Important tips for your Trip to Peru

Contents

1 TRANSPORTATION
2 TOURISM ALONG THE HIGHWAY
3 SHOPPING
4 BANKS
5 MONEY EXCHANGE
6 NIGHT LIFE
- 6.1 TIPS

TRANSPORTATION

By air

There’s flight and connections from Lima to all main cities within Peru except Huancayo, Huaraz and Ica; which can be accesses by inter provincial buses. Always make reservations ahead of time.

Airport Tax (T.U.U.A)

Domestic flights: USD 6.82

International flights: USD 35.00

These payments must be done in cash before boarding the plane.

Information about domestic and international flights: www.lap.com.pe

By land

Inter provincial buses

Bus services cover all routes to all destinations within Peru except some locations on the jungle. Inquire about the different facilities and services depending on the rate and whether the service makes stops.

Taxis and public transportation

It is recommended to take taxis from a safe cab company or those that are authorized by City Hall (in Lima these are the ones painted in yellow).

Rate must be negotiated before arriving at the desired destination. Ask the rate from where you are until your destination. It is not custom to tip taxi drivers.

At airports it is advised to hire the services of authorized taxis.

The urban buses (the cheapest alternative) have assigned colors and numbers for specific routes. Many of them have very long routes and most of times they are very uncomfortable. Ask before taking one and do not take them late at night.

By train

The tourist train service works two routes:

Puno – Cusco
Cusco – Ollantaytambo – Machu Picchu

Information: PeruRail

Av. Armendariz 397, Miraflores – Lima

Phone: 51-84-581414

Open: Monday to Friday from 8.30am until 6.00pm

TOURISM ALONG THE HIGHWAY

Always carry your driver’s license, copy of your passport and, if the vehicle is rented, the rental contract for it. In case of having an international driver’s license this will be valid for one year, if you have your own country’s driver’s license this will only be valid for 30 days.
Follow the speed limit signs along the highway.
It is forbidden to drive under the influence of alcohol or drugs. If you do so you could be processed.
If a police or transit offices asks you to stop, do so. They should be uniformed and carry their ID (their last name is on a badge on their chest). Under any circumstances should they be allowed inside the vehicle.
Note that your documents or the vehicle’s can not be retained by the offices and under no circumstances offer them money.
In case of an accident, call a transit or police offices. If the vehicle is rented also call the insurance company representative from where you rented the car. Wait and don’t leave the scene.
Do not stop if unknown people wave or make any signals along the road.
Do not park on dark places or leave valuables in plain sight inside the car.

SHOPPING

In general, shops, malls and artisan markets are open every day, even during holidays, between 09.00am and 08.00pm.

In places like markets and street or beach vendors it is acceptable to discuss or bargain the price of any of the offered products. This kind of bargaining is called “regateo”.

PROTECTED SPECIES OF WILDLIFE AND FLORA

The Peruvian laws forbid and sanction the transportation, sale and exportation of all kinds of flora and fauna resources, dead or alive, without the authorization of the National Institute of Natural Resources (INRENA for its initials in Spanish).

BANKS

Banks in Peru are usually open Monday to Friday from 09.00am until 06.00pm. Also, most of them open until noon on Saturdays. On the main cities and main streets or avenues there’s available ATMS from several different banks.

MONEY EXCHANGE

It is recommended to exchange money at hotels, banks and authorized money exchange houses (open between 09.00am and 06.00pm -usually). On Saturdays most banks are open until noon. The exchange rate from soles to dollars is variable, inquire about it before exchanging your money. To exchange other currencies inquire money exchange houses. To find current exchange rates you can go to:

NIGHT LIFE

Most cities have a wide variety of night time entertainment. If you wish to enjoy the typical music and dances of Peru you can visit traditional places called “peñas”. In Lima, the most popular nightclubs and bars are located in the districts of Miraflores, San Isidro and Barranco. In other cities they are usually located in the surroundings of the Main Square.