Traveling on your own. Peru travel tips

So, you have gathered in one of the most mysterious countries in the world. Behind the long search for information, ahead - the unknown. What to take with you is one of the most frequent and pressing questions that I will try to answer. There are some additions to it ... Peru is far from being a top travel destination, so there is often very little information about it. But this country certainly deserves the closest attention! Let's start with what to bring.

Weather and clothes

Peru has a unique geographical location- immediately in 3 climatic zones: coast, mountains and selva. All of them are very different.

Coast

It is worth remembering that Peru is already in the southern hemisphere, so when we have summer, it is winter there. Winter, of course, is very conditional - a tropical riot of greenery in all 3 zones, but still the temperature is low.

On the coast, the main point is the capital, Lima. In our summer, its sky is covered with thick fog - garua, and the temperature rarely rises above +18 degrees. Proximity Pacific Ocean leaves its mark: winds often blow here, and the ocean itself is very cold - a cold current passes nearby. Therefore, clothing should include a warm jacket or windbreaker, T-shirts, pants. I already bought a blouse made of alpaca wool on the spot and walked along the shore in it, it wasn’t superfluous for sure - it can be especially cold in the evenings. If you take a ride on an open-top tourist bus - so in general.

In our winter, and in their summer it is warm and sunny on the coast, the weather is not much different from our summer. But still, a light blouse never hurts. The Pacific Ocean in Lima is not at all quiet)) the waves are big, a paradise for surfers, so it can be cool on the embankments in the evening.

Selva

Otherwise, the Amazon jungle. This is one of the most coveted and hard-to-reach areas not only in Peru, but also in the world. But if you are lucky enough to visit there, you need to be most attentive to this particular zone, which is fraught with many pitfalls and nuances.

I must say right away that there is no clear division into seasons in terms of temperature: almost the whole year it is very hot here (up to +40 and above according to sensations) and humid (almost 100% humidity). But in our summer there is a dry season - the water recedes, you can safely go into the jungle, and in our winter - the rainy season - the river returns to its possessions. At this time, there are more cloudy days, and in summer there is more sun.

So, clothes. Despite the heat and humidity, to go to the Amazon jungle you need to take at first glance unusual clothes that will save you from many problems:

• closed tight pants, but breathable,
• closed shirts or jackets with sleeves so that the arms and body are as closed as possible, but at the same time breathe,
• sun hat,
• old sneakers (namely, closed sneakers!), which after a hike it will not be a pity to throw away,
• several pairs of socks. which are also not a pity to throw away later (clay is very caustic, it is difficult to wash even in a typewriter later, and there is simply no time on the spot),
• breeches and top (more open clothes) - when sailing on a boat,

From improvised materials we definitely take:

• flashlight (electricity - only 2 hours in the evening, the rest of the time - pitch darkness and a crazy cacophony of sounds, a flashlight is also useful in the morning - sometimes you need to get up at 4 in the morning, and it gets light not earlier than 5.30 - 6.00. And in general, hissing, croaking, rustling are often heard right next to it, and it won’t hurt to check if unexpected “guests” have come)) although there is a grid, but there are holes on it),
• repellents (larger and “more vigorous”), although they often do not help, they will not be superfluous later in the mountains,
• a first aid kit with all types of medicines (antiallergic, painkillers, disinfectants, etc.)
• wet wipes (from the heat and just for hygiene),
• Yellow fever vaccination is a must! + malaria pills for prevention (not clothes, but no less necessary!)

In the rainy season, a raincoat will not be superfluous. Rubber boots are also useful (during the dry season too), but they are usually provided by the guide.

Despite the closeness, clothing should be as light as possible, pleasant to the body and comfortable, especially shoes. Because it is incredibly difficult to make your way with a machete through thickets, roots and vines, a hundred sweats will come off in just a couple of hours, and if something else is uncomfortable, this is the finish ...

About closed clothing - it’s clear what it is for: to prevent a bite, wound or cut. because any small wound heals for a very long time in stagnant air and heat. Yes, and it will be easier to wade through the thicket in closed clothes.

And yes, do not take light (especially white) clothes for a hike in the jungle, it attracts the attention of insects and other living creatures, standing out from the general color scheme of the forest. Therefore, you need to pick up something suitable, khaki, gray or the like.

Shirts and pants - two sets are better (especially shirts), because it is useless to wash - it does not dry in the heat, and there is no time to do it. In the lodge - only an overnight stay for 7 hours, the rest of the time - hiking, extreme sports and adventures.

As for the protective sun cream, then, in principle, you can take it, not for the jungle, but it will come in handy for the mountains. It is useless in the jungle - the crowns are closed so tightly that the sun does not hit, and closed clothes, and when you swim in the boat, there is a thatched roof (a typical Amazonian boat).

You need to go to the jungle as light as possible, all suitcases must be left in the hostels in the luggage rooms in the city. Bring a small backpack with everything you need. Necessarily - chargers for the phone and camera, because you can shoot there for days, but charging is more difficult: electricity is provided for only 2 hours in the evening from a common generator. The more powerful the battery or charger, the better.

Well, in terms of hygiene, I can reassure you: the lodges have an impromptu shower, sometimes even in every room, but the water - straight from the Amazon - is cool, but in the heat - just super! yes and colorful))

In general, everything seems to be. The rest is up to you. I took a notebook, kept something like a diary, read a book (but this is always with me in case of flight connections and other expectations), etc. Everything that fits into a backpack is all yours)) But clothes and necessary items take up most of it anyway.

A few more words about repellents. I had 1 large can of almost dichlorvos, but Amazonian mosquitoes don't know it)) they bite right through the clothes, so it's important to spray all the clothes too. The only repellent. which eventually helped - natural, from termites, frayed in the palms ... When you sail on a boat or are in the Amazonian settlements, mosquitoes are almost inaudible, but in the most often there are clouds of them, and the bites then do not heal for a long time, itching ... For 3 days my whole can is gone, so you can safely take 2, they will come in handy in the mountains, there are also not mosquitoes, but biting midges. In the dry season, they say, they are few, but in the jungle (more often) they are always there. Still air is the ideal habitat.

The mountains

The longest mountains on Earth are the Andes and, in my opinion, the most beautiful. The mountainous part of Peru is a special world with a special climate as well.

The city of Cusco, where most tourists arrive before visiting Machu Picchu (and what about without the capital of the Inca Empire ?!), is located at an altitude of 3.5 km in the Andes. Here, almost everyone gets altitude sickness. It manifests itself in varying degrees - for someone it is easier (my version), for someone - up to medical care and an oxygen cylinder, which are sold everywhere here.

And if you fly from the Amazonian lowland immediately to this height, the mountain is provided ... Therefore, a few tips at once. how to avoid it.

Signs of altitude sickness, in principle, are described everywhere, but since the advice, then I will describe them:

• dizziness
• nausea
• "wobbly" legs
• dyspnea
• lack of oxygen
• dryness in the throat (like sand there), etc.

And since the streets of Cusco. in addition to their height, they also go up and down every now and then, this is generally a test at first ...

