Republic of Peru
Lima
Although Spanish is the predominant language, Quechua has been very important since the Inca Empire. Aymara is also spoken in Puno, as well as a variety of dialects in the jungle.
33 million
1’285,216 square kilometers
Corresponds to GMT -5.
Peru is a Democratic Republic. The President and members of Congress are elected every five years. The current President of Peru is Ollanta Humala Tasso (2011-2016).
In the western region of South America, bordered to the north by Ecuador and Colombia, to the east by Brazil, to the south by Bolivia and Chile, and to the west by the Pacific Ocean.
The Nuevo Sol (S/) has been used since 1991. This is divided into 100 cents. The current exchange rate is USD 1.00 = S/ 3.65 or €1.00 = S/ 3.54. Most formal establishments (such as restaurants, hotels, shops) accept credit cards. There are numerous “Exchange Houses” where “Travel Checks” can be cashed. There are ATMs, although it is useful to arrive with American dollars.
The religion of Peru is a legacy of the Spanish conquest, for this reason, it is a predominantly Catholic country. Expressions of native religions such as sun worship, Pachamama (mother earth), among others, have been present since the 16th century. Rituals and festivals that express both Catholicism and the mystical religions of ancient pre-Hispanic cultures are celebrated throughout the year in different cities, such as the Inti Raymi (festival of the Sun) in Cusco.
Coast: Quite humid climate. Temperatures range from 12ªC to 30ªC in summer. Winter is from April to October and summer is from November to March. The north coast is always sunny and has warm temperatures all year round.
Andes: Two seasons: the dry season (April to October), with sunny days, cold nights and lack of rain; and the rainy season (November to March), when there are frequent rain showers (about 1000 mm). Temperatures change a lot between day and night. At midday it could be around 24°C and drop to -3°C at night.
Jungle: Humidity all year round. The climate is divided into two distinct areas: the cloud forest (subtropical climate, with rain showers between November and March and sunny days from April to October); and the lowland rainforest (where the dry season runs from April to October and is ideal for tourism, with sunshine and very pleasant temperatures of 35°C).
Peru is known for its rich historical and cultural heritage, which includes the Inca civilization, Machu Picchu and numerous archaeological sites.
Outstanding Geography: Peru is home to a part of the Andes mountain range, as well as vast Amazonian forests, coastal deserts and an extensive coast bathed by the Pacific Ocean.
Economy: It is based on agriculture, mining, fishing and tourism. Peru is one of the main exporters of minerals in the world.
Peruvian cuisine is recognized worldwide. Emblematic dishes include ceviche, loin saltado and chicken chili.
Peru is one of the most megadiverse countries in the world, with a wide variety of endemic plant and animal species.
Celebrations such as Inti Raymi, Carnival, and religious festivities are an integral part of Peruvian culture.
Peru has numerous sites declared World Heritage by UNESCO, highlighting Machu Picchu and the Historic Center of Lima.
The Best of Peru
One of the most fascinating features of Peru is that you can find different places, cultures and different activities to perform in one country. The variety is huge. Here are some must-see places and activities:
Lima, the capital and largest city of Peru, was founded by the Spanish conquistador Francisco Pizarro in 1535, as the Ciudad de los Reyes, or “the city of the Kings.” It is located on a deserted coast facing the Pacific Ocean. With a population of 9 million, Lima has become a bustling metropolis with a mix of colonial mansions and modern buildings, beautiful parks and bohemian bars. The historic center of Lima was declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO in 1988 due to the large number of historic buildings dating from the Spanish colonial era such as the monumental Plaza Mayor, the Cathedral, the Presidential Palace and the catacombs of the Convento de San Francisco. San Isidro is the elegant residential area where most of the embassies have their offices. Miraflores, primarily a commercial area, is the district where most hotels and restaurants are located. Lima is known as the Gastronomic Capital of the Americas with Creole food, Chifas (Chinese food), Cebicherias (seafood) and Pollerias (grilled chicken). The climate is temperate and comfortable. Temperatures rarely fall below 12 °C (54 °F) or rise above 29 °C (84 °F) throughout the year.
Arequipa is a colonial city founded at the foot of three volcanoes (Misti, Chachani and Picchu Picchu) at an altitude of 2,335 meters (7,661 feet) above sea level. This beautiful city is built almost entirely of ashlar, a type of white volcanic stone. That is why Arequipa is called the white city. Arequipa, the second largest city in Peru, is known throughout the country and around the world for its traditional “Picanterías”, where meals are tasty and substantial, with fresh traditional flavors, cooked on willow wood. The climate is warm and dry throughout the year. With temperatures rarely falling below 20°C (68°F), however, at night, temperatures can drop sharply, especially in June, July and August, when they can drop to around 10°C (50°F) and to times up to 5°C (41°F).
