PERU TRAVEL TIPS When to Go Peak travel season for tourists is in great part determined by weather. Peru experiences two very distinct seasons, wet and dry terms that are more relevant than "summer" and "winter". Peru's high season for travel coincides with the driest months: May through September, with, by far, the greatest number of visitors in July and August. May and September are particularly fine months to visit much of the country. Upon Arriving to Peru Give immigration authorities the landing card (international Embarkation/Disembarkation Card) you received on the plane or the border immigration post. This card must always be returned when leaving the country. Keep it to avoid a US$5.00 fine. Custom officials will ask you to fill a form declaring any taxable items. If you do not carry any, declare so. Tax exempt articles include personal clothes and belongings, portable computer and adventure sports gear. For more detailed information, ask Peru's diplomatic representative in your country. You must also declare any plant or animal species you may carry. You must have the necessary sanitary permits from your country. If you do not have them, the Peruvian sanitary authority may decide to burn the plants or kill the animals. Driver's Licenses Driver's licenses from any country are valid for 1 year alter the tourist has entered Peru. Thereafter, a local license must be obtained form the Touring y Automóvil Club del Perú. medical, regulations and driving tests take a full day. For more information, contact the Touring y Automóvil Club del Perú or the Ministry of Transport. Taxes A general sales tax (IGV) is added automatically to most consumer bills (19%). Restaurants and hotels add a 10% service fee. Tour packages contracted outside the country are tax exempt. At all airports, passengers must pay a departure tax: $ 28, for international flights and about $ 5 for domestic flights. tax must be paid in cash before boarding. Tipping When you are paying your bill in a restaurant, look for the words propina or servicio near the bottom of the bill. This means the restaurant has added a tip, usually between 5 to 10%. If you think the service is good, you can give the waiter an extra 10%. The cheapest restaurants usually do not include a tip. If this is the case, leave the waiter 10%. In better hotels you should tip about US $.50 a bag. Unlike other countries, Peru does not tip their taxi drivers. Taxis are not metered here so bargain the fare before you get in the car and stick to that price. For tour guides, a recommended tip is approximately $5 a day per person. If you are in a larger group you could pay half of that. If you plan on hiking the Inca Trail, you need to tip your guide, cook and the porters. Is the city of Cusco safe ? Yes, the city is safe, you have to just use your common sense. What type of weather can I expect in Peru? The weather varies greatly from region to region in Peru. At the Coast you can expect a damp and cloudy winter that runs from June to September. Average temperatures are around 14°C. During the summer, temperatures can peak at 28°C or over. In the Highlands, the sun shines all year round and temperatures descend at night, averaging 5°C. Rainy season runs from November to early April. The climate in the Amazon jungle is tropical all year round. In both regions, the rain season runs from November through April. I'm arriving at Lima, are taxi's expensive? Taxi's are no problem in Lima, except taxis from the airport, where you may be charged as much as $30! Please ensure that if nobody is meeting you that you book your taxi from within the arrivals hall and do not take a taxi from the street! We can also arrange your transfers if you prefer. What airlines operate to Cusco ? You have a choice of LANPeru, AeroCondor or StarPeru. Do I need a visa? Travelers with a US, Canadian or European passport do not need a visa. Visit (www.embassy.org/embassies/pe.html) for entry requirements if your passport is from another country; or (http://travel.state.gov/foreignentryreqs.html) for further details pertaining to US citizens. Is my passport valid? Your passport must be valid at least 6 months following the end of your trip for entry into Peru. If it expires sooner, you must get a renewal (http://travel.state.gov/passport_services.html). Do I need any shots? No vaccinations are required for travel to Peru from the USA. Call the CDC Travelers' Hot Line at 888-232-3228 or visit the website (www.cdc.gov/travel). Most travelers receive innoculations for Hepatitis A, Typhoid Fever and Tetanus. If traveling to the Amazon region, you should consider Malaria prophylaxis and Yellow fever. When is my balance due? Your land balance and local flight payment is due 60 days prior to departure. If you are paying by American Express or participating on a custom trip, the balance is due at 90 days. An invoice will be sent with your Pre-departure Packet. Will I be met at the airport? Yes, if you arrive according to schedule or have arranged extra transfers through our office. Meeting instructions and local contact information will be given with your Final Documents. Who books the local flights within Peru? You can book the flights in conjunction with your international itinerary. Southwind will provide you with an air schedule to best match your trip. We can also recommend a Latin American ticketing specialist to assist you with all your airline ticketing needs. Most local airlines use 727/737 jets except for charter flights into the Amazon Basin (ie. Manu Park) or overflight of Nazca Lines where smaller (8-15 passenger) prop planes are used. Should I bring cash or traveler's checks? Cash is the easiest to exchange and most places accept US dollars, traveler's checks are also OK. Visit (www.oanda.com/converter/classic) for current exchange rates. Are ATM machines available? Yes. There are ATM machines in the main cities such as Lima and Cusco. We recommend using the ones located inside some hotels, stores, restaurants or banks. Be cautious as some thieves may watch these machines and target tourists and others who take out large amounts of cash. Consult with your guide for safety recommendations on ATM's or exchanging money.