Day of celebration in Peru

For more information on celebration in Peru, please check the page of the Peruvian Tourist Information office.

Climate

In Cusco there are basically two seasons, a rainy and dry one.

The rainy season normally occurs from December until February.

        The maximum temperature is around 30 C.

        The average temperature during daytime between 23 and 25 C.

        The minimum temperature is around 10 C.

        The average rainfall in this season is 1000 mm per year.

From March until November the weather is generally sunny, during the day hot, during the night cold. So you’ll have to bring summer as well as winter clothes with you.

        The maximum temperature is 32? C

        The average temperature during daytime between 15? and 20? C

        The minimum temperature is 4? C

        The average rainfall in this season is less than 500 mm per year.

 

Electricity

Power

Peru uses a 220 Volts / 50-60 Hz power system. Some wall sockets may differ, in that case you will need an adapter, also available in the local stores in Cusco.  If you’re traveling with a laptop in Peru, most laptop power supplies can accept both 110 and 220 volts, but always check beforehand, 220 volts damages your 110 volt appliance badly.

Plugs in Peru

There are two types of plugs in Peru (with corresponding electrical outlets):

•  Type A: two flat parallel prongs (used in most of North America; if your North American Type A plug has one prong wider than the other, it will probably not work in Peru)

•  Type C: two round prongs (used in much of Europe, but not in the UK or Ireland)

Electrical outlets in Peru are often designed to incorporate both plug types.

If you’re packing appliances that do not fit either socket, you’ll need a plug adapter.

 

Money

 

The Peruvian currency is the Sol (PEN or symbol S/.) , although US Dollars are also used in the more expensive restaurants, hotels or the travel agencies. There is no fixed ratio between US Dollar and Sol. For the current exchange rate check Google currency converter (also for other currencies).

To change your US Dollars for Soles in the street. There are a lot of Cambistas or Casa de cambios (Money Exchange stores) at Avenida del Sol just of the main square, Plaza de Armas

There are also a lot of cash machines (ATMs) that accept all the networks such as Visa, Plus and Cirrus. Interbank, Banco de Credito Peru (BCP), BBVA and Sociabank are good options, also on Avenida Sol. Different banks have different commissions, besides the cost your own bank charges. Please check.

If you are using Traveller Checks, you can cash them at various Banks and Casas de Cambio. At the banks you do not need to be afraid of counterfeit, at Casas de cambios you get a better exchange rate, but a slightly bigger chance to get false money... Do not forget your passport and check out the commissions.

In Cusco you can use your MasterCard in cash machines. In general though, Visa is more accepted in South America.

The school only accepts US Dollars or Soles (only cash).

Opening hours different services

In Cusco a lot of private owned places close for 2 or 3 hours during lunch time.

Shops, Pharmacies and Casas de Cambio are open from 9:00 to 13:00 and from 16:00 to 20:00

Banks are open from 9:00 to 16:00. Some banks are also open on Saturday from 9:00 to 12:30

 

People

Peru has more than 35 million inhabitants, of which almost a third live in Lima, the capital. People in Peru are generally very friendly and helpful. They have and maintain lots of their traditions. Traditional music, dances and clothing vary almost from village to village, and more recently the Peruvian cuisine is world renown. Spanish is of course the official language along with Quechua and Aymara. 90% Of the country is Roman Catholic or Evangelical.

 

Living

Water

The water in Cusco is not safe to drink (tap water). You have to buy bottled water or boil it before drinking.

 

Toilet

In South-America you cannot flush toilet paper down the toilet, as to now avoid the toilet / sewage system from getting obstructed. You can deposit your toilet paper in the waste buckets.

 

Heat system

The houses in Cusco do not have a heating system. Thus, important to bring your winter clothes and to use some extra blankets at night, especially in June / July.

 

Hot water

Normally hot water works with electricity here and is only available in the shower. Water gets instantly warm, you turn it on when the water is running. However hot water, or even water is not always available, that is a common problem.

 

Taxi

Agree on a price before taking a cab out the center. In Cusco the fares in the city are S/. 3.00 to S/. 4.00 Soles during daytime. At night the tariff rise to S/. 6.00 to S/. 10.00 Soles.

 

From Lima to Cusco

Lima transfer

If you want, we can arrange an airport pick up in Lima and bring you safely to a hotel in Miraflores, a touristic and safe area at the coast of Lima. The next day you will be brought to the airport again for your flight to Cusco. You pay for this service at the hotel.