So. First, be sure to drink plenty of water, just liters. About the fact that you need to drink only bottled water in such countries, I hope everyone remembers. It is cheap in Cusco - 1 salt (0.3 dollars), so you can stock up right away. Even if you drink 3-4-5 liters, there will be nothing but gratitude from the body. Especially on the first day, usually on the 2nd day the miner is already gradually receding.

Secondly, to alleviate their condition by various means. They say that coca leaves help - chew, drink tea, whatever. I tried - they really help, but not to the end, rather, they just give strength, reduce cottoniness in the legs and shortness of breath.

From the main and most unpleasant symptoms - nausea and slight dizziness - I was helped by pills, the famous "sorochi", about which a lot has been written here and everywhere, and obviously those who are preparing for independent trip heard about them. Here they are really effective. And, by the way, they also include the same coca leaves, and a few more herbs. Therefore, they are absolutely harmless.

There are many names and types of these tablets, they cost a penny, they are sold everywhere. They recommend drinking them 2 times a day (morning and evening), but on the first day I drank them every 3 hours, it helped a lot. Then the body adapts, and already on the 2nd day the miner will almost not be felt.

Now oh weather. It is always cold in the mountains, even in the Peruvian summer. And even more so in winter. Of course, this is an evergreen winter, with fragrant flowers, a riot of greenery, etc., but, nevertheless, in the morning in Cusco it was 0 degrees, and in the afternoon it was +14.

Of course, you shouldn’t take a fur coat)) but a sleeveless jacket on a synthetic winterizer or a jacket is very even. You will quickly remove it later, but in the first hours of the morning - the thing is simply irreplaceable. And not all hostels are heated. I had a very budget one and without heating - all 4 blankets were on top at night and it was not hot.

So, an approximate mountain wardrobe:

• sleeveless jacket on synthetic winterizer or jacket
• jacket with sleeve
• comfortable pants for mountain walks and generally around the city
• T-shirt (sleep and put on, and even undress sometimes - it can be hot)
• sneakers (the most comfortable, because the streets of the towns are entirely pavers) well, and not the ones in the jungle, because they will be unusable after hiking in the thicket, you can immediately throw them away; it is also important that their soles bend, because sometimes you have to climb very narrow steps half a foot long, you can practically walk on your toes),
• again - a hat or a cap on your head (the level of UV radiation in Cusco and the mountains is the highest in the world!),
• from here immediately - sun cream (useful at least for the face, because the rest of the body is closed),
• repellents (in the mountains there is also a jungle with steps cut into them, a lot of midges and mosquitoes (less in winter, more in summer), so it won’t hurt)

Here is such a list.

All this is the principle of “cabbage”, in the morning you put everything on, and then gradually take it off))

The documents

The most important factor. Everything is simple here - a foreign passport, a migration card - upon arrival. At passport control, say how many days you have arrived, and they issue the so-called “Andean card” - a migration-type card with a specified length of stay (usually it is 2 times more than necessary).

With you - be sure to have a certificate of vaccination (international), if the connections are in Panama - they will ask for sure, if not, then no, but for peace of mind you need it.

For convenience - printed tickets - air, rail and entrance. Railway and entrance - only paper, they are stamped. Air tickets are also desirable to have in printed form, because sometimes they may be asked. For example, I was asked on a flight from Peru when I was flying from Cuba (transit) to Moscow and asked to show my ticket. So don't guess.

Well, and booking hotels and hostels. Sometimes they are asked. And if the owners, as in two cases I had, are elderly people, they need a piece of paper))

Travel insurance is a must. Preferably with a larger amount of insurance, indicating the column " leisure”, etc. Thank God if it is not useful, but this is at least some kind of guarantee that, in which case, help will be provided. It was somehow scary in my insurance, the item “Transportation of the remains included” did not give rest ... But in the case of climbing Mount Huayna Picchu, this is not superfluous, although, of course, the devil is not so terrible in the end ...

In general, it is better to print everything on such trips. The phone is good, but it can be discharged, broken, etc. So it’s better to play it safe the old fashioned way.

So, in the end - an approximate list of documents:

• the passport
• insurance
• migration card (issued upon arrival, keep until departure back)
• air tickets, railway tickets, etc. - all segments (I had 9 air tickets)
• vaccination certificate
• hostel reservations (naturally in Spanish)

Already from this description it is clear that your suitcase will be decently filled. But this is the need that will allow you to feel as comfortable as possible in conditions that are far from ideal and familiar to us.

From what I wanted to say - perhaps everything. Happy travels and memorable adventures to you!

(beaches and condors)→ Lima→ home (Madrid→Vilnius→Minsk)

We traveled all the way across the land in buses. They watch the same for two weeks, flying by planes.

They wanted and succeeded, but no:

▫ Amazon jungle: Iquitos or Puerto Maldonado

▫ Huaras: national park, Pastoruri glacier, one-day hikes to the lagoons in the mountains of the Cordillera Blanca. After Bolivia, there was no strength to climb 5000m+ again

You can see twice as many places. Or fly to Lima and fly home from La Paz so as not to return the same way. Or drive from Bolivia to Brazil via Argentina to ocean to ocean.

There are a lot of options, but my goal was to feel at least a little bit of Peru, and not jump around the sights. already published, below practical infa.

Flights to Peru

* rt- two-way ticket
ow- one way ticket

There are no direct flights from Russia and Belarus to Peru. Standard price from Moscow 1000-1500$rt for KLM tickets, Air France, British Airways with a change in London, Paris or Amsterdam. Options:

1. Buy six months to a year

2. Catch a sale. There were no adequate prices from the Russian Federation for a long time, at the sales of Lima from Msk from 1000$+rt

3. Fly with a transfer to the USA ( need a US visa even if you don't plan to leave the airport)

4. Fly from Europe(Madrid, Barcelona, ​​Milan, Rome), need multi schengen.

5. Fly to a neighboring country. Brazil (Sao Paulo) from Russia is cheaper - from $790 rt Turkish Airlines from Moscow with a change in Istanbul. Just keep in mind that the distances in South Africa are gigantic, and flights between countries are expensive.

6. To Panama, Argentina, Chile happens on 400-500€ rt from European cities: Amsterdam, Rome, Madrid. To Brazil a couple of times a year with TAP for 130-180€ one way, also from Europe (Lisbon, Rome, Milan).

Our option

It was not possible to plan, so we chose the easy way. Madrid-Lima tickets can not be bought in advance. Standard Price 650-730$rt both a couple of days before the flight, and six months to a year.

Only Madrid is expensive to get to. Ryanair raises prices if there are several days before departure. You have to play with the dates, watch the tickets to Barcelona.

flew Air Europe direct flight Madrid-Lima-Madrid 684$ for a ticket. Bought three days before departure. To Vilnius by train, from there Ryanair to Madrid, night and day in Madrid.

About Air Europe:

▫ low cost, aircraft not older than 5 years
▫ fly 11 o'clock, fed twice
▫ choice of seat - surcharge 20-45€
▫ is free hand luggage up to 10 kg, luggage 1 piece up to 23 kg
▫ queues at Madrid airport are moving at space speed
▫ at the Lima airport, the flea market is out of the blue. If you are flying with Air Europe, arrive at the airport in advance. KLM and other decent companies are not affected. We stood in line for 2 hours, online check-in and machines in Lima did not work. Without luggage, you can immediately go to the counter without a queue.

