Peru

COUNTRY OVERVIEW

Peru - the Empire of Hidden Treasures; from its vibrant culture, to culinary delights, it offers beautiful and diverse landscapes from Amazon Rain Forests, to arid desert coastlines and snow-capped peaks of the Andes Mountains.

Visit the ancient land of the Incas and its extraordinary range of archaeological curiosities and diverse landscapes. Hike the Inca Trail Trek or Lares Trek to the 16th century citadel of Machu Picchu or fly over the mysterious Nazca Lines on the coastal desert. Discover the lush Amazon Jungle and explore the museums in Lima, wander the colonial city of Arequipa, watch condors soaring on thermal currents over the Colca Canyon, the world’s deepest canyon.

Bordered by Ecuador, Colombia, Brazil, Bolivia and Chile, Peru makes it easy to arrange day trips to surrounding South American countries.

PERU TRIPS

ENTRY REQUIREMENTS No visas required for Peru. A passport valid for six months after date of entry is required. Visitors must hold return/onward tickets and all documents required for their next destination. VACCINATIONS Hepatitis A and B, Tetanus, and Typhoid immunizations are recommended for all travelers. Malaria prophylaxis is recommended if you are traveling to jungle regions and you should consult your local doctor or physician to advise which malaria medication is best suited for you. Information on vaccinations and other health precautions, such as safe food and water precautions and insect bite protection, may be obtained from the CDC’s Internet site at http://www.cdc.gov/travel. BEST TIME TO VISIT Peru experiences two main seasons. The dry season, May through October offers sunny blue sky days and chilly nights. November through April is the rainy season with significantly more rain from January through April.

Traveling during off-peak season means less crowds, greener scenery and lower rates, however, expect frequent showers, unpredictable weather with varying conditions.

WEATHER

TRAVEL ADVISORIES

Make two photocopies of valuables such as your passport, tickets, visas and travelers' cheques.  Keep one copy with you in a separate place to the original and leave another copy with someone at home.

Be sure to inform your credit card company as well as your bank you will travel internationally into South America. This will eliminate any credit card holds for fraudulent activity. 

CURRENCY

Carrying cash, an ATM or traveler’s check card and also a credit card that can be used for cash advances in case of emergency is advisable. The best places to exchange money are normally bureau de change, which are fast, have longer hours and often give slightly better rates than banks. Local currency is Peruvian Nuevo Sol (PEN), and it is advised to carry hard notes of USD. Better hotels, lodges, and camps might accept credit cards, however it is advised to withdraw cash when visiting remote areas and villages.

GOVERNMENT

Peru – is a constitutional republic.

RELIGION

Roman Catholic 81.3%, Evangelical 12.5%, other 3.3%, unspecified or none 2.9%.