Explore Peru

There are many traditional festivals in Peru and we recommend visiting at least once during your stay. With traditional costume, singing, eating, dancing and drinking abound, a good time is guaranteed for all involved. Andean regions have traditional activities and quite often include a ceremony with an Andean priest to bless the party! Each region has its different festivals and ways of celebrating and are a fascinating insight into local culture, wherever you are visiting! 

Greetings include a kiss on the cheek for women and handshake for men. Usually, this is accompanied with a good morning, good afternoon or good evening also. 

Peru has many private clinics offering a very good, yet expensive service. The chances of a stomach bug, altitude sickness or a mosquito-related illness are high, so it is always best to travel with a complete travel insurance which includes health care.  

Local pharmacy chains are well stocked and carry a lot of recognised medications. Always ask for the generic option in a pharmacy as they will try and sell you the brand name for a medication which are usually three times the price. 

All of the regular vaccinations are recommended such as typhoid, rabies, tetanus hepatitis A and B. Check with your local travel clinic before you travel. 

Mosquito-borne illnesses are prevalent in the jungle and coastal areas with dengue, malaria and zika all common. Bring insect repellent for jungle and coastal areas and use a mosquito net. 

Water is treated and heavily chlorinated in the cities but is best avoided. In remote regions, the water source often cannot be defined. Bottled water is widely available as are the giant "bidons" of water if you are staying for a while. Water and badly washed vegetables and salads are the primary source of stomach infections and are better avoided by drinking bottled water. Giardia is common and stomach infections also. Bring your ciprofloxacin with you in your first aid kit as a precaution! In remote areas boil treat and filter your water. 

We have already touched on the topic of Peruvian cuisine and its dishes are as vast and varied as the activities available in the country. Here are a few options to tickle the tastebuds. 

Lomo Saltado 

Strips of beef, tomatoes, onions and fried potatoes, stir-fried in a soy sauce and served with rice. Most restaurants serve it and it is a local favourite, originating from the coastal areas. 

Ceviche 

The national dish is raw fish and/or seafood, marinated in Peruvian lemon (much more acidic than the norm) with chilli. Best eaten on the coastal areas of course due to the ingredients this is an incredible dish served with corn kernels and an oniony side salad. Guinea Pig 

The traditional dish of the highlands is surprisingly delicious if not fiddly to eat! -a lot of bones! There are two types which are oven cooked, or chacteado (flattened and fried) Guinea pig is served whole, with head and all….do not expect any fillets with the "cuy"! 

Aji de Gallina 

A creamy yellow peanut and mild chilli sauce with strips of chicken is super- tasty. It is usually served with rice, a black olive and a boiled egg! 

Papa a la huancaina 

Similar to the above dish but with potatoes instead of chicken and served cold as a starter or a salad. 

Caldo de gallina 

Is a hearty chicken soup with chunky vegetables such as carrots, potatoes and other tubers. Often eaten for breakfast in the Andes, this really does warm the cockles on a cold morning! 

Locro de Zapallo 

This creamy pumpkin and mild chilli sauce with broad beans is a great traditional vegetarian option usually served with rice. Flavoursome and lighter than other options, it's truly delicious! 

Torta de tres leches 

This is milk, evaporated milk and sweetened condensed milk, all in a soggy sponge cake. Often topped with cinnamon its an incredible option for the sweeter tooth! 

Picarones  

Picarones are the Andean doughnut! They are a floury batter mixed with pumpkin and friend up just like a doughnut and smothered in a honey-like syrup….. Perfect for a cold Andean evening! 

Mazamora 

Mazamora is made from boiling up the purple corn and is a sweet purple accompaniment to the classic rice pudding or eaten on its own. It's a surprisingly tasty and relatively healthy dessert option! 

Pisco sour  

Is the national drink of Peru and made from Pisco, the local grappa with lemon, egg whites and sugar…mmmm 

Inka Cola 

Is the only drink that outsells Coca Cola in Peru. Its bright yellow, fizzy, tastes of bubble gum and is incredibly sweet as well as incredibly popular! 

