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You can add 2% tincture of iodine to one quart or liter of water (five drops to clear water, 10 drops to cloudy water) and let stand for 30 minutes. If the water is cold, longer times may be required. Otherwise you can buy iodine pills, available at most pharmacies in your home country. The instructions for use should be carefully followed. The taste of iodinated water may be improved by adding vitamin C (ascorbic acid). Iodinated water should not be consumed for more than a few weeks. Pregnant women, those with a history of thyroid disease, and those allergic to iodine should not drink iodinated water.

A number of water filters are on the market. Those with smaller pores (reverse osmosis filters) provide the broadest protection, but they are relatively large and are readily plugged by debris. Those with somewhat larger pores (microstrainer filters) are ineffective against viruses, although they remove other organisms. Manufacturers’ instructions must be carefully followed.

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TRAVELING WITH CHILDREN

It’s safer not to take children aged under three to high altitudes. Also, children under nine months should not be brought to jungle areas at lower altitudes because yellow-fever vaccine is not safe for this age group.

When traveling with young children, be particularly careful about what you allow them to eat and drink, because diarrhea can be especially dangerous to them and because the vaccines for the prevention of hepatitis A and typhoid fever are not approved for use in children aged under two.

The two main malaria medications, Lariam and Malarone, may be given to children, but insect repellents must be applied in lower concentrations (Click here).

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WOMEN’S HEALTH

Although travel to Lima is reasonably safe if you’re pregnant, there are risks in visiting many other parts of the country. First, it may be difficult to find quality obstetric care, if needed, outside Lima, especially away from the main tourist areas. Second, it isn’t advisable for pregnant women to spend time at high altitudes where the air is thin, which precludes travel to many of the most popular destinations, including Cuzco, Machu Picchu and Lake Titicaca. (If you are still determined to visit these places regardless, then ascend more slowly than normally recommended; Click here for details.) Lastly, yellow-fever vaccine, strongly recommended for travel to jungle areas at altitudes less than 2300m, should not be given during pregnancy because the vaccine contains a live virus that may infect the fetus.

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Language

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CONTENTS

Spanish

Pronunciation

Gender & Plurals

Accommodations

Conversation & Essentials

Directions

Eating Out

Health

Language Difficulties

Numbers

Shopping & Services

Time & Dates

Transportation

Aymara & Quechua

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Spanish is the main language the traveler will need in Peru. Even though English is understood in the best hotels, airline offices and tourist agencies, it’s of little use elsewhere. In the highlands, most indigenous people are bilingual, with Spanish as a second tongue. Quechua is the main indigenous language in most areas, except around Lake Titicaca, where Aymara is spoken. Outside Peru’s very remote areas, where indigenous languages may be the only tongue, it’s unlikely that travelers will encounter indigenous people with no Spanish at all.

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Spanish

If you don’t speak Spanish, don’t despair. It’s easy enough to pick up the basics and for those who want to learn the language in greater depth, courses are available in Lima (Click here) and Cuzco (Click here). Alternatively, you can study with books, CDs and other resources while you’re still at home and planning your trip, or you might consider taking a course. With the basics under your belt, you’ll be able to talk with people from all parts of Latin America (except Brazil, where Portuguese is the predominant language).

For a more comprehensive guide to the Spanish of Peru,