During your stay in Peru we recommend
that you remember the following:
Clothing suitable for the season: Find out the climate before
you arrive so that you know what type of clothes to bring. If
you are coming in Summer you can bring shorts, jeans, T-shirts
and sandals, as well as a light jumper or jacket, as there is
often a cool breeze at night. During Winter a jacket and thicker
wool or cotton clothes are essential; they can be obtained here
in malls and clothing stores. If you are going to the Andean
plateau or jungle you should take waterproof clothing or an
umbrella for the rain, as well as insect repellent. Also, take
walking shoes if you plan any outdoor excursions.
Camera / Video Camera: don’t forget your camera or video camera,
as Perus marvelous scenery will ensure you have some fantastic
memories. If you visit museums or tourist attractions, ask
whether you can take photographs, as this is not always allowed.
For your security, carry these items close to your body using
straps or carrying cases.
Altitude Sickness Pills: if you plan to visit highland cities
such as Cusco or Puno, buy some tablets to combat altitude
sickness or “soroche”. But don’t just take one. Follow the
instructions on the prescription. And but them at a pharmacy,
not on the streets.
Paper Handkerchiefs: it is advisable always to have a packet of
paper handkerchiefs handy for places where there are no public
toilets. They are very practical for long outdoor trips.
GASTRONOMY IN PERU
Eating at home, in fast food restaurant, eating a chicken
broaster or charcoal-grilled with your hands, eating sushi,
pasta, a gourmet cebiche or a cebiche out in the blazing sun,
eating the dish of the day or something Chinese, but eating,
eating, eating.
If there is one thing Peruvians cannot complain about it is a
lack of variety in food and drink. Creole, jungle, highland,
Chinese, arab, Italian and many other styles. All are tasty and
satisfying.
Coast
The classical dishes of the Peruvian coast are Creole, prepared
from ingredients native to the region. Seafood predominates. In
Lima enjoy “arroz tapado”, “fish a la chorrilana” and mussels a
la chalaca or cream of asparagus to start. Nothern cities such
as Piura, Trujillo and Chiclayo are famous for their food. Seco
de Cabrito a la norteña, duck and rice, Chiclayo causa and the
typical espeso, are tourist attractions in their own right. The
south boasts other delicacies such as soap a la chincana; it
would be sin to visit Arequipa and not try stuffed rocoto
pepper.
The Highlands
Try a classical Pachamanca with its irresistible combination of
flavours from deep in the earth. Afterwards sample guinea pig,
tout in various dishes, chicharron and mote or stuffed potato.
Ancient crops such as sweet corn, sweet potato and other maize
varieties make excellent side dishes.
The jungle
A place of much mysticism, they say that many local dishes have
aphrodisiac properties. The juane, signature dish of the jungle
region, tacacho, cecina and fried Dorado accompanied by chonta
salad, are clear expressions of the region’s love of food.
Gourmet Lima
What better than the excellent restaurants of the capital in
which to find themed and luxury dining. These sophisticated
places are perfect innovative menus in which fusion and
signature dishes combine.
Cusco
Cusco is considered Peru’s second city after Lima for
gastronomy. Sophisticated dishes created by chefs from local
produce such as quinua, muña and beans.
Main Square
The best place to start your gastronomic tour. Heading the list
is El Tunupa Grill & Bar and Chicha, where international cusine
alternates with nouveau Andean and diners enjoy folk music and
dance in the evening. Then there is the Inka Grill, also long
established and renowed. A few meters away, La Retama Lounge &
Bar has a menu in which Peruvian dishes, wines and pisco take
pride of place. You could also try a “PICANTERIA”, frequented by
working people the helpings are enormous and are served with
fruit juice or maize beer (chichi de jora).
Urubamba
A gastronomic alternative to Cusco. Urubamba’s hotels are
modernizing their menus and offer the best complement to a stay
in the Sacred Valley of the Incas.
Immigration:
before arriving at your entry port or airport, or
crossing the border, complete the obligatory
international form, which you should hand to the
immigration authorities on entering and leaving the
country.
Security:
take the usual precautions for any journey. Carry a copy
of your ID documents and keep the originals together
with other valuables in the hotel safe.
Changing Money:
do not change money in the street, do so in hotels,
banks and authorized bureaux of change (open from 9h30
am. to 18h00 pm.) On Saturdays most banks are open until
midday.
Telephone:
for international calls dial 00 + country code + city
code + telephone number. For inter-city calls: 0 + city
code + telephone numbers.
Public telephones accept coins and cards which can be
bought in kioskos and supermarkets. Ensure that the card
you buy is for the telephone company you want to use.
For information on telephone numbers dial 103.
Health:
drink only bottled or previously boiled water. Avoid
eating at streets foods stalls. Prevent altitude
sickness or soroche by resting on your first day in the
highlands and eating sparingly. Drink coca-leaf tea. If
you are traveling to the highlands or jungle, take
waterproof clothing and insect repellent.
If you are traveling with children:
almost all hotels and holiday complexes offer facilities
and programmers for children. They also provide trained
child minders to look after them in the absence of their
parents.
Flying:
there are flights and connections from Lima to the
principal cities of Peru except Huancayo, Huaraz and Ica,
which can be reached by bus.
Airport Tax (T.U.U.A)
Domestic flights: Lima US$ 6.25
International flights: US$ 30.25
Flight information
Information about domestic and international flights: 51
+ 01 + 6055
