IMPORTANT INFORMATION

Entry Requirements - Visas
Most citizens from the Americas and Western Europe do not need a visa to enter Peru. Citizens from Bolivia, Chile and Ecuador are exempt from passport and visa requirements when visiting certain areas. For more information, ask the Peruvian diplomatic representative closest to you. To find the address or telephone number you may visit the Peruvian Ministry of Foreign Affairs website www.rree.gob.pe. If you go to Peru as a tourist, you may stay a maximum of 90 days. You can ask immigration authorities to extend your stay.

When to Go
Peak travel season for tourists is in great part determined by weather. Peru experiences two very distinct seasons, wet and dry terms that are more relevant than "summer" and "winter". Peru's high season for travel coincides with the driest months: May through September, with, by far, the greatest number of visitors in July and August. May and September are particularly fine months to visit much of the country.

Upon Arriving to Peru
Give immigration authorities the landing card (international Embarkation/Disembarkation Card) you received on the plane or the border immigration post. This card must always be returned when leaving the country. Keep it to avoid a US$ 4.00 fine. Custom officials will ask you to fill a form declaring any taxable items. If you do not carry any, declare so. Tax-exempt articles include personal clothes and belongings, portable computer and adventure sports gear. For more detailed information, ask Peru's diplomatic representative in your country. You must also declare any plant or animal species you may carry. You must have the necessary sanitary permits from your country. If you do not have them, the Peruvian sanitary authority may decide to burn the plants or kill the animals.

Time Zone
The hour in Peru is the same as the Eastern Standard Time in the United States. Peru is 5 hours behind GMT. (Greenwich Mean Time). Peru does not observe daylight saving time.

Driver's Licenses
Driver's licenses from any country are valid for 1 year alter the tourist has entered Peru. Thereafter, a local license must be obtained form the Touring y Automovil Club del Peru. medical, regulations and driving tests take a full day. For more information, contact the Touring y Autom?vil Club del Peru ( the Ministry of Transport).

Vaccines
A yellow fever vaccination is not required anymore.

Language
Peru has two official languages: Spanish and Quechua. English is spoken at four, five and most three star hotels and hostels; and main tourist shops.

Electricity
The electric voltage in Peru is 220 volts, 60 cycles. In most hotel bathrooms, there is an electrical outlet with 110 volts for electric shavers but not to be used for irons or hairdryers.

Currency
Peru's official currency is the Nuevo Sol (S/.), divided in 100 cents. There are 5, 10, 20 and 50 cents coins and S/. 10, 20, 50, 100 and 200 banknotes. To know the current rate of exchange, visit www.xe.com/ucc/full.shtml. US dollars are welcome at most shops, restaurants and service stations at the current exchange rate. Most establishments accept the main credit cards, including, Visa, Master card, Diners and American Express. The use of traveler's checks may be restricted. Ask the individual establishment if they are accepted. When using a credit card, make sure you are charged the right amount for purchase. Visa is the most widely accepted card in Peru. The general information telephone numbers for these cards in Peru are: American Express 690-0900; Master Card 442-0206; Diners Club; 221-2050 and Visa 242-5253.

Travelers Assistance
Peru has organized a traveler assistance service to help tourists. This service has a hot line, which attends tourist's calls 24 hours a day. For assistance call in Lima 421-1227. Outside of Lima, dial 01 first.

For your safety
While touring or shopping leave your passport and the bulk of your money in the hotel's safe box. Only take with you the money you intend to spend. Take a copy of the picture page of your passport to carry in your wallet. You may need to exchange traveler's checks or in case your passport is lost. Do not change money with street changers.

Internet Access
Public internet booths or cabinas are widely available in major cities throughout Peru, but few are of the cyber café variety. Most are simple cubicles with terminals. The average cost for 1 hour is less de US$ 1.00. Many cabins now feature software to make very inexpensive international calls via the internet.

Health
Visitors should drink only bottled water, which is widely available. Do not drink tap water even in major hotels. Agua con gas is carbonated water; agua sin gas is plain. You are safer eating fruits you can peel. Avoid eating from street vendors.

