Travel Tips

Welcome to the land of the Incas!
History and Politics :
There were several prominent Andean civilizations in Ancient Peru; Mochica, and Chimu in the north, Tiahuanaco, Wari and Paracas in the south and most notably, Inca, whose empire ('Tawantinsuyo’ – ‘Four Regions Sun Empire') was conquered by the Spanish conquerors in 1533.
Peruvian independence was declared in 1821, and remaining Spanish forces were finally defeated in 1824.
Much of post-independence political life in Peru has been dominated by traditional ruling elites and military rule. In 1980, a democratic government, led by Alan García Pérez, came into power. However, after an ambitious economic plan failed, Peru experienced many financial problems and there was a growth of violent rebellion.

After Alberto Fujimori’s election as President in 1990, there was dramatic improvement in the economy and progress in curtailing terrorist activity. In 1995, he was re-elected for a second term as President with a resounding majority. However, his increased reliance on authoritarian measures and an economic slump in the late 1990s saw his popularity decrease. He won a third term of office in the elections of 2000 amidst much controversy - 3 consecutive terms as president is not permitted - and there were also accusations of fraud. He was finally ousted as leader in November of that year due to corruption allegations and international pressure.
A caretaker government oversaw new elections in 2006 and Alan Damian Garcia Perez was elected as President and is his second government.

Geography
Peru is one of the 10 mega-diverse countries in the world; it has 82 of the 104 zones of life in the world!

An incredible variety of regions and micro-regions, that have an amazing amount of endemic plants and animals, can be found in Peru. In just a few hours you can pass through different ecosystems and experience unbelievable contrasts in weather conditions, ranging from tropical (30°c+) on the north coast, humid in the eastern jungle to freezing temperatures in the high Andes (-25°c).

It is divided into western coastal plain (Costa - 12%), high and rugged Andes in the centre (Sierra - 30%), and the eastern lowland jungle of the Amazon Basin (Selva - 58% of the total area of Peru).

Location: Western South America, bordering the South Pacific Ocean, between Chile and Ecuador
Total area: 1285220 sq km
Water: 5220 sq km
Land: 1.28 million sq km
Area comparison: slightly smaller than Alaska and five times bigger than the UK
Border countries: Bolivia (900km), Brazil (1560km), Chile (160km), Colombia (1496km) and Ecuador (1420km)
Coastline: 2414km
Maritime claims:
territorial sea: 200NM
continental shelf: 200NM
Elevation extremes:
lowest point: Pacific Ocean - 0m
highest point: Nevado Huascaran - 6768m/22204ft
Natural resources: copper, silver, gold, petroleum, timber, fish, iron ore, coal, phosphate, potash, hydropower, natural gas
Land use:

• arable land: 2.85%
• permanent crops: 0.38%
• other: 96.77% (1998 est.)

Natural hazards: earthquakes, tsunamis, flooding, landslides and mild volcanic activity
Geography note: Peru shares control of Lake Titicaca, the world's highest navigable lake, with Bolivia; a remote slope of Nevado Mismi, a 5316m/17440ft peak, is the ultimate source of the Amazon River

People

• Nationality: Peruvian
• Population: 29600000 (July 2004 est.)
• Population growth rate: 1.39% (2004 est.)
• Birth rate: 21.27 births/1000 population (2004 est.)
• Death rate: 6.29 deaths/1000 population (2004 est.)

Infant mortality rate:

• total: 32.95 deaths/1000 live births
• female: 30.21 deaths/1000 live births (2004 est.)
• male: 35.57 deaths/1000 live births

Life expectancy at birth:

• total population: 69.22 years
• male: 67.48 years
• female: 71.03 years (2004 est.)

Ethnic groups: Amerindian: 45%, mestizo (mixed Amerindian and white): 37%, white: 15%, black, Japanese, Chinese and other: 3%
Religion: Roman Catholic (85%)
Languages: Spanish (official), Quechua (official), Aymara and more than 60 dialects are spoken in the jungle region
Literacy: (definition – 15 years and over with the ability to read and write)
total population: 90.9%
male: 95.2%
female: 86.8% (2003 est.)

