 Heir to ancient cultures and a rich colonial tradition, Perú is a magical spot which involves one of the richest biodiversities of Earth, and is a melting pot of different cultures who together are forging the promise of a better future .
Peru is divided into three regions.
Although this simple division is a fair portrait of Peru's geography, the reality is much richer and far more complex: in Peru, nature appears to have taken on particular characteristics which have turned its mountains, plains, jungles and valleys into unique habitats.
An extraordinary variety of eco-systems shelters a wide diversity of animals and plants. Accessibility by air and land
14 airports equipped to receive commercial flights and 10 ready for international flights: Lima, Arequipa, Chiclayo, Pisco, Pucallpa, Iquitos, Cusco, Trujillo, Tacna and Juliaca
Important hotel infrastructure
7.646 lodgings offering 131.624 rooms and 229.886 beds.
26 five-star hotels, 26 four-star hotels, 487 three-star hotels.
Hotels, Apartments, Cruises, Vacations in Peru
Useful information
Currency:
The official currency in Peru is the Nuevo Sol (S/.), which is divided into 100 centimos. The currency includes coins for 5, 10, 20 and 50 centimos and 1, 2 and 5 sol coins. There are bills in the denomination of 10, 20, 50, 100 and 200 Nuevos Soles.
Foreign currencies:
can be exchanged at banks, exchange offices, post offices and at most tourist agencies, hotels and camping grounds. Banking hours are 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. from Monday to Friday. On Saturdays banks are open until 1 p.m. In the larger cities some banks are also open on Sundays. Credit cards: Most hotels, restaurants and shops accept credit cards (American Express, Diners Club, Eurocard/Mastercard, Visa, Sport Card International). Cash dispensing machines are ubiquitous.
Telephone
Peru features a far-reaching telephone network that provides services for national and international long-distance calls from private telephone lines and public cabins. There are also currently 1.3 million clients who have cellular phones, and satellite communications are currently being developed.
The telephone code for Peru is +51
Electricity:
Voltage of city power grid - 220V, frequency 60HZ
 Time zone:
GMT -5 all the year.
Tourist Visas
This is not required for citizens of most countries in the Americas and Western Europe. Citizens of Argentina, Bolivia, Brasil, Colombia, Chile, Guyana, Paraguay, Surinam, Uruguay and Venezuela do not need to have a passport or visa to visit certain regions in Peru. In these cases they are authorized to stay up to 90 days (extendable by Immigration authorities). Inquire with the Peruvian consular representation in your country if you need further information. Their addresses and telephone numbers can be found in the web site of the Peruvian Ministry of Foreign Affairs .
Vaccinations
If you plan on traveling to the Jungle, the administration of a yellow fever vaccine 10 days in advance is recommended.
Places in Lima where the vaccine can be administered:
Jorge Chávez International Airport
First floor
Service Hours: Monday through Sunday, 04:30 am to 1:30 p.m. and 5 p.m to 11:00 pm.
Tel.: (01) 575-1845
International Vaccination Center
Calle Yupanqui 1400, Lima
Service hours: Monday to Friday 8 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Tel.: (01) 471-9920 / 471-3254
Av. El Ejército 1756, San Isidro
Service hours: Monday to Friday 08 am to 3 p.m. and Saturday 8 a.m..to 2 p.m.
Tel. (01) 264-6889
 Internet / e-mail .
U A number of service providers across the country has given the public access to Internet. Known in Peru as Cabinas Internet, the average cost of an hour's connection is S/.3,50 (US$1).
Tourist information and assistance
Peru has a Tourist Information and Assistance Service known as i peru, where you can obtain objective and impartial tourist information, as well as assistance, in the event that the services rendered were not provided in the manner they were offered when they were contracted. For further information please click here .
Security
Take normal precautions against pickpockets
Carry a copy of identification documents. Keep originals and your valuables in the safety deposit box of your hotel and make sure to list down what you deposit and verify the responsibility assumed by the establishment.
Carry valuables discreetly. Do not carry large amounts of cash. Keep an eye on your bags and luggage.
Do not carry suitcases, bags or sac packs on your back.
Do not exchange money out in the street.
Do not walk around late at night through areas with poor lighting or without a companion 
Working hours:
Shopping
In general, shops, shopping centers and handicraft markets are open everyday (even on holidays) between 9 a.m. and 8 p.m.
In markets and in places such as those where there are beach vendors and street vendors, it is acceptable to bargain
Banks
Banking hours in Peru are normally from Monday to Friday, from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. In addition, most banks open for the public half day on Saturdays. In the streets of the main cities there are teller machines installed by the different banks.
Tipping
The amount of the tip in Peru varies with the degree of satisfaction you have with the service provided.
 Protected wildlife and wild flora species Considered by the World Resources Institute as forming part of the select group of eight "megadiverse" countries, it is estimated that in Peru there are 84 of the 104 life zones existing in the world, nearly 10% of the species of mammals and reptiles of the planet, over 20% of earth's birds and between 40.000 and 50.000 species of vascular plants (the most developed). Unfortunately many of these species are endangered due to their unauthorized exploitation for the manufacture of tourist souvenirs and the cruel traffic of wildlife (transported under conditions which cause most of them to die during the trip).
Each loss reduces earth's life diversity with indescribable consequences. It is for this reason that Peruvian laws prohibit and sanction the extraction, transport, sale and export of all types of wildlife and wild flora, dead or alive, without the authorization of INRENA. The prohibition extends to any object made with their parts (crowns or necklaces made of Macaw (guacamayo) feathers, butterfly wings, musical instruments, "tigrillo" skin or "palos de lluvia" (also called oncelote, a small feline resembling a tiger).
