Climate
Weather
can fluctuate from 40 degrees to 85 degrees between Cuzco and Machu
Picchu. You need to were layers to ad or removed portions
depending on weather conditions. A rain poncho is a must
(light). Machu Picchu's high season is during the
"dry" season that runs from June through October. The
low or "wet" season typically runs from November to May.
January, February and March are summer months in Peru, while June,
July and August fall in the winter. It is recommended to visit the
ruins during the dry season (even though it might be a bit cooler).
For current conditions in Cuzco click here,
or follow this link
to check out average temperatures and precipitation..
Time
Cuzco
and Machu Picchu are one hour behind US EST (daylight saving) and is
five hours behind Greenwich Mean Time.
Inca
Trail Closures
Typically, each year some sections of
the Inca Trail are closed for maintanance during the month of
February. Generally, the following treks are close: 1, 2, 3, 6,
7 and 8. The following paths are usually open: #4
- Km 82 Paiscacucho, Patallacta, O'ente, Pagaymayo Bajo, Chachabamba
and Machu Picchu. #5 - Km 104 Chachabamba, Wiñaywayna and Machu
Picchu (no overnight at Wiñaywayna). Also, there
are alternative paths at Km. 82 Piscacucho, which includes Patallacta,
O'ente, Paqaymayo Bajo, Chachabamba, Wiñayhuayna and Machu Picchu.
No overnight at Wiñaywayna.
Immunizations
Consult your doctor. The Centers for Disease Control
and Prevention recommends several vaccines for travelers to Peru, as
appropriate for your age, your health status and other factors. The
vaccines are: hepatitis A or immune globulin; typhoid; yellow fever;
booster doses for tetanus-diphtheria and measles; and, in certain
instances, hepatitis B and rabies. The CDC says the tourist
areas of Machu Picchu are not a risk for malaria, but risk
exists in other areas of Peru. For more information, visit the CDCUs
Travelers Health site on the Net at http://www.cdc.gov/travel/.
Altitude Sickness
Allow time for your body to adjust to the high altitudes of
the Andes, where the air is thinner and the amount of breathable
oxygen decreases. Typical symptoms include headaches, nausea and
insomnia. During the first 12 to 24 hours at high altitudes,
particularly upon arrival in Cuzco, you should rest and not eat big
meals.
What to Bring
A fleece jacket with layers that can be removed if too hot.
Long-sleeved shirt and long pants to wear while outside whenever
possible, to prevent illnesses carried by insects (e.g., malaria,
dengue, filariasis,
leishmaniasis,
and onchocerciasis)
or plants. Insect
repellent containing DEET (diethylmethyltoluamide), in 30%–35%
strength for adults and 6%–10% for children. Travelers who are not
staying in air-conditioned or well-screened housing should purchase a
bed net impregnated with the insecticide permethrin. (Bed nets can be
purchased in camping or military supply stores.) Over-the-counter
anti-diarrhea medicine to take if you have diarrhea. Iodine
tablets and water filters to purify water if bottled water is not
available. Sunblock, sunglasses, hat. Prescription
medications: make sure you have enough to last during your trip, as
well as a copy of the prescriptions).
Weights and measures
Kilograms and metric system
Electric current
220 volts. 60 cycles. Major hotels have special 110 volt outlets
in bathrooms for their guests; some are marked exclusively for the use
of shavers.
Tipping
Most
restaurants automatically add a 10% tip (service charge), however,
some do not. The total tip should be about 15%. Porters should be
tipped US$ 1.00 per bag. Taxi drivers usually do not expect a tip.
Entering
Peru
Tourism
A valid U.S. passport is required to enter and depart Peru. Tourists
must also provide evidence of return or onward travel. U.S. citizens
do not need a visa for a tourist stay of 90 days or less. U.S.
citizens remaining in Peru more than 90 days must pay a monthly fee to
extend their visa for up to three additional months, for a total of
six months. U.S. citizens, including children, who remain in Peru over
six months without obtaining a residence visa will have to pay a fine
in order to depart Peru. Visitors for other than tourist or family
visit purposes must obtain a Peruvian visa in advance. Business
visitors should ascertain the tax and exit regulations that apply to
the specific visa that they are granted. U.S. citizens whose passports
are lost or stolen in Peru must obtain a new passport and present it,
together with a police report of the loss or theft, to the main
immigration office in the capital city of Lima to obtain permission to
depart. An airport tax of $25 per person must be paid in U.S. currency
when departing Peru. There is also a small airport fee for domestic
flights. For further information regarding entry requirements,
travelers should contact the Peruvian
Embassy at 1625 Massachusetts Avenue, NW, Suite 605, Washington,
DC 20036; telephone (202) 462-1084 or 462-1085; Internet http://www.peruemb.org;
or the Peruvian Consulate in Chicago, Houston, Los Angeles, Miami, New
York, Patterson (NJ), San Francisco, or San Juan.
