Peru FAQs
What language is spoken in Peru?
The official language of Peru is Spanish with 82.6% of the population speaking Castilian, one of many dialects of Spanish. In Peru, there are 47 indigenous languages with Quechua (13.9% of the pop.) and Aymara (1.7% of the pop.) being the two most common.
Is English spoken in Peru?
English is spoken in most tourist areas, but it is not widely spoken throughout Peru.
What currency is used in Peru?
Peru's currency is the Nuevo Sol. The coins are five, ten, twenty and fifty cents. Coins of 1, 2 and 5 sol and bills of 10, 20, 50, 100 and 200 sol are also available.
Do I need a visa to travel to Peru?
A visa is not required when travelling as a tourist from Canada or the United States for up to 90 days.
When is the best time to travel to Peru?
May through September is the best time to travel to Peru. Although this is their winter, this is also considered their dry season with more sunny days and cold nights.
Is there transportation within Peru?
Transport in Peru's main cities mainly consists of local buses and taxis. In Lima, they have a subway system called the Lima Metro. To travel between different regions, it is always best to fly. In the Andean region, from Cusco to Lake Titicaca, there are also train journeys that allow you to enjoy the beautiful scenery while you travel comfortably. It is important to mention that the only way to access Aguas Calientes is by train. This is the closest town you reach before visiting the famous Incan citadel of Machu Picchu.
Is Peru a family-friendly destination?
Peru is an excellent destination to visit with the family as the facilities, culture, and activities are perfect for a family trip. In Peru, both adults and kids can learn about different cultures, history, and archaeology, admire magnificent scenery, try local food, visit llama or alpaca farms and local markets, go on explorations to the Amazon, swim in the Amazon rivers, or sandboard in the desert. No matter what the interest is, Peru can offer an excellent experience for adults and children to enjoy.
How welcoming is Peru to LGBTQ travellers and families?
In recent years, LGBTQ tourism in Peru has been growing. Unfortunately, It is not one of the more progressive countries in South America, so discretion is advised when travelling in more remote areas of the country.
Electricity
In Peru, the common voltage is 220 V. The frequency is 60 Hz. The plugs and plugs are A / B / C type
Tipping
Tips are not mandatory. These tipping ranges are suggestions only and assume that the service given was of a good standard.
For regular excursions, US$ 7-10 per person is expected for the guide and US $3-5 per person for the driver (depending if it was a half-day excursion or a full-day excursion)
Inca trail US$ 10-15 per person per day (the amount will be split among all staff, guides, porters, cooks). Please resist the urge to over-tip. If you feel you might want to go beyond a standard tip, keep in mind that many porters would be grateful for additional donations such as clothing.
For restaurants, the standard is 10% of the total bill, and in most cases, they will add a 10% tip to their bills automatically.
An average of US $1 is given to concierges as tips.
Events
Peru is full of history, culture and tradition which invites many festivals and celebrations. They have more than 3000 celebrations throughout the year, most of them commemorating one of the local saints or patrons.
Carnival is celebrated in February. Fiesta de la Candelaria celebrates the Virgin of Candelaria, the patron saint of the town of Puno. The day of the Holy Dead in November is important locally. However, Inti Raymi is probably one of the most popular festivals among the Andean communities and is celebrated in June (the exact day varies from year to year, but it is usually around June 24). It is a celebration in honour of the Sun, which was the most important deity for the Incas and is still the most important deity for the indigenous communities in Peru. If you are planning a trip during these local celebrations, booking in advance is essential, and don’t be surprised if prices are somewhat higher than usual. A privately guided excursion to see the most representative celebrations on Inti Raymi can be arranged by request.
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