 due to the pandemic, Peru’s telecom sector managed to stage a small recovery in the first half of 2021.
Investment in network infrastructure is mainly focused on rolling out fiber cable for fixed broadband services in (mainly) urban areas. (2021)


Source: https://www.cia.gov/the-world-factbook/countries/peru/


Phrasebook

English	Spanish
Hello!	Hola
Goodbye	Adiós
Good morning	Buenos días
Good evening	Buenos tardes
Good night	Buenas noches
Please	Por favor
Thank you	Gracias
Yes	Sí
No	No

English	Aymara
Hello!	Laphi
Goodbye	Jikisiñkama
Good morning	Aski urükipana
Good evening	Aski jayp'ukïpana
Good night	Aski aurmakïpana
Please	Mira
Thank you	Juspajaraña
Yes	Jisa
No	Janiwa

English	Quechua
Hello!	Imaynalla kachkanki
Goodbye	Tupananchis kama
Good morning	Qanwan allin p’unchay kachun
Good evening	Qanwan allin tuta kachun
Good night	Rimaykullayki
Please	Ama hina
Thank you	Riqsikuyki
Yes	Arí
No	Manam

Source: https://www.linguahouse.com/phrasebook/english-spanish/basic-words-and-phrases/basic-words-and-phrases
https://andeanlodges.com/en/learn-a-few-simple-phrases-in-quechua-to-connect-with-the-ancient-inca-culture-on-your-trek-through-the-andes-mountains/
https://omniglot.com/language/phrases/aymara.htm

 

Entry Requirements

People from most countries in the Americas and Western Europe do not need a tourist visa to enter Peru. The maximum length of stay that the authorities grant to tourists is 183 days, which cannot be extended. If you wish to stay longer for other reasons, such as business, studying or working, you need to request the relevant visa at a Peruvian consulate in your own country.

It is essential when entering Peru to present a valid passport with a minimum validity of six months from the date of entry into the country. Citizens of Argentina, Brazil, Paraguay, Uruguay, Ecuador, Colombia, Bolivia and Chile can enter with their national ID document.

To check if you need a visa, please click here (available in Spanish only): https://www.gob.pe/1062-obtener-visa-para-ingresar-al-peru


Source: https://www.peru.travel/en/useful-data/visa-and-entry-requirements

 

Embassies and Consulates

U.S. Embassy in Lima
Avenida La Encalada cdra. 17 s/n
Surco, Lima 33
Telephone: (51) 1 618-2000

Embassy of Canada in Lima
Calle Bolognesi 228
Miraflores, Lima 15074
Telephone: (51) 1 319-3200


Source: for USA https://www.usembassy.gov/
For Canada: https://travel.gc.ca/assistance/embassies-consulates

 

UNESCO Sites

Chan Chan Archaeological Zone
The Chimu Kingdom, with Chan Chan as its capital, reached its apogee in the 15th century, not long before falling to the Incas. The planning of this huge city, the largest in pre-Columbian America, reflects a strict political and social strategy, marked by the city's division into nine 'citadels' or 'palaces' forming autonomous units.

Chankillo Archaeoastronomical Complex
The Chankillo Archaeoastronomical Complex is a prehistoric site (250-200 BC), located on the north-central coast of Peru, in the Casma Valley, comprising a set of constructions in a desert landscape that, together with natural features, functioned as a calendrical instrument, using the sun to define dates throughout the year. The site includes a triple-walled hilltop complex, known as the Fortified Temple, two building complexes called Observatory and Administrative Centre, a line of 13 cuboidal towers stretching along the ridge of a hill, and the Cerro Mucho Malo that complements the Thirteen Towers as a natural marker. The ceremonial centre was probably dedicated to a solar cult, and the presence of an observation point on either side of the north-south line of the Thirteen Towers allows the observation both of the solar rising and setting points throughout the whole year. The site shows great innovation by using the solar cycle and an artificial horizon to mark the solstices, the equinoxes, and every other date within the year with a precision of 1-2 days. It is thus a testimony of the culmination of a long historical evolution of astronomical practices in the Casma Valley.

Chavin (Archaeological Site)
The archaeological site of Chavin gave its name to the culture that developed between 1500 and 300 B.C. in this high valley of the Peruvian Andes. This former place of worship is one of the earliest and best-known pre-Columbian sites. Its appearance is striking, with the complex of terraces and squares, surrounded by structures of dressed stone, and the mainly zoomorphic ornamentation.




