Recommendations
Practical information and travel tips
Preparing for a trip to Peru requires a bit of organization. Here is the essential and updated information to ensure you have a completely peaceful stay.
Before the trip
- Passport: It should ideally be valid for at least 6 months after your planned departure date.
- Visas: For the vast majority of tourist stays under 3 months, a visa is not required for European or North American citizens.
- Vaccines: No vaccination is strictly mandatory to enter the country. However, the yellow fever vaccine is highly recommended (to be done at least 2 weeks before departure) if you plan to stay in the Amazon. Hepatitis A and B vaccines are also advisable.
In your suitcase
- Clothing: Pack comfortable walking shoes, essential for exploring sites like Machu Picchu. Also bring warm clothes (jacket, fleece), as nights at high altitudes can be very cold, even in the middle of summer. A swimsuit is useful for hotel pools or hot springs.
- Protection: An effective mosquito repellent is essential (especially in the Amazon), as is a very high SPF sunscreen (the sun beats down hard near the equator and in the mountains).
- First aid kit: Bring painkillers, bandages, a disinfectant, and an anti-diarrheal, as minor digestive issues are common during the first few days.
Currency and payments
- Currency: The local currency is the Sol (S/.) and its exchange rate fluctuates daily. The US dollar is also widely accepted in most hotels, restaurants, and agencies.
- Payment methods: Credit cards (particularly Visa and Mastercard) are accepted almost everywhere and you will find ATMs easily. However, always keep small change (coins and small bills under 20 soles) for purchases at markets, as small vendors rarely have much change.
- Vigilance: Get into the habit of checking the authenticity of your bills when exchanging money or receiving change. Keep in mind that bargaining is a common and accepted practice.
Health and altitude
- Water: Never drink tap water; always opt for sealed bottled water.
- Altitude sickness (Soroche): Above 3,000 meters, the air becomes thin. To avoid headaches, ascend gradually and rest on your first day. Preventative homeopathic treatments or local remedies (like coca leaf infusion) are very effective.
General safety and in Lima
- Basic rules: As anywhere, avoid showing off valuable items, luxurious jewelry, or large wads of cash on the street. Keep your important documents (passport) and your money in a safe place, ideally distributed in multiple places on your person. Do not let yourself be distracted by strangers trying to divert your attention (a bump, a stain on your clothes).
- Districts of Lima: The capital is a massive metropolis. Stick to well-secured tourist and residential districts (like Miraflores, San Isidro, or Barranco). The historic center is pleasant during the day but requires more caution after dark. Avoid peripheral districts like Callao, La Victoria, Rímac, or Ate, which pose real security risks (especially at night).
- Seismic activity: Peru is located in a seismic zone. Locals distinguish a temblor (a minor, common, and harmless tremor) from a terremoto (an earthquake causing damage). When entering a public building, locate the safety zones (indicated by a green sign with an "S") to use in case of a strong tremor.
Local transport
- Taxis: In Peru, taxis do not have meters, even in large cities. It is imperative to negotiate and agree on the fare with the driver before getting in. At night, always opt for official registered taxis (bearing an identification number) or secure mobile ride-hailing apps.
Departure formalities
- Customs and heritage: It is strictly forbidden, under penalty of imprisonment and fines, to take authentic pre-Columbian antiquities out of the country. If you buy beautiful artisan reproductions, carefully keep your receipts, as customs officers and airport experts may ask to see them before you board to prove they are not genuine archaeological artifacts.
- Documents: Keep the immigration form stamped upon your arrival at the airport in a safe place; it will be essential for your departure.