When you arrive in Lima somebody from the airport transfer service will waiting for you. He or she has a sign with your name on it. You will be safely transferred to the Hotel. You can choose between a single bed (Single), two beds (Double) or a Matrimonial (a two person bed).

 

Plane ticket Lima - Cusco

Most flights for Lima to Cusco leave in the morning from 6:00 am. There are some flights that leave in the afternoon until 18:00. You can purchase the Lima - Cusco plane ticket at the airport or through the internet using one of these sites:

 

• LATAM
• VIV AIR
• AVIANCA

 

The last three mentioned are local companies, which generally offer one way flights Lima Cusco cheaper for foreigners. They normally cost between $100 to $200.

 

Cusco pick-up

If you want to stay in an apartment or with a family, somebody will be waiting for you at the airport with a sign with your name and "Andean Spanish School" on it. If you stay in an apartment there is an extra charge for this.

 

 

Security Tips

 

Cusco is not a dangerous place, but remember that tourism attracts thieves. So here some recommendations:

 

Keep a copy of your passport with you all the time. Also put a copy in your travel bags.

Keep a copy of the school address and the place where you stay with you in case of an emergency.

Carry a minimal amount of money with you and do not wear expensive watches or jewelry.

Be careful walking alone at night.

Carry your personal papers, your passport and money with you (best to use a money belt) when traveling long distances. Be careful in busses at night.

Ignore paint or similar smears on your clothes, it is just a way to distract you.

Ask for identification when a plain police officer wants to see your personal papers. You shouldn't give him your documents until you are at a police station.

Do not take candy, cigarettes or drinks from strangers, they might be drugged.

 

Health / Soroche (Altitude Sickness)

 

Take care of the necessary vaccinations, your family doctor can advice you on this, especially when you want to travel to different countries. It is recommended that students purchase health insurance. You should have a vaccination against typhoid, polio, tetanus, SARS-2 and hepatitis.

If you are going to the jungle a yellow fever vaccination is required. Also take malaria pills with you when you want to visit the jungle, but educate yourself about the side effects (there is no malaria in the Cusco!).

There are a lot Farmacias (Pharmacies) where you can buy medicine available without a prescription.

Be careful using mayonnaise in restaurants. The Cusquenian people often prepare it using fresh and unprepared eggs. You might be infected with the salmonella bacteria when eating it causing. Also be aware of sauces which might be prepared with unboiled.

 

Soroche or altitude sickness:

 

In Cusco, you might have to acclimate to the altitude (3,300 meters). Symptoms are headaches and shortness of breath.

If you experienced problems before with altitude, it is best to travel first from Lima to Arequipa (traveling by bus) and stay here for one or two days before continuing to Cusco. Arequipa is situated 2,000 meters above sea level.

When you have some trouble with the altitude in Cusco, it is best to rest, to drink a fluids (coca-leaf tea) and avoid alcohol and heavy meals. There is a medical station at the airport for visitors that have immediate problems with the altitude.

In Cusco there are various private clinics with a connections with insurance companies.

 

Telephone

The cheapest and easiest way to make international call from Peru is to use one of the many "locutorios", shops offering cheap calls through the internet. You´ll find these shops, that also offer internet access, on virtually every street corner.

Just dial 00 + country code + area code without the first 0 + local telephone number.

Mobile phones:

To use a mobile phone in Peru you can buy a SIM card with a number you can use in Peru. However you have to have a deblocked cuad-band phone. You can also buy a mobile phone, there are 4 operators, Movistar, Claro, Entel and Bitel. In the streets you will also find individuals that offer cheap calls to Peruvian mobile phones.

Discounts

The cost of living in Peru is not as high as in other Western countries. Using off-center markets to buy souvenirs, eating local lunch menus instead off a la carte, negotiate prices keeping in mind a sensible price and agree on a set price for services delivered, are some strategies.

As a students you can get a discount card from the school, which allows you to have discounts in restaurants, bars, travel agencies etc. For the list of companies please ask at the school.

With an international student card (ISIC Student card) you can get alot of discounts in South America. You can buy the card at these offices.

 

Tourist ticket:

In Cusco you can buy the “Boleto Turistico General” that allows you to visit more than 15 archeological sites and museums. You get a 50% discount when showing your ISIC student card. Also on the entrance for MachuPicchu and other sites. You can buy the Boleto (ticket) at the museums in Cusco listed on the ticket and at the main office in Av. El Sol 103 of. 102 (Galerias Turisticas) Telf. 22-7037 Open from: 8:00 until 15:00, Saturday and Sunday until 13:00. More information on http://www.cosituc.gob.pe/.