| Information & Tips for Lima & Peru Local Travel in Peru is not difficult by taxi if you know some Spanish. If your Spanish is limited you may not be able to communicate your intentions very well. In Peru taxis have NO meters so you must negotiate the fare BEFORE you start, not after. Ask the driver before you get in the taxi! If you do not speak Spanish, it is better to call for airport transportation or have your hotel arrange short trips. You could schedule Intercity bus travel yourself (such as Lima to Arequipa overnight via Cruz de Sur) but you will need to go to a bus ticket station which can be a daunting experience due to the crowds and sometimes heat or cold depending on time of the year. Overnight bus travelers are at risk from pickpockets. Travelling by air is much safer. However, non-residents will pay higher domestic air fares than Peruvians. Before you come: Make a photocopy of your passport and keep it with you separate from your wallet or purse. Scan your passport and upload the image to your email. Vaccinations: Special vaccinations are not needed to enter Peru, however, if you are travelling into jungle areas, check the Centers for Disease Control site for the latest information. Medicines: If you are taking a specific medicine please bring it with you because Spanish names of pharmaceuticals will be different. Bring enough special medication for TWICE the estimated stay. Many drugs that usually require prescriptions in the USA or Europe can be bought over the counter in Peru. You can ask a pharmacist to assist you but do not expect them to speak English! If you need to replace medication locally, take the bottle and/or packaging with you to the chemist/drugstore. Also, you will find lots of pharmacies here. Finally, prices are better here and you get 24 hour delivery! Well known pharmacies are Boticas Fasa (619-9000), Botica Inka Farma (314-2020) , Boticas BTL (612-5000), and Farmacom (462-0047). Safety: First of all Lima is not so dangerous, but like in any big city, you should be careful with your personal items. Leave your passport and most money in the hotel. Many hotels have a safe and will store your goods. Take care carrying your camera. Men, do not let your wallet stick out from your back pocket! Women should hold their purse close to their body, not hanging by long straps. When riding in a taxi, make sure your door is locked and your window rolled up. If you are taking an overnight bus or train, be especially careful to keep your most important items, such as your passport and money, on you, in zipped pockets if possible. Do not carry all of your credit cards with you when leaving hotel. Leave one in the hotel safe with your passport. Men can avoid carrying a wallet or you can keep it in your front pocket with your hand over it while walking. You should keep one piece of identification with you such as a driver's license, but not your passport. Changing money: The US dollar and Euros are accepted in Peru (Soles) but you need local currency for taxis and small purchases like pisco sours and ice cream! In restaurants catering to tourists you may use your credit cards with no problems. You could show your driver’s license for identification, if asked. You may use your credit cards in most department or clothing stores also. ATM machines abound in cities and you can find them in banks or in shopping centers like Larco Mar. Peru is a little different from most Central American and South American countries because money changers are on many streets legally. They are called cambistas. If possible go with a native to change money on the street because it could be counterfeit. Or you can go to a bank. The most important thing to remember is not to follow someone who claims to be a money changer into a dark alley. It is best to change money in the open with people around, especially guards or police. Being in the open is actually protective. In Lima, Miraflores, you can try the Calle de Pizza, at Parque Kennedy. Also, money changers usually hang out at McDonalds. But you are likely to find them at major intersections, especially those with banks. You can check the currency exchange rates on the Internet but all cambistas will be nearly the same rate. To avoid the possibility of theft, don't change more money than you will need for a day or so. Remember you can use your credit card in most restaurants and stores serving tourists, so you should not need to carry a lot of cash. Purchasing Handicrafts: In Lima there are at least two Inca markets for buying textiles, purses, and rugs, for example. One of these is near Parke Kennedy, diagonally across McDonalds and the Swiss restaurant. You could walk to it if you are in this area. The other is between Miraflores and the airport in Callao. It must be reached by taxi. Emergencies: The police station in Miraflores can be reached at (511)-243-2190 or (511) 313-3773. Use 116 for fire, and for a central emergency police number use 105. For medical ambulance call 225-4040 or 437-7071, 2411-911, 612-6666, 312-6070, or 523- 5332. There are many international-class hospitals in Lima, such as the Clinica Anglo Americana at 712-3000. Water: Is better to drink only bottled water because the processing of tap water is different from abroad. Electric current: 220V Many hotels have 100V outlets. Chargers for cell phones and computers can use both types of currents. Also the outlets will accept your cell or computer connections. Bring new batteries in battery operated appliances. Wi-fi: Many hotels have FREE Wi-fi. There are many 'Internet cabinas' or locutorios for making cheap international phone calls. Using the Internet is about 2 or 3 soles per hour. Weight and measures: Metric system only. Time: Lima time is the same as Eastern Standard Time except when daylight savings time is in effect. Then Peru will be one hour earlier than EST. Customs: Objects of archaeological, historical or artistic value may be taken out of the country only if you carry the proper permit. Peru has international agreements with most countries for the confiscation and the return of the objects when taken abroad. When you enter Peru you will be issued an entry card. Do NOT lose this or you will pay a fine and be delayed on exiting customs. Keep your passport safe at all times. Weather: The city of Lima has an arid and semi-warm climate. The average annual maximum temperature is 21,97ºC (71,4ºF) and the minimum is 17ºC (62ºF). Airport Departure Taxes: May be included in your airfare but about $30 USD if not. American Embassy in Lima, Peru U.S. Embassy in Lima, Peru, Avenida La Encalada cdra. 17 s/n, Surco Lima 33 PERU Phone: (51-1) 434-3000. FOR CHILDREN: Pen, pencil, book, toys, picture cards, portable games, backpack Addresses for friends Single use Camera LUGGAGE Mark each piece of luggage so that it can be clearly identified as yours. Put colored cord on the handle as it cannot be mistaken as can a side sticker for example. |
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| Lima Trans Tour Your Information Resource for the City of Lima Peru Peru Tourist Information |
