FRISCO´S TRAVEL - TA_11D Peru Culinary Rafael Gomez de la Torre 2025 - v2

Peru's attractions extend far beyond the mystical allure of this legendary location and include palm-fringed beaches, quaint Andean villages and archaeological treasures, all imbued with the nation’s rich melange of indigenous and colonial cultures.

General information and requirements for entering Peru. Foreign nationals who wish to enter and/or leave Peruvian territory must present the following:

1. Citizens of U.S., Canada, United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland, and Australia, do not need a Peruvian tourist visa. However, they do need to apply for a business visa to be legally able to enter into contracts or agreements.
2. They need a passport legitimately issued by a country with a minimum validity of six months from the date of entry into the country.
3. The maximum length of stay that the authorities grant is 90 days, which cannot be extended.

For more details, see:

https://www.migraciones.gob.pe/wp-content/uploads/2018/03/ley1350_migraciones_reglamento.pdf

or call (+511) 200 1000.

The Nuevo Sol (New Sol) is the official currency, written S/. It is divided into cents. There are notes from S/.10, upwards to S/.200. Sometimes change is hard to find, so break notes whenever possible. Lima and Cusco are the most expensive places in the country. Prices are often quoted in US dollars, and dollars are by far the easiest currency to exchange. Other currencies attract a high commission.

Credit cards

Of the major credit cards such as Visa, MasterCard, American Express and Diner's Club, you'll find Visa the most widely accepted in Peru. Credit cards are widely used to pay shop, hotel and restaurant bills.

Debit cards & ATM Machines

All major cities have numerous ATMs (automatic teller machines), so withdrawing cash is usually easy. The best way to withdraw money from an ATM is using a direct-debit card. Most ATM´s are compatible with VISA. Debit cards assure that the money is immediately deducted from your bank account and no interests are charged as long as you have sufficient funds in your account. The exchange rate is usually ok. You may find however, that you may be limited to a US$500 withdraw per day and sometimes US$200 per transaction.

Cash

For markets or shops at small villages it is useful to have some soles with you. US Dollars are widely accepted and easy to change in major towns. Just make sure that the notes that you bring from home are in excellent condition. Even the slightest rip will make exchange difficult.

“Casas de Cambio”

These “exchange houses” can be found in just about any relatively major town. They are often open all day, are rarely crowded and the exchange rate is always better than the one provided in banks, airports and hotels.

Street Changers

Changing money on the street is perfectly legal in Peru. Unlike other South American countries, Peru does not have a Black-Market exchange rate. In fact, the rate on the street differs very little from the Casas de Cambio, which are safer.

We suggest the use of soft suitcases/bags for easy storage. How much luggage you bring may be determined by the airlines, which have limits on both checked and carry-on baggage. LAN for example, allows 23 kilos (50 pounds) of checked luggage and 8 kilos (18 pounds) of carry-on baggage.

Some logistics such as navigating to the Amazon Lodges or the train trip to Machu Picchu will require you to pack a small piece of luggage with only what´s strictly necessary to spend a few days in that particular destination. Our guides and staff will take care of the arrangements in a way that your heavy luggage is taken care during your absence and handled to you when you are back. But you need to be ready for this.

Liquids, aerosols, gels, and other items of similar consistency at room temperature can be transported in individual containers of capacity not exceeding 100 ml. (3.4 oz.).

Each passenger can only transport, as part of your hand luggage a maximum of 10 containers of the capacity mentioned above. Containers of a capacity exceeding 100 ml will not be accepted even if partially filled.

Note: Items such as knives, penknives, box cutters, knives with folding or retractable blades, ice picks, scissors and other sharp-edged objects are not allowed in hand luggage on Peru’s domestic flights.

ON THE TRAIN TO AND FROM MACHU PICCHU

Please note that Peru Rail and Inca Rail (train companies covering the service to Machu Picchu) don’t allow passengers to travel with voluminous baggage, allowing only a small piece of hand-luggage that should travel with the passenger. This is why we suggest traveling with a small backpack or bag, where you can pack only what is strictly necessary to spend the day in the Machu Picchu area. We will make the necessary arrangements so that the rest of your baggage is taken care off in the meanwhile.

As specified by Peru Rail: 

• Hand baggage must include those items that due to its significance; a traveler shall take along on board.
• All hand luggage must be stored in/on the compartments provided by PERURAIL for this purpose, that is why it is not allowed to exceed the regulations: 1 bag/backpack, 05kg or 11 pounds, 62 inches/157cm (length + height + width)

Before you travel make sure that you hire a good medical insurance. If you plan to undertake “adventurous activities” such as White-Water River Rafting or Mountain Biking, make sure that your policy covers you. You may have to pay a small surcharge for this.

If sensible precautions are taken by the visitor to Peru, there is no reason why you shouldn't remain as healthy as at home.

Although no inoculations are currently required for Peru, it is advisable to consider immunization against Typhoid, Polio, Tetanus and Hepatitis B. A Yellow fever vaccination is also recommended when travelling to the Amazon Jungle.

Tips on staying healthy whilst traveling.

