Circuits and trips to Peru

Spanish people need a valid passport with a minimum validity of 6 months from the date of return. Upon arrival in the country, the authorities give tourists the so-called Andean Migration Card (TAM), which proves entry to the country and must be kept until departure.

The main and most spoken language is Spanish. English is spoken in 4 and 5 star hotels, restaurants and in all major tourist shops. A significant number of Peruvians, especially those who live in rural areas of the mountains and jungle, speak various native languages, the most widespread being Quechua.

76% of the population identifies as Catholic, 14% evangelical, and the rest profess other religions or none at all.

One of the most typical customs of the country is the very colorful and original traditional Peruvian clothing. It is usually made of alpaca wool and is characterized by being thick and quite warm to avoid the cold in its valleys and mountains. The Peruvian hat also draws a lot of attention, its color and the way it is made are associated with the economic possibilities of the wearer.

Unlike other equatorial countries, Peru does not have an exclusively tropical climate; the influence of the Andes and the Humboldt Current give it great climatic diversity. The central and southern coast of the country has an arid subtropical or desert climate. On the other hand, the north coast has a tropical arid climate, due to the tropical sea. In the mountains there are several climates depending on the altitude: temperate subhumid, cold, frigid or puna, and snow or icy. In the jungle there are two types of climate: very humid semitropical in the upper jungle and humid tropical in the lower jungle.

No vaccination is required for travelers from Europe. It is recommended to drink bottled water and bring mosquito repellent.

The sol has been the legal tender of the country since 1991. It is divided into 100 cents. There are coins of 1, 5, 10, 20 and 50 cents; and 1, 2 and 5 suns. And bills of 10, 20, 50, 100 and 200 soles. €1 is equivalent to approximately 4.14 Peruvian soles. It is recommended to change money at banks or hotel receptions.

Debit or credit cards can be used to pay in hotels, restaurants, stores, etc. In small establishments and markets, it may not be possible to use this means of payment and only cash is accepted.

The common voltage is 220 V. The plugs and sockets are type A / B / C.

There are several ways to get around the country: taxis, buses, trains, etc. Although one of the most popular means of transportation in Peru is the taxicholo, a tricycle that has been conditioned to carry two passengers in the front, on a long seat protected with a colorful umbrella.

The time zone of Peru is GMT-05:00.

Peruvian food is considered the most varied in the world, it has the Guinness record for the greatest variety and diversity of typical dishes in the world, with 491. Peru has been considered the best culinary destination by the World Travel Awards for 8 years in a row. Some surprising specialties are Peruvian ceviche (raw fish marinated in lemon juice), ají de gallina (shredded chicken cooked in a sauce of milk, bread and chili), lomo saltado (meat with chili, tomato and onion, usually served with French fries and white rice) and picarones (traditional ring-shaped sweets made of wheat flour dough, pumpkin and sweet potato coated with the sweet sugar cane called chancaca). Among the most famous drinks is pisco, an alcoholic drink made from grape brandy that has been produced in the country since the end of the 16th century. In the Peruvian Amazon area, there is masato, considered a sacred yucca beer.

Haggling is a way of life in Peru not only in the shops, markets or cool street stalls that are everywhere where you can buy crafts, but also in many accommodations. In relation to tips, the standard is 10% although they are not mandatory.