As you may know, Peru is a very special and incredible country which you can visit for very different reasons. One of them is the business trips, the tourism trips, the social interests, the gastronomic and culinary and so…
Traveling to Peru is an incredible experience regardless of the reason for your trip. But it is important to know at least some customs and tips that will help you to be calm and safe
Here you have some simple tips that will help you:
Peru has 32.970,000 inhabitants
Peru, a country in South America is officially known as the Republic of Peru. Ecuador and Colombia border it to the north, Brazil to the east, Bolivia to the southeast, Chile to the south, and the Pacific Ocean in the west. The main economic activities carried out include mining, manufacturing, agriculture, and fishing. It’s a multiethnic state with most of the population speaking Spanish which is the official language although some still speak native languages such as Quechua. The Native Americans are the indigenous people in Peru also known as the Amerindians. They had inhabited the country before the Europeans discovered it in 1500. Most of the indigenous population live in Andean highland and speak either Quechua or Aymara and have vibrant cultural traditions but these traditions are being dispersed due to urbanization in the area
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 bureau de change is Monday to Friday, 9am to 6pm, and 9am to midday on Saturdays.
Airports – The main cities in Peru have airports. Lima, the capital of the country is located in Jorge Chavez international airport where you will find all that you need; hotels, shopping, lounges, dining options, Wi-Fi, money exchange, cell phones rentals and so. Only passengers will be allowed to enter 3 hours (domestic flights) and 4 hours (international flights) prior to their departure. Exceptions apply for minors and people needing assistance.
Passengers will need a printed or electronic boarding pass or flight reservation to enter. It is best to check-in prior to arriving to the airport.
Obligatory use of masks
Temperatures will be taken for every passenger. Those with a temperature above 38 degrees Celsius, the equivalent to 100.4 degrees Fahrenheit will not be allowed to enter.
Shoe disinfecting mats
All luggage will be sprayed with disinfectant
Social distancing guides marked on the ground
International Living says:
Spanish is the official language of Peru, but several indigenous languages also have official status in areas where they are widely used. Once you leave the coast, Quechua is much more prevalent and therefore often quoted as Peru’s second official language.
English is not widely spoken by the majority of native citizens, but some speak more than they let on. It is always best to master the phrase, “Habla ingles?”, (Do you speak English?). It’s a good icebreaker and a friendly way to start some type of communication, even if it ends up only being charades.
If you’re moving to Peru or intend to stay for a long period, however, it’s smart to learn the basics of Spanish. Not only will it make life easier, but it’ll also open a whole new world to you.
About the attire, in Peru, people tend to dress a bit more formally than you might be accustomed to. Other than on the beach, you rarely see t-shirts, shorts, and flip-flops or sandals. And even there it is not unusual to see a few people dressed in their “Sunday best”. If you are invited to a party and unsure about the dress code, it’s always safer to err on the side of being over-dressed.
Culture Trips also mention that there are some Customs Only Peruvians Can Understand. Here are:
Drinking Inca Cola with Everything
Even more than pisco or the pisco sour, Inca Cola is Peru’s drink of choice, and Peruvians will happily eschew water for the tastier and less hydrating bottled drink. More than anything, it is a symbol of national pride and history, a corporate nod to the great Incas. If you don’t care much for the drink, whatever you do, don’t mention it. It’s like insulting their country and will be received with scorn.
Eating Ceviche Before Meals
Ceviche is without a doubt Peru’s most celebrated dish. Along the coast, fish is everywhere, and so too is ceviche. While it can be eaten as a full meal and is served as a main dish at a lot of restaurants, it is most often served as an entrada before the meal
Home Remedies
Who needs to go to the doctor’s office when your parents have all the remedies you need? Whether it’s for the flu, a cold, or something else, there’s no need for a doctor when mom and dad have all the answers. Popular fixes include hot milk
with cinnamon and pisco for the flu and onion syrup for a cough.
This is no fun, but nothing Begins on Time
Your Peruvian friends told you to be somewhere at a certain time, but when you turn up, no one else is there. Did they cancel on you, or forget? No, they’re just on Peruvian time.