Government
Country name:

• conventional long form: Republic of Peru
• conventional short form: Peru
• Local long form: Republica del Perú
• local short form: Perú
• Government type: Constitutional and democratic Republic
• Capital: Lima (c.10 million people)

Administrative divisions:
24 regions and 1 constitutional province *(provincia constitucional); Amazonas, Ancash, Apurimac, Arequipa, Ayacucho, Cajamarca, Callao*, Cusco, Huancavelica, Huanuco, Ica, Junin, La Libertad, Lambayeque, Lima, Loreto, Madre de Dios, Moquegua, Pasco, Piura, Puno, San Martin, Tacna, Tumbes, Ucayali .
Peru is implementing a decentralization program in which these 25 administrative divisions will begin to exercise greater governmental authority over their territories. In November 2002, voters chose their new regional presidents and other regional leaders; the authority that the regional government will exercise has not yet been clearly defined, but it will be devolved to the regions over the course of several years.

Independence: 28 July 1821 - from Spain (National Holiday)
Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal and compulsory until the age of 70 (members of the military do not vote)
President: Alan Damian Garcia Perez
Economy
Peru's geography is reflected in its economy - an arid coastal region, the Andes inland, and tropical lands bordering Colombia and Brazil. Copious mineral resources are found in the mountainous areas and Peru's coastal waters provide superb fishing grounds.
However, overdependence on minerals and metals means that the economy fluctuates according to world prices and also the lack of infrastructure in the country does not encourage foreign trade and investment.
The economic situation has improved in recent years, nevertheless, and in 2002 and 2003, the country’s economy was one of the fastest growing in Latin America, growing by 5% and 4%, respectively, with the exchange rate stable and an annual inflation lower than 2%.
GDP per capita: purchasing power parity - $5,200 (2003 est.)
Industries: mining of metals, petroleum, fishing, textiles, clothing, food processing, cement, auto assembly, steel, shipbuilding, metal fabrication
Currency: Nuevo Sol (PEN)
Exchange rates: Nuevo Sol per US dollar – 3.12 (2009), 2.75 (2008), 3.48 (2003), 3.52 (2002), 3.51 (2001), 3.49 (2000)
Transportation:

• Airports with paved runways: 52
• Railways:1829km
• Highways: 72900km
• paved: 9331km
• unpaved: 63569km (1999 est.)
• Waterways: 8808km (Note: 8600km of navigable tributaries in the Amazon system and 208km in LakeTiticaca
• TIME ZONE
  Peruvian time is five hours past Greenwich Mean Time and is similar to Eastern Standard Time in the United States (except when the U.S. goes on daylight savings time from April to October). In reference to other cities, when it is noon in Peru, it is:

• TEMPERATURE
  Being such a geographically diverse country within the tropical belt, the weather in Peru is determined both by altitude and season. However, it also means that there is almost invariably sunshine somewhere in Peru ! Below is a summary of the weather conditions you can expect to find in each different region of the country at different times of the year.
  
  Coast (Ica, Chiclayo, Lima, Piura, Trujillo, Tumbes)
  Northern region: warm year-round with highs of up to 35°C in the summer.
  Central and southern regions: two well-defined seasons, winter between April and October, and summer between November and March.
  
  Highlands (Ancash, Arequipa, Ayacucho, Cajamarca, Cusco, Puno)
  This region has two seasons, dry season between April and rainy season between November and March.
  
  Rainforest (Iquitos, Madre de Dios, Manu)
  High rainforest (over 2,300 feet asl): has a temperate, subtropical climate with abundant rainfall.
• TIPPING
  Whilst tipping is a personal matter, we are happy to give some guidelines:
  Most restaurants add a 10% tip. The total tip should be about 15%.
  Doorkeepers should be tipped 1 US$ per bag. Taxi drivers do not expect a tip.
  