The most common problems encountered by the traveler in Peru are stomach related problems (between 30% and 40% of travelers in a 2 week stay experience this to some extent) but the majority of these upsets will be minor. Please don't become paranoid, especially considering that Peruvian food and its incredible variety of natural ingredients should add a lot to your experience. Just be precautious with some items:

• Tap water in Peru is not always safe to drink. Bottled mineral water or filtered water is readily available everywhere. Drinking tap water is not a problem when it has been previously boiled.
• In most good restaurants, purified water is used to wash fruit, vegetables and salads.
• Fruit in Peru is plentiful and delicious; just make sure to wash it or peel it if you have it straight from the market.

Altitude Sickness

On reaching heights above 3000m / 9900ft, heart pounding and shortness of breath are a normal response to less of oxygen in the air compared to sea level. However, for some visitors these symptoms can deteriorate into a condition known as “Soroche” (mountain sickness) in which you can start experiencing headaches, loss of appetite, extreme tiredness, sleeplessness and often nausea. Symptoms usually develop within the first day or two at altitude. To prevent Soroche, first of all try not to rush and take it easy on arrival. Drinking a lot of water (water, herbal teas, coca tea, soups, etc) is one of the most important tips to prevent altitude sickness. It is always a good idea after a short rest, to walk easy around the area; this and not lying in a bed is what will allow your body to keep acclimatizing. Of course, the more sleep you get during the night, the better. Try to avoid excess of alcohol, cigarettes, and heavy food (at least during the first day or two). Drinking coca tea (an infusion of coca leaves - and perfectly legal in Peru) may help. Muña (Andean Mint) tea is also highly recommended. Some recommend taking one aspirin every day, as a blood thinner. The drug Diamox (Acetazolamide) is often used by visitors to speed the acclimatization process and counter the symptoms of Soroche.

Amazing biodiversity, a ridiculously huge variety of local ingredients, pre-Columbian and Spanish culinary traditions mixed with influences from all over the world and the creativity of local chefs are some of the elements that have and are still building a fantastic Peruvian cuisine. As knowledge of Peruvian food spreads, more and more travelers are making gastronomic pilgrimages to Peru -- for many travelers, the cuisine will rank among the highlights of their visit.

It is for a reason that Peru has won the World Travel Award to World´s Leading Culinary destination for several years.

Although you will find the most diverse and delicious regional foods in Peruvian territory, it is in Lima where all influences meet in a unique melting pot.

During the past years the general belief was that creole food was the ultimate representation of Peruvian cuisine but nowadays it is clear that creole is only one of many Peruvian culinary expressions.

The Andes (Cusco, Colca Canyon, Lake Titicaca, Huaraz)

The South and Central Andes have, in general, well-defined seasons. From June to September, while winter days are typically sunny and warm (68°F/20°C), the temperature can drop to below freezing (27°F/-3°C) at night/dawn. Rain seldom falls during winter. From December to March, the summer months offer similar daytime temperatures and milder nights (typically to 46°F/8°C). The summer in the Andes is also known as the “rainy season”, which not necessarily makes it a bad time to travel, since the Andean Landscape turns especially beautiful. April and May are nice months for traveling in the Andes, since the mountains are lush with summer flowers and you should enjoy plenty of sunshine. Journeys during Andean spring and fall offer weather patterns intermediate between these seasonal extremes.

The Coast (Lima, Paracas, Nazca, Trujillo, Chiclayo)

The Southern and Central Peruvian Coast offers two well defined seasons. From December to March is summertime, when the weather is warm. Although the ocean is fairly cold compared to other beach-spots around the world, it’s still nice for swimming and getting a tan, especially for travelers who enjoy surfing and other water sports. Temperatures on average range from 25–33°C / 77-91°F. There is little or no rain during these months. The beaches around Lima and the North can be packed during the months of January and February (school holidays). From June to October the temperature drops and the traveler will find blankets of sea mist engulfing the coast from the south right up to about 600km / 325mls north of Lima. At this time of the year only the northern beaches such as Mancora and Punta Sal are warm enough to provide pleasant swimming.

The Amazon (Tambopata, Manu, Iquitos)

The so called “dry season” goes from May to October, with daily temperatures averaging 30–35°C / 86-95°F. However cold fronts from the South Atlantic are common. When this happens, the temperatures can drop to 15°C / 59°F during the day and 13°C / 55°F at night. From December to March what we find is the so called “wet season”, when rains are more often and rivers carry much more water. Both times of the year are equally interesting for the curious traveler.

Expect a wide range of temperature and precipitation during your visit to Peru. In high mountain environments, you must be prepared for inclement weather at any time. Even at mid-day, if clouds obscure the sun the apparent temperature cools dramatically. By packing a system of thin, independent layers, you can easily add or remove layers to remain comfortable as conditions change throughout the day.

When packing we suggest you consider the use of quick drying, lightweight, active-wear clothing.   Casual wash and wear clothing is most appropriate during your journey.  Rain gear is useful for brief showers.  For evenings in the city, dress as formal or as casual as you like. A warm and well-insulated fleece/windbreaker is necessary for cool nights in the highlands and even the Amazon.  If you are visiting the Amazon, we suggest you avoid packing cotton clothing.  Wet cotton does not wick water away from your skin. Also when cotton gets wet, it ceases to insulate your body from the cold. In the rainforest cotton clothing will never dry.  Most hotels provide laundry service with a 24-hour turn-around.

It may be useful to consider a saying that goes “bring twice as much money and half as many clothes you think you'll need”