Peru is a destination that needs to be explored. This vast and tumultuous country combines ancient, colonial and modern traditions into unforgettable cultural experiences. Regardless of the type of traveler - historical enthusiast, adventurer or gourmet - Peru offers countless activities that will satisfy everyone. It is no surprise that its ancient sites, beautiful topography and diverse ecosystem attract visitors from around the world, making it one of the most popular destinations in South America.
Basic information of Peru
Why go to Peru
Peru is considered mainly as an adventurous destination, mainly due to its mountainous landscape and the famous Amazon rainforest. There are many hiking trails (whether multi-day or one-day trips) with challenging wilderness tourism with the opportunity to see from the llama to the incredible diversity of Amazon.
For those who are not up to active holidays, there are also many options. History buffs will love the culture and ruins that Peru has to offer. And those who love souvenirs and wanderings in the city will enjoy the colorful markets.
Peru is an ideal destination for backpackers on a budget, and many hostels make it easy to find friends to explore the country with. Pensions are also popular as a cheap method of accommodation in Peru. If you are willing to spend more money, in Peru you will find a wide range of mid-range hotels for a comfortable stay in the wilderness or in the cities. Due to its popularity, Peru takes care of every traveler.
The capital of Peru
Lima is the capital of Peru. It is the commercial and industrial center of the country. Central Lima is located at an altitude of 156 meters on the south bank of the Rímac River, about 13 km inland from the Pacific port of Callao. It has an area of 70 square kilometers. The city is a modern oasis surrounded by the Peruvian coastal desert a short distance west of the Andes Mountains. Lima is the second largest city built in the desert after Egypt in Cairo.
Flag of Peru
The current national flag of Peru was officially adopted on February 25, 1825. The colors are said to symbolize the Incas and their lasting influence on the landscape. Red and white are also the colors chosen by Jose de San Martin, the Liberator. The coat of arms is not displayed on the national flag.
Population of Peru
Peru is of mixed ethnicity. Throughout its history, Peru has been a meeting place for different nations and cultures. The Spaniards joined the original population 500 years ago. As a result of this meeting, and later enriched by the migration of African blacks, Asians, and Europeans, the Peruvian man emerged as a representative of a nation whose rich ethnic combination is one of its main characteristics. Peru has a population of 8,220,764.
Ethnicity / race: American Indians 45%, Mestzi 37%, White 15%, Black, Japanese, Chinese and 3%
Holidays in Peru
List of holidays in 2020
Date Holiday
- January 1 New Year
- April 9 Maundy Thursday - Thursday before Easter
- April 10 Good Friday
- May 1 Labor Day
- June 29, the feast of St. Peter and Paul
- July 28 Independence Day
- July 29 Independence Day
- August 30 Santa Rosa de Lima - patroness of Lima
- October 8 Battle of Angamos - The holiday commemorates the naval battle with Chile that took place on this day in 1879
- November 1 All Saints' Day
- December 8 Immaculate Conception
- December 25, Christmas day
The sign of Peru
The coat of arms contains a llama and a Chinese tree, important symbols of Peru. At the bottom is the cornucopia which represents prosperity.
Time difference
The time in Peru is five hours behind Greenwich Mean Time. This means that in Peru is 6 hours less (during summer time) and by 5 hours less (during winter time) comparing to England.
Currency in Peru
The official currency in Peru is the Nuevo Sol (S .; PEN), which is divided into 100 centimos. The currency contains coins of 5, 10, 20 and 50 centimos and 1, 2 and 5 sol coins. There are banknotes with a denomination of 10, 20, 50, 100 and 200 S. online course 1GBP = 4.69409 PEN
Prices in Peru
In general, Peru is cheaper than England. Transport and food in local businesses or markets can be cheaper here. Alcohol is a bit more expensive. Prices of transport and accommodation are of course the highest in tourist destinations. Bargaining is not very widespread here.
Restaurant:
- Boarding, cheap restaurant 10.00 S /.
- Meals for 2 persons, Middle class restaurant, three - course menu 70.00 S /.
- McMeal at McDonalds 16.00 S /.
- Domestic beer (0.5 liter) 7.00 S /.
- Imported beer (0.33 l bottle) 12.00 S /.