Archaeological and Historical Heritage
Peruvian laws prohibit and sanction the sale and export of original pieces of the national cultural heritage. Abstain from buying them.
However, if you are interested in taking to your country samples of Peruvian pre-Hispanic or Colonial art, you may buy replicas. Replicas are all objects of modern manufacture imitating shapes and decorative figures of pre-Hispanic or Colonial pieces (ceramic pieces, gold and silver works, stonework, woodworks, textiles, paintings and others).
When buying replicas of pre-Hispanic or Colonial works, make sure they have been certified by the INC NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF CULTURE); this certificate can be obtained at any of the offices of this institution, located in all departmental capitals. If you are leaving Peru through the Jorge Chávez Airport, visit the INC booth after you pass through Immigration post. The authorization can be granted automatically.
Eat
For meat eaters Peruvian cuisine is among the most varied in the world. Not only does the country grow a variety of fruits and vegetables, but it does so throughout the year. Peruvian geopraphy offers at least 8 different climates (desert along the coast, steep and high mountains, the Amazon basin). In Lima, due to its history as an important Spanish colonial port, the dishes are a mixture of amerindian, spaniard, african, asian and even italian influences that contribute to the ever changing platos criollos (creole dishes). Rice is the staple foodstuff, and expect many dishes to include rice, in the Sierra it's corn and potatoes, and in the Jungle yuca. Meat is traditionally included in most Peruvian dishes. Chicken ( pollo ), pork, sheep and beef are common. Alpacas are actually kept for wool, not for meat. Mostly, you will find that alpaca meat is rather tough. An Andean delicacy is guinea pig ( cuy ). Peruvian cuisine includes dishes which use various organs, including anticuchos , a kebab made from a very marinated and spicy cow's heart, and cau-cau (sounds like cow-cow), made from the stomach of the cow served in a yellow sauce with potatoes. Anticuchos are a standard street stall food.
Fish can be found along the coast (of course), but also in the jungle area since the rivers supply fresh fish (but take care with contamination in the area known as high jungle or selva alta, where most of the cocaine is made, using strong chemicals dumped into rivers; mining is a minor source of pollution in this area). In the Sierra, trouts ( truchas ) are bred in several places. The most valued fish meal is the Ceviche, raw fish cooked by marination in lime juice, popular variations of the dish can include shellfish, even sea-urchin. The preparation of ceviche will vary along the coastal towns and cities. Extremely recommendable especially in summer, but take care about preparation best not buy from street vendors and remember that it is usually served spicy.
In all Peru, there is a big variety of preparing potatoes ( papas , not patatas as in Spain), the traditional Andean vegetable.
Nowadays, the transport routes from the flat jungle areas are good enough to supply all the country with vegetables and fruits. Nevertheless, vegetables still have the status of a garnish for the meat. Vegetarian restaurants exist in all cities, but are relatively rare. In many areas, there is a rich offer of tropical fruits and fresh pressed juices.
If you count on international fast food chains, you will be disappointed. You find them almost nowhere except Lima, which to many tourists is a welcome feature.
Be careful: many Peruvian dishes can be too spicy and heavy, so if you have a weak stomach try it with caution.
Peruvians are quite proud of their desserts, especially in Lima. Try them with care, since they tend to be extremely sweet and loaded with sugars, eggs yolks and similar unhealthy ingredients. Try mazamorra morada , or purple custard, made from the same purple corn used for chicha morada drink; together with arroz con leche (rice with sweet, condensed milk) is called a combinado (combination). Picarones are a sort of donut, made from fried yams dough and served with chancaca , a very sweet sugarcane syrup. And the sweetest dessert suspiro Limeño ; perfect if you are in sore need of a caloric and glucose shock.
Drink
The Pisco-Nasca area is famous for wine cultivating. Their more expensive vintages compare favorably against Chilean imports. Beer is nice, stronger than American brands but less full bodied than European ones. Most of Peruvian beers are made by Backus, currently owned by SAB Miller.
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Pisco Sour . An alcoholic drink with a interesting ingredients list, such as egg whites, that is the main drink in Peru and is available in most places in Huaraz. It is made from pisco, a kind of brandy that is worth a try; it is a strong drink as pisco is 30° to 40° (around 70 to 80 proof) spirit, and the sweet taste can be deceiving. You haven't tried the true pisco if you haven't tried peruvian pisco.
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Emoliente . Another popular drink in Peru, often sold in the streets by vendors for 50 centimos (approximately 16 cents US). Served hot, its flavor is best described as a thick, viscuous tea, but surprisingly refreshing - depending on what herb and fruit extracts you choose to put into it, of course. Normally the vendor's mix will be good enough if you choose not to say anything, but you're free to select the mix yourself. Normally sold hot, is the usual after-party drink, as a "reconstituyente", but it can be drunk cold too.
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Chicha , A cheap traditional alcoholic drink made from corn that is fermented and rather high in alcohol content for a non-distilled beverage. Not normally available at formal restaurants and quite uncommon in Lima outside of residentail areas. Places that sell chicha have a long stick with a brightly-colored plastic bag on it propped up outside their door.
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Chicha morada , not to be confused with the previous one, is a soft drink made from boiled purple corn, with sugar and spices added (not a soda). Quite refreshing, it is widely available and very recommendable. Normally Peruvian cuisine restaurants will have their freshly made supply as part of the menu; it is also available from street vendors or diners, but take care with the water. Bottled or canned chicha morada is made from concentrates and not as pleasant as freshly-boiled chicha.
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You can find many places that serve fresh fruit drinks.
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Coffee . Peru is the world's largest producer of organic coffee. Ask for 'cafe pasado', the essence produced by pouring boiling hot water over fresh ground coffee from places like Chanchamayo.
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