Well hello Lima!

Prices in Peru

Housing and food prices in Peru are comparable to those in Asia. It came as a surprise to me - I always considered South America sky-high expensive. Peru and Bolivia, this fact concerns only partly. Yes, not very cheap, but not enough to give up the dream.

The main expense is airfare there. Domestic flights also from $50+. It will not work to fly for $ 5 in Peru, and even more so between the countries of South Africa.

Vacation 10-14 days to Peru-Bolivia will cost the same as 30-40 days budget backpacking. Average, 2000-2500$+ from a person for everything, including air tickets. The amount can be both reduced and increased indefinitely. Tourism is well developed, there are options for people with any needs.

For two weeks I want to squeeze the maximum. Therefore, a tight schedule, planes, excursions every day, food at prices for tourists. There is simply no time to save.

Can be cheap if a lot of time. Cheap hotels, buses on the ground, cook yourself, order menu del dia or dishes from the offer in a cafe. Proficiency in Spanish helps reduce the budget.

Housing prices

When it’s like this around, you can score on everyday comfort for a while

Visa not required for Peru

Russians, Belarusians, Ukrainians up to 183 days(tourism). Free stamp at the airport and at any border. There are no entry and exit fees.

The border was crossed twice. They ask the purpose of the visit and how many days you will be in Peru. I have the first stamp for 54 days, for M. for 90, the second stamp for both of them is for 20 days.

According to reviews, everyone is put on 60-90 days. 183 days you have to ask. They didn't ask for return tickets.

Vaccinations

There are no mandatory vaccinations. Vaccination against no yellow fever unless you are going to the Amazon jungle. Nobody asked for a certificate.

Yellow fever vaccination in Lima

Vaccinated against yellow fever Lima airport arriving from Madrid.

Why vaccination?
a). there was a plan to fly to Iquitos (Peruvian Amazon)
b). Belarusians need a certificate for a Bolivian visa

Where do they do it?
Arrived in Lima, passed passport control and customs, they changed money in the exchanger at a bad rate. We don't leave the airport. We go left to the very end at the Domestic departure terminal.

Office to the right of the escalator Servicio de Sanidad. They instilled us at 6 in the morning in 15 minutes, gave us yellow books, payment only in cash, 148 soles ($49)/piece

Certificate is valid after 10 days after vaccination. Fly for a short time and plan for the Amazon - get vaccinated at home in advance.

Ordinary Peruvians have no time to learn languages

Language

Spanish is spoken in Peru. Basic words, questions and numbers are best learned. You won't get lost without knowledge of Spanish, it's just cheaper with the language. Bargaining in cafes, hotels, markets in Spanish or with a calculator.

I learned Spanish for a long time with the Rosetta Stone program. In Mexico, I went to a tutor for a week, I regularly listen to books and songs. Conversations with locals in their language, English in Peru only for communication with travelers.

Security in Peru

We went to tourist places, got into street taxis, walked around the cities in the dark, went to the mountains alone. All OK. There were two controversial points:

1. In Puno, I overheard a Russian girl telling her friends that an earring with a diamond was missing in the hotel. It is standard here: we leave jewelry and valuables at home. Or we carry it quietly in a pocket so as not to provoke people.

2. On the Lima-Nasca bus, the driver yelled at us because they didn't check in our backpacks. Like, the south of Peru is dangerous, the bandits will come in and take everything away. Didn't come.

The rest of the stories are from the category “grandmother told grandmother”, that is, gossip. According to the Peruvians, there is a security problem in the country, there are a lot of police on the streets and along the highway, but not enough. Whether the danger concerns tourists, I do not know.

altitude sickness

At an altitude of 3000-4000m+ mountain sickness can begin. To avoid it, we build with gradual climb.

✔ Lima → Paracas → Huacachina → Nazca → Ollantaytambo (or Urubamba) → Machu Picchu → Cusco → Puno → Arequipa → Colca Canyon → Huaraz → Lima

✔ Lima → Puerto Maldonado (or Iquitos) → plane to Cusco (we don’t spend the night, we immediately go to Machu Picchu or Urubamba / Ollantaytambo) → Cusco → Rainbow Mountains → Puno → Bolivia

✘ Lima → Pastoruri Glacier (5000m) → La Paz (3600m) → Uyuni (3500-5000m)

Mountain sickness manifests itself in different ways. Some don't feel anything. Someone in Cusco arrives from the coast and hello. Or from Lima immediately rushes to the Pastoruri Glacier (5000m) in Huaraz. Do not do it this way.

To stay energized:

a) sleep at night

b) to drink a lot of water

in) set aside a day or two (or more) for rest and adaptation at an altitude of 3500+ (for example, in Cusco)

G) coca tea - buy a bag of leaves for 1 salt and pour boiling water over them - relaxes the body, relieves headaches.

Across Peru-Bolivia they rush at a gallop. They sleep in night buses, do not undergo proper adaptation at altitude. Holidays are short, but you want to catch a lot.

The body works at the expense of its internal resources. If the energy is not replenished, failures begin (dizziness as with a hangover, indigestion, lethargy).

A miner attacked me in Uyuni during an overnight stay at 4400m. Until this month, no symptoms.

What to take with you

Dressed up in the markets of Peru. You don’t look like that at home, but on the way you can

There was no Instagram diva in our duet, therefore, in a simple way, without flying dresses. clothing layers in any season. It is warm on the coast and in the deserts, but not in the mountains at night.

AND: pants, fleece, jacket (preferably with a hood), 4 T-shirts, shorts, leggings, sneakers, socks, flip flops, underwear, swimsuit for hot springs
Bought there: jacket, T-shirts, sneakers, hat, gloves, warm socks for Uyuni.

M: sneakers, pants, fleece, jacket, 3 shirts, shorts, socks, swimming shorts
Bought there: 6 shirts, gloves, hat

Laundries in any city 1-1.5$/kg Dropped off in the morning, picked up in the evening.

Trekking boots and warm pants were not needed. Good thing I didn't take it.

My backpack weighed 4 kg on the way there and 6 kg back. Plus a small backpack 2 kg with a laptop and wallets.

Easy with a suitcase too. The buses have a luggage compartment, you can carry up to 20 kg even with the cheapest ticket.

10 facts about Peru that you should know

1. Money

The currency of Peru is the Peruvian Sol (PEN)

1$ = 3.3 PEN
1€ = 3.9 PEN
1 PEN = 20 Russian rubles

▫ $ exchange rate: 3.03 at Lima airport, 3.23 at some generous banks.

▫ More profitable change $ or € than to withdraw from the card. Rubles are not worth taking.

▫ They accept dollars in hotels, on excursions at a bad rate. We change $ for salts in any bank and pay in salts.

▫ Withdrawal fee 17-19 soles ($5-6). According to data from the forums, an ATM Scotiabank does not take a commission (he took from me)

▫ Maximum 400sol at a time ($120). You can withdraw, for example, 1200 soles in three amounts and pay a $15 commission ($5 for each withdrawal). Only one ATM in Urubamba dispensed 700 soles at a time.

If you know ATMs with an increased limit that do not charge a commission, please tell us in the comments.

2. Bank card

▫ Cash in Peru is easier and more profitable, cards are not always accepted.

