Peru is a magical and millenary country with an impressive cultural and natural heritage and climatic and geographic diversity that offer infinite alternatives to live unique experiences. In this post you will find information that will help you to have a good tour when visiting Lima and other regions of the country.

Weather

The large geographical area of Peru contains 28 types of climate. Generally, the climate is temperate, without heavy rainfall in the winter or excessive heat in the summer. In Lima, the capital city, temperatures reach 28° C in summer, while winter is characterized by humid and cloudy days, with temperatures ranging from 12 to 17° C. In the highlands, the weather can vary considerably depending on the time of day. It is quite cold at dawn and at night, and warm during the day. For this reason, it is advisable to wear clothing that is easy to take off and put on. It is also advisable to wear waterproof clothing.

Visa and Passports

A tourist visa is not required for citizens of most countries in the Americas and Western Europe. Citizens of Bolivia, Ecuador, Colombia, Venezuela, Brazil and Chile do not need a passport or visa to visit Peru. In these cases, the authorized period of stay is 90 days (extendable by the Immigration authorities). Consult with the Peruvian diplomatic representation in your country for more information.

Language

Peru has two official languages: Spanish and Quechua. English is spoken in 4 and 5 star hotels and in the main tourist stores.

Currency

The Peruvian currency is the Sol. As in most cases, this is a decimal system (100 centavos = 1 Sol). Coins = 10, 20 and 50 centavos, 1, 2 and 5 soles; existing bills are: 10, 20, 50, 100 and 200 soles. The exchange rate against the U.S. dollar varies. Most hotels, restaurants and commercial establishments accept U.S. dollars, but if you wish to exchange your money for local currency, we recommend that you do so at banks or ask at the front desk of your hotel. Most hotels, restaurants and stores accept most major international credit cards (American Express, Diners Club, Mastercard and Visa).

Health

If your trip to Peru includes visiting Andean areas such as Cusco, do not forget to take precautions to avoid the famous altitude sickness. For better acclimatization, we recommend rest and light meals during the first day in the place. Tourists with heart problems or high blood pressure visiting Cusco and other highland cities should consult their doctor about traveling to high altitude. Avoid drinking tap water.

Peruvian Cuisine

Peruvian cuisine is one of the most varied and delicious in the world, with preparations that can be spicy. Some of our typical dishes are ceviche (raw fish marinated in lemon juice), aji de gallina (shredded chicken cooked in a sauce made with milk, bread and chili), anticuchos (skewers of beef heart and meat marinated in spicy sauce), among many other alternatives.

Tips

Tipping in Peru varies and will depend on your satisfaction with the service you were offered. In restaurants it is customary to leave the equivalent of 10% of the consumption.

Shopping

Peru offers excellent alpaca and vicuña wool products, as well as pima cotton garments. Peruvian artisans also produce a variety of handicrafts that are highly valued around the world. Original pieces that could be considered cultural heritage - huacos, ceramics, colonial paintings, Inca and pre-Inca textiles, metalwork - cannot leave the country.