Attractions
Puno and Lake Titicaca
Puno is located on the 3800 m high Callao plateau. Everywhere you can see colonial churches and pre-Columbian remains. Puno is the center of Peruvian folklore. Wool fabrics made from alpaca are on offer, as well as torito de pucara (clay pots) and silverware. Lake Titicaca is described as the highest navigable lake in the world.
- Top-engineering-schools: Provides detailed population data for major cities of Peru. Also covers geography information including rivers, mountains, lakes, and national borders.
Arequipa
The “White City” is located on the slope of the 2359 m high Misti Mountain. The Spanish colonial influence can be seen everywhere. The Santa Catalina Convent forms a beautiful neighborhood.
Tacna
This city on the Chilean border has a cathedral designed by Eiffel, the builder of the Eiffel Tower in Paris. The railway museum is also worth a visit.
Lima
In the city center you will find churches, museums, galleries and monuments. The old town of Lima is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The Church of San Francisco is famous for its catacombs and extensive collection of ancient texts. There is also a bullfighting museum, the Museo Tourino.
Ayacucho
Ayacucho is also called the “City of a Hundred Churches”. The shops offer handmade ceramics, leather goods, fabrics and jewellery.
Cuzco
This city is 3360 m above sea level. Cuzco was the capital of the Incas. Numerous ruins from the Inca period can be visited, the Coricancha, the second sun temple, is particularly worth seeing. Churches such as La Merced and its 17th-century monastery of San Francisco Belén de los Reves, and the monasteries of Santa Clara and San Blas represent an impressive mix of Spanish and Indian architecture. Cuzco’s market is a particular attraction. The view of the city from the ruins of Sacsahuaman Fort is breathtaking. Within easy reach are the Inca sites of Kkenkko, Puca Pucara, the ruins ofMachay, Pisac, Ollantaytambo – and Macchu Picchu.
Ica and Nazca
Museums in both cities contain exhibits from before the Incas. In the vicinity of Nazca one finds the mysterious »landing strips of extraterrestrials«, which Erich von Däniken described in his books. The airline Nazca Lines operates inexpensive sightseeing flights over this area.
Trujillo and Chan-Chan
Chan-Chan is the largest adobe city in the world and has been declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO.
Chiclayo
Chiclayo is a place in the north of the country close to archaeological sites: Tucume, Batán and Huaca Rajada, where the tomb of Señor de Sipán was found in 1987, dating from the Moche period and around 1600 years old.
tumbes
Peru’s northernmost city is a major sports and fishing center.
Machu Picchu
Macchu Picchu is accessible from Cuzco by train or on foot along the Inca Trail. There are regional trains, tourist trains and the faster Autovagons. The journey takes several hours. At km 88 you can get off and continue along the Inca Trail. From here it is a 30 km walk to the ruins. The terrain is difficult and one should allow at least three days for the trail. The National Institute of Culture of Peru has limited the number of visitors to 2,500 per day. Macchu Picchu may only be entered when accompanied by a tour guide (max. group size: 16 people). There are morning tickets that are valid from 06:00-12:00 and afternoon tickets that are valid from 12:00-17:30.
Shopping
Overview
Woolen clothing and carpets made from alpaca and llama wool, masks, hand-woven ponchos and replicas of ancient Inca jewellery, items made from silver, gold, leather and wood. Shop opening times: Mon-Sat 10am-1pm and 4pm-8pm.
Nightlife
Introduction
There are numerous bars, nightclubs and casinos in the holiday resorts. Peñas are the traditional sites of Peruvian nightlife. There you can listen to the criolla (folk music) and order smaller meals. The nightlife in Lima and Cuzco is very varied, the discotheques, peñas, pubs and karaoke bars are open until 3 or 4 am.