▫ Have VISA card. Preferably in dollars. Visa and mastercard badges hang everywhere, while in cafes and hotels there is a commission of 5-7% (ask about the commission before paying).

3. Housing

▫ We rent a hotel for booking for 1 night(genius status at a discount), then we extend it on the spot - the second night will be cheaper by 5-10% (relevant for the low season, when there are many free hotels).

▫ You enter for the first time from the street - the price is higher than at booking.com. We look at the real price in advance online and bargain if there is a craving for finding housing on the spot.

4. Communication

▫ Wifi everywhere in hotels and cafes. We didn’t buy a local SIM card, I didn’t study the issue.

▫ Transfer banks to push notifications(they only need internet).

▫ MTS roaming sometimes disappeared in the mountains, SMS came late. In Peru it is not so important, in Bolivia problems with roaming are more common.

5. Taxi

Uber there is in Lima, Arequipa, Cusco. Enjoyed the function uber pool(the driver can pick up other passengers along the way). Once a girl sat down in Lima, usually it was just us.

In other cities, look on the street (there are a lot of cars at every step) and bargain. Often the hosts were so generous that they called or hailed a taxi for us - even cheaper than Uber.

6. Tours

Book online only if you need a specific individual tour or Inca Trail to Machu Picchu, where they fit in six months.

One day group tours Peru is a cheap way to see natural attractions. It’s cheaper on the spot than online. We arrived in the city, go to the center, find out the prices and conditions in travel agencies. You don't need to book in advance. Bought in the evening and left in the morning.

The guide is usually bilingual. Explains in detail in Spanish, then a short translation into English. Tours where the guide speaks only English are more expensive.

7. Souvenir stamp

On Machu Picchu put in the passport souvenir stamp(If you want and are ready to stand in line). Such a stamp = an invalid passport, in the future there will be problems with Schengen and obtaining other visas.

You are a citizen of Russia and dream of a Machu Picchu stamp - take it old passport or second foreign for these purposes. Otherwise, the passport with a souvenir stamp will have to be changed.

8. Sockets

Like ours, no adapter needed

9. Discounts in cafes

Standard price for a dish in a decent cafe 10-15$ . BUT! You can bargain. I first encountered this in Peru. AT tourist cities like Cuzco, Ollanta or Machu Picchu there are barkers waving menus.

— Hello, welcome blah blah blah
- Seriously? $10-15 for a serving of potatoes with salad?
— Oh, do you speak Spanish? - the promoter breaks into a smile, switches to his native language and chatters about offer, which is ready for $ 10 to serve three dishes and compote.

For example, pizza on the menu is 45sol ($14), the offer is 30sol ($9) for pizza and 2 drinks. Or a burger on the menu 25sol ($7.5), under the offer 15sol ($4.5) for a burger, fries, drink.

It seems like a trifle, but when it is daily, the savings are significant. Are looking for menu del dia, lunch menu or offer.

10. What to bring from Peru

Poncho 100$, after bidding 50$

For home: ethnic pillowcases, plaids, tablecloths.

Clothing: sweaters with alpaca 9$ ), poncho ($50/piece, if the wool is natural), T-shirts ( 5-7$ ), backpacks, Peruvian colorful sneakers ( 7$ ).

You yourself will see everything when you go to the San Pedro market in, the Witches Market in or any other.

In Peru, you can also buy urban clothes. They have the coolest lightweight cotton. I bought myself blouses and pajamas in the shops of Arequipa 5-7$ .

✗ It is impossible to import into the Russian Federation, the Republic of Belarus, the Republic of Kazakhstan any goods and products that containing coca. In Peru and Bolivia, coca is legalized, even duty-free shops sell tea with coca, chocolate with coca, icicles with coca, etc. There is a temptation to take the "taste of Peru" with you. Not worth it.

What to try in Peru

People try ayahuasca and a decoction of the San Pedro cactus. I have no such experience, so about the banality.

3 salts ( 1$ ) at Lima's fisherman's place or 30 soles ( 10$ ) at the gringo cafe.

1. Ceviche is a traditional Peruvian cold dish. Pieces of raw fish marinated in lime juice for 15 minutes. Served with onions, corn kernels, sweet potatoes or cassava.

2. Chicha, 0.5-1sol in the street, 3-8 sol in the restaurant

Chicha morada- black corn compote

Chicha de hora(chicha de jora) is a traditional Andean drink made from white corn. Made in clay jugs, alcohol 1-3% (like kvass). It is better to look for such chicha in the villages. We saw a house near which there is a stick with a red bag wrapped around it - we knock and ask about chicha.

There is chicha from quinoa, chicha frutiyada with strawberries.

3. Kui- a guinea pig that starts breeding 15 minutes after birth. Festive meal for the whole family. Serve whole, rarely sliced.

4 Bistec de Alpaca- alpaca chop or fried llama. In any cafe of the Sacred Valley of the Incas (Ollantaytambo, Cusco).

5. Fruit

▫ mango juicy and large, red and yellow - divine!
▫ granadilla- seeds in sweet liquid - super!
▫ passion fruit(similar to granadilla)
▫ pepino- melon pear. It tastes like a mixture of plums, pears and melons.
▫ cherimoya- like a sweet apple with strawberry and banana flavor
▫ avocado- 3 pieces for $1. Satisfying, useful.

Papaya, lettuce, cucumbers, tomatoes, potatoes, pomegranates, grapes are also in abundance. In supermarkets, fruits and vegetables are hard and tasteless. It is better to stock up on the markets.

6. Tea and chocolate

Liked the bars Sublime for 1.5 sol/piece. Sold in any village. At the height of chocolate is useful.

In Peru, they drink herbal tea in bags with the taste of coca, anise, chamomile, apple. If you want coca tea, buy a bag of dried leaves for 1 salt and pour boiling water over them - much tastier than the factory one.

Fast food in Cusco, 2 plates for $11

7. Other food There is a lot of food in Peru, mostly meat dishes. The side dish is always the same: a duet of rice and French fries. From what is clear:

▫ Milanesa de pollo— chicken fillet fried in breadcrumbs + rice, potatoes, salad

▫ Milanesa de pollo a lo pobre- added egg, sausage and fried banana

▫ Lomo (pollo) saltado- beef (chicken), fried with onions and tomatoes

▫ Pau pau pollo- chicken fillet pieces in vegetable sauce

▫ Chicharron de pollo- chicken nuggets in batter

▫ Сhicharron de mariscos- seafood nuggets (squid or octopus)

For Vegetarians rice and salad. French fries are always served (rice with potatoes, pasta with potatoes), just boiled is unrealistic to find.

If you don't eat meat, remember that Carne only called here red meat. pollo(chicken) is not meat for them. That is, you ask for quinoa soup without meat (sin carne) - you get chicken bones in the broth.

Salad, 7$

We spent on food 415$ a month for two. Personal record low. Peruvian cuisine (which is the best in the world) did not suit me. 2 poisonings in a row hinted at this opaquely. Probably, you need to go to pretentious restaurants in order to be imbued.

Peru has delicious fruits, vegetables, sheep cheese. The first days we ate in a cafe, then we tried to rent a house with a kitchen and cook salads with vegetables, avocados, cheese, eggs and boiled potatoes. This is a special case. People without problems like Peruvian cuisine.

