Peru

Peru is a country full of fascinating contrasts. From the high Andes to the Amazon rainforest, from the ancient Inca civilization to the modern urban sprawl. Peru is a country that time forgot, a place where nature meets history, a place that will leave you with unforgettable memories. These 10 Peru Travel Tips will help you better enjoy the experience. 1. Currency The official currency of Peru is “El Sol”. In major tourist cities such as Lima, Cusco and Arequipa dollars are frequently accepted. You will also see that prices of airline tickets, tour agency services and hotels (also backpacker hostels) are almost always quoted in dollars. You will find 3 options of currency exchange: The bank. Although at a very high rate so it’s not convenient because you will get less money from other alternatives. Casas de Cambio (exchange houses).  Unlike the bank, they usually offer a great rate. Also they are safe. You will get what I mean when I say safe in the next option. Street changers. Probably this is a job that only exists in Peru, (I ever saw this in overseas). They exchange money for living and you can identify them because they wear a vest with currency symbols on it. Like their name says they are in the street, mostly in main avenues.They are supposed to give you the best rates but I compared it many times with Casas de Cambio and sometimes they offer the same price. Please, be aware of fake soles (fortunately they are less common nowadays). This risk doesn’t exist with the bank or casas de cambio. Peruvian Travel Nifty Tip Try to have plenty of local currency, in small denominations, especially when you are making trips in the provinces. For some reason, there is a shortage of change countrywide. Eventually if you don’t have a small denomination, the seller will ask change himself from other shops but still try to not exaggerate by paying a chewimg gum of 1 sol with 100 soles. 2. Covid 19. Latest travel restriction. The government finally at the beginning of October 2022 has determined that it is not obligatory to wear a face mask. After 2 years and a half! All travelers (12 years and older) are required to have 3 doses of a vaccine against covid 19 or to have a negative PCR test issued not older than 48 hours. 3. Water. Tap water is not safe to drink. Instead, you can buy bottled water or if you fight plastic waste, you can boil it or purify it. 4. Sun Sadly, this part of the world has the layer ozone thinnest, since Peru is near to Equator. So, you will probably feel that the sun heats more here than other places and it’s because of the high radiation. Luckily this is not a big issue, you just have to avoid exposure to the sun by covering exposed skin with a high factor sunscreen (at least SPF50). If you want to know the best time to visit Peru, check all the information you need to know in this article. 5. Driving. Do you like car racing? If yes, great! You will have sooo much fun in Peru. If not take a deep breath especially in big cities. The truth is, in Peru a lot of people don’t respect the rules of the road. So, if you like the adrenaline, you can try to drive but if not you shouldn’t do it. Besides there are a lot of taxi’s app running in the country such as Cabify, Uber an InDriver. Or you can take a bus that is also quite an experience. 6. Safety. Probably if you never came before to South America, you are concerned about safety. The most touristic areas in Peru are safe. You will see the police and private security guards almost everywhere. Outside these areas, the reality can change quickly. Overall, you will have to be a little bit aware of your personal belongings and use your common sense. For example if you are alone in a restaurant when you go to the bathroom, don’t let your purse/bag without your surveillance. 7. Taxis. Another important point to be taken into consideration is that you should not pick up just any taxi, especially in the airport of Lima. Basically for two reasons: for safety and for getting a fair price.  As another countries, some taxi drivers increase their fares for foreigners. It is most advisable to use one of the official taxi companies inside the airport with set fares to ensure your safety. You will find them, once you cross the door, after picking up your baggage. Official Taxis at the airport. Lima- Peru I strongly recommend you, to use taxi apps if you don’t speak Spanish (regular taxis don’t have taxi-meters so you have to negotiate with them, sometimes this can be exhausted) and if you are taking it alone in the night. A few taxi drivers have been known to participate in robberies, express kidnappings especially with solo women passengers.  While the overwhelming majority of Lima’s taxistas are honest, hard working people trying to make a living, you should be alert if you are going to hail a taxi on the street, especially if you appear to be wealthy or a foreigner. 8. Tipping Tips are highly appreciated in Peru. People usually gives 10%. There are some restaurants that already includes 10% of the service in the bill but sometimes that fee doesn´t go for the people that are attending to customers. So, if you are happy with the service and of course you want to, you can give another % extra. Taxi drivers and hairdressers (very high class only) are not tipped like in USA for example. 9. Bargaining Eventually everyone will bargain in Peru, still you should know in what kind of places you can do it.  You can´t bargain in “official places” that have fixed prices, like airline companies, restaurants, department stores, expensive hotels/resorts