  Full-day excursion : US$6.00 per person
  Half-day excursion : US$3.00 per person
  
  PHOTOGRAPHY
  If you are taking photographs of local people, always ask their permission beforehand. Your guide can assist you in this. Do not take photographs of military installations or airports. Film is readily available in all tourist areas. It is advisable to carry your camera in a dust-proof bag. Photography or camera fees are applicable at most sights and museums; your guide can give you details of the latest charges.
• ELECTRICITY
  Power voltage in Peru is 220 Volts AC, 60 Hz. Most modern electrical appliances do not need adapters since they will accept both 110 as well as 220 AC voltages. Please make sure to check the voltage options of those artefacts you intend to take with you during your trip, such as hair dryers, battery chargers, notebooks and lap tops, video cameras, etc. Most of these do not usually need a special adapter, but it is important that you make sure of that before leaving your country of origin in order not to have to buy special 110 V / 220 V AC adapters, which, however, can be found in the local market here in Peru.
  
  HEALTH
  Vaccinations
  Full details of the latest health requirements should be obtained from an authorized medical source, such as your doctor. There are no mandatory health requirements for Peru.
  Because you are visiting Andean areas, don't forget to take precautions to avoid altitude sickness. Be sure to try hot tea or infusion of coca leaves on your arrival in the altitude; during your first day move slowly and eat lightly.
  
  PERUVIAN GASTRONOMY
  Peruvian cuisine is highly varied and spicy. Some of our typical dishes are: "cebiche" (raw fish marinated in lemon juice), "aji de gallina" (de-boned chicken cooked in a milk and aji sauce), and "anticuchos" (shish kebabs of beef heart and meat), apart from the typical dishes from each region.
  Be sure to try "Pisco Sour", Peru's typical mixed drink prepared with pisco, lemon, egg white and sugar.
  
  Restaurants during your trip
  In Lima: International, vegetarian, local food restaurants and franchises of international fast food chains.
  
  DRESS CODE
  Dress in general is very casual unless you want to eat in one of the more expensive restaurants in Lima for example, in which case a tie and/or jacket will be required and smarter ladies' wear. Due to the altitude, it is important to remember whatever the season, to take some warmer woollens for the nighttimes drop in temperature.
  
  IMPORTANT: We reserve the right to make changes to the order of the trip, without prior notice, due to changes in climate conditions, river water levels, flight or bus arrival and departure times or any other reason relevant to the best development of the trip.
• WATER
  Tap water in most of Peru is potable, but the chemical content varies from place to place. To avoid problems, we recommend you to always drink bottled water.
  
  VISAS
  All travellers should contact the nearest Peruvian consulate in order to ascertain what visa rules apply, since these may change without previous notice.
  For more information clic here:
  Type of visa to enter Peru
  
  AIRPORT
  
  Hand luggage regulations
  
  a) All liquids must be carried in containers whose capacity can not exceed of 100 ml (or its equivalent in other volumetric units, such as liquid ounces for instance). No liquids will be allowed in containers of more capacity than the said 100 ml, even if the container is not completely full.
  
  b) The containers must be placed in reclosable plastic bags with a maximum capacity of 1 liter. The containers must fit effortlessly in the transparent plastic bag, which must be perfectly sealed.
  
  c) The plastic bag must be presented at the inspection post for its visual examination. Only one plastic bag per passenger can be allowed.
  
  d) Exceptions must be made in case of medications, milk and baby food, as well as in case of passengers who require a special diet. There must be the appropriate means in place to verify the nature of these liquids.
  
  Likewise, exceptions must be made regarding liquids purchased in the duty free shops at the airport or on board an aircraft, provided that these liquids are packed in a sealed plastic container foolproof against undue manipulations, and that a satisfactory proof (receipt) is produced showing that the article was acquired at the airport’s duty free shops, or aboard an aircraft on the traveling day(s) for passengers leaving an airport or being there on transit.