Preparation: in advance or on the spot?

Vacation 1-2 weeks

There are a lot of questions on the spot that need to be addressed. "Base" is best prepared in the comfort of home.

Houses:

✓ Buy round-trip air tickets
✓ Create a route
✓ Think over logistics
✓ Book accommodation, flights and buses. Especially if you don't know Spanish.
✓ Get vaccinated against yellow fever if you plan to visit the Amazon

✓ Download map of Peru in the app maps.me, put marks of the necessary places
✓ Install Uber

✓ Switch banks to push notifications in case of roaming problems
✓ Put money on the card Visa
✓ If you have only one bank card, and in rubles, it is more profitable to withdraw money from it at home in dollars.
✓ Exchange rubles for $ if you are traveling with cash

On site: buy one-day tours in local agencies (2-3 times cheaper than online), order a taxi, pay for tickets to attractions.

Travel 1 month+, our option

✓ Tickets purchased from mid-April to the end of May, arrival and departure from Lima
✓ Accommodation for two nights in Lima (Miraflores)
✓ Wish List
✓ Guide Lonely Planet Peru on the phone
✓ Installed map of Peru and Bolivia in the application maps.me, marked cities along the route
✓ The evernote hodgepodge of useful tips: what to try, how to save money - only the most important
✓ List of sites that may be useful: bus companies, blogs, forum reports

The longer you drive, the less you want to follow the plan. The downside is that every evening I spent 2-3 hours on further planning (booking a hotel in the next city, buying tickets, searching for interesting local places). We traveled only by buses (airplanes a day or two before departure are more expensive).

Relaxation? in Peru

The questions people ask Google include the word "holiday" in Peru (haha). You can relax if the weekly budget is $5000+, but active budget travel can hardly be called relaxing.

My trips to DO are now perceived as vacations at my grandmother's country house. In Peru and Bolivia, height, food for an amateur, long journeys, mountains, wind and cold.

If the sun, then you immediately turn into a mountain woman with reddened burnt cheeks.

April-May is autumn in South Africa. Cool, but clear, the prices are not too high. Cheap hotels don't have heaters. Well, if there is a boiler, but it happened that the sun heats the water. No sun, no hot water. Se la vie.

Dry skin and stomach problems at home disappeared without a trace and were forgotten. The rest of the heap of memories and fulfilled cherished desire.

May your Big Dreams come true! (mine already)
Mila Demenkova

There is no unified railway network in Peru. Several railway lines are represented by private organizations.

Railway routes in Peru are extremely scenic, but not very popular among tourists due to the high fares on tourist trains and the low level of comfort on regular ones.

Railways of Peru

Tickets and prices

You can buy a train ticket at the station ticket office. The ticket indicates the letter of the car in which you need to get on, seats are usually not marked.

Travelers can only purchase tickets for tourist trains (or coaches for tourists, which practically do not differ from coaches for locals), on sale regular tickets the box office is denied.

While regular train tickets cost $10-20, tourist trains can cost as much as $100 one way.

Train to Machu Picchu

Closest to Machu Picchu railway stop located in the city of Aguas Calientes.

Railway route: Cusco - Ollanta - Aguas Calientes

1st part of the route: Cusco - Ollanta

From Cusco to Ollanta can be reached by bus or taxi, and then by train to Aguas Calientes.

The route Cusco - Ollanta by taxi will cost about 80 soles (1000 rubles).

Part 2 of the route: Ollanta - Aguas Calientes

Except by train from Ollanta, it is impossible to get to Aguas Calientes, due to the lack of a road, buses and cars cannot pass here.

The price of a full railway route: Cusco - Aguas Calientes from $ 73 per person (one way).

From Machu Picchu you can take the train to the Urubamba Valley. The cost of the train is from $50.

Route to Machu Picchu on the map

Types of trains going to Machu Picchu

There are three types of trains that go to Machu Picchu:

• Expedition (minimum one way: $73)

Most a budget option. The train is air conditioned and has comfortable seats.

• Vistadome (minimum one way: $85)

The carriages of the train are provided with glass panoramic windows, leather chairs of superior comfort are installed in the elephant.

• Hiram Bingham (minimum one way: $460)

The most luxurious of all trains in Peru, refined interior and maximum comfort. Gourmet dishes are served on board, concert programs are arranged.

Somewhere out there, far away, in Latin America - this was approximately my knowledge of Peru when I started thinking about where exactly to spend time on my next vacation. I did not even imagine that I would go on a trip to this country. Preparing for a vacation, I was guided by the standard criteria for a tourist - to be beautiful, unusual, relatively inexpensive, but plus, I have a small feature of my own - away from my homeland. The first thoughts were born standard - India, Thailand and other Asian countries. Again, according to the traditional scheme - I began to study the offers of travel agencies, routes and plane tickets. It was the last factor that turned out to be decisive for me. Just at the time of my vacation, a few months after I began to plan a vacation, Air France offered a serious discount on tickets - a flight to distant Latin America, and in particular to Peru and back, cost only about $ 700 at a standard cost of 1000 - 1200. Having studied the information in general terms through a search engine, it was enough for me to read a few words about a new wonder of the world and other interesting places so that I would stop doubting and subsequently did not regret my journey through this mysterious and wonderful country.

I had several months to prepare for the trip, and I spent them well. I had 17 days to spend in Peru and I wanted them to be as intense as possible. Naturally, I calculated everything according to my budget. As it turned out later, I bought most of the tours right on the spot. And only my most important trip is to lost city in the clouds of Machu Picchu I bought through a specialized company in Moscow. I must say right away that the four-day route to the new wonder of the world cost me $ 500. But this amount is worth all the impressions received, especially considering the fact that so far not so many domestic tourists have come to Machu Picchu as to other surviving wonders of the world. And the fact that I would be the first among all my friends and acquaintances only added to the excitement and desire to go there. But, of course, not only Machu Picchu was remembered on the trip. Therefore, I will start in order, what exactly did I get for my $ 3,000 that I spent in the end.

Arrival in the capital of Peru, Lima

Immediately upon arrival in Lima in the evening, I decided to go to the local fountain park. It is considered one of the most beautiful and largest not only in South America but all over the world.

I talked about Lima here

Entrance to this park costs only one and a half dollars and the brightest sight of all people here awaits just in the evening. Thanks to the extraordinary illumination, the jets of fountains literally fascinate and enchant.

And the largest fountain is not without reason called magical, from which jets of water of different colors rise to a height of almost 80 meters. By the way, this complex of 13 fountains is even listed in the Guinness Book of Records. It is noteworthy that the number 13 itself does not bother anyone here, each fountain has its own name due to its features. There is a fountain "Fantasy", a fountain "Children's joy", and the fountain "Surprises" stands out among others for its grandiosity. No joke, its length is more than 100 meters. You can really admire all this modern beauty for a long time, and a photo session in this place is a must for every tourist.

Colca Canyon

Only one evening was enough for me to view the fountains. The next trip was already delayed for 4 days at once. I went camping in Colca Canyon. Trip review.

The route started from the city of Arequipa, which is the second largest in Peru. This is one of the most beautiful cities countries.

