Peru Travel FAQs

1. How does Peru For Less work?
2. Airport Info
3. Money in Peru
4. Packing
5. Calling
6. Safety
7. Additional Recommendations

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1. How does Peru For Less work?

1. Call PFL, fill out one of our Online Forms, or Email a request – We will pair you with your personal Travel Advisor within 24 hours.
2. Perfecting your trip – Your Travel Advisor will customize a special trip for you in South America by letting you know destination highlights & giving expert travel advice.
3. Confirmation - Once you like what you see, simply confirm with 30% as a down payment. After this stage any changes resulting in cancellations will result in a $35 fee. Additions however are welcomed and do not have a penalty charge.
4. PFL is always in touch – a Travel Coordinator and Peru insider for all things Peru will immediately contact you and be at your service. 
5. PFL Travel Program – you will receive full confirmations for your trip approximately 3-4 weeks after booking. We will be coordinating everything from planes, trains, hotels, and tours for you.
6. Full Payment – Your Travel Advisor will remind you about your trip balance 1 month before your trip.
7. Your hotels – PFL will send reservation requests to all of the hotels on your preference list, but normally the hotels take one week or more to reply. We prefer to let you know that you are an important client to us, and that we take care of all the arrangements for you.
   We also confirm hotels that you did not request, in order to have a back-up hotel just in case your requested hotel is already fully booked. We ask for these back-ups if the hotel informs us that we are on a waiting list or that they don’t have available rooms at all. At PFL we will always make sure that the back up hotel will be of the same quality as your preferred choice. All of our hotels are handpicked to ensure that whichever one you are in, you are assured quality and comfort.

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2. Airport Info

• Here are a few tips on arriving at Jorge Chavez International Airport, Lima.

  We recommend arriving at the airport three hours prior to your international flight and two hours prior to your domestic ones. The airport’s webpage is: www.lap.com.pe

• Camping out at the airport:

  There is no special lounge. Backpackers camp out with their sleeping bags on the floor or the chairs. Note: It is important to have a lot of rest before flying into high altitude.

• Airport Lockers:

  They are near the domestic departure exit. The friendly airport staff will point you in the right direction. Lockers cost 7 soles per hour and 28 soles for the whole day. There is also a left-luggage area where you can leave your suitcase for 3.50 soles per hour per piece or 14 soles for the whole day per piece.

• Money Changers & ATMs:

  Open 24 hours, fair rates, and easily accessible

• Going through Customs in Lima:  

  Domestic flights customs are a breeze
  For International flights between the United States & Lima: avoid any problems by not packing liquids, gels, drinks, shampoo, sun block/suntan lotion, creams, toothpaste, hair gel, hair spray, & liquid cosmetics in your carry-on bag. All of these you can put in your check-in luggage. To bring medicines, you would need a doctor’s prescription.

• Departure Taxes:

  For all flights from Jorge Chavez International Airport in Lima, all passengers must pay a domestic or international flight departures tax to the airline upon leaving the airport.

  International Departure Taxes are as follows: Lima: $ 31.00 (S/. 97.19)

  Domestic:
  Lima: S/. 18.31
  Cuzco: S/. 14.73
  Arequipa and Iquitos: S/. 12.28
  Nazca, Piura, Juliaca, Tacna, Trujillo, Puerto Maldonado, Chiclayo: S. 11.95
  Cajamarca, Tumbes, Chiclayo: S/. 11.95

• Catching connecting flights:

  If you have little time between your international arrival and your connecting flight, we recommend that you carry-on everything you can. If you have belongings that need to be checked-in, ask for a priority sticker on your luggage explaining your situation.

• Flying in separately:

  The terminal is small yet modern so it’s easy to meet up. There is just one main arrival area and the coffee shop will be to your left when you exit customs.

• Personal Service:

  PFL will be waiting for you upon your exit & will lead you to your private transportation.  Keep a look out for our logo & your group name.

• Flight changes!
  
  • Your own booking

    By using your flight number we can keep track of everything.
    Our team automatically keeps notes of airline changes for you so you can count on our representatives to be there, whatever the time your flight changes to.

