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Visa Requirements
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All countries require a valid passport (with minimum 6 months validity). Citizens from most countries in the Americas and Western Europe do not require visas to enter Peru. Bolivians, Ecuadorians, Brazilians, and Chileans may enter determined regions of the country just by presenting their national identification documents. The maximum authorized length of stay is 90 days.
British
Passport Required: Yes
Visa Required: No/2
Return Ticket Required: Yes
Australian
Passport Required: Yes
Visa Required: No/2
Return Ticket Required: Yes
Canadian
Passport Required: Yes
Visa Required: No/2
Return Ticket Required: Yes
USA
Passport Required: Yes
Visa Required: No/2
Return Ticket Required: Yes
Other EU
Passport Required: Yes
Visa Required: No/1/2
Return Ticket Required: Yes
Passports
Valid passport required by all nationals referred to in the chart above.
Visas
Not required by all nationals referred to in the chart above (including all EU and Swiss citizens), travelling as tourists for stays of up to 183 days, except:
1. nationals of Latvia, Albania, Armenia and Bosnia who do require a visa.
Note: Nationals not referred to in the chart above are advised to contact the embassy to check visa requirements (see Important Addresses).
Visa Note
2. A business visa is required for all nationals if the purpose of the visit is business. Any business-related unpaid work can be made on a tourist visa. Upon arrival in Peru, the business visa holder must register at the Dirección General de Contribuciones for taxation purposes. Business visa holders can remain in Peru for 183 days. If wishing to extend the visit, an application must be lodged with the Dirección General de Migraciones.
Nationals applying for a tourist visa require a bank statement showing a minimum balance of £1,000 and a mini statement taken from a cash machine on the date of application. Nationals applying for a business visa must prove their company is solvent.
All nationals are advised to check with the Peruvian Consulate prior to departure to obtain current details of any documentation which might be required. Postal visa applications are not accepted unless submitted through a travel agency.
To remain longer in the country or to enter for other purposes (residence, study, research, work, etc.), you must request the corresponding visa at the Peruvian consulate of your country of residence before traveling.
Contact your embassy, or consulate for the most up-to-date visa requirements. It's your responsibility to have the correct travel documentation.
US Department of State
Website: http://travel.state.gov/travel
British Foreign and Commonwealth Office
Tel: 0845 850 2829.
Website: www.fco.gov.uk
Credit cards and debit cards are very useful for cash advances. Visa cards are the most widely accepted cards. While ATMs are widely available, there are no guarantees that your credit cards or debit cards will actually work in Latin America. Check with your bank. You should be aware that to purchase products or services on a credit card a fee of 5%-10% usually applies. Do not rely on credit or debit cards as your only source of money. A combination of US dollar cash, travelers’ checks and cards is best, although you will usually be charged a commission or given a less-favorable exchange rate for travelers’ checks. Always take more rather than less, as you don't want to spoil the trip by constantly feeling short of funds.
Please be advised that slightly torn notes, notes that have been heavily marked or are faded may be difficult to exchange. It is best to bring notes in fairly good condition, in denominations lower than 100USD (or equivalent).
A combination of taxes and service charges are added to bills in the best hotels and restaurants and can total as much as 28%. Those towards the budget and mid-range end of the spectrum don't add taxes. Tipping is not expected in cheaper restaurants. A tip of 10% is fine in upmarket restaurants if a service charge has not already been added to the bill. Taxi drivers are not tipped - bargain hard beforehand and stick to your price. Local guides and porters should be tipped. Bargaining is a way of life in markets.
Local arts and crafts, particularly weavings, ceramics, woollen clothing and jewellery.
Many national governments provide a regularly updated advice service on safety issues involved with international travel. We recommend that you check your government's advice for their latest travel information before departure. We strongly recommend the use of a neck wallet or money belt while traveling, for the safe keeping of your passport, air tickets, travelers’ checks, cash and other valuable items. Leave your valuable jewellery at home - you won't need it while traveling. Many of the hotels we use have safety deposit boxes, which is the most secure way of storing your valuables. A lock is recommended for securing your luggage. When traveling on a group trip, please note that your group leader has the authority to amend or cancel any part of the trip itinerary if it is deemed necessary due to safety concerns. Your leader will accompany you on all included activities. During your trip you will have some free time to pursue your own interests, relax and take it easy or explore at your leisure. While your group leader will assist you with options available in a given location please note that any optional activities you undertake are not part of your itinerary, and we offer no representations about the safety of the activity or the standard of the operators running them. Please use your own good judgment when selecting an activity in your free time.
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We accept all major credit cards payments.
The hot and spicy nature of Peruvian food, created by ajíand ajo (hot pepper and garlic), has become celebrated at home and abroad. Peruvians enjoy a wide variety of vegetables; there are over 2,000 kinds of indigenous and cultivated potatoes alone. Table service is the norm in hotels and restaurants and many also offer buffet-type lunches.
There are many good bars, pubs, discos and casinos in the major towns and tourist resorts. Peñasalways serve snacks and some serve full meals. Here you can enjoy criolla or folk music, especially at weekends. Nightlife in Lima and Cusco has a wide array of choices, as do the beach towns of Asia and Mancora. Strict dress codes and entrance prices that go as high as 50 Soles are common in upscale Lima nightspots, while in other towns standards and prices are considerably lower. Most discos, peñas, pubs and karaoke bars are open until 0300 or 0400.
There are many attractive Peruvian handicrafts such as alpaca wool sweaters, alpaca and llama rugs, Indian masks, colourful weaving and silver jewellery. Galleries and handicraft shops abound in Cusco and the Miraflores, Pueblo Libre and downtown districts of Lima. Handicrafts markets are located in Miraflores (Avenida Petit Thouars, blocks 52 to 53) and Pueblo Libre (Avenida La Marina, blocks 8 to 10), as well as Cusco (Avenida El Sol) and Arequipa (the streets leading from the plaza). The best deals can generally be had at outdoor Andean craft markets in places such as Pisac near Cusco and the Mantaro Valley near Huancayo. Bargaining (regateo) is an expected practice with beach vendors and at markets.