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General Information
- Capital City:
- Lima
- Population:
- 29.46 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:
- <b>2012</b> 01 Jan : New Year's Day 05 Apr : Maundy Thursday 06 Apr : Good Friday 01 May : Labour Day 29 Jun : St Peter's and St Paul's Day 28 Jul : Independence Day Celebrations 30 Aug : St Rosa of Lima Day 08 Oct : Angamos Battle 01 Nov : All Saints' Day 08 Dec : Immaculate Conception 24 Dec : Christmas Eve (half day) 25 Dec : Christmas Day Note: In addition, Chinese, Jewish and Indian businesses will be closed for their own religious holidays. Muslim festivals are timed according to the lunar calendar and local sightings of various phases of the moon. Dates listed are approximate. It should be noted also during Ramadan that precedes Eid al-Fitr, Muslims fast during the day and feast at night. Normal business patterns may be interrupted. Many restaurants and eating establishments are closed during daytime and there may be restrictions on smoking and drinking. Some disruption will continue into Eid al-Fitr itself, which can last anything from 2 to 10 days, depending on the region. Hindu festivals are declared according to local astronomical observations and it's only possible to normally forecast the month when they occur.
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
- 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
- Tetanus, Hepatitis A, Typhoid, *Yellow Fever. <b>In addition:</b> Diphtheria, Tuberculosis, Rabies, Hepatitis B & Cholera are also recommended to those travelling to Peru frequently or intending to spend extended time here. <b>*Yellow Fever:</b> For those visiting areas below 2,300m East of the Andes.
- Risks
- - <b>Malaria</b> - Risk is due predominantly to the benign form but with also with the severe form throughout the year. Risk is present in rural areas below 2,000m. The risk is highest in the department of Loreto in the Amazon where 98% of severe malaria is found. The risk is lower in other areas and low to no risk in areas West of the Andes and at altitude. <b>GENERAL INFO FOR ALL TRAVELLERS:</b> Details listed can occasionally change at very short notice and it's recommended that all travellers seek advice from their Practice Nurse, GP or Travel Clinic when planning a visit to Peru. It should be noted that some vaccinations and treatments may require one or more visits and should be planned well in advance of travel. Primary courses and boosters should always be up to date as recommended for life in the UK. This should include vaccines given to special groups due to complications or risk exposure such as Hepatitis B for health care workers, influenza and pneumococcal vaccines for the elderly etc.
The following DO NOT require a visa: 1) Nationals of Peru. 2) For tourist visits up to 180 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, Ecuador, Estonia, Fiji, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Grenada, Guyana, Haiti, Hong Kong (SAR China passports), Hungary, Iceland, Indonesia, Ireland (Rep of), Israel, Italy, Jamaica, Japan, Kiribati, Korea (South), Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Macedonia (FYROM), Malaysia, Malta, Marshall Islands, Mexico, Micronesia, Moldova, Monaco, Montenegro, Nauru, Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Palau Islands, Papua New Guinea, Paraguay, Philippines, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Russian Federation, Samoa, San Marino, Serbia, Singapore, Slovakia, Slovenia, Solomon Islands, South Africa, Spain, St. Kitts-Nevis, St. Lucia, Saint Vincent & Grenadines, Suriname, Sweden, Switzerland, Thailand, Tonga, Trinidad & Tobago, Tuvalu, Ukraine, Uruguay, USA, Vatican City, Vanuatu & Venezuela. c) Holders of Chinese Taipei (Taiwan) passports. For a stay of up to 90 days by: a) Nationals of Panama.
Entry requirements may change from time to time and should be checked with the Peruvian Embassy.
Embassy
Consulate General of Peru 52 Sloane Street London, SW1X 9SP tel: +44 20 7838 9223/9224 fax: +44 20 7823 2789 e-mail: peruconsulate-uk@btconnect.com website: www.peruembassy-uk.com hours: 0930-1300 (Mon-Fri)
Airports
- Lima - Jorge Chavez International
