Peru is a great destination for every one and is really safe. If you want to travel comfortably without large luggage; If you are on a tight budget or if you simply want to experience a tailor-made trip, Peru is here for you, as is one of the most popular South American destinations for backpackers, and for lot good reasons, backpacking in Peru is guaranteed to throw up some delight’s experiences. Find some tips for solo adventurers here.
Get under this country’s skin by understanding more about how the country works, what to expect when it comes to accommodation, food and transport and where to find the best adventure spots in Peru
Here you have general information for your travel
Airport – Surely you will arrive in Lima, its airport is Jorge Chavez. In the vast majority of cities in Peru there are airports
Transportation – From the airport in Lima and if you have not arranged a transfer before your arrival, it is better to take of the taxi company that are inside the airport, it is safe:
- Currency: Nuevo Sol – 3.80 soles aprox per 1 dollar
- Capital city: Lima
- Population: 32.5 million
- Main religion: Roman Catholic
- Main language: Spanish
- Telephone code: +51
- Time: GMT – 5 hours
- Emergency numbers: Ambulance: 117 Fire: 116 Police: 105
Altitude
Much of Peru is located at either high (2,400 m.a.s.l.) or extremely high (3,658 m.a.s.l.) altitudes. Before visiting, you should speak with your doctor about looking after yourself in these conditions. We recommend always taking the time to acclimatize in an area and staying hydrated. Lima, the capital is located at sea level
Before your trip, try to learn a few phrases that will help you such as:
| My name is… | Mi nombre es…. |
| I don’t speak Spanish | No hablo español |
| Good morning, | Buenos dias |
| Good afternoon | Buenas Tardes |
| Good evening | Buenas Noches |
| Thank you | Gracias |
| Can you help me? | Puedes ayudarme? |
| See you tomorrow | Nos vemos mañana |
| How are you? | Como estas? |
| I’am fine, thank you | Estoy bien, gracias |
| I’m …year old | Yo tengo …. años |
| Excuse me | Disculpa |
| You are welcome | De nada |
| Can you speak more slowly? | Puedes hablar mas lento? |
| Where is the bathroom? | Donde esta el Baño |
| How much is this? | Cuanto esta? |
Taxis on the street in Lima and Arequipa aren’t the best idea to flag down; it is better ring a radio cab instead.
As with most south American countries, don’t drink the tap water, buy your own water
Always have toilet roll and hand sanitizer available. Although there are a lot of public toilets available in urban areas, their cleanliness cannot be relied upon and they often don’t have access to running water
Peru is the best if you:
You are a foodie. Peru’s capital Lima is home to two of the World’s 50 Best Restaurants!
You’re looking for world-class trekking opportunities. Lush cloud forests, alpine peaks and sweeping canyons await.
You love history and culture. Cusco is the archaeological capital of South America and famous Inca ruins are just a stone’s throw away.
You want to visit a country that has it all! Scenery, wildlife, history and culture…here is Peru
Peru is a great place any time of the year. It has two seasons: the rainy wet season (summer) and the dry season (winter).
The best time to travel is during the dry season, between May to September, especially if you’re planning on trekking to Machu Picchu. This is also a great time to explore the Peruvian Amazon as there are generally fewer mosquitos.
It’s warmer in the summer season, between December and March, but there’s more rainfall then, making some activities quite dangerous. During the rainy season, transport may be delayed or disrupted. The Inca Trail to Machu Picchu is closed all the months of February due to the strong rain.
Upon arrival, you will usually be granted permission to stay for up to 90 days. However, your stamp may only allow you 30 or 45 days. It is based on the discretion of the immigration officer. If you plan to be in Peru for longer, you can request the 90-day stamp. The maximum time you’ll be permitted on entry to Peru is 183 days but this is not always given and most travelers will need to apply for an extension after 90 days.
To check visa requirements and see if you need one, have a look at the Peruvian government website here (in Spanish). If you do, you can get up to 183 days on a single-entry visa.
Don’t forget travel insurance!
Welcome to Peru!