Capital of the Inca Empire and a very important city during the colonial era, Cusco has a mixed architecture: mansions and monuments with Inca walls and colonial balconies. At 3400 m. (11,100 feet), Cusco is a city that invites visitors to walk through the narrow streets with red-tiled houses and plenty of art craft shops. Located 70 minutes by plane from Lima or 7/9 hours by car or train from Puno, Cusco is the gateway to visit the legendary Machu Picchu or do various other excursions: classic tours, adventure tourism, specialized or experiential.
On the shores of Lake Titicaca at 3800 m. (12400 ft). legend has it that Manco Cápac and Mama Ocllo emerged from its waters to found the Inca Empire. The majesty of the lake and the mixture of races: Quechua, Aymara and Spanish, makes the area a truly mystical place. Puno has been named the “Folkloric Capital of Peru” due to the richness of its artistic and cultural expressions, especially dance. They are most notable during the celebrations of the feast of the “Virgen de la Candelaria” and the Regional Contest of native dances.
It is one of the greatest wonders of humanity. It is on the UNESCO World Heritage list and has been voted one of the seven wonders of the world. It is also the only intact Inca city in the world, because the conquerors never found it and it remained unscathed. The views are spectacular and the history behind the construction and the way they lived is incredible. This visit is special in many ways. The entrance to Machu Picchu can be done through two entrances: Intipunku or Puerta del Sol (only those who take the trek to Machu Picchu have the possibility of passing through this unique gate. The view is very beautiful in the morning, when you leave the sun) and the main entrance (this is where most travelers pass through when entering Machu Picchu. If arrival is through Aguas Calientes, this will be the entrance).
This impressive lake, between Peru and Bolivia, is located at 3,812 meters (12,500 feet) high and has a surface area of 8,372 km². There are more than 40 islands on it, some of which are not natural, but artificial floating islands. Some of the main attractions of the lake are: the floating islands of the Uros (about 42 artificial islands, built of floating reeds, that is, reeds of reeds, which is a plant that lives in the shallow parts of Lake Titicaca), Amantani (a natural island with an area of 15 km². Alpacas and other animals can be seen walking around the island. The locals are famous for their textiles, ceramics and adobe houses) and Taquile (a mountainous island in the lake, which was used as prison during the Spanish colonial era and then later until the beginning of the 20th century. The current population of the island of Taquile is around 3,000. Attractions include agricultural terraces, the beautiful views towards the mainland coasts and nearby islands).
They can all be reached by the Pan-American highway, from Tumbes (north) to Tacna (south). Máncora (Piura), one of the emblematic beaches in the north, is known for its excellent waves, its surfers and its spectacular sunsets. Near Lima, (97.5 km to the south) you can also find residential beaches that are grouped under the name Asia. Here you can not only find private and luxurious beaches, but also an exclusive shopping center with all kinds of entertainment during the day and night. Gourmet restaurants, nightclubs, markets, various activities, cinemas, hairdressers and gyms are some of the places you will find. All of this can be visited in the summer season (mid-December to April).
Peru has one of the greatest biodiversity of flora and fauna in the world due to the presence of the Andes, Amazon and the Pacific Ocean. Species such as the Condor, the snake and the puma were worshiped by the ancient inhabitants. They represent their beliefs in their ceramics, textiles, sculptures, monuments and paintings. Peru also has an equally diverse number of plants. The coast of Peru is normally barren apart from some cacti that grow there. On the slopes of the Andes there are steep cloud forests that can support moss, orchids and bromeliads. The Orchidaceous family is very important in Peru, with about 3,000 species, most of which grow in the rainforest.
Peru is a true bird paradise, with more than 1,800 species, 120 of which are endemic to Peru. It is the second highest number of any country in the world. The national bird of Peru is the Cock of the Rock.
Discover our bird watching routes: North (endemic species), center and south.
Valid passport. Visas are required for citizens of certain countries. Consult with the respective embassy.
Peru offers 7,646 accommodations: 131,624 rooms and 229,886 beds. It is distributed in: 26 five-star hotels, 26 four-star hotels, 487 three-star hotels.
927 two-star hotels, 411 one-star hotels and 42 inns.
14 airports equipped to receive commercial flights and 10 ready for international flights: Lima, Arequipa, Chiclayo, Pisco, Pucallpa, Iquitos, Cusco, Trujillo, Tacna and Juliaca.
Peru’s largest port is Callao, near Lima. Other main ports are Paita, Salaverry, Chimbote and Matarani.
Peruvian cuisine today is considered one of the greatest dishes in the world. Its variety and influence from other cultures (Spanish, Italian, Chinese, Japanese, Arabic) make our meals truly special. Lima, our capital, is considered “The Gastronomic Capital of the Americas”.
The famous dishes that distinguish Lima are:
Popular drinks are:
Some of the desserts are:
