Did you know?
The ingredients for a Pisco sour are Peruvian Pisco liqueur, egg white, ice, sugar and lemon juice.
Language
Spanish, Quechua and Aymara
Visas
Not required, but a tourist card is issued on arrival. Don't lose it.
Getting there
Scheduled flights from
London and many European capitals, mostly to the capital Lima. Flights to Iquitos are available.
Getting around
At time of writing, the only major carrier AeroContinente has a special Inka Air Pass which lasts for 30 days and can only be bought outside Peru. Buses are cheap and go virtually everywhere - definitely the more colourful option.
Costs
Prices vary but expect to pay roughly: moderate meal £3-£5, short taxi ride £1-£2, litre of petrol 50p, bottle of beer £1, camera film £3-£4.
Weather
From very dry to humid to very cold all year round - depending on where you are! Two basic seasons - dry and wet. When it's summer on the coast it's winter in the highlands. At Cuzco in the mountains, dry season (June-Aug) is around 33F-68F (1-19C), and in the wet (Oct to May) it's 43F-67F (6-19F).
Time difference
Five hours behind GMT
International dialling code from the
UK 0051
Voltage
220V, 60 Hz (except Arequipa, 50Hz). Use two-pronged flat plugs.
Opening hours
Shops open 9/10am and shut about 8pm. Two or three-hour lunch breaks are common. In Lima you can find 24-hour supermarkets.
Health - Before you go
Make sure you have adequate health insurance. Plan your vaccinations well in advance - cholera, hepatitis, rabies, malaria (in the lowlands) and typhoid. The yellow fever jab is essential if you plan to visit the eastern slopes of the Andes or the Amazon Basin.
Health - When you are there
Don't forget to take your malaria tablets. Also, be wary of raw foods like salads, ceviche and fruits you can't peel.
Warnings
Always carry identification. There have been violent attacks on tourists in Cuzco, especially at night. Where possible, travel in groups using only reputable transport. Avoid travelling by road outside the major cities after dark, and take care in the Ecuador border area. Pay attention to your possessions at all times!
Emergency
For national police dial 105. British Embassy, Edificio El Pacifico
Washington, Natalio Sanchez 125, Piso 12, Lima (PO Box 854 Lima 100). Tel. 1 433 4738
Customs
Bargaining is expected in markets and smaller shops, but in tourist shops in the cities prices are often fixed.
Pets
Don't even think about it, as quarantine rules apply on return to the
UK. Tipping
Better restaurants might include 10% service charge in the bill. In cheaper restaurants tip up to 15%, but it's not expected in really basic restaurants. In taxis, bargain a fare beforehand and stick to it.
Tourist office
For information, send a £1 self-addressed A4 envelope to Embassy of Peru, 52 Sloane Street,
London SW1X 9SP. Tel. 020 7235 2545.