Peru - Lonely Planet Publications [449]
The Servicio Aerofotográfico Nacional (Map; 01-467-1341; 9am-5pm Mon-Fri), at Las Palmeras Air Force base in Surco, sells aerial photographs. Don’t wear shorts when you go there, take a passport and expect a two-week waiting period for prints. Some aerial photos are also available from the IGN. The best way to find the base is to take a taxi.
Topographic, city and road maps are also at the South American Explorers’ clubhouses in Lima (see boxed text, Click here) and Cuzco (Click here).
Up-to-date topo maps are often available from outdoor outfitters in major trekking centers such as Cuzco, Huaraz and Arequipa. If you are bringing along a GPS unit, ensure that your power source adheres to Peru’s 220V, 60Hz AC standard and always carry a compass.
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MONEY
Peru uses the nuevo sol (S), which has traded at S3 to S5.50 per US dollar (US$) for several years, although you should keep an eye on current events. Prices in this book are generally quotes in nuevos soles, though some are listed in US dollars. For more exchange rates, see the Quick Reference page inside the front cover.
Carrying cash, an ATM card or traveler’s checks, as well as a credit card that can be used for cash advances in case of emergency, is advisable. When receiving local currency, always ask for billetes pequeños (small bills), as S100 bills are hard to change in small towns or for small purchases. Carry as much spare change as possible, especially in small towns. Public bathrooms often charge a small fee for use and getting change for paper money can be darn near impossible.
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. See boxed text, Click here, for more.
Click here for information on costs and money.
ATMs
Cajeros automáticos (ATMs) are found in nearly every city and town in Peru, as well as at major airports, bus terminals and shopping areas. 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. To avoid problems, 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.
Cash
The nuevo sol (‘new sun’) comes in bills of S10, S20, S50, S100 and (rarely) S200. It is divided into 100 céntimos, with copper-colored coins of S0.05, S0.10 and S0.20, and silver-colored S0.50 and S1 coins. In addition, there are bimetallic S2 and S5 coins with a copper-colored center inside a silver-colored ring.
US dollars are accepted by many tourist-oriented businesses, though you’ll need nuevos soles to pay for local transportation, meals and other incidentals. For specific advice on paying