- Quick Facts
- Capital: Lima
- Official Language: Spanish, Quechua, Aymara
- Currency: Peruvian Sol (PEN)
- Time Zone: UTC -5
- Entry Requirements
- Passport must be valid for at least 6 months.
- Most nationalities do not require a visa for tourist stays up to 183 days.
- Ensure your passport is stamped upon entry.
- Health & Immunizations
- Recommended vaccines: Hepatitis A, Hepatitis B, Typhoid, Rabies (for rural areas), and routine immunizations.
- Yellow Fever vaccine recommended if traveling to the Amazon region.
- Malaria prophylaxis may be needed in jungle areas.
- Altitude sickness is a risk in Cusco, Machu Picchu, and Andean regions.
- Climate & Temperatures
Season Months Avg. Temp (°C/°F) Notes Summer Dec – Mar 25°C to 30°C (77°F to 86°F) Warm, rainy in highlands Autumn Apr – May 20°C to 25°C (68°F to 77°F) Mild, dry season begins Winter Jun – Aug 15°C to 20°C (59°F to 68°F) Dry season in Andes, cooler in Lima Spring Sep – Nov 18°C to 24°C (64°F to 75°F) Pleasant, shoulder season - Packing List
- Layered clothing for varying climates (coastal, Andes, Amazon).
- Warm clothing for high-altitude areas.
- Rain jacket for wet season.
- Comfortable walking shoes and hiking boots.
- Sun protection: hat, sunglasses, sunscreen.
- Power adapter (Type A, B, C plugs, 220V).
- First aid kit and altitude sickness medication.
- Transportation
- Main international airport: Jorge Chávez International Airport (Lima)
- Domestic flights: Domestic flights connect Lima with Cusco, Arequipa, Iquitos, and other major cities
- Air travel is the primary means of connecting major regions for tourists.
- Electricity
- Voltage: 220V, Frequency: 60Hz
- Plug types: Type A, B, C
- Universal adapters recommended.
- Recommended Tipping
- Restaurants: 10% if not included.
- Guides: $10–20 per person/day.
- Drivers: $5–10 per person/day.
- Hotels: Small tips for housekeeping and porters.
- Food
- Peruvian cuisine is world-renowned and diverse.
- Staples include ceviche, lomo saltado, and causa.
- Andean dishes feature quinoa, potatoes, and corn.
- Chicha morada (purple corn drink) and Pisco Sour are popular beverages.
- Excellent vegetarian and vegan options in urban centers.
- Culture & Behavior Tips
- Respect indigenous traditions and local communities.
- Ask permission before photographing people, especially in rural areas.
- Dress modestly when visiting churches and sacred sites.
- Bargaining is common in markets, but always remain polite.
- Practical Tips
- ATMs widely available in cities; cash needed in rural areas.
- Internet access common in towns and hotels.
- Spanish is the main language; English spoken in tourist areas.
- Prepare for altitude changes when traveling in the Andes.