Many architectural monuments, ancient buildings and structures have been preserved here. The city itself is still very beautiful and the fact that it is surrounded on all sides by snow-white mountain peaks, and it looks very impressive.

It is not surprising that many tourists from all over the world come here. Only according to official sources in Arequipa there are up to 1.5 million people a year. Whom I have not seen here - the British, the Chinese, the Russians, of course, and even the Arabs. It is noteworthy that against the backdrop of a motley mass of tourists, the locals are somewhat lost, unlike European resorts and cities, they are not so willing to make contact. As a rule, they either do not understand you, or simply wave their hand as they pass by. The exceptions, of course, are specially trained guides, who can always be hired for a few sols, as well as porters who accompany groups on a hiking tour. By the way, the local currency is quite liquid. Its rate is just over 3 soles per dollar. Prices in Peru are quite reasonable and do not differ much from ours.

Colca Canyon is famous all over the world not only for its beauty. It is also, according to some sources, the deepest in the world. Is it a joke in itself deep place the elevation difference is more than four kilometers. And this place is also considered the patrimony of condors, which are the real owners of this canyon.

I went here with a small group from Arequipa, having purchased an appropriate tour on the spot. We got to the small town of Chivay by bus, and then we had to overcome several dozen kilometers on foot. I must say that the journey is quite extreme. We had to go down very narrow paths, on one side of which were overhanging rocks, and on the other was a gaping abyss. The canyon itself has many different names - Inca Valley, Condor Territory, Valley of Fire and so on. And, curiously, each of the names is relevant in its own way.

As the locals said, the depth of the canyon is formed due to the mountain river of the same name, which washes away the soil and increases the depth. A distinctive feature of the valley is that, unlike the famous Grand Canyon in the United States and other similar places, not only people live here, but they are engaged in agriculture and animal husbandry. Particularly beautiful are the local allotments and gardens of farmers, which are multi-stage terraces. This landscape is simply stunning in its splendor.

The height difference during the descent is more than one and a half kilometers. During this time, you can feel directly how the climate is changing. If you start your journey dressed in warm jackets and sweaters, then when you get into the gorge and the oasis, you find yourself in real tropics. In fact, the trip starts in winter and ends in hot summer. And that's just a day's walk.

The Oasis itself in the gorge is incredibly mesmerizing with its lush and stormy vegetation, the river water is so transparent here that you can see small details of the bottom and splashing fish through it. Well, majestic rocks and snow-white peaks of mountains rise around the valley. Here you truly understand and realize all the strength and power of primordial nature.

And there is also thermal springs scientifically proven health benefits. In order to truly feel the unity with nature here, grandiose hotels were not built here for tourists. Overnight stays are held in local huts on chicken legs, without windows and doors. In addition to the magnificence of this place, I also remember the return back to the starting point. On foot, I did not dare to climb almost two kilometers, so I rented a donkey. The ascent was quick, only about three hours, but that was not without consequences. A ride on a donkey turned out to be a corn for me in one place. So, I had to remember the Colca Canyon for a long time.

Trek to Machu Picchu

The main goal of my entire trip was the mysterious and mysterious city of Machu Picchu, lost in the mountains. I purchased a tour to one of the world wonders of the world in advance. Initially, there were several options and routes: two-day, eight-day, I chose the golden mean - a 4-day hike.

My story about Machu Picchu and practical information

Our group consisted of five people and we went to Machu Picchu along the so-called Inca trail. The trip itself took place in the full sense of the word. We spent the night under open sky where they pitched tents. True, the group had its own porters, who also fed us three times a day. By the way, local kitchen does not differ at all from the domestic one. The same potatoes, the same meat, only there could be more spices and sauces. Only fruits are so abundant here that I saw and tasted some of them for the first time in my life.

The route itself along the Inca trail has a length of exactly 45 kilometers. And it lasts decently enough - more than two days. The first reason is the complexity of the route. I had to go constantly up and down along fairly narrow paths. Is it the joke high point our way was more than 4 kilometers, and the lowest - less than a kilometer of altitude above sea level. In addition, during the journey itself, there is a mass interesting places- grandiose waterfalls, architectural monuments and other attractions.

However, all this pales in comparison with the grandeur and beauty of the end point of the route. As soon as we opened the view of Machu Picchu, the first thought was this - how did we manage to build such an amazing city right on the mountains, how, in the middle of the mountains and in their very depths, all these structures were erected. Machu Picchu with its temples, shrines, altars, structures and terraces looks truly amazing. It is not surprising that scientists still cannot find an answer and are arguing about when and why this city was built. Some say that Machu Picchu was a villa of royalty, others insist that it was a haven for priests and other persons associated with religion.

In any case, Machu Picchu is considered today the most the most beautiful city antiquity, which has survived to the present day. From the story we were told, this mecca in the sky was inhabited for only about a hundred years between the 15th and 16th centuries AD. Then people either died due to illness, or simply left here for unknown reasons and never returned. Fortunately, time has not affected this place in any way. Here, in a limited space, about two hundred buildings have been preserved in excellent condition, each of which is a real architectural monument - palaces, temples, baths, gardens, an observatory and many other buildings and structures. From almost every place, simply incredible landscapes open up from here. In fact, they resemble pictures from some fantastic films about the lost Atlantis or other unrealistic, fictional paradises. And yet - the terraces are still standing before our eyes, they surprisingly harmoniously fit into the local landscape. It is noteworthy that Machu Picchu is absolutely not visible from below, which is probably why the mysterious city has survived to our time and today people from all over the planet can admire it.

Reserves of the Peruvian Amazon

Of course, after the city in the clouds, all other impressions were already perceived somewhat differently. Nevertheless, once in Latin America, I could not help but visit the jungles of the Amazon. Therefore, I went to the city of Puerto Maldonado, or rather, 30 kilometers from it there is a special zone - the reserves of the Peruvian Amazon.

Once in these places, you immediately begin to feel remoteness from civilization. For adventure seekers, such a vacation will surely appeal to their liking. Every day we literally climbed through the jungle here, studied the local richest flora and fauna. To be honest, I was even confused by the number and types of both vegetation and wildlife.

Peru

A variety of reptiles were constantly spinning under their feet. Well, what excursions without Amazonian alligators and other animals. Some tourists may object, they say, what kind of Amazon is in Peru. Indeed, the queen of American rivers is not here, rather her arm is located here. However, all these places are part of the Amazon basin. But the most important thing that impresses is the pristine nature, which the human hand tries not to touch too much. Even the houses in which we lived looked like some sort of Indian shacks. Built on stilts in a swampy area, instead of windows, holes are simply cut out here, which are hung with mosquito nets.

them here just great amount. Each lagoon has its own serial number and a difficult-to-pronounce name. According to the locals, there are more than 400 different lagoons in this park, each of which impresses with its beauty and magical turquoise water. Of course, it was not possible to see all the lagoons, but where I managed to visit, strange sensations arose - somewhere I had already seen it.

And indeed, when it is necessary to show the extraordinary beauties of nature in some kind of cinema, these places come in handy. The only inconvenience here was caused by rather cold weather, but it cannot be otherwise, most of the lagoons are located at an altitude of between three and four kilometers. However, with such amazing beauty, the cold is not at all an inconvenience, especially since we had no problems with anything in clothes.

