Preparing for Your Trip & Answers to Other Frequently Asked Questions We are so delighted that you have decided to travel with us and we can’t wait to host you in beautiful Peru! In order to help you pack and prepare, we have compiled this list of helpful tips. If you have any additional questions, don’t hesitate to contact your Travel Designer. See you soon! -Your Kuoda Team

 

U.S., Canadian, Australian, New Zealand, and (almost all) Western European citizens DO NOT require a visa to enter Peru. Others should check with the Peruvian Embassy or consulate in their respective area/region  for  entry  requirements.  Travelers  who  do  require  a  visa  can  obtain  one  through  the Peruvian Embassy or consulate. Times to acquire a visa may vary. For more information check: http://embassy.goabroad.com/embassies-of/peru. You can also check the following link for the address of your nearest Peruvian embassy (in Spanish only): www.consulado.pe/paginas/Inicio.aspx.

To enter Peru: US, Canadian, Australian, New Zealand and (most of) Western European citizens need ONLY A PASSPORT that is valid for at least six months after your departure date from Peru.

Before you land, your flight attendants will issue you an international customs card to complete. Hand this in at the immigration counter in Lima, and your customs agent will issue a tourist visa via a stamp in your passport.

Weather in Peru varies greatly by region and season, so dressing for success (and comfort) means packing layers!

– The Mountains (Cusco, Puno, the Sacred Valley, Cordillera Blanca): Mid-April through October is considered dry season, which means hot dry days (temperatures in the 70s) and cold, cold nights, with temperatures close to freezing. Even during the day, if you step out of the sun, the mountain air can chill, so be sure to always have a layer. Jackets, gloves and hats are not inappropriate during this time, though there  are great woolen goods  to purchase in Peru! November through March/April is the rainy season, with heavy rain in January and February. Generally the mornings are clear, with rain in the afternoons and temperatures are a bit warmer than they are in the dry season.

– Machu Picchu: The dry season is also mid-April through October, though it is a bit more humid and warmer at the Inca site. You’ll definitely want a t-shirt for sightseeing when the sun is high and something waterproof to protect from frequent showers.

– The Central and Southern Coast (Lima, Paracas, Nazca, Arequipa): December-April is summer, with very hot weather. Pack for temperatures in the 70s and 80s. Peruvian winter  is May- November and Lima will be cloaked in mist and drizzle with moderate temperatures – in the 50s, usually.

–  The Northern Beaches: Mancora and Punta Sal are hot enough for swimming all year round. Sunscreen is a must!

– The Jungle (Manu, Tambopata, Iquitos): April-October is the dry season, with daily temperatures in the upper 80s. That said, cold fronts aren’t uncommon, when temperatures can drop to the 50s. November through March is the wet season, when it is very hot and humid and heavy rain is common. Waterproof and mud-proof boots are key – but don’t worry, your lodge will provide boots for everyone!

If you plan to partake in outdoor activities (trekking, rafting, jungle hikes, etc.), you’ll need to pack appropriate gear. Otherwise, you’ll be packing to accommodate the weather and sightseeing. Comfortable walking shoes are a must! And, a word to the wise: Cusco’s streets are cobbled, with very slippery stones when it rains, so make sure your shoes have good tread and ankle support.

Overall, Peru is a much more casual place than other international locations – you won’t encounter many dress codes during your trip. That said, Lima is quite cosmopolitan, with many restaurants where you’ll feel better in a relaxed but nice outfit. Cusco is fairly casual, but you won’t want to be in your hiking clothes all of the time, so it may be wise to pack a comfortable sightseeing and strolling outfit. Flashy jewelry and accessories should be left at home, as they are a draw for pickpockets.

Please triple-check luggage restrictions for your international flights secured on your own. You will likely want to pack for greater restrictions on domestic flights and ground transportation within Peru, which means packing a bit lighter and bringing something that can serve as an overnight bag if you don’t want to be subject to extra baggage fees on your domestic flights.

