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Safety and Emergencies:
Can
I get assistance from the Peruvian authorities if I have a
problem?
If you do encounter a problem, you can contact the Tourist
Police (Policia de Turismo) Click here for a list of numbers by
city.
Is
good quality medical care available?
Medical
care is generally quite good in private health care facilities
in urban areas, but less so in the rural parts of the country.
Urban facilities usually have modern equipment and someone on
staff that speaks English. It is highly recommended that you
take out travel insurance before you leave home. However,
hospitals and clinics often ask for cash payment up front. Make
sure that you keep all receipts so that you can be reimbursed
once you return home. Also, make sure that your travel insurance
includes medical evacuation. If you plan on doing any "dangerous
sports" such as riding motorcycles, scuba diving or even
trekking, ask if those activities are covered. They usually
aren't, but you can buy supplemental insurance to cover you. For
more detailed information about health, vaccinations, insurance
and medical facilities in
Is
it safe to travel in Peru?
Overall
Peru is a safe country. Pickpockets and crazy Lima traffic are
typically the biggest problems travelers will encounter. For a
detailed list of precautions
Transportation:
How
can I find a reasonably priced airline ticket to Peru?
No
matter where you are in the world, the staff in our travel
agency can help you find the best airfares and schedules to
Peru. They can also assist you with hotel accommodations, tours,
plane, train or bus reservations within the country, and much
more
Are
the trains and buses safe, comfortable and affordable?
Yes,
the trains and buses are safe and the service is quite good. In
our transport area, we have an extensive list of schedules and
fares. By European or North American standards, the prices are
very affordable. They are usually 3 different levels of service
and the prices vary according to the amenities offered. Some
buses even have waitress service and onboard movies. However, a
word of caution: keep a close eye on your hand luggage and
camera onboard buses, trains, and in the terminals. Pickpockets
and thieves often target weary travelers in these places. For
more information about transportation
Can
I rent a car in Peru?
Yes, you can rent a car in Peru but it is not recommended.
Aggressive drivers, poor road conditions, and long distances
between tour destinations make taking public transportation a
better (and usually more affordable) alternative. However, if
you do want to rent a car we have a list of the most popular
rental car companies including Hertz, Budget and Avis. Make sure
you look closely for hidden charges for items such as mileage
and insurance. You may want to make your reservations from your
home country. Click here for a list of phone numbers. You should
also get an international driver's license in your home country
Where
can I find bus, train and airline schedules and fares within
Peru?
We update the schedules and fares for buses, trains, and
airlines on a monthly basis Visa,
Vaccination, Customs and Embassy Information:
How
can I find the Peruvian Embassy in my country?
For
a list of Peruvian embassies in your country, click here.
What
if I need to contact my country's Embassy in Peru?
For
a list of embassies in Peru, click here.
Are
there any restrictions on what I can bring in or take out of
Peru?
You
may bring 2 liters of alcohol and 400 cigarettes into Peru duty
free. Items for personal use including cameras, laptops, and
travel gear can be brought in for personal use. It is illegal to
take any pre-Columbian art out of Peru and it is usually illegal
to enter into most countries with these artifacts. If you are
going to buy reproductions, do so from a reputable dealer and
obtain documentation from the National Institute of Culture
Vendors to show to customs officials. In the jungle vendors also
sell live exotic birds and animals. It is illegal to take these
endangered species outside of the country. Bags of cocoa leaves
are sold in Peru and are legal, but they are not legal in most
other countries. Although it would be impossible to produce any
significant amount of cocaine from one of these bags, it's not
worth the risk in bringing them back home.
Do
I need special vaccinations?
There
are no vaccinations that are required by law to enter Peru.
However, there are some that are recommended: Cholera, Hepatitis
A, Tetanus, Diphtheria, Typhoid and Yellow Fever. Many of these
vaccinations are recommended if you are spending any time in the
jungle. Malaria is also common in the Amazon region and you can
ask your doctor for malaria tablets. Check with your doctor at
least six weeks prior to traveling because some shots take time
to become effective. Ask them what they recommend and the
possible side effects of each vaccination. For further details
regarding vaccinations for Peru, visit the U.S. Center for
Disease Control's website at:
http://www.cdc.gov/travel/tropsam.htm
Do
I need to get a visa before I visit Peru?
All
people visiting Peru on business are required to have a visa.
For those visiting as tourists, citizens of the US, Canada, most
of Western Europe, Australia and New Zealand only need a valid
passport. Most visitors are given a tourist card that allows you
to stay in the country for up to 90 days. However, for a fee you
can extend your stay. Please check with your local embassy to
obtain verification and fuller details, as these may change.
Weather
and Climate:
What
is the best time to visit Peru weather wise?
That
depends on where you plan on visiting. There are three main
zones of Peru: the coast (La Costa), the mountains (La Sierra)
and the jungle (La Selva). If you are visiting the coastal
desert area, which includes Lima, then it is better to come
during Peru's summer months, December-March. Once you enter the
mountains or the jungle there are two seasons: wet and dry. If
you are planning on visiting La Sierra which includes such
tourist spots as: Cusco, the Sacred Valley, Machu Picchu, and
the Inca Trail you should come during the dry season which runs
from May-September. The best time to visit the jungle is also
during the dry months of May-October. For more information about
weather and temperatures throughout Peru, click here.
Money:
Will
my credit cards, ATM card, and traveler's checks work in Peru?
The
most widely accepted credit card in Peru is Visa. MasterCard is
also popular, but American Express and Diner's Club are not that
widely accepted. I find ATMs the best way to get money. Most of
them work on the Plus system, although you can find ATMs that
accept Star, Cirrus and Interlink. The downside of credit and
debit cards is that stores, hotels and restaurants will
sometimes add an 8% commission to the final bill.
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