Peru - Lonely Planet Publications [2]
People can and do visit the highlands year-round, though the wettest months of December to March make this a cold and muddy proposition. Plus, during February the Inca Trail is closed for cleanup. Many of the major fiestas (Click here), such as La Virgen de la Candelaria, Carnaval and Semana Santa, occur in the wettest months and continue undiminished even during heavy rainstorms.
* * *
DON’T LEAVE HOME WITHOUT…
A passport valid for six months beyond your trip and, if necessary, a visa (Click here).
All recommended immunizations (Click here) – make sure any prior vaccinations are up-to-date before setting off.
A copy of your travel insurance policy (Click here).
An ATM or traveler’s-check card with a four-digit PIN (Click here).
Reservations for trekking the Inca Trail (Click here) or, better yet, an alternative route (see boxed text, Click here).
A lightweight, wind-resistant waterproof jacket to shield you from the sun and keep you dry.
Earplugs – long-distance buses and many hotels enjoy ear-splitting entertainment at all hours.
A Swiss Army–style knife – remember to place it in your checked luggage when flying or it will be confiscated.
Duct tape – make a mini-roll around a pencil, then use it to repair backpacks, seal shut leaky bottles etc.
Toilet paper – essential as public toilets (Click here) and most restaurants don’t supply it.
Your sense of adventure.
* * *
* * *
See Climate Charts (Click here) for more information.
* * *
On the arid coast, Peruvians visit the beaches during summer, from December through March, when the Pacific’s chilly waters warm up. In central and southern Peru, the coast is cloaked in garúa (coastal fog) for much of the rest of the year and temperatures are cool. As a result, southern beaches tend to be deserted during this period. In the far north, the coast usually sees more sun (and the water is warmer), so beach lovers can be found there year-round.
In the eastern rainforest, of course, it rains – a lot. The wettest months are December through May. And while it is still possible to travel through the Amazon at this time, it will be slow going, and wildlife-viewing opportunities will be reduced. The best times to go are the drier months of July and August, followed by September, October and November.
Return to beginning of chapter
COSTS & MONEY
* * *
HOW MUCH?
Local phone call S1.50
Internet café per hour S1-2
Short taxi ride (not in Lima)S3
Double room with bathroom and TV S100
Round-trip flight between most cities from US$150
See also the Lonely Planet Index, inside front cover.
* * *
Shoestring travelers watching their céntimos – by sleeping in dormitory rooms, traveling on economy buses, eating set menus – can get by on a minimum of US$25 a day. Visitors who prefer private hot showers, à la carte meals in moderately priced restaurants, comfortable buses and occasional flights will find that at least US$60 to US$100 a day should meet their needs. Staying at luxury hotels and dining at top-end restaurants will cost several hundred dollars a day. Prices are always higher if you’re doing your trip by organized tour (Click here). The most expensive cities are Cuzco and Lima.
You can stretch your budget by traveling with a partner as double rooms are usually less expensive than two singles (Click here). Hone your bargaining skills – taxi cabs don’t have meters, and drivers routinely overcharge gringos. Hotels often give discounts if you simply ask for their ‘best price’ (el mejor precio) or if you inquire about promotional rates. For top-end places, check the website for special offers.
Many restaurants offer filling three-course set lunches for around S7; eating à la carte will triple your bill. Pay with cash rather than credit cards, in order to avoid hefty surcharges. Many Peruvian ATMs dispense local currency (nuevos soles) and US dollars. Above all, keep your money safely stashed – an economical trip can get expensive if you’re pickpocketed!