Permitted baggage on domestic flights (you’ll have all your luggage):

• Latam: Checked bags are one piece of 50 lbs. (23 kg) and carry-on is 17.6 lbs. (8kg)
• Peruvian Airlines: Checked bags are 50 lbs. (23kg). Carry-on is 17.6 lbs. (8kg) for all flights except those departing from Cusco, for which they allow 11 lbs. (5kg)
• Star Peru: Checked bags are 50 lbs. (23kg) and carry-on is 17.6 lbs. (8kg) for all flights except those departing from Cusco (code share), for which they allow 11 lbs. (5kg)
• LCPeru: Checked bags are either 44 lbs. (20 kg) or 44 lbs. (20 kg), depending on the type of aircraft used for the flight. Carry-on is 11 lbs. (5 kg)
•  Avianca: Checked bags are 50 lbs. (23 kg) and carry-on is 22 lbs. (10 kg)
• SKY: Checked bags are 44 lbs. (20 kg) and carry-on is 44 lbs (20 kg).
• Viva Air: Checked bags are 50 lbs. (23 kg) and carry-on is 26.4 lbs (12 kg).
• Allowances depend on the category of ticket bought, so please check carefully before your travels.

Trips to the jungle may require further weight restrictions. Lodges there often have weight limits for luggage that you can take on the boat to your destination; typically this is between 10 and 15kgs per person (each lodge defines the weight). If you have more than the allowance, the remainder of your belongings will be securely stored at your lodge’s local office until you return.

Trains to Machu Picchu all allow just 11 lbs. (5 kg) of luggage, with a total of 62 square inches in dimension (length + width + height) – the exception here is the Belmond Hiram Bingham train, which allows slightly more luggage. While it is uncommon for bags to be measured or weighed, we still recommend simply taking an overnight bag for this portion of your trip. Kuoda will transfer the rest of your luggage to your next hotel.

Electricity in Peru is 220 volts, alternating at 60 cycles per second. If you travel to Peru with a device that does not accept 220 volts at 60 hertz, you will need a voltage converter. Check your devices for what voltages they are compatible with. Many laptops, cellphone chargers, tablets and e-readers have dual voltage, so you won’t need a converter.

Outlets in Peru generally accept 2 types of plug:

                

 

 

 

If your appliance’s plug has a different shape, you may need an adapter plug. Many of the newer hotels however have 110 volt connections as well for hair dryers and shavers in their bathrooms, and many hotels provide hair dryers for your use.

 

The official currency of Peru is the Sol (PEN S/.), which is divided into 100 centimos. Coins in circulation include the amounts of 10, 20, and 50 centimos, as well as 1, 2 and 5 soles. Paper bills come in 10, 20, 50, 100 and 200 soles. For current information on exchange rates, please visit: www.xe.com

We recommend changing money at Casas de Cambio (money changing booths) or banks whenever possible. Note that dollar bills with rips or tears will often be denied or exchanged at a significantly lower rate. It is best to bring new bills from your bank. It is better to not change money at the airport where the rates are not as favorable. $1 bills are usually exchanged for around two thirds of the going rate, so try to avoid using these where possible.

You can use your ATM card at banks. Please make sure to call your bank before your trip, to let them know you will be in Peru –  this will avoid potential fraud scares, and ensure your card is not blocked  while traveling. Credit cards are accepted in the bigger cities but bring cash for small towns or pueblos and local markets. Travelers checks are rarely, if ever, used.

Always agree on prices in advance of purchasing services or goods. Additionally, this is a bargaining culture, so when purchasing souvenirs, you can bid a bit lower than the vendor’s opening price!

Often, merchants do not have much change, so try to have an ample supply of small bills. You can ask for change at your hotel, a money changer or a bank.

While most charges are included in your trip cost, you will need a bit of extra cash for:

• Meals not included in your itinerary: there is a huge variety in price available, but generally, US dollars are worth a bit less than 3 times what they are worth in the U.S. So while a nice main plate in the U.S. might cost $14-20, a nice meal in Peru might be 25-40 soles (under $15 USD).
• Souvenirs – absolutely up to you. You can find great little gifts for 30 cents and Peruvian hats for about $10 USD. A high-quality alpaca sweater should cost around $100 USD.
• Taxis or other transport on your free days – this will depend on where you are. Your guides can provide estimates for costs.
• Tipping. We’ve provided more information below.
• Airport taxes. More information below.

Tipping is not required, but is a welcome gesture if you feel you received excellent service. For guides and drivers the suggestions are for the total tip from your group, per day. It is best to tip in soles, but dollars will be accepted too. It is not necessary to tip everywhere, but here are some good rules of thumb:

• Your guide – $ 20 USD per day (from your whole party, not “per person”)
• Your driver and/or host – $ 10 USD per day (from your whole party, not “per person”)
• Waiting staff at great restaurants – 10% (sometimes service is included in your bill, please check first)
• Bellboys – 1 USD$ per piece of luggage

There are no required vaccinations for visiting Peru, but the CDC recommends Hepatitis A and B and

Typhoid for general travel to South America, and Yellow Fever if you are visiting the jungle. They also recommend bringing malaria pills if you are visiting the jungle.

We highly recommend speaking with your health care provider before you leave; it is even better to speak with a doctor at a travel clinic.

Those with heart disease, asthma or other respiratory ailments should speak with their doctor prior to heading to Cusco and other high altitude locations. There is a prescription medication available (Diamox) that can help all travelers adjust to the altitude more smoothly, but some people may be allergic. Again, check with your doctor.

If you are preparing to trek at high altitude, you’ll feel much better if you are physically fit! Good aerobic health will help a great deal!

Kuoda does not include travel insurance in its trip prices, but we strongly encourage you to purchase a plan before you  travel in Peru. This is relatively inexpensive (usually falls under $100 USD) and it protects you financially from sickness abroad and cancellations due to unforeseeable events. If you are trekking, you are required to have insurance coverage. We recommend using www.travelguard.com or you can check www.insuremytrip.com for a list of options.

While in Peru, please drink only bottled water which is readily available in all hotels and local stores. Eat fruit that can be peeled and stay away from lettuce and other uncooked vegetables. Make sure the cooked foods you do eat are well-cooked and that meats are hot. Water cleanliness and sanitation is not all it could be here, so sticking to these rules and eating in reputable restaurants will prevent stomach ailments. You may wish to bring antibiotics as a precaution.

Cusco is over two times higher than Denver. Puno is even higher. For many people, this high altitude will make itself felt. Common effects are headache, nausea, loss of appetite, trouble with sleep and lack of energy.  For  most people, keeping  hydrated, taking Diamox  (check  with  your  doctor  as  mentioned above), avoiding heavy meals and alcohol in the first days, taking it easy and drinking coca tea are sufficient remedies. If any symptoms worsen, please contact your Kuoda  Team as Acute Mountain Sickness, although rare, can have more serious consequences.

If you have any medical issue whatsoever, contact your Kuoda Team as soon as possible and they will help you find the best medical care.

Extra caution should be taken in Lima, where theft is more common. Don’t wear flashy jewelry or display expensive electronics. Keep purses and bags close, cab doors locked and cab windows rolled up. Use caution throughout the rest of Peru and always be aware of your surroundings. That said, you’ll most often be with a guide, who will be on the lookout for you and there’s no need to be overly worried!

All of our hotels will have Wi-Fi available and your guides will be happy to help you find locutorios where you can connect to the Internet, print and even make international phone calls.

*Please note there is little-to-no internet connectivity when visiting the jungle.

 

It may be possible to use your mobile phone in Peru. You’ll first need to check with your provider to see if your phone will recognize the local networks. You can then buy a prepaid SIM card from one of the Peruvian telecommunications companies, Claro or Movistar, but please note you will need to show identification and unfortunately the Claro/Movistar kiosks at the Lima airport do not sell SIM cards. Securing a SIM card can often be a lengthy process and particularly frustrating if you do not speak Spanish, so even though your Kuoda guides and hosts are happy to help, we recommend sticking to communication via the internet!

Peru is five hours behind Greenwich Mean Time. Peru is almost on the Equator, making its days roughly

of equal length year round. Peru does not recognize daylight saving time.

Los Angeles: ‐3 (or ‐2 Pacific Daylight Time PDT)

New York: +0 (+1 Eastern Daylight Time EDT)

Houston: +0

Miami: +0 (+1 Eastern Daylight Time EDT)

Toronto: +0 (+1 Eastern Daylight Time EDT)

London: +5 (+6 British Summer Time)

Sydney: +15 (+16 Eastern Standard Time EST)

The telephone country code for Peru is 51. When dialing Peru from overseas, dial the country code (51),

followed by the regional code (see below) minus the initial 0, followed by the number.   If dialing a

Peruvian cellphone number from the USA, simply dial: 011 + 51 + the 9-digit mobile number.

Regional codes for the largest cities:

01 Lima

084 Cusco

084 Machu Picchu (Aguas Calientes)

054 Arequipa

051 Puno

From within Peru, there are plenty of places available to make long distance calls easily.  Phone cards are also available.

In order to call home, dial the country code (eg. 001 for United States) then the area code and number.

If you are bringing a smart phone or tablet on your journey, certain apps allow you to make phone calls and send messages via Wi-Fi for free.  We recommend the app WhatsApp, as well as FaceTime for Apple users. Skype is also popular and allows video calls.

*Please note there is little-to-no cell reception or internet when visiting the jungle or other remote areas.

 

Most flights arrive quite late in the evening or early in the morning. Once you’ve claimed your baggage and cleared customs, look for our unmistakable welcome board in the arrivals lounge with your names clearly marked. Our Lima Host will warmly welcome you to Peru, assist you with your luggage, and take you to your hotel. Please do not leave the airport terminal building unless you have made contact with them. Also, ignore the calls from taxi drivers as your private transport has been provided for you.

All airport taxes for domestic and international departures and arrivals are now included in flight ticket costs. You will not need to pay additional taxes in Peruvian airports.

Your Kuoda Host will bring you to the airport, help you check in and bid you “adios!” Make sure you have tour tourist card readily accessible to hand in as you pass the immigration counters.

While Peru’s primary language is Spanish, many people in the Andes speak Quechua and people in the Lake Titicaca region speak Aymara. Luckily you’ll be with your English-speaking guide most of the time, so you won’t miss a thing.

Peruvian cuisine is tasty, varied and regional. Seafood is best on the coast, while the Inca delicacy, cuy (roasted guinea pig), can be sampled in the highlands. Specialties include beef, kabobs, rocoto relleno (spicy bell peppers stuffed with ground beef and vegetables), adobo (spicy pork stew), choclo con queso (corn on the cob with cheese), rice and beans, potato and a variety of chicken dishes. Vegetarian options are available throughout whole Peru. Do ask us and your guides for restaurant recommendations!

We have personally stayed in each of the hotels and lodge we recommend to you, and we prefer accommodations that are quiet and centrally located. Please note that some accommodations, particularly jungle lodges and homestay opportunities, are rustic at best. This means no central heat or air conditioning, electricity only at select times of the day, and oftentimes no cell reception, wifi, or TV.

Peru is a developing country. Travel here requires patience and openness to cultural differences. You will visit diverse and sometimes remote regions. The indigenous people of Peru are colorful and photogenic, and it is recommended to ask (hand signals are fine) before taking their picture. In more heavily travelled regions (Machu Picchu and Cusco) it is common to pay the person 1 Sol. Traveling responsibly does not solely mean preserving the environment, but also respecting and supporting local communities and their customs and traditions. Traveling responsibly is also about experiencing new cultures, sharing, and learning something new.

Peruvians love to celebrate and there are many religious festivals throughout the year. These festivals often involve large parades with dancing and bands (and as a result, unexpected street closures), as well as many fireworks. In general, you will hear fireworks in Cusco on Sunday mornings for the weekly parades. At key times of the year, especially throughout May, June and July when the main local (Cusco), national and religious festivals take place, you are likely to hear gunshot-like fireworks at various times throughout your stay. Please don’t be alarmed by the loudness of them at times: this is just part of the way of life in Peru!