- Coca Cola / Pepsi (0.33 l bottle) 2.61 S /.
- Water (0.33 1 bottle) 1.80 S /.
Supermarket:
- Milk (1 liter) 4.52S /.
- White bread (500 g) 5.36 S /.
- Apples (1 kg) 5.53 S /.
- Banana (1 kg) 3.93 S /.
- Oranges (1 kg) 4.26 S /.
- Water (1.5 l bottle) 3.19 S /.
- Wine bottle (medium range) 28.50 S /.
- Domestic beer (0.5 l bottle) 5.38 S /.
- Imported beer (0.33 l bottle) 9.32 S /.
- Cigarettes 20pcs (Marlboro) 15.00 S /.
Transportation:
- One - way ticket (local transport) 1.00 S /.
- Monthly ticket (regular price) 86.96 S /.
- Start of taxi (normal tariff) 7.00 S /.
- Taxi 1 km (normal tariff) 5.00 S /.
- Waiting for 1 hour taxi (normal tariff) 25.00 S /.
- Petrol (1 liter) 3.81 S /.
Visa to Peru
Citizens of European Union as well as British nationals do not need a visa to visit Peru and can officially stay in the country for up to 90 days in 365 days. If you intend to stay in Peru for more than 90 days, you can try to ask the immigration officer for a residence permit for more than 90 days. If you are lucky, you can get a residence permit for up to 183 days. Otherwise, it is not a problem to leave Peru and return before the 90-day period expires, giving you permission for another 90 days. Check the stamp with the permitted period of stay immediately upon arrival in Peru, as exceeding it can result at least in high fines. If your trip to Peru has a purpose other than for tourism, you must obtain an embassy visa before traveling.
Check the stamp with the permitted period of stay immediately upon arrival in Peru, as exceeding it can result at least in high fines.
The condition for entry into Peru is a passport valid for at least another 6 months from the date of entry into the country. When entering the territory of Peru, it is necessary to fill in the immigration card (Tarjeta Andina) and keep part of it until you leave the country. If you are entering Peru via a country from Ecuador, Chile or Bolivia, make sure you have an entry stamp in your passport. According to Peruvian law, every visitor without an entry stamp should apply for deportation from the country at the immigration office in Lima in order to leave the country legally at all. Immigration officials can also request an exit stamp from the country from which you entered Peru.
Interesting facts about Peru
Few facts about Peru that you may know are:
- There are 3 official languages in Peru: Spanish, Quechua and Aymara, but east of the Andes in the Amazon jungle areas, the natives are believed to speak 13 different indigenous languages.
- Peru has the second largest number of shamans in the world after India.
- Peru is the sixth largest producer of gold.
- Peru produces more than 162 tons of gold worth more than $ 7 trillion a year!
- Cusco in Peru was the most important city in the entire Inca Empire and ruled north to Quito in Ecuador and south to Santiago in Chile.
- Camu-Camu fruit is one of the best superfoods in the world. It grows in the Amazon rainforest of Peru and has the highest concentrations of vitamin C compared to any food, about 60 times more than orange.
Shamanism has been popular in Peru for more than 3,000 years. Because the most Peruvian population cannot afford or do not have access to doctors or Western medical care, many people, especially the natives, turn to shamanic healing or curandero, a rural spiritual healer. Most shamans use treatments with hallucinogenic drugs, such as Ayahuasca.
Vaccination
Peru has no compulsory vaccination. However, it recommends vaccination against hepatitis A, B and yellow fever. Yellow fever is recommended especially for those who travel to jungle areas - to an area up to 2500 m above sea level.
Security
Peru is a safe country. There are only small frauds on tourists and petty thefts. Therefore, if you follow common sense by not exposing your expensive electronic products or all your cash to people’s eyes, you should be fine.
Important contacts
Where to call in case of emergency in Peru?
Police 105 Firefighters 116 Rescue service 115
Peru’s phone code is +51.
Contacts at the Embassy of England in Lima:
Address:
Embassy of England Torre Parque Mar, Av Jose Larco 1301, Miraflores 15074, Peru
Telephone: +51 1 6173000
Email: belima@fcdo.gov.uk
Further contacts can be found at https://www.gov.uk/world/organisations/british-embassy-peru
