HEALTH & CARE

PREPARATIONS BEFORE YOU TRAVEL
If sensible precautions are taken by the visitor to Peru, there is no reason why you shouldn't remain as healthy as at home. 

• Before you travel make sure that you take out good medical insurance. If you plan to under take 'adventures activities' such as rafting, horse riding or paragliding, make sure that your policy covers you. You may have to pay a small surcharge for this.
• For advice on what immunizations / inoculations that you require we recommend that you try ringing a specialist travel clinic (at least 6 weeks prior to travel). Your own doctor is probably unfamiliar with health in Latin America.

No inoculations are currently required for Peru. However you should consider immunization against the following:- 

• Typhoid
• Polio
• Tetanus
• Hepatitis A

If you plan on going into the Peruvian jungle (Iquitos, Manu, Tambopata) then a yellow fever vaccination is recommended. There are still the occasional outbreaks and it is frequently obligatory to show a vaccination certificate when entering the jungle regions. If you don't have a certificate then you will be inoculated on the spot as you get off the plane!
Malaria tablets are also recommended for the jungle, although nearly all of the jungle lodges in the Madre de Dios/Tambopata areas and Manu National Park state that there have been no reported cases of malaria, and that taking anti-malaria tablets are optional.

TIPS ON STAYING HEALTHY WHILST TRAVELLING
The most common problem encountered by the traveller in Peru is diarrhoea (between 30% and 40% of travellers in a 2 week stay experience this to some extent) but the majority of these upsets will be relatively minor. Don't become paranoid; trying the local food is part of the experience of travel.

Tap water in Peru is unsafe to drink. Always purify the water first by boiling it or adding purification tablets such as Micropure which can be easily bought in most pharmacies throughout Peru (make sure that you read the instructions before using them). Bottled mineral water is readily available everywhere.

In most good restaurants, purified water is used to wash fruit, vegetables and salads.

There are good doctors and reasonable hospitals in the major cities, but little in the way of good facilities away from the major centres.

ALTITUDE SICKNESS (SOROCHE)
Some people experience some discomfort at this altitude. We recommend at least a couple of hours of rest prior to the commencement of classes (or any other activity). The symptoms of altitude sickness or soroche are headaches, dizziness, stomach upset and tiredness. These symptoms can be managed by reducing the alcohol intake; drinking lots of fluids (coca tea!); eating light meals and getting plenty of rest.

PERU HISTORY

In South America, there developed various real civilizations which we call, “Pre-Inca.” The most important were:

• On the coast: Chimú, Nazca, Paracas.
• In the mountains: Chavín, Tiahuanaco.

For Dr. Julio C.Tello, one of the most prominent Peruvian archaeologists, the Chavin culture was the most ancient in Peru, existing between 1000 to 250 B.C. Their principal center has been located in Chavin de Huantar, in the Ancash region. From here the people of South America developed a diverse culture, with architectural, economic and religious facets.

THE INKAS
Going back to approximately 1200 A.D, the Inca Empire was the strongest in South America, at a similar time as the Maya and Aztec peoples. The principal centre of the Inca culture was the city of Cusco, from where the Incas governed more than 40, 000 kilometers of trails and hundreds of conquered towns.

According to the legend, the Incas emerged as a powerful clan after the migration of their founders from the Tiahuanaco region. Specifically, Manco Cápac and Mama Ocllo had left Lake Titicaca to found the capital of their civilization, at the request of their God, the Sun. Various governors or “Incas” succeeded these founders and made the Inca Empire a great nation.

Historians classify the Incas that governed into two dynasties: the Legendary or Mythical Empire (from 1200 to 1410) and the Historical Empire (from 1438 to 1532). Precisely, when the two last Incas were disputing the throne of the Empire, the Spanish conquistadors made their appearance from Central America, and made their way from Tumbes to Cusco.

CONQUEST
The period of the Conquest was traumatic and difficult, as much for the indigenous natives as the new European governors. It signified a radical change the in the composition of the society and the beliefs of the inhabitants of Peru. In this period, the Vice Regency dominated Peru and politically organized the management and the governance, always under the authority of the Spain.

This was the era of the great campaigns of evangelization and doctrinisation which in the end made Peru an authentic Spanish colony. There were several rebellions, with the biggest led by the Indian chief Tupac Amaru II, who brought together people of all races and social classes against the Spanish crown. However, he was finally defeated. Given the crisis within the Vice Regency, one social class, especially the criollos (the children of the Spanish, born in Peru), were the principal managers of the future Independence of Peru.

REPUBLIC
This period began in 1821, with the Declaration of Independence in the city of Lima under the power of the Argentinean José de San Martín. He had united with the Venezuelan Simon Bolivar, and together they had directed military campaigns, made up by the army and different regions of the Vice Regency. However, two further battles, in Ayacucho y Junín, were necessary in 1824 to seal the Independence of Peru. Following the liberty from Spain, the problem most difficult for the young republics was political organization and creating consensus between the recently formed social groups. How could Peru develop in an independent manner? What group should manage this development? Which group would be the most capable to govern Peru? These were the great questions from the beginning of the Republic, and the lack of resolution brought the country its’ biggest problems. From the first wars between the military leaders to the struggles between the political organizations of recent years, Peru still seems to have not found an appropriate formula to reach its goals.

