Peru

General Information
Business Hours
Business & social hints
Climate
Customs
Health
Immigration & Passport
Useful Contacts

General Information

Capital City:: Lima
Population:: 27,674, million
Area:: 496,225 square miles
Language:: Spanish, Quechua, Aymara, Minor Amazonian Languages
Electricity:: 220V AC 60Hz
Direct Dial:: 51
Driving:: Driving is on the right. International Driving Permit required
Currency:: New Sol (PEN 1 = 100 Centimos)

Business Hours

Bank:: 0900-1000-1700-1800 Mon-Fri (variations during summer months)
Office:: 0900-1700 Mon-Fri
Shops:: 1000-1300 & 1600-2000 Mon-Sat
Public Holidays:: 2010 1 Jan New Year's Day, 1 Apr Maundy Thursday, 2 Apr Good Friday, 1 May Labour Day, 29 Jun St Peter's and St Paul's Day, 28 Jul -29 Jul Independence Day Celebrations, 30 Aug St Rosa of Lima Day, 8 Oct Angamos Battle, 1 Nov All Saints' Day, 8 Dec Immaculate Conception, 24 Dec Christmas Eve (half day), 25 Dec Christmas Day.

Business and social hints

General:: Business is conducted in Spanish. Constant eye contact is important. The minimum drinking age is 18 years
Tipping:: A 15% service charge is normally added to the bill. It is customary to add a further tip of around 5%. Tips are not customary for taxis
Clothing:: Lightweights from Jan-Apr and medium-weights from Jun-Nov. Warmer clothing and raincoat necessary in the Andean regions
Emergency Services:: Police: 313040. Fire: 723333. Ambulance: 400200
Hotel Classification:: Hotels are graded on a star system from 1-5, Apartments range from 3-5* and resorts from 3-5 starts Classification depends of certain factors such as number of rooms, the level of facilities available to guests and service standard

The Pacific coastal area has a dry desert climate which has relatively cold temperatures for a tropical latitude with little difference from month to month. It is extremely dry and not uncommon for years to pass without an obvious amount of rainfall. The northern coastal areas however can experience frequent low cloud, fog and drizzle which is unusual for such a dry region. The Andean mountain and plateaux areas climate is influenced by altitude. There is a noticeable reduction in temperature throughout the year with a single rainy season between Nov-Mar and during the dry season frost can occur. The eastern lowlands of the Amazon Basin are typically tropical with no real dry season and high temperatures and humidity throughout the year

Import Allowances:: For persons of 18 years of age or older: a) 400 cigarettes or 50 cigars or 50gr of tobacco b) 3 lit of spirits or 3 lit of wine c) A reasonable quantity of perfume for personal use
Contraband:: All meat and dairy

None.

Compulsary Vaccinations: None.
Recommended Immunisations: Hepatitis A, Influenza A (H1N1), Typhoid, Yellow Fever (For Those Visiting Areas Below 2300M East Of The Andes) <b>NOTE:</b> Diphtheria, Tuberculosis, Rabies, Hepatitis B & Cholera are also recommended <b>IN ADDITION</b> to any immunisation(s) already listed for those travelling to this country frequently or intending to spend extended time here.
Risks: The risk of malaria is high in the north and east of the country, in some states along the Amazon river tributaries. There is a variable risk in other low-lying areas below 2000m. A risk along the Pacific coast to the west of the Andes is very small except in the plains to the far north of Peru. There is virtually no risk at high altitude in the Andes range - this includes ,Inca trail routes taken by trekkers to Cuzco, Machu Picchu and to Lake Titicaca Rabies.

Passports must be valid for 6 months after intended length of stay

The following DO NOT require a visa: 1) Nationals of Peru 2) For tourist visits up to 90 days by: a) Holders of British passports b) Nationals of Andorra, Antigua & Barbuda, Argentina, Australia, Austria, Bahamas, Barbados, Belarus, Belgium, Belize, Bolivia, Brazil, Brunei Darussalam, Bulgaria, Canada, Chile, Colombia, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Dominica, Dominican Rep, Ecuador, Estonia, Fiji, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Grenada, Guyana, Haiti, Hong Kong, Hungary, Iceland, Indonesia, Ireland Rep, Israel, Italy, Jamaica, Japan, Kiribati, Korea (south), Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Macedonia, Malaysia, Malta, Marshall Islands, Mexico, Micronesia, Moldova, Monaco, Montenegro, Nauru, Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Palau Islands, Papua New Guinea, Paraguay, Philippines, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Russia, Samoa, San Marino, Serbia & Montenegro, Singapore, Slovakia, Slovenia, Solomon Islands, South Africa, Spain, St. Kitts-Nevis, St. Lucia, Saint Vincent & Grenadines, Suriname, Sweden, Switzerland, Taiwan, Thailand, Tonga, Trinidad & Tobago, Tuvalu, Ukraine, United States, Uruguay, Vatican City, Vanuatu & Venezuela

Visitors must hold confirmed return or onward tickets and all documents required for their next destination.

Embassy

Consulate General of Peru 52 Sloane Street London, SW1X 9SP tel: +44 20 7235 1917 fax: +44 20 7235 4463 e-mail: postmaster@peruembassy-uk.com website: www.peruembassy-uk.com hours: 0930-1300 (Mon-Fri)