Peru is a large country on the Pacific coast of South America, encompassing a desert coastline, tropical rainforest and soaring mountains, each with distinct environments. These offer an exceptional opportunity for travelers to experience a variety of landscapes, an abundance of wildlife, a rich history and archaeological heritage, and the vivacious character of durable native cultures, all within one nation.
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Fishing villages, fine beaches, agricultural lands, and Peru's major towns and cities, including the capital of Lima, are interspersed along the narrow belt of desert coastline that stretches the length of the country. The lush Amazon Basin takes up half of Peru and is an ecologically rich area of tropical rainforest that encompasses some of the world's most remote and least explored areas, sparsely populated and for the most part, inaccessible. Separating the coastal desert from the jungle is the splendid Andes mountain range, an endless chain of soaring peaks over 22,000ft (7,000m), and home to millions of indigenous highland people, speaking the ancient Inca language of Quechua, and living in traditional villages with steeply terraced agricultural fields, with their wandering herds of llamas and alpacas.
Peru, 'Land of the Incas', offers a stimulating and rewarding travel experience and is one of the most diverse and exhilarating of the South American destinations.
The Basics
Time:
Local time is GMT -5.
Electricity:
Electrical current is 220 volts, 60Hz (Arequipa 50Hz). Two-pin, flat blade and round plugs are standard.
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Language:
Spanish and Quechua are the official languages, but many other dialects are spoken. English is spoken only in major tourist centers and hotels.
Health:
Those entering the country from an infected area require a yellow fever certificate, and outbreaks of yellow fever do occur; vaccination is recommended for those intending to travel to the low-lying jungle areas in particular, but is not necessary for Lima, Cuzco or Machu Picchu. Although no other vaccinations are officially required, visitors are advised to take precautions especially if planning to travel to jungle regions. Immunization against typhoid is sensible. Malaria is a risk all year round in the lowland areas, except for Lima and the coastal regions to the south, and dengue fever is on the increase. Protection against mosquito bites is essential as a number of other mosquito-transmitted diseases occur. There have been a number of recent incidents of rabies transmitted by bites from vampire bats in the Madre de Dios and Puno provinces, as well as in the north near the border with Ecuador; visitors to these areas are advised to have a course of rabies injections prior to travel, and not to sleep in the open without a mosquito net. Cholera and cases of the plague occur, but visitors are unlikely to be affected. Other risks include Chagas' disease. The most common ailments for travelers, however, are diarrhea and altitude sickness. Drink only bottled water, avoid drinks with ice, and be wary of food bought from street vendors. Health care is good in the major cities, better at private clinics than at the public hospitals, but is expensive, and health insurance is essential.
Customs:
Do not take photographs of anything to do with the military. Homosexuality, although legal, is frowned upon. Visitors should avoid wearing any native Indian clothing as this will be seen as insulting, regardless of intention.
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Communications:
The international access code for Peru is +51, and the outgoing code is 00, followed by the relevant country code (e.g. 0044 for the UK). City/area codes are in use, e.g. (0)1) for Lima. A mobile phone operator provides a GSM 1900 network with coverage limited to major towns and cities. Peru is well connected to the Internet with a proliferation of inexpensive Internet kiosks, called cabinas pública, available on street corners in most towns and cities.
Peru Embassies
Peruvian Embassy, Washington DC, United States: +1 202 833 9860
Peruvian Embassy, London, United Kingdom (also responsible for Ireland): +44 (0)20 7235 1917/2545
Peruvian Embassy, Ottawa, Canada: +1 613 238 1777
Peruvian Embassy, Canberra, Australia: +61 (0)2 6273 7351
Peruvian Embassy, Pretoria, South Africa: +27 (0)12 346 8744
Peruvian Embassy, Wellington, New Zealand: +64 (0)4 499 8087
Foreign Embassies in Peru
United States Embassy, Lima: +51 (0)1 434 3000
British Embassy, Lima: +51 (0)1 617 3000
Canadian Embassy, Lima: +51 (0)1 444 4015
Australian Consulate-General, Lima: +51 (0)1 222 8281
South African Embassy, Lima: +51 (0)1 440 9996
Honorary Consul of Ireland, Lima: +51 (0)1 273 2903
New Zealand Consulate, Lima: +51 (0)1 422 7491
Peru Emergency Numbers
Emergencies:
Airports
Jorge Chávez International Airport (LIM)
Location: The airport is situated 10 miles (16km) north west of Lima.
Time: Local time is GMT –5.
Contacts: Switchboard:
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Facilities: Facilities at the airport include banks, bureaux de change, ATMs, a post office, public telephones, a couple of restaurants, shops, left luggage and a tourist information desk. There are disabled facilities; those with special needs should contact their airline in advance.
Climate
Lima has a mild climate, although it is situated in the tropics, and rain in the city is almost unheard of. The weather in Lima is influenced by the cold offshore Humboldt Current, which ensures that summer temperatures hover in the low to mid 60's Fahrenheit (16-18ºC), and only a few degrees lower in June and July. Humidity in the city is very high, and as a result fog is often present, especially between May and November.
Passport & Visa
Visa Agencies:
Avoid the stress and queues, get a visa agency to arrange your visa.
Travel Visa Pro, San Francisco, USA. 1-888-470-8472 or www.TravelVisaPro.com
Global Visas, London, UK. 0207 190 3903 or www.globalvisas.com
Entry requirements for Americans: US nationals do not require a visa for touristic stays of up to 90 days. Extensions up to 30 days are possible. A valid passport is needed.
Entry requirements for UK nationals: British nationals do not require a visa for touristic stays of up to 90 days. Extensions up to 30 days are possible. A valid passport is needed.
Entry requirements for Canadians: Canadian nationals do not require a visa for touristic stays of up to 90 days. Extensions up to 30 days are possible. A valid passport is needed.
Entry requirements for Australians:
Entry requirements for South Africans: South African nationals do not require a visa for touristic stays of up to 90 days. Extensions up to 30 days are possible. A valid passport is needed.
Entry requirements for New Zealanders: New Zealand nationals do not require a visa for touristic stays of up to 90 days. Extensions up to 30 days are possible. A valid passport is needed.
Entry requirements for Irish nationals: Irish nationals do not require a visa for a touristic stay of up to 90 days. Extensions up to 30 days are possible. A valid passport is needed.
Passport/Visa Note: All travelers require return or onward tickets, all documents required for onward travel and proof of funds. It is recommended that all foreign passports are valid for at least six months after arrival. If traveling for business purposes, a visa is required. Visas cannot be obtained on arrival.
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