  • Our Booking

    Airlines are subject to change & we’re one step ahead.  If by any chance your flight is delayed or cancelled, you’re automatically on the next flight and we’ll coordinate everything from there. 
    Our team also confirms your flights for you so you don’t need to bother with the little details.

  • Always Informed

    If there are any changes, you will be notified wherever you are by our representative in each destination.

  • E-ticket flexibility

    We arrange everything via e-tickets so that there is maximum flexibility for you.  We put you in the airline’s system so you simply breeze to the check in counter and the person behind the desk will print your boarding passes accordingly.

  • Frequent Flier

    Pass us your frequent flyer numbers so we can automatically credit your miles with participating airlines in South America.

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3. Money in Peru

• Where to change currency:

  We suggest you change your cash in Peru, as in most places they will accept your US$ (but for more remote areas always have small bills with you). The exchange rate should be better in Peru than in the US. You could change some money at the airport in Lima (open 24 hours) and the rest of it at your other destinations.

  The best places to exchange your US$ are at the airport or at your hotel. At the beginning of your trip you can pay with US$ as in most of the places they are easily accepted, until you manage to change your money. You can also use ATMs to withdraw money in most of the cities in Peru (but not in very remote areas like Aguas Calientes, Machu Picchu, or the Titicaca Islands).

  The exchange rate does not vary much, not even in the airport where the exchange rate is supposed to be disadvantageous for the buyer.

  You can easily change dollars in all cities. We advise you to change as much as you need until you get to your next destination where there are money changing facilities.
  Once you are already in Peru and have US$ with you, you could exchange at an exchange office here. It’s recommended to have some money available on your arrival, to make sure you are secured with cash until you find an ATM. In most of the supermarkets and hotels you can pay with dollars or soles (Peruvian Currency rate is approximately 1 US$ = 2.75 Soles). For small shops it would be easier to have Peruvian soles on you.

• Are American dollars readily accepted?

  Yes, US$ are widely accepted in Peru. You can pay at most of the hotels, supermarkets and restaurants with them, but please carry Peruvian currency with you for remote areas or for shopping in small shops.

• Other Currencies: Can I change Canadian dollars easily in Peru, or do I need to change to US dollars?

  It would be easier for you to have US dollars, as you can directly buy products with them; also, it is possible that in some places they won’t be able to change your Canadian $ and you would have to make an extra effort to find a place where you can change them!

  Read more currency tips in our newsletter article.

• Budget: Roughly how much do you think we are likely to need for our trip?

  Numerically, prices in Peru are very much like in the USA.  But it’s really a bargain, because your dollar is worth 3 times what it is in Peru. An average good meal in the US is $14-20 and a good meal in Peru is 14-20 Soles. A high-end meal that is $70 in the US is 70 Soles Peru (about $20). Bargaining is also expected when you shop in markets. Always make a counter offer that is about half of the amount asked.  If you plan to make big purchases, a nice Alpaca sweater will cost around $100, while little trinkets will cost anywhere from 30 cents and up, depending on what you want to buy. For transportation, a taxi ride can cost anywhere from $2-$5, depending on the distance you wish to go. You will rarely make a journey that will cost more than $5.

• How much should one tip in Peru and who?

  This is a difficult issue. Peruvians do not tip well, if at all. From this perspective, you should tip according to how well you were served. Guides and Restaurants usually get 10% while the rest will be happy with loose change (coins).

  Here is an idea of the usual custom here:
  Tour guide- 10%
  Waiters in Good Restaurants- 10%
  Waiters in Budget Restaurants- from nothing to 5%
  Driver & maid- none
  Bellboys- $1 per piece of luggage

• Should we tip the drivers who will be transporting us (for example from airport to hotel and back)?  If so, what would be the right amount?

  Drivers in Peru usually don’t get tipped. But at PFL we take a liberal approach and would like to leave it up to you. Tip according to how well you were served.  Usually $1 should be enough.

• Are there any costs that are not included in our tour?

  Everything is included except for lunch and dinner, personal trip costs during your free days such as: taxi rides or the reentrance fee and bus ride back to Machu Picchu (cheapest when you buy it yourself: approximately 130 soles) and last but not least the airport taxes.

