Peru Travel Guide

Country Facts

Location

Western South America.

Language

Spanish and Quechua are the official languages. Aymara is spoken in the Lake Titicaca area. Many other dialects exist in the jungle regions. English is spoken in major tourist areas.

Area

1,285,220 sq km (496,225 sq miles).

Time Zone

GMT - 5.

Electricity

220 volts AC, 60Hz. (110 volts AC is available in most 4- and 5-star hotels.)

Population

29.2 million (2008).

Population Density

22 per sq km.

Capital City

Lima. Population: 8.5 million (2007).

Government

Republic. Gained independence from Spain in 1824, having declared it in 1821.

Head of State

President Alan Garcia since 2006.

Religion

81% Roman Catholic, 2.7% other denominations, 16.3% unspecified or none.

Recent History

Alejandro Toledo (in office from 2001 to 2006) was Peru's first indigenous president, but this did not stop his time in government being characterized by street protests, a string of scandals and plummeting popularity. Ex-president Alan Garcia then won the 2006 presidential elections, beating nationalist rival Ollanta Humala, who had received support from Venezuela's leftist President Hugo Chavez and Bolivia's Evo Morales. Garcia previously served as president from 1985-1990, but left the country's economy in tatters.

Communications

Telephone

Country Code: +51. Telephone cards are available in the main cities from stands and supermarkets.

Mobile Telephone

Roaming agreements exist with some international mobile phone companies. Mobile phones can be rented in Lima and the main cities. Coverage is sporadic.

Internet

Public Internet booths and Internet cafes are widely available in cities and most towns. Wi-Fi is becoming increasingly common in cafes, restaurants and hotels.

Media

Privately-run broadcasters and newspapers dominate the Peruvian media scene, with the state-run media having relatively small audiences. The airwaves of Lima are home to dozens of radio stations and several TV services. Many radio stations and regional newspapers are available in the provinces.

Post

Airmail to Western Europe takes up to one week. Postal facilities are limited outside Lima. First-class airmail from Europe or North America addressed to PO boxes in Peru usually takes only a few days, but may be subject to delay. The main post office (Correo Central de Lima) is near the Plaza de Armas.Mon-Fri 0800-2000; Sat 0900-1330.

Press

• Morning dailies include El Comercio and La República.

Radio

•Radio Programas de Peru (RPP) is a popular Lima-based news and talk station.
• Radio Panamericana and Radio America are commercial FM stations based in Lima.
• News and music radio station Radio Nacional is state run.

Public Holidays

Below are listed Public Holidays for the January 2011-December 2012 period.
2010
24 Dec Christmas Eve (half day)
25 Dec Christmas Day

2011
1 Jan New Year’s Day
21 Apr Maundy Thursday
22 Apr Good Friday
1 May Labor Day
29 Jun St Peter’s and St Paul’s Day
28 Jul - 29 Jul Independence Day Celebrations
30 Aug St Rosa of Lima Day
8 Oct Angamos Battle
1 Nov All Saints’ Day
8 Dec Immaculate Conception
24 Dec Christmas Eve (half day)
25 Dec Christmas Day

2012
1 Jan New Year’s Day
5 Apr Maundy Thursday
6 Apr Good Friday
1 May Labor Day
29 Jun St Peter’s and St Paul’s Day
28 Jul - 29 Jul Independence Day Celebrations
30 Aug St Rosa of Lima Day
8 Oct Angamos Battle
1 Nov All Saints’ Day
8 Dec Immaculate Conception
24 Dec Christmas Eve (half day)
25 Dec Christmas Day

Contact Information

PromPerú (Commission for the Promotion of Peru)

Calle 1 Oeste No 50, Piso 13, Edificio Mincetur, Lima, Peru
Tel: (01) 224 3131 or 574 8000.
Website: www.peru.info

Embassy of the Republic of Peru in the UK

52 Sloane Street, London SW1X 9SP, UK
Tel: (020) 7235 1917 or 2545.
Website: www.peruembassy-uk.com
Opening hours: Mon-Fri 0900-1700.
Consular section: Tel: (020) 7838 9223.
Opening hours: Mon-Fri 0930-1300 (general enquiries); 1500-1630 (collection point only).

Embassy of the Republic of Peru in the USA

1700 Massachusetts Avenue, NW, Washington, DC 20036, USA
Tel: (202) 833 9860.
Website: www.peruvianembassy.us

South American Explorers

126 Indian Creek Road, Ithaca, NY 14850, USA
Tel: 1 800 274 0568.
Website: www.saexplorers.org

135 Calle Piura, Miraflores, Lima, Peru
Tel: (01) 445 3306.

188 Choquechaka, San Blas, Cusco, Peru
Tel: (84) 245 484.