Useful Tips for Travellers

Upon Entering Peru You must submit the International Embarkation/Disembarkation Form and the Customs Declaration Form to the competent authority at the Lima airport.

The International Embarkation/Disembarkation Form is available on the plane or at the immigration centre at the immigration office of the border where you will be crossing. Keep it since it must be submitted when leaving the country. If it is lost, the penalty is U.S. $4.00.

When entering the country, the immigration officer will assign you a length of stay in the country (between 30 and 90 days, according to his judgment). In the event you stay longer than the assigned number of days, you must pay U.S. $1.00 for every day over the established time limit when you doing the immigration paperwork for leaving the country. We suggest you arrive at the terminal in advance of your departure to accommodate the time needed for the procedures.

The Custom’s Declaration must state those goods that are subject to paying taxes; if this is not the case, then you must write down that you have nothing to declare. On the same form, you must declare if you are bringing into the country any animal or vegetable species, which require approval from the corresponding health authority of your country.

You must declare whether you are bringing in any vegetable or animal species. If so, you will need to have a permit from the competent sanitary authorities in your country. If you do not have the necessary sanitation documents, Peruvian sanitation authorities may order your vegetable species to be incinerated and that the animal be sacrificed.

Upon arriving at the airport, all travellers must use the red light-green light customs control system, pressing a single bottom. If the green light comes on, the declaration will be taken as true and luggage may be withdraw without prior inspection.

If the red light comes on, a bag will be chosen from the traveller’s luggage and will be searched. If there is no difference between the declaration and the contents of the luggage, the travellers may withdraw his suitcase and enter the country. If the search determines that the declaration does not correspond with the traveller’s goods, the goods will be retained, and if the value of these articles is over S/.12, 000 (approximately US $ 3,372.00), legal action will be taken.

Time (-5 hr GMT)
LIMA 12:00 h

London 17:00 h           New York 13:00 h
Berlin     18:00 h           Buenos Aires 14:00 h
Paris      18:00 h           Santiago 13:00 h
Tokyo    02:00 h (*)     México City 11:00 h
Sydney   03:00 h (*)     (*) Next day.

Electricity
220 Volt.  Most 4 and 5 star hotels do have outlets equipped for 110 volts.

Health Care & Safety
Peru generally maintains good health conditions. Hospitals and clinics provide adequate services, especially in Lima and the other main cities.
 
It is recommended that you take the proper measures to protect yourself, especially from mosquito bites, in order to prevent infection from, among other diseases, yellow fever (vaccination) and malaria (repellent and medication). Consult your doctor before travelling.
 
A yellow fever vaccination is required for travelling to jungle cities, and it must be administered at least 10 days before your trip. If not, it will not be effective.

To avoid altitude sickness or soroche, we suggest you to ascend gradually in order to become acclimatized, rest on the first day of your arrival, eat light foods, drink plenty of water and keep lemon candies at hand. If you have heart problems consult your doctor.

To keep from getting gastrointestinal infections, we recommend you to take care when eating raw foods. Drink bottled or boiled water and do not eat food from street vendors.

During your visit to Peru, it is important that you take the precautions that are shared among the world’s main cities and tourist destinations, such as not neglecting your belongings in public.

Consider getting a copy of your passport, airplane tickets, and credit cards; likewise, think about the option of leaving your personal documents in the safety box of the hotels and taking the copies with you.

Check beforehand where the unsafe areas of the city are located and avoid visiting them, especially at night. Also consult the appropriate hours for visiting tourist attractions.
 
If you must exchange money, do so in Banks, Money Exchange Shops, or in your hotel. Avoid doing this in the streets.

If you drive a car, try using a parking garage or similar service. Do not leave it in dark spots or leave your valuables visible from the outside.

Telephone
International calls to Peru:
00 - 51 - City Code + Phone number
Public telephones accept coins and phone cards that are sold in kiosks and supermarkets. Make certain that you are buying the phone card from the company you wish to use. It is possible to make collect calls from some public phone booths.

Internet
Public internet booths are found in the Country’s main cities. Wireless internet service is provided in most 4 and 5 star hotels and in Shopping Centers.

Nightlife
Most cities in Peru offer a variety of nightlife sometimes with traditional music live, disco techs, pubs, night clubs, and restaurants. The location of nightlife discos are normally around town centers (Main Square and its surroundings).