Airport Tax
Domestic Departure from Lima $6.05
Domestic Departure from other provinces $4-$5
International Departure $30.25

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4. Packing

• Do you know what voltage the sockets have -- 110 or 220? And what kind of plugs are standard there?

  It’s 220V. Most plugs here can take both the square and circular sockets. Some of your things may be able to take up to 220V just look at the label in the charger, if not your hotels should be able to lend you adaptors. No need to lug those heavy things all the way from the states! Almost all of the outlets here accommodate both round and flat prongs (the outlet is a combination of the 2 pictures below). You should have no problem with this.

  
• Would you suggest a walking pole?

  Unless you’re trekking or going to the Amazon, this won’t be necessary.

• If I pack light, do you think I'll get a chance to just buy t-shirts or sweaters in Cuzco?  If so, will they be priced for tourists?

  Definitely. This is the smartest way to go--you get essential clothing & souvenirs in one. There will be t-shirts with typical Peru prints on them and you can bargain for these.

• What do we need to bring with us?

  This will depend very much upon which area of Peru you are visiting. Here is a rough guide to help you decide:
  The secret is layering. Peel off during the warm day and layer on for cool nights.

  • Jungle

    Sandals w/ straps (You’ll be given rubber boots at the lodge)
    Comfortable walking shoes/ hiking boots (nothing that you wouldn’t want to get muddy!)
    Loose long sleeved tops and long pants
    Hat with netting
    Rain Poncho
    Insect repellant
    Torch

  • Machu Picchu

    Walking pole, with plastic or rubber bottoms only!
    Hiking boots
    Fleece
    Rain Poncho (Dec-Feb)

  • Salkantay Trail

    Hiking boots

  • Inka Trail

    Sleeping bag
    Headlamp
    Comfortable hiking shoes
    Regarding your Inca Trail trip, kindly take along with you on your trip to Peru the documents whose information you have sent us (passport or driver’s license). These documents will be requested at the entrance on the Inca Trail so just make sure to carry them with you, in order to avoid further problems.

  • Recommended Travel Accessories

    · Camera & binoculars
    · Writing journal
    · Sun block & Mosquito Repellant
    · Sunglasses & Hat
    · Personal Medicines

  • Rainy season in the highlands and the jungle

    The rainy season in Peru starts in December through to March. On the coast, the weather is arid with a warm summer from late December through March. A mist known as garúa covers the central and southern coastal provinces for the majority of the rest of the year.

    During the dry season, in the jungle it will be warm, while the other high regions like Cuzco, Arequipa, and Puno it can be hot during the say and very cold at night.  Lima, Nazca, and Paracas is in between the two.

  • Altitude sickness Recommendations

    Cuzco is at 3,326m (10,975ft)
    Prevention is the best treatment.
    Before going to Cuzco, don’t eat too much. Avoid fatty food opting for anything easy to digest instead & keep on drinking a lot of water.  Once you’re there, take “baby steps” as your body gets used to the altitude. 
    If you want to be extra safe you can bring/buy Sorochi or Grovol (over the counter medications to be taken 24 hours before). These are abundant both in the drugstores found almost at every corner in Lima & Cusco.  Don’t forget to ask your doctor’s advice before taking these medications.

    Yes, once you get to Cuzco a lot of people will be selling Muna & Coca Tea, all natural helpers to open up your lungs.

  • Recommended Travel Documents

    Passport (A photocopy should be carried at all times) your passport should be valid for at least 6 months after the day of your entry into Peru.

• Should we pack only back packs to carry with us through the journey or will we be able to bring the roller luggage (carry on) with us?

  A duffel bag with wheels is a good combination as you will go through some cobblestone roads. Make sure you are able to put a little lock on them for extra security. In this luggage, pack a small backpack which you will use for the things you just need for the Inca Trail or when you go off to your Jungle Lodge.

• Are we likely to encounter a dress code anywhere we visit on our tour?

  No dress codes, nobody will get offended. Peruvians and the Andeans are very open minded and used to people coming from all parts of the world having different types of fashion. You can by all means wear what you’re used to.

