Lima
Founded in 1535 by the Spaniards, Lima, Peru's capital city, has approximately eight million inhabitants and accounts for 70% of the country's GDP. Other important Peruvian cities are Arequipa, Cuzco, Puno and Tacna in the south, Trujillo, Chiclayo in the north and Iquitos, Pucallpa in the east.

Getting to Lima
The International Airport Jorge Chávez is located in the port city of Callao, about 10 miles from downtown Lima. In rush hour, it is 45 minutes drive from the airport to urban hotel areas (i.e., Miraflores and San Isidro.) The official airport taxis will charge $25 for the trip to the main residential and commercial areas. For information on flights call 511-6055, or visit http://www.lap.com.pe.

Getting Around
Many government buildings are located in downtown Lima, as is the Presidential Palace, located at the main square, Plaza de Armas. Most financial institutions and foreign embassies are located in the upscale neighborhoods of Miraflores, San Isidro, and Surco. Taxicabs are numerous and inexpensive. Always negotiate the price before taking the cab. Taxi stands close to the luxury hotels are a little more expensive, larger and in better condition.

Business Hours
Business and government office hours in Lima are from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. weekdays, with an hour break for lunch. Bank hours vary by season. Most are open on Saturday until noon. Major stores are open everyday from 10:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m.

Phone Calls
Major hotels offer long-distance, fax and Internet services. Direct-dial pay phones accept coins or telephone cards, which can be purchased at shops and news kiosks. Public Internet cafes (called Cabinas) offer a cheap way for international calls and web access.

Peruvian Mobile Telephone Services
US travellers are able to use the following mobile protocols while in Peru: CDMA 2000-1X, GSM-GPRS and Nextel iDEN Direct Connect Services. Blackberry users are able to use their equipment if their service provider operates in GSM-GPRS.

Foreign Currency Exchange
Local currency can be obtained in the main banks or at casas de cambio. Some banks and ATMs give cash advances on major credit cards. Be careful when entering your pin number. U.S. Dollars are widely accepted and used too.

National Holidays 2009:

November 1 - All Saint's Day
November 11 - Veterans Day
November 26 - Thanksgiving Day
December 8 - Immaculate Conception
December 25 - Christmas

National Holidays 2010:

January 1 - New Year's Day
Janyary 18 - Martin Luter King's Birthday
February 15 - President's Day
April 1, 2 - Holy Week
May 1 - Labor Day
May 31 - Memorial Day
June 29 - St. Peter and St. Paul
July 5 - U.S. Independence Day
July 28, 29 - Peru Independence Day
August 30 - St. Rose of Lima
September 6 - Labor Day
October 8 - Battle of Angamos
October 11 - Columbus Day
November 1 - All Saint's Day
November 11 - Veterans Day
November 25 - Thanksgiving Day
December 8 - Immaculate Conception
December 24 - Christmas

Travel Advice

Visitors should drink bottled water and avoid street vendor food.  If travelling to the jungle, visitors should be vaccinated against Yellow Fever 10 days before traveling.  They should also take precautions against Malaria and Dengue.  We advise these travelers to avoid heavy meals, smoking and drinking alcohol, and to rest and drink lots of water in order to avoid "Soroche" or altitude sickness.  In the lowlands, health risks include cholera and hepatitis.

Visitors are strongly advised to carry identification with them at all times and to stay alert, as muggings and street crime are common, including incidents of armed robbery.

Climate
The climate is very mild in Lima and known for its drizzle, or "garua", during the winter months when temperatures can drop to the 50s. In the summer months, the temperatures rise to the upper 80s.

Know Before You Go

The government of Peru prohibits the export of ancient Indian objects and colonial art. Travelers who purchase reproductions of colonial or pre-colonial art should buy only from reputable dealers and should insist upon documentation from Peru’s National Institute of Culture (INC) showing that the object is a reproduction and may be exported. Peruvian customs authorities may retain articles lacking such documentation and forward them to INC for evaluation. The US government supports this policy.

For more information about Peruvian customs regulations, visit http://www.aduanet.gob.pe