In total, my trip took two weeks. On the last day, I still managed to walk around the capital of Peru - the city of Lima, where I also saw a lot of interesting things. But that's a completely different story...

Selection of hotels in Peru

Peru is the land of the Incas, the land of an amazing civilization that independently determined its geography and lived in harmony with the rivers, sun, rain, ocean, mountains and cold of the snowy Andes, adapting to the surrounding world and surviving thanks to the gifts of Mother Earth. part of it ancient world is alive to this day, and can be seen in the customs and in Peruvian culture. A trip to Peru will take you back in time and let you know amazing facts about the life that has existed here for thousands of years. The life of the Incas, Mochica and Huari, the cultures of Paracas and Nazca, as well as their grandiose heritages, holidays, their beliefs, the social strength and energy of the people.

Get to know Peru and discover many different worlds, each with its own landscape, sounds, colors and tastes; travel back in time to ancient civilizations and share a great cultural heritage the Peruvian people. Many places in this amazing country, such as the coastal part and mountainous areas You can't know without being there.

Norte Chico culture, the first pre-Columbian civilization in all of the Americas; Inca Empire; the merger of the Incas and the Hispanic world; Peru and the influence of Western cultures, East Asia and Africa; deserts, mountains, forests, Amazon and ocean; flora, fauna and a huge variety of cultural expressions. All this is Peru!

Our group tours in Peru:

• Tour to Peru - Machu Picchu, Lake Titicaca, Ballestas Islands, Huacachina, Nazca lines, Lima (10 days)
• Tour to Peru - Machu Picchu, Lake Titicaca, Ballestas Islands, Huacachina, Nazca lines, Amazon jungle, Lima (14 days)

In this section you will find all, or almost all, the necessary information, as well as tips and recommendations for those who are going to travel to Peru

Visas to Peru for tourists

For most travelers, including Russian citizens, a visa is not required. To enter Peru, you must fill out a migration card. As a rule, the card is issued on board the aircraft, or you can pick it up at the Lima airport. The completed card must be kept until the end of the trip. Upon arrival, the tourist is stamped in the passport, giving the right to stay in the country for up to 90 days. Extensions are not allowed and longer stays will incur penalties. Visit the Consulate of Peru page for more information.

Customs regulations

To enter Peru, you must complete a customs declaration. As a rule, the declaration is issued on board the aircraft, or you can get it at the airport in Lima. After receiving the baggage, before leaving the arrivals area, all baggage, including hand luggage, undergoes customs inspection, the completed declaration is handed over to customs officers.

The import of non-canned foodstuffs is prohibited. Duty-free importation of cigarettes is allowed - 400 pieces, or 250 g of tobacco, alcoholic beverages - up to 3 liters, clothes, things and cosmetics for personal use, items of photo, film, audio and video equipment - one of each item, gifts - for a total amount up to 300 USD. The export of wool, leather, jewelry, souvenirs is allowed upon presentation of a store receipt, and when exporting fur products - a receipt and an export mark.

Please note that the visa and customs information provided here is for guidance only.

Flight information to Peru

Located in the capital of Peru, Lima international Airport named after Jorge Chavez (LIM). The main airlines operating international flights to Peru are American Airlines, Delta, LAN, United, Iberia, Copa, and TACA. Direct flights to Lima are operated from Madrid, Amsterdam, New York, Atlanta, Miami, Los Angeles. There are no direct flights from Moscow to Lima. With one change and a convenient time to change flights, Lima can be reached with Iberia and KLM flights. Flights can be operated jointly with airline alliance partners.

The flight from Lima to Cusco takes about an hour and a half. The flight from Puno to Lima also takes about an hour and a half. The flight from Lima to Iquitos takes about two hours. On board you will be offered cold snacks such as chips and biscuits, as well as tea, coffee and lemonade.

Peru weather information

Peru is located in the South Pacific and is bordered by Ecuador to the north, Chile and Bolivia to the south, and the Brazilian Amazon rainforests to the east. The country has several climatic zones: the coast is an arid desert, the central part is the rugged Andes mountains, the south is lakes, canyons and mid-latitude plains, while the rainforests of the Amazon River Basin predominate in the north and east.

Because of these differences in landscape, the weather in Peru depends on the area you are in. On the entire coast in the summer months, from December to March, pleasant, warm and sunny weather prevails. In winter, which lasts throughout the rest of the year, the coast plunges into the so-called garua, persistent fog. In the Andes mountains and in the highlands, the sun shines almost all year round, and the lowest temperatures prevail from June to August. The climate in the eastern rainforests is damp and warm all year round, with the most precipitation occurring from December to February.

When is the best time to go to Peru

Want to go to Peru but don't know when is the best time to do it? The highest season to travel to Peru, especially Lima, Cusco, Sacred Valley and Machu Picchu, is from June to August. The weather in the highlands of the Andes at this time is the most sunny and warm. However, the largest flow of tourists at this time is primarily due to the fact that in most countries this is the most massive period for holidays. And in themselves, these places in Peru are good all year round. During the rainy season, from December to March, showers are possible for one to two hours each day, but the rest of the time the sky is clear. The rainy season can also be marked by greener foliage, flowering of endemic plants and fewer tourists, which in turn is a big advantage. The intermediate seasons from September to November and from March to April are also very good. Other destinations in Peru, such as Lake Titicaca, Amazonia, are good for trips all year round.

Currency and prices in Peru, budget

The national currency of Peru is the new sol (symbol S/.). In Peru, you can freely exchange US dollars and Euros. AT major cities, such as Lima and Cusco, you can easily find ATMs on the main streets, but in the sacred valley and in Aguas Calientes (a city near Machu Picchu) this can be difficult, so it is better to have some cash when traveling to these places. Money, as a rule, can be withdrawn both in salts and in US dollars. Credit cards can be used in many places, but you will need cash to buy souvenirs or for tips. Major stores and restaurants also accept US dollars. Notify your bank before you travel that you are going to Peru. Some banks charge a fee when withdrawing cash through ATMs, so for tourists who have cards of Russian banks, it is best to withdraw cash through Scotiabank, which allows you to withdraw cash without additional costs (only the commission of the bank that issued the card is charged).

Prices for food and drinks, souvenirs, and wool products are very low, and much lower than in Russia. You can have dinner or lunch at good restaurant for about 20USD per person. VAT is not charged.

in many restaurants major cities the cost of the service is included in the bill. As a rule, it is 10% of the order amount. If a service charge is not included, please add approximately 10%. In small local restaurants, leaving a few extra salts is sufficient. Tipping taxi drivers is not customary. It is customary for luggage porters in hotels to leave 1-2 sols per suitcase. In addition, it is customary to tip the guide or tour leader, as well as the driver. tourist bus. The amount of tip at your discretion can be 3-5 USD to the guide or tour leader, and 2-3 USD to the driver for 1 day of the sightseeing tour.

You need to be careful when withdrawing money from a bank card, cases of theft of pin codes are not uncommon. Be vigilant when using bank cards to pay in shops and restaurants. Also, do not purchase counterfeit or pirated products.

