Peru: Useful Information

Holidays in Peru

January 1st	New Year
Easter	Good Friday
May 1st	Labor day
June 29th	San Pedro and San Pablo
July 28th & 29th	Independence day
August 30th	Santa Rosa de Lima
October 8th	Combate de Angamos
November 1st	All Saints
December 8th	Inmaculada Concepcion
December 25th	Christmas day

Days Most Popular Museums and Tourist Sites are closed

Lima:
Gold Museum: January 1st, May 1st, July 28th.
Larco Herrera Museum: January 1st, May 1st, December 25th.
Archaeological and Anthropological Museum: Mondays & January 1st, May 1st, July 28th, July 29th, November 1st, December 25th.
Museo de la Nacion: January 1st, May 1st, July 28th, December 25th.
Pachacamac Ruins: January 1st, December 25th.
Cuzco:
Cuzco Cathedral: Sundays

Documents
A valid passport is required of all U.S. citizens. Others should contact the Peruvian consulate for entry requirements.

Valuables
We suggest that while touring or shopping, leave your passport and the bulk of your money in the hotel; only take with you the money you intend to spend or exchange at that particular time. It is also helpful to take a copy of the picture page of your passport to carry in your wallet because it is sometimes needed to exchange traveler's checks. This copy can also be useful in the event your passport is lost or stolen.

Health
A yellow fever vaccination is not required anymore. Some travelers do have gamma globulin before departing and carry their own medications for stomach upset.

Currency & Exchange Rates
The currency of Peru is the Nuevo Sol. Bills are for 10, 20, 50, 100 and 200 Nuevos Soles. Coins are for 5, 10, 20 and 50 cents of a Nuevo Sol. And also coins for 1, 2 and 5 Nuevos Soles.

Dollars and traveler's checks may be exchanged at banks at the official rate, at most hotels and on the street at the parallel rate. Traveler's checks command a slightly lower rate than actual currency. The exchange rate fluctuates, so check with local tour guide upon arrival in Peru for current rate issued.

Major credit cards are accepted at most hotels, restaurants and in many shops; however, credit card purchases will be billed at the official rate of exchange not the parallel rate.

Tips & Taxes
As in most countries, taxes are unavoidable and tips are given on the basis of the quality of service rendered. The amounts suggested for tips in this section are a guideline for appropriate tips for average to good service. Note: It is helpful to carry a small quantity of US $1 bills for tips and easy change.
Hotels: A percentage service charge will be added to all room service bills. This percentage varies from location to location but will be stated on the actual bill. Bellboys and maids are generally tipped for their services on the
average of $ 0.25 per bag, and $ 0.25 per room per night of accommodation as a room tip for the maid.
Restaurants: As a general rule there is a percentage sales tax and a percentage gratuity added to all restaurant bills. These taxes and gratuities vary from location to location, but the percentages being charged are always printed on the bill. It is customary to leave an additional tip so that the total percentage of gratuity comes to 15-20% for good to excellent service.
Tour guides and drivers: On group tours, the average tip for a tour guide traveling with the group is $7.00 to $12.00 per day of travel. When the guide is not traveling with you the suggested tip is $3.00 to $5.00 per person for full day tours and $1.00 to $2.00 per person for half day tours. The driver's tip is usually half of what is given to the guide. For private car tours, guides generally receive $5.00 to $7.00 per full day and $3.00 per half day.
Airport departure taxes: On international departures there is an exit tax of $25.00. Within Peru, passengers must pay about $5.00 airport security tax for each domestic flight.
Taxis: All taxis should have a red and white "Taxi" sign in the windshield. There are no meters so settle on a price prior to entering the car. Taxis at many hotels and at the airport have higher set rates than those you may hail on thestreets they are better and much more reliable. Taxi cab drivers do not expect a tip.
Imported Items: Items not made in Peru are much more expensive than elsewhere and often not available for
purchase. Some of these commonly needed items include film and camera equipment, insect repellent, sun screen, contact lens solutions and binoculars. If you use these items, bring them from home.

Souvenirs and Gift Items
The best buys in Peru are silver and gold jewelry as well as a wide variety of handicrafts such as hand-woven shawls, llama and alpaca furs, sweaters, rugs and blankets, wall hangings, ceramics, woodwork, straw and leather items. Hint: That extra expandable suitcase really comes in handy when it is time to return to the U.S. with all your bargain purchases.

Photographs
It is customary in many Indian populated areas to give a small tip to the subject of your photographs. These tips can be monetary or souvenir type items such as a ball point pen. In addition, items such as cosmetics, pens, T shirts and pocket calculators often can be traded in the Indian markets for native handicrafts.