City of Cuzco
Situated in the Peruvian Andes, Cuzco developed, under the Inca ruler Pachacutec, into a complex urban centre with distinct religious and administrative functions. It was surrounded by clearly delineated areas for agricultural, artisan and industrial production. When the Spaniards conquered it in the 16th century, they preserved the basic structure but built Baroque churches and palaces over the ruins of the Inca city.

Historic Centre of Lima
Although severely damaged by earthquakes, this 'City of the Kings' was, until the middle of the 18th century, the capital and most important city of the Spanish dominions in South America. Many of its buildings, such as the Convent of San Francisco (the largest of its type in this part of the world), are the result of collaboration between local craftspeople and others from the Old World.

Historical Centre of the City of Arequipa
The historic centre of Arequipa, built in volcanic sillar rock, represents an integration of European and native building techniques and characteristics, expressed in the admirable work of colonial masters and Criollo and Indian masons. This combination of influences is illustrated by the city's robust walls, archways and vaults, courtyards and open spaces, and the intricate Baroque decoration of its facades.

Lines and Geoglyphs of Nasca and Palpa
Located in the arid Peruvian coastal plain, some 400 km south of Lima, the geoglyphs of Nasca and the pampas of Jumana cover about 450 km2 . These lines, which were scratched on the surface of the ground between 500 B.C. and A.D. 500, are among archaeology's greatest enigmas because of their quantity, nature, size and continuity. The geoglyphs depict living creatures, stylized plants and imaginary beings, as well as geometric figures several kilometres long. They are believed to have had ritual astronomical functions.

Qhapaq Ñan, Andean Road System
This site is an extensive Inca communication, trade and defence network of roads covering 30,000 km. Constructed by the Incas over several centuries and partly based on pre-Inca infrastructure, this extraordinary network through one of the world’s most extreme geographical terrains linked the snow-capped peaks of the Andes – at an altitude of more than 6,000 m – to the coast, running through hot rainforests, fertile valleys and absolute deserts. It reached its maximum expansion in the 15th century, when it spread across the length and breadth of the Andes. The Qhapac Ñan, Andean Road System includes 273 component sites spread over more than 6,000 km that were selected to highlight the social, political, architectural and engineering achievements of the network, along with its associated infrastructure for trade, accommodation and storage, as well as sites of religious significance.

Sacred City of Caral-Supe
The 5000-year-old 626-hectare archaeological site of The Sacred City of Caral-Supe is situated on a dry desert terrace overlooking the green valley of the Supe river. It dates back to the Late Archaic Period of the Central Andes and is the oldest centre of civilization in the Americas. Exceptionally well-preserved, the site is impressive in terms of its design and the complexity of its architectural, especially its monumental stone and earthen platform mounts and sunken circular courts. One of 18 urban settlements situated in the same area, Caral features complex and monumental architecture, including six large pyramidal structures. A quipu (the knot system used in Andean civilizations to record information) found on the site testifies to the development and complexity of Caral society. The city’s plan and some of its components, including pyramidal structures and residence of the elite, show clear evidence of ceremonial functions, signifying a powerful religious ideology.

Huascarán National Park
Situated in the Cordillera Blanca, the world's highest tropical mountain range, Mount Huascarán rises to 6,768 m above sea-level. The deep ravines watered by numerous torrents, the glacial lakes and the variety of the vegetation make it a site of spectacular beauty. It is the home of such species as the spectacled bear and the Andean condor.
Manú National Park
This huge 1.5 million-ha park has successive tiers of vegetation rising from 150 to 4,200 m above sea-level. The tropical forest in the lower tiers is home to an unrivalled variety of animal and plant species. Some 850 species of birds have been identified and rare species such as the giant otter and the giant armadillo also find refuge there. Jaguars are often sighted in the park.




Historic Sanctuary of Machu Picchu
Machu Picchu stands 2,430 m above sea-level, in the middle of a tropical mountain forest, in an extraordinarily beautiful setting. It was probably the most amazing urban creation of the Inca Empire at its height; its giant walls, terraces and ramps seem as if they have been cut naturally in the continuous rock escarpments. The natural setting, on the eastern slopes of the Andes, encompasses the upper Amazon basin with its rich diversity of flora and fauna.

Río Abiseo National Park
The park was created in 1983 to protect the fauna and flora of the rainforests that are characteristic of this region of the Andes. There is a high level of endemism among the fauna and flora found in the park. The yellow-tailed woolly monkey, previously thought extinct, is found only in this area. Research undertaken since 1985 has already uncovered 36 previously unknown archaeological sites at altitudes of between 2,500 and 4,000 m, which give a good picture of pre-Inca society.


Source: https://whc.unesco.org/en/statesparties/pe