Chicha Morada 

Has the same flavour as Mazamora but in liquid form! Made from the boiled purple corn and with added lemon and sugar, this is the perfect accompaniment to a ceviche, on a hot day. 

Peruvian people are very friendly. They will go out of their way to help you and offer advice.  

The people are generally conservative-minded, especially in the highlands. Quite often they will ask you to practice their English or find out where you are from. One of the main questions, for example, is "where is your husband?" which can be a "why are you travelling alone" or simply trying to pick you up but people will back off when you show no interest. 

Peru is football bonkers. The world comes to a halt if the national team are playing, or the local team come to that! With Peru's recent qualification to the last world cup, passions have only intensified! It's the local pastime all over Peru and people can be seen playing in the streets all over the country.  

Volleyball is the sport of choice mainly for women and a national pastime. 

Bullfighting is common in some coastal areas, especially in the outskirts of Lima. 

Peru has a thriving gay scene in Lima, Cusco and the jungle regions. People will usually laugh or make jokes, but it is rare that anything will go beyond that. Rural Andean areas are totally oblivious to minority groups and are generally accepting and humble people. Certain places may have a conservative attitude being a catholic society, but other than that, Peru is pretty much open-minded. 

Peru's currency is the Nuevo Sol and comes in denominations of s/. 10, 20,50 100 and 200 notes. The US dollar is also widely accepted especially for bigger purchases such as flights, hotels, tours etc. 

ATMs are everywhere except in the most remote regions and emit both soles and dollars. They don't usually allow large withdrawal amounts, and every transaction has its associated charge. 

Credit cards are widely accepted in stores, restaurants and hotels in towns and cities. 

In smaller towns and even in Cusco, change is an issue, so try and break up big notes and carry small change on you where possible. Soles are preferred everywhere and you will be hit in the pocket on exchange rates if the quotes price is in soles so try and use the currency you are being asked for, which tends to be soles. 

Money changers offer better exchange rates from dollars to soles than banks but try and use established money changers with a shop front as opposed to those standing in the street. 

There are all different types of accommodation options throughout Peru, depending on your budget. All of the major hotel chains are present in Lima, Cusco Arequipa and Trujillo. There are a number of top-end luxury hotels in Lima and Cusco with all the top-end facilities and prices but impressive original Inca stonework, offering something a little different from the norm.  

There are also many interesting, quirky boutique hotels if you prefer a place with more character. These are usually set in Spanish colonial buildings and have a luxury edge to them. There is a flourishing backpackers hostel set up throughout the major touristic destinations of Peru and this is a great way to meet up with other travellers. These are set up with bars, and restaurants with the aim of keeping you there as long as possible, they will also help you set up day tours and treks with their in -house travel agencies, which are cheap as chips yet with a no-frills service.  

Homestays in Andean communities are another popular option for a more authentic rural experience.  

Family-run B and B’s are also a cheaper, popular option and usually come with private bathrooms.  

The Amazon has a plethora of eco-lodges along the river in Puerto Maldonado and Tambopata and are rustic yet comfortable. Just remember that electricity is usually switched off during the day while the solar panels charge up and visitors are out on day trips. 

Most nationalities are given a 90-day visa on entry. Check with your local consulate for your specific country. You may stay up to 180 days each calendar year on a tourist visa. Your passport should have at least 6 months validity. There are many different types of visas available if you are planning to stay for a longer period of time. 

Peru is a relatively safe place to travel in general. The capital Lima has many inner-city issues, but the main tourist areas are safe to be. The same logic applies as in any other country, avoid dark streets and try to be discreet when taking out cash at ATMs.  

Violent crime is rare in Peru though petty crime is common in the cities. Bags laptops cell phones, etc. will disappear if left unattended.  

Pickpockets operate in crowded markets and bus terminals as well as on buses and usually work accompanied.   

A common way of stealing is to distract you by throwing ketchup or mayonnaise, then the "friendly lady" who is cleaning you up, will have already taken your belongings from your pocket! Taxi drivers are notorious for changing the price in Cusco and Lima, always try and have the correct amount ready. 

Women can travel safely in Peru in general, but will often attract unwanted attention if travelling alone, more- so with comments or whistles than anything else, but none-the-less annoying.