Culinary
Overview
Aji and Ajo (pepper and garlic) are particularly generous when it comes to seasoning. Ceviche is a local specialty (raw fish marinated in lemon juice, eaten with corn on the cob, potatoes, and onions); However, because of the danger of cholera, one should refrain from enjoying this delicacy. Escabeche is a boiled fish appetizer eaten cold and garnished with peppers and onions. Corvina (sea bass) is prepared in various ways. Scallops (conchitas), mussels (choros) and crabs (camarones) are also recommended. Chupe de camarones is a stew made with shrimp, milk, eggs, potatoes and peppers. Other specialties include Sopa Criolla (strongly seasoned soup with beef and noodles), Aji de Gallina (chicken in a spicy cream sauce), Anticuchos (South American kebab) and Lomo Saltado (chunks of beef with onions and peppers, steamed and served with fried potatoes and rice). Rice and potatoes are the side dishes of almost all dishes. Table service is provided in hotels and restaurants. Drinks: Local beers are excellent. Made from a strong brandy, Pisco Sour is a popular local drink. Chicha de jora (fermented) and chicha morada (non-alcoholic) are drinks popular with the Incas. Aji de Gallina (chicken in a spicy cream sauce), Anticuchos (South American kebab) and Lomo Saltado (beef pieces with onions and peppers, steamed and served with fried potatoes and rice). Rice and potatoes are the side dishes of almost all dishes. Table service is provided in hotels and restaurants. Drinks: Local beers are excellent. Made from a strong brandy, Pisco Sour is a popular local drink. Chicha de jora (fermented) and chicha morada (non-alcoholic) are drinks popular with the Incas. Aji de Gallina (chicken in a spicy cream sauce), Anticuchos (South American kebab) and Lomo Saltado (beef pieces with onions and peppers, steamed and served with fried potatoes and rice). Rice and potatoes are the side dishes of almost all dishes. Table service is provided in hotels and restaurants. Drinks: Local beers are excellent. Made from a strong brandy, Pisco Sour is a popular local drink. Chicha de jora (fermented) and chicha morada (non-alcoholic) are drinks popular with the Incas. steamed and served with fried potatoes and rice). Rice and potatoes are the side dishes of almost all dishes. Table service is provided in hotels and restaurants. Drinks: Local beers are excellent. Made from a strong brandy, Pisco Sour is a popular local drink. Chicha de jora (fermented) and chicha morada (non-alcoholic) are drinks popular with the Incas. steamed and served with fried potatoes and rice). Rice and potatoes are the side dishes of almost all dishes. Table service is provided in hotels and restaurants. Drinks: Local beers are excellent. Made from a strong brandy, Pisco Sour is a popular local drink. Chicha de jora (fermented) and chicha morada (non-alcoholic) are drinks popular with the Incas.
Accommodation
Hotels
International standard hotels can be found in Lima, Cuzco, Arequipa, Trujillo, Iquitos, Cajamarca, Chiclayo, Ica and Tarapoto. Numerous hotel projects are planned for the near future, and the infrastructure outside the capital is to be improved. Quite inexpensive pensiones can be found in all larger towns in Peru. In the rural areas, the standard of accommodation varies quite a bit, hotels are usually well equipped. 18% for taxes (IGV) are included in the invoices. In higher class hotels, a service charge of 1-13% may be added. Categories: 1-5 stars. A law requires the posting of special signs: H (Hotel), HR (Hotel Residencial), HS (Hostal Residential) or P (Pension). Information from the hotel association: Asociación Peruana de Hoteles, Restaurantes y Afines (AHORA), Av. Larco 730, Of. 302, Miraflores, PE-Lima 18. Tel: (01) 445 27 62. (Internet: http://www.ahora-peru.com/)
Camping
No official campsites.
Other accommodation options
Around 40 youth hostels are available with dormitories, double or single rooms, cooking facilities, a bar or cafeteria and sometimes swimming pools. Youth Hostel Association details: Asociación Peruana de Albergues Turísticos Juveniles, Avenida Casimiro Ulloa 328, San Antonio, Miraflores, PE-Lima 18. Tel: (01) 446 54 88. (Internet: www.limahostell.com.pe)
Culture
Religion
81.3% Catholics. Protestant minority and adherents of natural religions.
Social Rules of Conduct
Manners: When greeting someone shakes hands. Life is leisurely, and the Peruvians justify their unpunctuality with laughing La Hora Peruana – the Peruvian time. Attire: Casual attire is accepted, but dress more formally in the evening. Many businessmen wear guayaberas (traditional shirts without a tie) in the summer. Shorts and swimwear belong on the beach. Tipping: Bills include i. Generally 15% for service. An additional tip of 5% is expected. Taxi drivers do not expect tips.
Climate
Best travel time
Winter lasts from June to September. During this time it is clear in the mountains, but often foggy in the coastal areas. On the coast and around Lima, summer is from December to April, in the jungle and in the mountains the rainy season is from November to March.
Country data
Phone prefix
+51
Area (sq km)
1285220
Population
32,971,854 (Source: homosociety)
Population density (per square km)
24
Population statistics year
2020
Main emergency number
117