Climate:

Arid Coastal Areas: (Most important tourists centers - Lima, Trujillo, Ica, Nazca, Paracas) In general the climate is temperate to warm throughout the year with very little rainfall. The highest temperatures in this area are around 85 F and lowest around 50 F. June through October are the coolest months in Lima with the weather being somewhat humid and foggy.
Sierra or high elevation valleys: (Tourist centers - Cuzco, Puno, Machu Picchu, Arequipa, Huancayo, Huaraz). Most days are mild and sunny (79 F highest temperature) with cool to cold nights (32 F coldest temperature). There is a dry season from May through November and rainy season from December through April. Machu Picchu is the warmest of the tourist centers mentioned above with the highs averaging 75 F and the lows averaging 55 F while Puno is the coldest (66 F/32 F). Puno often receives light snow during the rainy season.
Jungle: (Tourist centers - Puerto Maldonado, Iquitos) the climate is hot and humid (100 F/70 F) with frequent rains year round.

Clothing
Dress informal for destinations outside Lima. For most destinations you will want to dress in layers for climatic changes. The cosmopolitan city of Lima calls for a bit dressier clothing: Sport outfits for day wear, dresses and jackets for dinner in fine restaurants.

Useful items to include in packing list:
• Lightweight plastic raincoat / umbrella
• Medium weight jacket for cool evenings (all year, higher elevations)
• Small flashlight (jungle excursions)
• Mosquito repellent (jungle excursions/Machu Picchu)
• Sneakers or hiking boots (jungle walks/Machu Picchu)
• Extra pair of sneakers (jungle excursions - these may get wet)
• Suntan lotion, sunscreen, wide brimmed hat and sunglasses (Machu Picchu, jungle excursions, coastal areas)
• Warm jacket and heavy socks (Excursions to Puno)
• Binoculars, camera, batteries and plenty of film
• Windbreaker or sweatshirt style jacket (Machu Picchu)
• Small backpack (Machu Picchu, jungle excursions)
• Pocket calculator

Luggage
You will want a small bag for excursions to Machu Picchu and the Amazon. We suggest one of the fold up, expandable types -- can be carried in a larger suitcase, it is perfect for overnight and handy to carry souvenirs when you pack to return home.

Time Differences
The hour in Peru is the same as Eastern Standard Time in the United States. Daylight savings time is not observed.

Electric Voltage
The electric voltage in Peru is 220 volts, 60 cycles and the electrical outlets require a connector with 2 small round prongs. Although some major hotels also have outlets with 110 volts and others have adapters for use, we find it much more convenient to bring our own.

Language
Peru has two official languages, Spanish and Quechua. English is spoken in most hotels, tourist shops and major visitor centers.

Business Hours
Banks: 9:00am/6:00pm Monday - Friday. 9:00am/12:00pm on Saturdays
Shops: 10:00am/1:00pm and 4:00pm/8:00pm Monday - Saturday

Dining & Entertainment
Lima:
The restaurants in Lima offer the best international and Peruvian cuisine. Astrid y Gaston in Cantuarias 175 in
Miraflores, is just a couple of blocks from the intersection of Avenida Pardo and Avenida Larco, phone is 444-1496; Ambrosia is the finest in Lima in it is located at the Miraflores Park Plaza Hotel, phone 242-3000; Costa Verde (ph 477-2424) and La Rosa Nautica (ph 445-0149) are two well known restaurants in Peru, located in Barranquito beach, 5 miles from Miraflores downtown hotels. Charming and right on the oceanfront. Must try: Pisco sour, conchitas a la parmesana (parmesan scallops) and peruvian cebiche. Brujas del Cachiche in Bolognesi 460 in Miraflores has an outstanding daily buffet lunch with the greatest selection of typical Peruvian, Phone 447-1883. The show of Danzas de las Tijeras" and "Peru Negro" at Sachun are impressive, they are part of a folk and Creole show very popular among LimeZos our favorite after-dinner show. For international standards the food is terrible and the service is slow, just enjoy the show and a Peruvian beer or pisco sour. Phone 442-8425, 441-4465.
Cuzco: El Truco Casual place on Plaza Rejocijo near the Plaza de Armas, and Jose Antonio next door to the Hotel Picoaga, both walking distance from most hotels, features an excellent folklorical show with groups presenting music and dances from the different regions of Per?. Jose Antonio also offers a two different buffets for lunch and dinner. Must try: The lomo saltado (small pieces of tender meat cooked with onions and tomatoes will make a rich sauce, mixed with potatoes and served with rice on the side). El Truco, Phone 23-5295, Plaza Regocijo #621. Jose Antonio 24-1364 in Santa Teresa cuadra 3. Centro Kosko A more elaborated typical show with a largest selection of Peruvian folklore. It usually starts at 6 pm, Ave. El Sol 604. Phone 22-7901

Shopping
For quality alpaca products we suggest two stores in Lima. Alpaca, Av. Larco 859 in Miraflores, Phone: 447-7163, 446-1687 and La Casa de la Alpaca, Av. La Paz 665 in Miraflores, Phone 447-6271. In Cuzco Alpaca Collection Santo Domingo 299, by the Hotel Libertador, Phone 23-6581.