Student/Business/Work
Visa
If you come to study, on business, or to live in Peru (working either
in the private sector or on government contract), you should apply
either to a Business or Working Visa.
You may obtain information at:
Where
to go:
To
obtain an extension of a tourist visa, to apply for a work visa or a
resident visa, you should go to a Peruvian Immigration Office.
In
Lima:
Dirección General de Migraciones
Av. España, cuadra 7
Lima
Tel: 330-4111/433-0787/330-4020/330-4025
Fax: 330-4030
In Cuzco:
Av. El Sol s/n (Edificio de la Prefectura),
Cuzco
Tel: (084) 22-2741
In Puno:
Jr. Grau 365, 2do. piso,
Puno.
Tel: (054) 35-7103.
In Arequipa:
Urbanización Quinta Tristan, 2do. parque,
José Luis Bustamante y Rivero,
Arequipa,
Tel: (054) 42-1759.
Exiting Peru
Make sure not to loose the Immigration form you were given at the
time you entered Peru as you need it when you leave the country.
A
departure tax of US$ 25.00 is required to exit Peru.
Driving in Peru
Tourists entering Peru with a Tourist Visa and who plan to drive
in Peru should obtain an International Driver's Licence at any office
of AAA. Failure to have an International Driver's Licence could
result in problems for the driver.
Foreign citizens on other than a tourist visa must obtain a Peruvian
Driver's Licence at: the Touring & Automovil Club del Peru, Av.
Cesar Vallejo 699, Lince, Tel: 221-2432.
Fuel in Peru: leaded gasoline is sold by U.S. gallon in 84 octane.
Unleaded gasoline is sold in 90, 95 and 97 octane. 97 octane sells for
roughly Cdn$ 1.00 per litre.
Currency
The national currency is the Nuevo Sol and its abbreviation is the
S/. sign.
It is recommended to carry US dollars while in Peru. Current rate for
US$ is of S/. 3.60 (this may change drastically at any time).
US$ may be exchanged by Soles at any "cambista" (money
changer) identified with a photo id. You will find several money
exchange offices around the main plaza in Cuzco. Be prepare to
pay up to 10% commission for Travelers Checks. Your best choice
is to carry an ATM card and withdraw money as needed.
Banking
Banks
are open Monday to Friday from 9:00 a.m. until 6:00 p.m. and Saturday
from 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.
Most banks have Automated Teller Machines (ATMs).
Credit Cards
American Express, MasterCard, Visa and Diners Club are accepted
almost everywhere in Peru.
Transfer
of Funds
Western
Union: Tel: 1-800-235-0000
A
person who wants to wire funds from the USA has to call or go to the
nearest Western Union office. Transfer of funds could be done by phone
with a Visa card. The sender should mention the country and the city
where the money has to be transferred.
The receiver in Peru should phone 0-800-1-2080 to obtain the address
of the Western Union office where the money will be sent. The receiver
will have to present a valid ID and the Western Union transfer number
provided by the sender. Payment of transfer will take
place within 20 minutes after the transfer has been done in the US.
Following an assault, aggression, robbery
In Peru you can file a police report in any Police Station (Delegación
Policial), but the Tourist Police is specialized in foreigners and
will provide translation services at the time of filing a report.
In
Lima, the Tourist Police is located at:
Jirón More 268
Magdalena
Tel: 460-0965 / 460-0921
Fax: 460-1060
In
Cuzco,
Sapi 510, 2do. piso
Cuzco
Tel: (084) 22-1961
In
Arequipa,
Jerusalem 315,
Cercado, Arequipa,
Tel: (054) 23-9888
In
Puno,
Jr. Deustua 538
Puno
Tel: (054) 71-4141
Medical
Care and Medical Travel Insurance
Your
US medical insurance might not cover you during your stay in
Peru. The cost of private physicians and clinics are higher than in
the US and the clinics will request a guarantee of payment before you
be attended. Therefore, you will not be released until the bill has
been fully settled. Clinics in Lima are equipped to cope with serious
emergencies.
Marriage
and birth in Peru
If I marry a Peruvian will I automatically become Peruvian?
No. You still have to comply with the Peruvian immigration
requirements to reside in Peru. For information regarding the grant of
Peruvian citizenship, you should contact:
Direccion General de Migraciones
Av. España, cdra. 7
Lima
Tel: 330-4020
Useful Telephone Numbers
Airlines:
American Airlines 211-7000
Lan Peru 215-1818
Delta Airlines 211-9211
Continental Airlines 221-6987
Aerocontinente 242-4260
Lloyd Aero Boliviano 241-5210
Lan Chile 241-5522
INDECOPI - Government's Agency of Consumer Affairs
There is a Peruvian government agency (INDECOPI) which operates a 24
hour complaint line for tourists. INDECOPI will forward complaints to
the appropriate Peruvian institutions.
Call/fax from Lima: 224-7888
Call/fax from outside Lima: (01) 0-800-4-2579 - This number does not
work if used from a pay phone.