Social ConventionsShaking hands is the customary form of greeting. Visitors should follow normal social courtesies and the atmosphere is generally informal. A small gift from a company or home country is sufficient. Dress is usually informal, although for some business meetings and social occasions men wear a jacket and tie.
International Travel:Getting There by AirThe principal international airlines are
Lan (
LP) (website:
www.lan.com) and
Taca Perú (website:
www.taca.com). There are no
direct flights from London; however, airlines with regular services to Peru include
Air Canada,
American Airlines,
Avianca,
Continental,
Iberia and
KLM.
Air Passesoneworld Visit South America Pass: valid within Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Colombia, Chile (except Easter Island), Ecuador, Paraguay, Peru, Uruguay and Venezuela. Participating airlines are
American Airlines (
AA),
British Airways (
BA),
Cathay Pacific (
CX),
Finnair (
AY),
Iberia (
IB),
JAL Japan Airlines (
JL),
LAN (
LA),
Malév Hungarian Airlines (
MA),
Qantas (
QF) and
Royal Jordanian Airlines (
RJ). The pass must be bought outside South America in the country of residence. It allows unlimited travel to 34 cities. Prices depend on the amount of flight zones. For further details, contact one of the participating airlines.
Departure TaxUS$30.25 from Lima’s airport. Transit passengers and children under two years of age are exempt. Payment must be paid in cash prior to boarding.
Main AirportsLima (LIM) (Jorge Chávez International Airport) (website:
www.lap.com.pe) is 16km (10 miles) northwest of the city center (journey time – 25 minutes).
To/from the airport: Taxis to the city center are available.
Facilities: Duty-free and handicrafts shop, banks/bureaux de change, left luggage, pharmacy, medical center, Internet cafe, car hire, coffee shops, bars and restaurants and tourist information.
Cusco (CUZ), located in the central south, receives flights from La Paz (Bolivia).
Getting There by WaterMain ports: Callao and
San Martin. Some international cruises occasionally call at Callao.
Getting There by RoadThe main international highway is the Pan-American Highway running north–south through the coastal desert of Peru from Tumbes to Tacna.
Coach: Transport from Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Ecuador, Paraguay, Uruguay and Venezuela is available through companies like
Bus Tas Choapa Internacional (tel: (01) 431 1400;
www.taschoapa.cl),
El Rápido and
Rutas de América. It is also possible to go from La Paz in Bolivia to Puno on Lake Titicaca (south Peru) by coach.
OverviewThe following items may be imported by visitors over 18 years of age into Peru without incurring customs duty:
• 400 cigarettes or 50 cigars or 250g of tobacco.
• Alcoholic beverages not exceeding 2.5l.
• Gifts or new articles for personal use up to a value of US$300.
• 2kg of processed food.
Note: If importing sausages, salami, ham or cheese, a sanitary certificate from the manufacturer is required.
Prohibited ImportsThe import of raw ham from Italy and Portugal is prohibited.
Prohibited ExportsThe export of artistic or cultural articles is prohibited.
Internal Travel:Getting Around By AirAerocóndor (website:
www.aerocondor.com.pe),
LAN (website:
www.lan.com),
Star Up (website:
www.starperu.com),
Taca (website:
www.taca.com) and
LC Busre (website:
www.lcbusre.com.pe) handle virtually all domestic air traffic linking Lima to Andahuaylas, Arequipa, Ayacucho, Cajamarca, Chiclayo, Cusco, Huánuco, Iquitos, Juliaca-Puno, Piura, Pucallpa, Puerto Maldonado, Tacna, Tarapoto, Trujillo, Tumbes and other cities. Flights to Huaraz are occasionally offered. For information on internal flights, contact the Peruvian Corporation of Airports (Corpac) (website:
www.corpac.gob.pe).
Getting Around by WaterTransportation is available between Pucallpa and Iquitos (journey time - 4 to 7 days) and from Iquitos to the border with Brazil and Colombia (journey time - 2 to 3 days). However, river travel can be long and uncomfortable.
Getting Around by RailPeru Rail (tel: (01) 444 5020/5; website:
www.perurail.com) runs comfortable tourist trains between Puno and Cusco and between Cusco and Machu Picchu.
Ferrocarril Central Andino (tel: (01) 226 6363; website:
www.ferrocarrilcentral.com.pe or www.rrdc.com/op_peru_fcca.html) runs a twice-monthly tourist service on renovated trains between Lima and Huáncayo. This spectacular route is the second highest railway in the world (the highest being in Tibet).
Getting Around by RoadTraffic drives on the right. The well-maintained
Pan-American Highway runs down the length of Peru’s coast, with intersecting highways running east into the mountains. Many mountain roads are unpaved, and almost all are badly potholed. Landslides are frequent in the mountains during the rainy season (December to March), making for slow travel. The
Touring y Automóvil Club del Perú and the
Instituto Geográfico Nacional sell maps. Travel guides like
Guía Toyota include good road maps. The minimum driving age is 18. There is no countrywide emergency breakdown number.
Bus: Operated extensively, providing a cheap means of travel. Greyhound-type buses are operated by numerous companies, the biggest of which is
Cruz del Sur (tel: (01) 311 5050;
www.cruzdelsur.com.pe). Quality of service varies according to prices.
Taxi: Many unlicensed taxi companies are in operation and visitors are advised to avoid these. They usually have a red and white taxi sign on the windscreen. Licensed yellow taxis the only cabs allowed in downtown Lima. Taxis do not have meters and fares should be agreed before departure (they are relatively inexpensive). Extensive and safe taxi services are available by telephone in main cities. Taxi fares increase by 35 to 50% after midnight and on holidays. Drivers do not expect tips.
Car hire: International firms have offices in all the major cities and bigger airports.
Documentation: Foreign driving permits are valid for 30 days from the date of arrival. An International Driving Permit is required for longer stays. Permits in Peru can be obtained through the
Touring y Automóvil Club del Perú. All foreign vehicles must have documentation from their own national automobile association or obtain it on the Peruvian border before entering the country. Always carry your driver’s license, a copy of your passport and, if the vehicle is hired, a copy of the rental contract.
Getting Around Towns and CitiesPublic transport in
Lima is provided by conventional
buses and by
minibuses (
combis). These operate from 0600 to 0000 on established routes; wherever possible, try to avoid using bus travel late at night.
Journey TimesThe following chart gives approximate journey times (in hours and minutes) from
Lima to other major cities/towns in Peru.
| Air | Road |
| Arequipa | 1.25 | 14.00 |
| Cusco | 1.15 | 30.00 |
| Puno (Juliaca) | 1.30* | 24.00 |
| Tumbes | 1.30 | 18.00 |
Note: (a) Approximate journey times are given for travel by bus. (b)* Includes one stopover.
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