Peru is famous for its colorful textiles, especially those made from alpaca wool, as well as handicrafts made from dried gourds. You may want to purchase a sweater, hat, silver or gold jewelry. Bear in mind that very cheap alpaca wool products are most likely not made from alpaca, but from acrylic. In Peru, it is customary to bargain in open markets. It is possible to reduce the price by 20-30% from the original.

Languages ​​of Peru

The main official language of Peru is Spanish, it is the main language for most of the inhabitants. Part of the indigenous population of Peru also speaks Quechua (the language of the Incas) and Aymara (inhabitants of some islands of Lake Titicaca). In the mountainous regions, where the largest number of descendants of the Indians live, some residents do not speak Spanish at all.

Staff in hotels, restaurants and tourist places speaks English, usually well.

Learning a few basic Spanish phrases will make your trip to Peru more enjoyable and easier. We recommend that you take Spanish lessons for travelers at one of the language learning centers, or use a language learning computer program. Many guidebooks include a short language section, which can also be helpful.

Food and Drink Peru

Peruvian cuisine is unique and has received well-deserved recognition throughout the gastronomic world. From Creole cuisine with a strong African influence to Chifa Chinese restaurants opened by Chinese settlers. The cuisine of Peru is very diverse. Seafood. In almost any seaside restaurant you can try local seafood dishes. Chupe de camarones - a thick soup of shrimp, potatoes and vegetables, will not leave you indifferent. Sea fish is usually served fried in a pan or grilled. Meat dishes. As hot dishes throughout the country, chicken is valued primarily. As a side dish you can be offered rice, potatoes, beans, boiled corn. The piquancy of the dishes is given by the chili pepper. A typical dish from the Lima region is anticucho, grilled beef heart. It is better to taste it in restaurants specializing in the preparation of this particular dish - antikucharia (anticichoria). In the mountainous regions of Peru, tender alpaca meat is very popular, which you can find in almost every restaurant in Cusco and Puno. Cuy del horno, or grilled guinea pig, has been a true Peruvian delicacy since Inca times. The dish is popular to this day, but most often prepared for the festive table. You can also try it in Cusco and Puno restaurants. The most favorite dish of Peru can be called ceviche (ceviche) - a cold dish of pieces of raw fish marinated in lime juice with the addition of onions, celery and chili peppers. This dish is best tasted in special restaurants - cevicheria, where it is always fresh and of high quality cooked. Vegetables. In the gastronomic world of Peru, potatoes deserve special attention, of course, because Peru is its homeland. In mountainous areas, there are up to 300 species of this extremely popular vegetable here. In addition to the fact that potatoes are served as a side dish, various dishes are also prepared from it, for example, papa a la huancaina - a stew of potatoes, maize, carrots with the addition of a spicy sauce with spicy cheese. In addition to potatoes, corn (or maize), legumes and tomatoes have also been popular since ancient times. desserts. Peru's favorite dessert is mazamorra morada, a fruit mixture of pineapple and dates boiled with purple maize and dried fruit. A rrozconleche(arros con leche) and Alfajores(alfajores) withmanjarblanco(dulce de leche). Beverages. Peruvian drinks are, of course, the national cocktail Pisco Sour, made from Pisco, a strong grape drink, which in turn is also Peruvian, with the addition of egg white and lemon juice. The most popular soft drink is chicha morada, made from purple maize. Mate de coca, a drink made from coca leaves, which is usually consumed hot, like regular tea, is very popular in the mountainous regions of the country. The drink has a positive effect on blood circulation, which in turn helps the body adapt to high altitude conditions. It should be noted that the drink does not have an intoxicating effect. Speaking of drinks in Peru, one cannot fail to mention the excellent wines of the province of Ica and delicious beer, which is very popular outside of Peru.

In general, the crime situation in Peru is quite favorable and the level of serious crimes is quite low. However, theft is still a problem here. Theft in Peru is a common occurrence, stealing here in all places where there is a large crowd of people. First of all, this is due to the poverty of the population of the country. It is a mistake to think that it is safer to be in large cities, as there are more police officers. This is not so, the safest regions of the country are the territories where the Indians live: Cusco, Puno, mountainous regions. And the most criminogenic region of Peru is the capital of Lima. There, however, there are fairly safe areas in Lima, such as Miraflores, and the central part. To make your stay as safe as possible, follow a few simple rules:

• behave in the same way as the people around you;
• do not wander alone at night;
• do not carry large amounts of money with you, especially in your pockets, as well as all bank cards;
• all valuables, jewelry, money, passport should be left in the hotel safe;
• do not engage in conversation with beggars;
• do not draw too much attention to yourself;
• when exchanging money, carefully count them and check their authenticity by rubbing against the portrait (it should be rough);
• Be careful when withdrawing cash from an ATM, there are frequent cases of theft of PIN codes.

Political demonstrations are quite frequent, but generally peaceful. They may cause delays in land, air or water transport.

health care

First of all, of course, you must follow all the rules of hygiene. It is recommended to drink only bottled water. In the Amazon, it is even recommended to brush your teeth using bottled water. Try not to buy food from street vendors. Also, it should be noted that Peru is among the countries in which there is a possibility of malaria, especially during the rainy season from November to March. For prevention purposes, you can take a course of malaria pills. If you are going to visit the Amazon jungle, it is also recommended to be vaccinated against yellow fever before the start of the trip, for prevention purposes. For more detailed information about the possible risks of viral diseases, methods of prevention, you can contact medical institution. However, some tourists may consider these precautions unnecessary, since there have been no cases of these diseases in Peru in the past few years.

Mosquitoes are carriers of many viral diseases. Various anti-mosquito remedies will help you protect yourself from them. It is especially necessary to take care of the availability of these funds, going to the Amazon jungle. It is also not recommended to use toilet water and perfumes that attract mosquitoes.

People with diseases of the cardiovascular system should weigh the pros and cons of a trip to the Andes (Cusco, Puno) in advance, as the risk of developing altitude sickness is high in the highlands. Be sure to consult your doctor.

However, symptoms of altitude sickness can be expected by anyone, even a healthy person. In order to prevent the development of altitude sickness and facilitate adaptation, on the first day you should not expose the body to heavy loads, you should not drink alcohol, eat fatty and heavy foods, you need to drink more water and have more rest. There are special pills for mountain sickness - sorojchi (soroche) pills, but they all work differently. Since the time of the Incas, the generally accepted medicine is coca leaves, which are recommended to be chewed or brewed. They do not have a drug effect. Coca mate is available in all Cusco and Puno restaurants. Finally, at the Cusco airport, you can buy an oxygen canister.

Being in the mountains, especially on Lake Titicaca, do not forget that there is a high probability of getting a sunburn. Use sunscreen, hats, caps, glasses. You can get burned here in just a few minutes. Not by chance locals they do not take off their jackets and hats even in extreme heat, and sometimes animals are also wrapped up.

Going into the jungle, take care of the equipment - clothing should be comfortable and cover the body as much as possible. Do not choose bright colors, they attract insects. Shoes should be durable, closed and high. Ideal option - rubber boots. It will also prevent snake and insect bites.

If you are going to fly over the Nazca lines, we strongly recommend that you refrain from a hearty breakfast, and also take a pill for motion sickness.

Telephone and Internet

Many hotels have internet access and international telephone communications. However, to call home, it is much cheaper to use an internet-based data connection such as Skype.