• What are the baggage weight limitations on domestic flights?  What are the fees for over the limit? 

  The following table represents information regarding domestic LAN flights and is only to be used as a rough guide. If you will be flying another airline, or for the most current information, please check the airline’s website or speak with your Travel Advisor for further details.

  
  

  LAN Passenger Baggage Restrictions

  Class	Check-In Luggage	Carry-On Luggage
  First	40 kg	16 kg
  Business	30 kg	16 kg
  Tourist	20 kg	8 kg

  
  * The fee for excess baggage for all airlines is $1.8 per kilo.
  
• Are there any other airport security issues we should be aware of when flying within Peru? 

  Flight restrictions in Peru are less strict than in the USA; whatever you can bring from the US, you will be able to carry on your flights within Peru.

•  Do we get American Airline miles for LAN Peru plane tickets?

  You will receive American Airlines miles for your domestic flights with Lan Peru.

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5. Calling

• What is the best way to make calls to US? Buying a calling card? If so, where can they be purchased?

  You can get a really good deal is using a calling card. We recommend either ‘147’ or ‘Hola Peru’. For 10 Soles (about $3.50) you have 48 minutes’ worth of call time to the states (from a standard land line- don’t use payphones as there are very high surcharges)..

• If we rent an international cell phone will it work in the areas we are going to or do we need a satellite cell phone?

  In most of the places you'll be visiting your international cell phone will work and will be able to get a signal. However for remote places like the jungle a satellite phone is best if you wish to keep in touch.

• Do you know what the least expensive prepaid SIM cards for cell phones are, if we bought them in Peru? We both have GSM cell phones and might want to buy prepaid SIM cards for one or both of them, depending on the cost.
  The least expensive is Claro, one of the largest telecommunications company in Peru. It would cost approximately 30 soles (about $11).

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6. Safety

• In terms of safety, especially for the children, is there anything we should be concerned about, be prepared for etc.?

  Something to be careful about is what you allow your children to eat and drink, because they are more susceptible to diarrhea. You can be assured that the food in good hotels and reputable restaurants are ok.

  For children with asthma, it would be best to consult your doctor before traveling, especially if you are visiting a city at high altitude such as Cuzco or Puno.

• What are the conditions for personal safety?

  Regarding traveling safely, you simply have to avoid wearing flashy jewelry and always keep your belongings close to you. Since you will always be traveling with us, you can feel safe with our tour guides who will take good care of you. Traveling in a group or with our guide, you can always feel secure.

• Any shots we need?

  Just Yellow Fever vaccination, but even that is just recommended but not required. If you want to be on the safe side you can get your shots at the doctor 12 days prior to your entry in the Amazon jungle.

• Should we take some precautions while in Peru, such as drinking only bottled water and buying food such as fruit?

  Drinking only bottled water is a good idea. You’ll find many brands in supermarkets or in little stores called ”bodegas” and they are all good. You’ll see brands like Cielo, San Antonio, San Luis and Fresh (lemon infused water which is quite good!).  Just a little tip, there are 2 types of water you can buy. “Sin gas” meaning un-carbonated “normal” water, and “con gas” which is carbonated. PFL works with good hotels & food here is of good quality. Make sure to eat in good restaurants & buy fruits from supermarkets like Vivanda & Wong (found all over Lima).

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7. Additional Recommendations

• Christmas & New Year's Eve.

  Christmas is generally spent with family and is quiet. You can enjoy dinner at a fancy restaurant but go early as restaurants close earlier- if you can, try and make reservations.

  New Year’s Eve is more festive & you can be assured of parties. In any destination within Peru, you can go to the main square and watch the fireworks. 

  You can also go to bars and “discotecas” (Please note- “Night Clubs” in Peru are “Gentlemen’s Clubs”). Feel free to ask your expert representatives in each city about the best and most popular places to go out.

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We work hard to ensure that all information is current and accurate. However, the Tourism Industry is rapidly evolving in Latin America and many changes can occur overnight. Please speak to a Travel Advisor for the most up-to-date information on any of our Latin America destinations!