Get your shots. While no immunizations are required, you should make sure your polio and tetanus shots are up to date, and get vaccinated against hepatitis A and typhoid.
If you are going to the jungle, you will also want a yellow fever vaccination. Carry the certificate of vaccination with you, or you may be required to be inoculated again when you get there. Malaria tablets are also recommended for jungle trips.
If you plan to visit Machu Picchu--and you definitely want to see it--get a prescription for Diamox or another similar medication to take with you. If you already know you can't handle altitude, talk to your doctor about your concerns before you leave. She may recommend that you start taking the Diamox on the flight to Cuzco, as you will step off the plane at about 11,000 ft above sea level.
If you are already in South America, you can get flights into Lima, Arequipa and Cuzco from many other large cities. If you are traveling from the United States or another international destination, you will probably fly into Lima. From there you can catch connecting flights to other parts of Peru.
The tourist season in Peru runs from June to August, as this is the dry season in the highlands. Many of the popular tourist sights, such as Machu Picchu and Lake Titicaca, are high in the mountains above the Amazon basin, and you can almost count on torrential downpours during January through April. Don't pass up a trip just because of the rain, though. Vendors everywhere sell colorful plastic ponchos for just a few sol (the local currency), and the rain is warm.
The best way to travel between major cities is by air. Major carriers fly to Peru, and the local airlines are reliable.
Train service is plentiful but can be problematic. Breakdowns, unscheduled stops and labor disputes resulting in work stoppages can delay your plans.
The best way to get around, other than flying, is by bus. But avoid taking night buses, as holdups are not unheard of.
Major cities have good public transportation, and taxis are everywhere. However, make sure any taxi you ride in boasts the black and white checkerboard decal showing it is licensed. Locals also advise passing on cabs that are severely damaged or dented.
Taxis are not metered, so be sure to agree on a price before you get in the cab. Don't be afraid to haggle over the price; it's expected. And no tips are necessary.
Long distance calls run about $3 per minute. Don't use your personal cell phone unless you've checked with your carrier before you leave for Peru. Many world travelers have returned home to exorbitant cell phone bills. It's cheaper to communicate by e-mail. Internet cafes are plentiful and run only about $1 an hour.
Peru uses standard 110 power, but the plugs are not standard. You might want to bring a selection of adapters. Plugs can vary in size and type within a single room.
Bring a variety of layers from cool to warm, as the temperatures vary dramatically depending on where you are.
Peru's water supply is not safe for drinking, so be sure to drink bottled water. Also learn how to ask, in Spanish, if the ice in your soda is made with bottled water or tap water. If you stick to the large tourist hotels, you should have no problem. If you want to get out in the countryside, assume that the ice is not safe there.
The food in Peru is tasty and unique. Just one word of warning: Anything raw has the potential to make you sick. This includes fresh fruits and vegetables (except those you can peel) and ceviche, a national dish made of raw fish. A major cause of tourist illness and even death is eating ceviche from the western coast of South America.
Western tourists do not need visas to enter Peru. Once you're there, your passport will be stamped with a tourist visa good for 90 days.
ATMs are readily available, and many dispense either US dollars or nuevo sols, the Peruvian currency.
Many public toilets have no toilet paper, so be sure to carry your own. Also, the plumbing in Peru cannot handle anything besides human waste. Even bathrooms in private homes have wastebaskets next to the toilet for the disposal of used toilet paper.
Many major tourist destinations in Peru are at elevations in excess of 10,000 feet. Carry Diamox (or an alternative) with you and plan to acclimatize for at least 24 to 48 hours at altitude before doing anything strenuous. Many tourists find that even walking a block or climbing a short flight of stairs can leave them gasping for breath in the thin atmosphere of Cuzco or Lake Titicaca. The local method for dealing with altitude is to chew coca leaves and drink tea made of the same. For many tourists, this is enough, and they get by fine on copious amounts of the tea. Others find that they really need the prescription medication. In severe cases, they may need to return to a lower elevation as soon as possible.