MONEY & CURRENCY

CURRENCY INFORMATION
Nuevo (new) Sol (PEN;/i/ symbol S/.) = 100 céntimos. Nuevo Sol notes are in denominations of S/.200, 100, 50, 20 and 10. Coins are in denominations of S/.5, 2 and 1, and 50, 20, 10, 5 and 1 céntimos

MONEY
Peru uses the nuevo sol (S), which has traded at S3.00 to S5.50 per US dollar (US$) for several years, although you should keep an eye on current events.

Carrying cash, an ATM or traveler’s check card and also a credit card that can be used for cash advances in case of emergency is advisable. When receiving local currency, always ask for small bills (billetes pequeñas), as S100 bills are hard to change in small towns or for small purchases. The best places to exchange money are normally casas de cambio (foreign-exchange bureaus), which are fast, have longer hours and often give slightly better rates than banks. Many places accept US dollars. Do not accept torn money as it will likely not be accepted by Peruvians. It is best not to change money on the street as counterfeits are a problem.

ATMs
Cajeros automáticos (ATMs) are found in nearly every city and town in Peru, as well as at major airports and bus terminals. ATMs are linked to the international Plus (Visa), Cirrus (Maestro/MasterCard) systems, American Express and other networks. They will accept your bank or credit card as long as you have a four-digit PIN. Before you leave home, notify your bank that you’ll be using your ATM card abroad. Even better, leave your bank card at home and buy a traveler’s check card instead.
ATMs are a convenient way of obtaining cash, but rates are usually lower than at casas de cambio. Both US dollars and nuevos soles are readily available from Peruvian ATMs. Your home bank may charge an additional fee for each foreign ATM transaction. Surcharges for cash advances from credit cards vary, but are generally expensive, so check with your credit-card provider before you leave home.

ATMs are normally open 24 hours. For safety reasons, use ATMs inside banks with security guards, preferably during daylight hours.

CREDIT CARDS
Many top-end hotels and shops accept tarjetas de credito (credit cards) but usually charge you a 7% (or greater) fee for using them. The amount you’ll eventually pay is not based on the point-of-sale exchange rate, but the rate your bank chooses to use when the transaction posts to your account, sometimes weeks later. Your bank may also tack on a surcharge and additional fees for each foreign-currency transaction.

The most widely accepted cards in Peru are Visa and MasterCard, although American Express and a few others are valid in some establishments, as well as for cash advances at ATMs. Before you leave home, notify your bank that you’ll be using your credit card abroad.

TRAVELLERS CHEQUES
Banks will exchange traveller’s cheques although it can be a slow process outside Lima. The ability to use traveller's cheques is also quite limited in some areas so you should check whether or not they will be accepted in the area you are visiting prior to travel. The use of ATMs is generally preferable, but if you do decide to bring traveller's cheques, the best currency to bring them in is US Dollars.

GENERAL INFORMATION

CAPITAL CITY
 Lima, located in the central Pacific coast.

GEOGRAPHY
Peru is crossed from south to north by the Andes which bring a rich variety of ecosystems and climates.
Peru is one of the 7 most biodiversity countries on earth, located in the third position. It can be founded 84 of the life zones that exist on earth. Peru is home for more than 400 mammal species, 300 reptiles,1700 birds and more than 50,000 plants.

AREA
With an area of 1,285,215 square km, Peru is the third-largest country in South America after Brazil and Argentina.

Peru also holds sway over the sea up to 200 miles from the Peruvian coast and has territorial rights to an area of 60 million hectares in the Antarctic.

Population: 27.000.000 inhabitants.

• Urban: 72,3%
• Rural: 27,7 %

TIME ZONE
Peru is in the same zone as U.S. EST, which is 5 hours behind GMT (Greenwich Mean Time). Peru does not use day light saving time

ELECTRICITY
Most outlets are Type A and Type C, that is they will accept either plug, however sometimes they will either be Type A or C and will not accept the other style. It's uncommon to find grounded outlets (Type B) but you may come across them occasionally. It's not recommended to adapt a three pin plug for use in a two pin outlet.

CURRENCY
 Peruvian Soles: USD 1 = S/.2.50 soles.

LANGUAGE
 Peru has two official languages: Spanish and Quechua. English is spoken at four and five star hotels and most of tourist shops. Aymara is spoken in some areas of the region of Lake Titicaca. Many other dialects exist in the jungle regions.

WEATHER
 Peru's climate is markedly different among its three vastly different regions:
The coast, the climate is mild, and it hardly ever rains. The hottest months are between December and February, when the temperature reaches 28ºC or 29ºC (84ºF). The coldest months are July and August, when the temperature ranges between 13ºC and 19ºC (55ºF to 66ºF) with is a persistent mist, particularly in Lima and the central coast, which dissipates towards the northern coast. The climate is warmer from Trujillo onwards and in Piura and Tumbes one can even bathe in the sea in those months. The weather also improves inland to 600 meters above sea level, half an hour from Lima.

In the Andes highlands is dry and sunny all year round, although the nights are cool - the higher the altitude, the colder the temperature. Arequipa seems to have an eternal mild summer, whereas in Cusco the air is much cooler. The coldest weather is in Puno, because it is at a higher altitude. The ideal months for visiting the Sierra are between May and October, as the rainy season is from December to March and even though these are the warmest months (19º - 25ºC, 66º-77ºF) when the fields are always green and the sun shines most of the day, avalanches can make traveling by road difficult.

The Jungle region is always very hot, 30ºC (86ºF)in August and about 35ºC (95ºF) between December and April. It rains all year round, although sometimes they are only brief showers. Peru can be visited throughout the year due to its pleasant climate in the various regions.