Know Before You Go: Peru

~Visas~

• Americans do not need a visa for Peru. You can simply show up and receive free entry for up to a 90 day stay.

• For other nationalities, check your local embassy website!

~Currency~

• Peru uses the Peruvian Sole.

• 1 USD= 3.37 Sol

• Cash is King! 90% of establishments use cash only so make sure to always have cash on you.

• The ATM will always charge a small fee so take out large chunks at a time.

• You can also exchange money but that will also incur a fee.

~SIM card~

• You can buy a physical SIM card with unlimited data for around 15-20 USD a month. The best companies are Claro or Movistar.

• You can also get an eSIM but the local SIMs are much cheaper.

• Most restaurants and all accomodation will have WiFi.

~Transportation~

• Uber, Cabify, DiDi, and inDrive are best ride sharing apps. In Lima and Cusco, Uber was great. In the smaller towns, try inDrive.

• For long journeys, use RedBus to book coaches.

• It is very worth it to pay a little extra for the nicer seats. Cama (bed) seats lie most of the way down and are very comfortable.

• They all have bathrooms but bring your own toilet paper!!!

• The buses get very very cold so bring extra layers. Bigger journeys will always stop for food.

• Be aware that if you book an overnight bus, when you arrive you wont be able to check into your accomodation till the afternoon.

~Safety~

• In general, Peru felt very safe. It sees a lot of tourists so locals are used to it and welcome it.

• Don't drink the tap water!!! Bottled only.

• Be VERY careful with meats, seafood, and salads/ fruit. I got salmonella poisoning in Cusco and it wiped me out for a week. I also have friends who got parasites from steak. Don't eat street food and read reviews from restaurants.

• As always, lock up your valuables in the hostel. Don't walk around with your phone in your back pocket. Don't take all your cash with you on a night out.

• It's best to have travel insurance...especially if you are hiking. I use Allianz and its affordable with great customer service.

• If you are flying direct to Cusco or from Lima to Cusco, BE AWARE OF THE ALTITUDE. Cusco is the second highest altitude city in the world. You will feel the change so you need to give yourself a few days to acclimitize before going on any hikes. The same goes for Huaraz.

• You can take altitude pills beforehand to counteract the sickness. Chewing on cocoa leaves or drinking cocoa tea is the local cure.

~Weather~

• You can go to Peru whenever but if you want to hike its best to go in the dry season; May to October.

• If you go outside these months, it will be less busy/cheaper, but also rainier. Some treks will be closed for the season.

• Even in the summer, it gets cold in the mountains and at night in the cities. Bring layers!!

• If hiking Salkantay or in Huaraz, you will need LOTS of extra layers and warm clothes. I didn't have any so I bought second hand at the markets for cheap.

~Food to Try~

• Ceviche: Peru's national dish. Raw fish or seafood "cooked" in lime juice and served cold with onions and aji peppers.

• Lomo/pollo Saltado: A stir-fry of beef/chicken, onions, tomatoes, and peppers, served with rice and French fries.

• Aji de Gallina: A creamy stew made with shredded chicken in a sauce of yellow chilies, walnuts, cheese, and bread.

• Cuy: A traditional dish of roasted guinea pig, often served whole.

• Causa: A cold dish made of layered mashed potatoes, often filled with chicken, tuna, or avocado.

• Pisco Sour: A cocktail made with pisco, lime juice, egg white, simple syrup, and bitters.

• Chicha Morada: A sweet, non-alcoholic beverage made from purple corn, pineapple, and spices.