Feel free to comment or send questions to me or Carmen.
Passport, visas, documents
To check the status of you passport applications see:
http://www.travel.state.gov/passport/get/status/status_2567.html
Cash or credit cards?
You can use credit cards in Peru.
We usually carry a minimum of cash because we can withdraw cash on many teller machines around the city. Consult with your bank; some banks do not offer that service. If they do offer the service, they will tell you what type of teller you can use. It's just like in Europe.
Exchange booths can be found in the airport.
Public transportation. Renting a car
I highly do not recommend renting a car unless you plan to go to the countryside or you have the will to drive inside a chaotic mass of cars. I usually use taxis which are everywhere. Taxi's fares are inexpensive, about $3 to $6 a trip.
Weather in Lima
Very humid (100%) at 83F (28C) which feels very hot. Use good skin protection. We are in the middle of summer in the south hemisphere. No rain in Lima this time of the year.
Weather in the highlands
It is summer and it is the rainy season in the highlands. Puno is at about 12800 f above sea level so it has cold mornings at about 40F but it gets warm and nice during the day. Puno is a plateau and is windy.
Cuzco is in a warm valley with not so cold temperatures in the morning and nice during the day. It will be raining occasionally.
A waterproof jacket is the best.
Traveling inside Peru
Unfortunately you may see that some carriers charge more to foreigners. We recommend using Star Peru to fly because they do not charge more.
The trip Cuzco-Puno can be done by bus. There are two services, the "fast one" (about 7hours) and the "slow one" (about 10hours). The fares are about $40 per person. The slow one has stops at tourist attractions.
Bus schedules from Puno to Cuzco
There are three options. Two leave at 7:00 am and they arrive at 3:00 pm or 5:00 pm. The longer one makes stops at tourist attractions. Cost is $40 per person (does not include fares to touristic attractions). The third option is a bus that leaves at 10:00 pm and arrives to Cuzo next morning. Tickets can be purchased the day before. I'm still looking if there is a way to buy in advance.
Bus schedules from Cuzco to Puno
Still waiting for the info.
Food
Bring some Pepto bismol with you, just in case. City water in Lima is of good quality but your system needs to get accustomed to it; so I suggest drinking bottled water only.
Please do not eat food sold on the streets. Have your foods only in restaurants or buy it in supermarkets. The Wong franchise is a good one; they have salad bars and food just like in Bush's or Kroger's. You can buy food also in many bakeries.
Beaches
Lima's beaches are very crowed. Your best option is to go 1 to 2 hours south of Lima if you want to get wet. Here is a link for one service:
http://www.surfvantrips-peru.com/english_version/paquete6.htm
Asia Beach
Asia is a nice place to tan. Lots of nightclubs, beach areas, restaurants, hotels. I'm waiting for info on prices and public transportation options. Asia is about 2 hours south of Lima.
Hostals
Pension Viera
Here is a place that looks well located (close to supermarkets, nice places, restaurants, etc.):
http://www.pensionviera.com/tarifas.html
Rooms are a bit small. $25 a day. Hot water, close to a Wong.
The Hostal Place.
This one seems OK too. Send Veronica an email at reservas@theplacehostal.com.pe. Please CC Amparo at amparotell@gmail.com
Casa Amanecer
Amparo did not like this place. Well located though.
Hostal BuenaVista
Reservation at 447-3178 or email to reservas@hostalbuenavista.com. Ask for Vanessa. Web site is http://www.hostalbuenavista.com/ $35 or $45 a day. Breakfast included. Rooms have a kitchenet.
Cameras, laptops, chargers
Peru uses a 220V system and wall outlets are as shown in this picture. Most of all charges sold in the USA (cells, cameras, laptops) work for both 110V and 220V, make sure you check. If your plug has a ground prong, you need to buy an adapter. Radio Shack sells a traveling pack with all sorts of adapters for travelers.
Major museums
Museo Arqueológico Rafael Larco Herrera
Av. Bolívar 1515, Pueblo Libret:461-1312Lu-Do-Mo-su 9-6pmTickets: S/. 30.00 (soles) Students: S/. 15.00Founded in 1926, was built in 1707. This museum harbors the biggest private collection of pre-columbine art that exists to the world. Exhibition of archaeological pieces of textile, gold, stone, wood and ceramic of pre-Hispanic cultures.
Museo de la Nación
Javier Prado Este 2465, San BorjaT: 476-9875Tu-Su 9-6pmTickets: S/ 6.00 Students: S/3.00Inaugurated in 1990, exhibition in big rooms distributed in four levels, with a sample that recreates all the pre-Hispanic manifestation among 14,000 BC and 1532 AD. Ceramic exhibition, replicas of the main archaeological places of Peru.
Museo Nacional de Arqueología,Antropología e Historia
Plaza Bolívar s/n, Pueblo Libre.T: 463-5070 Tu-Sa (-5pm Su; 9-4pmTickets S/. 11 Students: S/.3 Founded by Julio C. Tello in 1938; exhibition of the biggest historical collection in Peru, more than 100 thousand pieces, from all the Peruvian cultures. Ceramic pieces, metallic pieces, fabrics, funeral bales, sculptures carved in stone, etc.
Museo de Historia Natural
Av. Arenales 1256, Jesús MaríaT: 471-0117Exhibition of Peru's natural flora, fauna and minerals. Collection of Italian scientist Antonio Raymondi. Sections of General Zoology. General Botany, Ethnography. Mineralogy. Anthropology and Entomology.
