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1. Laying over in Lima Airport (Chavez):
In many cases due to international flight arrivals and departures,
and connecting internal flights within Perú, it may
be necessary to spend many hours at the Lima airport waiting
for your connection. In some travel books you will read that
the Diner's Club, located on the second floor of the airport,
will allow card members to pass the time in their lounge,
and for non card holders, a fee of $6.00 U.S. will get you
in. This is only partly true. The Diner's Club will allow
members only. Non members may not get in at all. This lounge
is strictly closed to card members. So if you are not a card
member what do you do? If you are traveling with all your
luggage, there is a luggage locker at the far left end of
the airport that will hold your luggage for about $3.00 U.S.
for 24 hours. But be careful. There is a room where many bags
are held behind the counter in plain sight. Demand a locker
for your bags. Each locker needs 2 keys to open and they are
located in the concourse of the airport away from prying eyes.
The baggage room attendant has one key and you are given the
other. This is still not 100% fail-safe but is preferable
to the back room storage. If you have time to spend waiting
for your connection and are not a Diner's Club member, there
is a pleasant little restaurant/bar located on the second
floor all the way to the left of the Diner's Club (above the
baggage holding area) with couches where you can stay as long
as you want to in relative comfort as long as you eat or drink
something there.
2. Money Exchange and Carrying Money:
When you arrive in Perú it is best to do so with U.S.
dollars. While most western currency can be exchanged for
Peruvian Soles rather easily, any shop, restaurant, or business
will take U.S. dollars as payment. This can not be said readily
of all other western currency. Be prepared however to receive
your change in Soles. It is a good idea not to use bills in
excess of $10-$20.00 U.S., as you might find it difficult
for the merchant to change anything larger. There are money
changing booths almost everywhere in every major Peruvian
city in the Plaza de Armas and their hours and rates are usually
better than the local banks. But be aware, regardless of what
western currency you are carrying you will find that when
you exchange it, the money changer will look it over with
a fine toothed comb. Not so much to judge its authenticity,
but to examine the condition of the bill. You will find it
difficult if not impossible to exchange bills, regardless
of their authenticity, if they are not in pristine condition.
That means no torn edges, no tape, no missing pieces, no writing,
and/or no stamp marks on them. Do not take bills to Perú
that do not meet these conditions or you will wind up taking
them back home with you. When you exchange your money for
Soles, tell the money changer not to give you bills larger
than 50 Soles as these are sometimes hard to get change for.
10 Soles bills are the easiest method of payment in Perú.
If you find it necessary to carry travelers checks, be aware
that they are not as easy to exchange and some banks may require
a surcharge to change them. Some money exchange locations
may not even take them with a surcharge. Carry only as much
money as you think you will need for the worst case scenario
of your outing. If necessary, go the Plaza de Armas more than
once a day to change money as you need it.
3. Taxis as Transportation: It
is recommended that you have your hotel call a taxi for you
when you plan to leave for several reasons. First, all reputable
hotels, such as The Orquidea, have a working relationship
with at least one radio dispatched taxi company. They know
the taxi company and will set the rate for you before you
leave. This leaves little chance of being overcharged. Secondly,
it is not uncommon, when you just hail a taxi from the street,
to have one rate agreed upon, only to find that the rate has
changed when you reach your destination, or the driver doesn't
have enough change when you get there. Some street taxis may
also try to pick up other fares during your trip which you
didn't bargain for. While this is not the general rule, it
does happen, so let your hotel arrange for your taxi service.
4. Medications and Hygiene: Assuming
that you are not going into the Amazon tributaries, the altitudes
experienced in the Andes may have an adverse effect on you
if you are not used to such heights. A visit to your physician
prior to coming to Perú is recommended. Diamox is a
good medication for altitude sickness. You may also want to
discuss with your physician other medications such as antibiotics
to take along with you. One recommendation for visitors is
to drink bottled water only even for things such as brushing
your teeth. One observation regarding Perú is the unavailability
of toilet paper in almost all public places. Major hotels
and most restaurants will have some, but do not be surprised
to go into a public bathroom, such as at Machu Picchu, and
find that toilet paper is either unavailable or available
only for sale. Bring an ample amount of tissues that you can
take around with you on your journeys. If you are going into
the Amazon tributaries, it is recommended that you let your
physician know beforehand. A current yellow fever vaccination,
and anti malarial medications should be discussed. And bring
plenty of D.E.E.T. with you. It is probably best to call your
State Board of Health for recommendations on medications for
the Amazon.
5. Passports and Intra National Flights:
It will not be unusual for you to be asked for your passport
when you are flying even within Perú if you are not
a Peruvian national. Even when you check into hotels you will
be asked for your passport number. It is a good idea to make
a copy of your passport before arriving in Perú just
in case. Carry your passport anytime you fly within Perú
and of course when you leave. Whether you have tickets in
hand or not, it is necessary to have all of your flights reconfirmed
prior to going to the airport. The Orquidea, or other reputable
hotels will gladly perform this service at no charge. But
do not just show up at a Peruvian airport thinking that you
will get on a flight that you have a ticket for if it is not
reconfirmed in advance. Also be aware that every flight has
to be taxed. You will get your boarding pass and then go to
a tax booth to pay the airport tax, usually 24 Soles per ticket.
Do not try to do this any other way or you may run into trouble,
or at least miss your flight.
6. Street Safety: One of the things
that are immediately apparent upon arrival to Cuzco and other
major cities in Perú is the plethora of cabs and mini
buses. They are small by western standards but can still hurt
you if you are not careful. There are some traffic lights
and stop signs, but don't expect everyone to use them. These
little guys have the right of way at all times and sorry will
be the traveler that doesn't recognize it at once. In fact,
horns will blow at you if you are just walking down the street
on the sidewalk for no apparent reason. When strolling around,
especially in the evening, always be very careful at intersections.
Many of the headlights don't work and not very many drivers
have figured out what a turn signal is or how to use it. It
is kind of quirky and adds to the charm of Perú. While
we have never experienced anything even resembling a troublesome
situation, you cannot help but feel for the little children
on the street. When we go to Perú, we bring with us
pencils, writing tablets, and little toys such as bubbles,
troll dolls, and matchbox cars to give to the children. These
gifts are much appreciated and will draw a crowd faster than
anything I have ever seen. There is nothing quite so priceless
as the face of a child with a new toy they have never seen
before. This is preferable to just handing out a few Soles,
and will give you something to remember forever.
7. Internet and E-Mail: Times have
really changed in Perú regarding the ability to communicate
with folks back home. 1 year ago, you could find a few internet
places with 28.8 modems that would work but would seem to
take forever to transmit data out of the country. Today, internet
cafes are common and they all seem to have DSL or ADSL fast
connections. Explorer, Netscape, and Hotmail are readily available
at every internet stop. Expect to pay about 2 1/2 Soles for
1/2 hour of internet time, more than enough to keep in touch
with the folks back home on a daily basis if you wish.
First time visitors to Perú will be intoxicated by
its beauty and diversity. I have seen no other place in the
world with as many natural wonders and treasures as I have
found in Perú. From the amazing Amazon and its countless
numbers of birds and natural wildlife, to Andean pre colonial
cities like Cuzco and Arequipa, to the ancient temples of
Machu Picchu, to the pristine waters of Lake Titicaca near
Puno, to the largest canyon in the world, I can think of no
other country that contains as much to see in so small a geographic
area. Perú gets into your blood, and once there, you
will go back. The people at Orquidea will ensure that your
visit to Perú will be customized to your liking and
truly unforgettable.
Until next time!
Regards, Carl & Paula D'Angio.
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