Want to know why you should visit Peru?
The answer is both simple and complex, like Peru itself. Visiting Peru means experiencing at firsthand an astonishing culture, created by a people keen to show you the best their country has to offer, with its landscapes that touch the emotions, inspiring feelings that can never be forgotten. Peru is rich because its wealth cannot be measured in material things; its richness lies in the smile of a Cusco child, at the end of a fork, beneath feet that stride across sandy beaches, in the brush of a leaf in tropical forests, in the racing wind at the top of a mountain, in the heat on your face as the sun shines down.
General information and requirements for entering Peru
Foreign nationals who wish to enter and/or leave Peruvian territory must present the following:
a) A passport legitimately issued by a country with a minimum validity of six months from the date of entry into the country.
b) A valid letter of safe-conduct, legitimately issued by a country and only in exceptional cases as established in international treaties and conventions to which Peru is a signatory, or when approved by the country that issued the letter of safe-conduct, provided that the conditions have been recognized and accepted by the Peruvian authorities. A valid travel document issued by the Peruvian Immigration Department is also valid.
c) A travel document or Laissez Passer legitimately issued by a country or relating to international treaties and conventions to which Peru is a signatory, for humanitarian reasons.
d) A travel document for refugees and asylum seekers issued by Peru or another country within the framework of the international treaties and conventions to which Peru is a signatory.
e) A valid foreign ID document, conforming to international treaties and conventions to which Peru is a signatory and which regulate and define the circumstances in which they will apply.
f) Other valid travel documents, conforming to international treaties and conventions to which Peru is a signatory and which regulate and define the circumstances in which they will apply.
For more details, see https://www.migraciones.gob.pe/wp-content/uploads/2018/03/ley1350_migraciones_reglamento.pdf or call (+511) 200 1000.
Visas and entry procedures
Peru is an easy country to enter. People from most countries in the Americas and Western Europe do not need a tourist visa to enter Peru. The maximum length of stay that the authorities grant to tourists is 183 days, which cannot be extended. If you wish to stay longer for other reasons, such as business, studying or working, you need to request the relevant visa at a Peruvian consulate in your own country. It is essential when entering Peru to present a valid passport with a minimum validity of six months from the date of entry into the country. Citizens of Argentina, Brazil, Paraguay, Uruguay, Ecuador, Colombia, Bolivia and Chile can enter with their national ID document.
Climate
The seasons of the year (southern hemisphere): Summer: Dec. 22 - Mar. 21 (the rainy season in the highlands and jungle). Autumn: Mar. 22 - Jun. 21 Winter: Jun. 22 - Sept. 22 Spring: Sept. 23 - Dec. 21 The presence in the Cordillera of communal Andes and his abrupt geography that Peruvian one country with one o'clock large diversity Coast From Tacna to Piura: warm temperate climate, moderate but with high humidity and thick mist in Winter. In Summer there is very little mist and the temperature reaches 30 °C. From Piura to Tumbes: warm and very dry. Heavy rain between December and April, particularly on higher ground. Average temperature: 24 °C. Highlands The highlands have two seasons: Summer (April - Oct.), when the days are sunny, the nights cold and there is little rain (the ideal time to visit); and Winter (Nov. - March), when rain is frequent and heavy. During the day the temperature can reach 24 °C and at night fall to -3 °C. The jungle The jungle, like the highlands, has two well-defined seasons: the rainy season (Nov. - March), with abundant rainfall; and the relatively dry seasons (April - Oct.), which is the ideal time to visit. Humidity is very high throughout the year. Occasional "cold snaps" or "surazos" occur between May and August, when the temperature falls to 8 °C - 12 °C. Hours Peru is in the GMT-5 time zone. Lima: 12:00 New York: 13:00 Santiago: 13:00 Buenos Aires: 14:00 London: 18:00 Berlin: 19:00 Paris: 19:00 Tokyo: 02:00 (*)
Currency
The official currency of Peru is the Sol (S/). Banknotes have denominations of 10, 20, 50, 100 or 200 soles. Coins come in values of 1, 2 and 5 soles, as well as 10, 20 and 50 cents. US dollars are accepted in many stores, restaurants, hotels and service stations. Foreign currency can be exchanged at banks or exchange offices. There are also street “cambistas” who change money, but the transaction cannot be guaranteed. The normal opening hours for bureaux de change are Monday to Friday, 9am to 6pm, and 9am to midday on Saturdays. You can find ATMs in almost all cities in the country, and most are connected to the Plus (Visa), Cirrus (MasterCard/Maestro), American Express and other networks. You can take cash out in US dollars or soles, but the exchange rate is often higher.
