The main wealth of Peru is magnificent national parks and monuments of ancient civilizations. The kaleidoscope city of Lima, the Inca capital of Cusco and the mystical Nazca lines, the temples of Machu Picchu and the vibrant Amazon Delta – all about Peru: map, photos, tours, prices and routes.

The popularity of Peru as a tourist destination is due primarily to miracles and mysteries – the mysterious heritage of ancient civilizations that once chose the land of prehistoric Peru as their fiefdom. Even the most sophisticated travelers freeze in amazement in front of the perfectly fitted multi-ton monoliths in the temples of Machu Picchu, reverently examine the perfect astronomical “instruments” of the prehistoric observatories of Peru and are lost in conjectures about the origin of the geometrically correct multi-kilometer drawings of the Nazca plateau. Among other things, Peru can also boast of the richest ecosystem: one third of all animal species known to science live in the Amazon Delta alone.

And Peru is the ancient cities of the Indians with mysterious structures, the “green hell” of the virgin jungle, the deepest canyon in the world, the alpine lake Titicaca, which was once part of the ocean.

Cities and regions of Peru

The capital is Lima.

Major cities: Arequipa (Arequipa), Cajamarca (Cajamarca), Trujillo (Trujillo), Huancayo (Huancayo), Cusco (Cuzco), Pisco (Pisco).

The main tourist centers are Machu Picchu, Lake Titicaca, Chiclayo, Iquitos.

Look for a complete list of cities in the country on the page cities and resorts of Peru, and about when is the best time to go here and what to do on the spot is described in detail on the tours to Peru page.

Customs

There are no restrictions on the import and export of local currency. The export of foreign currency is limited to the previously imported amount declared upon entry. In case of a reverse exchange of salt for dollars or euros, it is necessary to provide a certificate of the initial currency exchange made.

Duty-free you can bring into the country 400 cigarettes, 50 cigars, 250 g of tobacco, 3 liters of strong alcoholic beverages. As well as perfumes within the limits of personal needs, gifts and personal items that have intact factory packaging, not exceeding 300 USD in total value.

It is prohibited to import non-preserved foodstuffs, weapons and drugs, as well as to import and export objects and things of historical, artistic or archaeological value without special permission. A special permit is required to import professional photo, film or video equipment. When exporting items made of wool, leather, fur, jewelry, customs may be asked to present a receipt from the store where they were purchased.

Tourist safety in Peru

Tourists in Peru should be extremely careful not to become victims of pickpockets – especially at train stations, trains and public transport. You should not carry large sums of money with you, as well as leave personal belongings unattended. In the hotel, all valuables are best kept in a safe. On the streets, tourists can be bothered by all kinds of beggars and peddlers, from whom it is categorically not recommended to buy anything.

In the country, you should drink only bottled water and pasteurized milk, and you should not buy food on the street or in cheap establishments.

Photographing the local population is possible only with permission.

Before visiting the Amazon basin, you should be vaccinated against yellow fever (at least 10 days before the trip), take care of malaria pills, repellents and sunscreen. There is a risk of contracting hepatitis B and D.

Before visiting high-altitude sites, you should go through a gradual acclimatization at lower altitudes. It is promoted by the rejection of coffee, cigarettes and alcohol, light food, as well as the use of tea from coca leaves.

Here is an ancient Peruvian myth about how the world almost ended. Once a man brought his llama to a good pasture, but the animal did not eat anything, but only uttered plaintive groans. To the question of the owner, what was the matter, the lama replied that there was no longer any need for her to feed: in five days the sea would rise and suck up the land. Frightened, the man asked if it was possible to save himself – and the lama advised him to hasten to the top of Mount Villacoto, taking with him only food for five days. The man with the lama immediately set off on his way to the mountain peak, and when they reached it, they saw that all the animals and birds had already gathered there. And then the sea rose: the water got so close that the tail of the fox got wet (that’s why foxes have dark tails). Five days later, the water receded, and only that one man remained alive, who spoke to his lama in time. From him.

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Climate of Peru

Climatic conditions vary greatly in different regions of the country. On the coast, winter lasts from June to September, the temperature during the year stays within +16… +25 ° С with very low humidity. In mountainous areas, at altitudes up to 3500 m, the climate is moderate, the temperature in winter (June-October) is +4… +6 ° С, in summer – up to +16… + 17 ° С, and in the valleys – up to +24 ° C. Higher up begins the “puny” zone (“cold place”), where the mountain climate is pronounced: the temperature in winter is from 0 to -7 ° C, in summer +3… + 7 ° С with strong air rarefaction and sharp daily temperature fluctuations (during the day can reach +22…+28 °C, at night – up to -12 °C). The tops of the mountains are covered with snow and glaciers all year round. See citypopulationreview.com for weather information.

The eastern and northeastern parts of the country differ greatly in weather conditions from the center and west: on the Selva plains, the average monthly temperature in summer ranges from +18 to +27 °C, in winter – from +16 to +26 °C. Two seasons can be distinguished in the country – dry (May-October) and wet (November-April).

The best time to visit the mountainous areas and the Selva is June-August, the coast is December-March. Actual information: weather forecast for the main resorts of Peru for the coming days.

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Peru Hotels

The general level of Peru’s hotel base is quite high and meets international standards. Even three-star hotels are distinguished by spacious rooms and decent food.

The mains voltage is 220 V, 60 Hz, in some hotels the voltage is 110 V. Sockets are flat with two pins, but round two-pin connectors are also common. Lodges located in the Amazonian jungle are usually supplied with electricity until 10:00 pm, later they are lit by kerosene lamps.

Money

The monetary unit of the country is New Sol (PEN), in 1 sol there are 100 centimes. Current exchange rate: 1 PEN = 15.23 RUB (1 USD = 3.78 PEN, 1 EUR = 3.98 PEN).

Money can be exchanged at exchange offices (casas de cambio), hotels (not always profitable, as a large commission is charged) and banks. It is best to bring US dollars with you, since the currency of other countries can often be exchanged only in large banks in the capital. Exchanging old and dilapidated banknotes can be difficult.

Banks are open from Monday to Friday from 9:00 to 17:00, and on Saturday from 9:00 to 13:00. In the province, some banks may operate on an individual schedule.

Credit cards and traveler’s checks (preferably in US dollars) can be serviced only in the capital and major tourist centers: in the provinces it is almost impossible to pay with them.

Tipping in bars, restaurants and hotels (usually 10% of the total order) is already included in the bill. In addition, in restaurants and high-class hotels, various taxes are added to the bill, which in total can be up to 28%. Tipping is optional in taxis, it is customary for guides to tip 3-5 USD per day.

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