INFORMATION

TRAVEL

Overall, it’s pretty safe and it’s relatively easy to travel around. There are buses, airplanes, taxis, etc., all over the country, as well as hotels of all categories. There are all kinds of travelers and tourists, it will be easy to meet other people and have a great trip full of adventure, culture and new friends.

MONEY IN PERU

The currency of Peru is Nuevo Sol. USD $ 1.00 is equal to S / .3.50. There are ATMs (cash point) at various banks that accept credit cards.

WHAT (DO YOU HAVE) TO BRING

Because Peru is a diverse country, what you carry will depend on your travel plans. Bring warm clothing for the mountains, light clothing for the jungle and a combination if you visit the coastal deserts, which are warm during the day and cool at night. Items that are hard to obtain in the country include: personal medical supplies, money belt, good books in your native language and any electrical equipment.

HEALTH CARE

It is recommended to obtain before your arrival, a medical insurance and consult your doctor about the required vaccines.

VACCINES

If you visit a tropical area, the yellow fever vaccine is mandatory. You need to have the vaccination certificate. Since the illness is passed on by a mosquito, it is difficult to avoid, if you get infected you need to get medical help right away.

WATER

Make sure you drink bottled water not water from the tap. This will avoid you from getting intestinal illnesses.

WEATHER IN PERU

Coast: a mild weather with high humidity. It rains between November and December.

Highlands: It has two seasons, summer (from Abril to October) sunny days, cold nights and little rain, in winter (November to March) heavy rains. In the morning, the temperature can rise up to 24°C and at night it can drop down to 3°C.

Jungle: it has two well defined seasons. From November till March heavy rain, from April till October little rain, the flow of the rivers lowers and the roads are easy to drive through. High humidity throughout the year.

SUNBURN

Do not forget that sunshine is brighter in tropical latitudes. It is easy to get sunburned even when it is cloudy. Be cautious to avoid this type of burns: use a hat and sunblock. Avoid being exposed to sun rays between 11:00 am and 2:00 pm.

UPSET STOMACH

Despite the precautions, many visitors are affected by an upset stomach. If that is your case, get plenty of rest and drink plenty of fluids. You can consume oral rehydration solutions (ORS) that are available in pharmacies and it will help you to replace lost liquids. If you are affected for more than three days and / or have a fever, you should consult a doctor.

ALTITUDE SICKNESS

Some people experience some discomfort at this altitude. At least one day off before starting is recommended. The symptoms are headaches, dizziness, upset stomach and tiredness. They can be avoided by drinking lots of liquids, with light meals and a lot of rest.

TAXIS

We recommend taking taxis from companies, especially at night.

SHOPPING

Items purchased in stores and restaurants have fixed prices. However, products on the street or in the market are cheaper. The best quality and value are found in handmade products.

LUGGAGE

Take a resistant case, a robust backpack, plus a hand bag (a small backpack that can be carried on the back or shoulder leaving hands free) for the camera and laptop, etc.

Remember to clear some space for things that you can buy on the trip, so take as little as possible. Do not take more than you can comfortably carry and remember that the maximum weight allowed by national airlines is 20 kilos. It is a good idea to close bags with a small padlock around the zippers to avoid alterations.

CLOTHING

Clothing can be used in layers and is the best way to deal with temperature changes. A polo shirt, long sleeve shirt / blouse, jersey / thermal jacket and light rain can be worn on itself or separately to suit the weather conditions.

Shirts / polo / casual blouses, shorts and skirts are generally acceptable, but bring a long change of clothes in case a set of underwear gets wet, pack socks and a hat as well. If you feel cold at night bring something to wear under your pants, such as mesh or thermal (especially hikers).

Also include a pair of comfortable walking shoes, sneakers or lightweight boots to fit most occasions with a spare one in case your first pair gets wet.