Altitude Sickness
If you are planning to visit cities 8200 feet above sea level, like Cusco (11,000 ft) or Lake Titicaca (13,000 ft), some people may experience headaches, loss of appetite, extreme fatigue and nausea. At these altitudes, shortness of breath and heart pounding are normal, given the scarcity of oxygen. Most symptoms develop the first day at high altitude, though, occasionally, travelers have delayed reactions. The best advice is to rest on your first day in the highlands. Drink plenty of liquids, including the local remedy: coca-leaf tea (its perfectly legal) and the coramina pills. Avoid alcohol and heavy food intake. You can avoid altitude sickness taking 500 mg a day of acetozolamide (Diamox), taken 24 hours before departure and continued up to 48 hours after arrival to these cities. Acetazolamide should not be given to persons allergic to sulfa drugs.

Taxes
A general sales tax (IGV) is added automatically to most consumer bills (19%). Restaurants and hotels add a 10% service fee. Tour packages contracted outside the country are tax exempt.

Night Life
you can spend an enjoyable night out in most major cities. Information about places to visit is usually available at hotels. Some restaurants locally known as peñas offer live music shows. In Lima, most popular discos, pubs and nightclubs are located in the Miraflores, San Isidro and Barranco districts. In other cities, they are usually located downtown, near and around the main square.

Food and Drinks
Peruvian cuisine offers travelers a wide range of typical dishes form the coast, highlands and jungle regions. Always ask if the dished are spiced. You cannot miss trying Peru's world-renowned Pisco sour cocktail made with Pisco, the Peruvian national drink, a grape brandy. Chicha morada is a nonalcoholic beverage prepared with purple corn. Chicha de jora is a fermented drink made from yellow corn and Masato is a beer made from yuca, this drink is typical of the Amazon region

Travel by Air
all major cities can be reached by air, either directly of through a connecting flight. Huancayo, Ica and Huaraz are the only exceptions. If you are flying locally, you must reconfirm 48 hours in advance. For international flights, reconfirm 72 hours before your flight.

Departure Tax
At all airports, passengers must pay a departure tax: $ 28, for international flights and about $ 5 for domestic flights. tax must be paid in cash before boarding.

Taxis
There are plenty of taxis in Lima and the main cities with very affordable rates. Because none use taximeters, we recommend you check the likely rate with the hotel and negotiate a price before (not after) accepting a ride. Taxi drivers do not expect a tip.

Tips
Tips vary and depend on the traveler's satisfaction with the quality of the service rendered. It is customary in many Indian populated areas to give a small tip to the subject of your photographs..

Toilets
Public toilets are rarely available except in railway stations, restaurants, bars, cafes. Public restrooms are labeled WC (water closet), Damas (Ladies) and Caballeros or Hombres (Men). Toilet paper is not always provided so you should carry this item. All establishments, including the best hotels, request that travelers throw it in the wastebasket rather than the toilet, to avoid clogging.

Shopping
Peru is one of the top shopping destinations in Latin America, with some of the finest and best - priced crafts anywhere. Most shops, malls and handicrafts markets are open every day (including holidays) from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Bargaining for prices is acceptable in most establishments.

Prohibitions
Photographing airports, military bases, the surroundings of high-tension electric towers and police stations is forbidden. In some churches and museums, is forbidden to take photographs or make video recordings. Ask beforehand. It is strictly forbidden to transport drugs. Offenders will be arrested and jailed. Under no circumstance should you accept packages belonging to strangers, to carry in your luggage.

Archeological and Historic Heritage
The Peruvian laws prohibit and establish sanctions for selling and exportation of original pieces of work of its national cultural heritage. Do not buy these items: examples of these items are pieces of pre-Hispanic ceramic, textiles, paintings, etc. If you want to buy a reproduction of these pieces of pre-Hispanic and colonial art make sure to obtain a certificate from the national Institute of Culture, a government agency that protects the nation's cultural heritage. This institute has offices in all major cities of Peru. If you are unable to obtain this certification, your last chance is the Institute's kiosk located at Lima International Airport before boarding your plane. Authorization is granted immediately.

• Holidays in Peru
• January 1, New year's day
• Good Friday
• May 1 , Labor day
• June 29, St. Peter and St. Paul day
• July 28 and 29, Independence day
• August 30, Santa Rosas' day
• October 8, Battle of Angamos
• November 1, All Saints day
• December 8, Immaculate Conception day
• December 25, Christmas day