Hints,
and How To Get There |
... how
to get to Peru (Lima) and Arequipa
Quite a number of European, Latin-American and North American airlines offer regular flights to Peru’s capital city of Lima (Jorge Chávez International Airport [LIM]). In principle, you will always get a flight to and from Lima at short notice - the question is at what price. Please be aware that intercontinental flights from and to Europe and North America on the one hand, and Lima on the other tend to be extremely well or fully booked between June and October as well as in December/January. Even in the event that your travel plans fall into other than the above mentioned months, it is highly advisable to make flight reservations as early as possible.
In particular during the peak seasons (as mentioned above June to October and December/January), airlines of a more charter or cheap carrier connotation operate between European hubs and Lima. Your travel agent and pertinent Internet brokers will be able to provide an overview on these options.
From Europe. For students from Europe, the best options are KLM [www.klm.com] (code sharing with Alitalia and Air France), departing Amsterdam at 10.15 h, arriving Lima at 16.15 h (non-stop service) and IBERIA [www.iberia.com] (code sharing with British Airways), departing Madrid at 12.40 h and arriving Lima at 17.35 h or departing 17.00 h and arriving 22.20 h (both non-stop service). Additional options, though a bit time consuming, are Delta Air Lines [www.delta.com] from a series of major European cities through Atlanta GA (code sharing with Air France), American Airlines [www.aa.com] through New York (JFK) or Lufthansa [www.lufthansa.com] from Frankfurt through Caracas (Venezuela) with good LanPeru or TACA connections, or Continental Airlines [www.continental.com] through Newark NJ and (on the outward journey) an overnight in Panama City (all of them arriving in Lima at around 23.00 h, American on the following day at 06.30 h, Continental on the following day at 13.30 h). – Another choice is taking a flight from an international airport near your hometown to Chicago, Dallas/Fort Worth, Houston, Miami, or New York, etc., and connect it with a continuation to Lima provided by an American or Latin-American carrier operating
from these cities down to Peru.
From the United States, Canada or the Caribbean. Students from the United States, Canada or the Caribbean can count on a series of direct flights or good connections through Atlanta, Los Angeles, Houston, Miami, Caracas (Venezuela) or Panama, operated by carriers such as American Airlines, Delta Air Lines, Continental Airlines, Copa Airlines, LanChile, LanPeru, TACA, etc.
From Japan and the Far East. The best option for students from Japan and the Far East are the services provided by Aerolineas Argentinas, American Airlines, Continental Airlines, Delta Air Lines, AeroMexico or LanChile (possibly in connection with Japanese or other carriers based in the region) through Los Angeles, Houston, San Francisco or Mexico City.
From Australia and New
Zealand. The best options are Quantas and LanChile from Sydney and Auckland to Santiago de Chile, with good connecting flights to Lima.
Flights Lima (LIM) - Arequipa (AQP). There are several domestic airlines (LanPeru, AeroCondor Perú, StarPeru) operating between Lima and Arequipa. The largest and most reliable one is LanPeru [www.lan.com], which also operates internationally from and to the United States as well as from and to neighbouring Latin-American countries. The above mentioned airlines offer several daily flights from Lima to Arequipa, most of them non stop (flying time one hour and ten minutes), a few with a stopover in Cuzco, Juliaca or Tacna. The LanPeru evening flight leaving Lima between 19.00 h and 20.20 h (depending upon day of the week and/or season) enables those passengers with a scheduled arrival time in Lima no later than two hours before the respective departure time, to continue their trip on the same day to Arequipa. – A LanPeru Lima - Arequipa ticket will cost between USD 42.00 and USD 256.00 (without taxes) [refer to www.lan.com]; the exact fare depends upon the season, the date, the departure time and flexibility related to possible changes of
reservation (besides: the earlier you book and pay, the cheaper). – Please note that for departing passengers on domestic flights, the Lima airport tax is approximately USD 6.00.
Your flight ticket Lima (LIM) – Arequipa (AQP). We would strongly recommend you to book and pay online for your corresponding air ticket. In the event that you initiate your journey without a flight ticket Lima - Arequipa, the EDEAQ can of course assist you in this matter. We will book your flight and possibly (pre)pay it and let you know the reservation code and the ticket number so that you can pick up your ticket(s) at the corresponding counter at the Domestic Departure Hall of Lima’s International Airport. Please note that all possible bank and money transfer charges (including those on our account) as well as ticket issuing fees and taxes will be at your expense.
Flights Arequipa (AQP) - Lima (LIM). There are several domestic airlines (LanPeru, AeroCondor Perú, StarPeru) operating between Arequipa and Lima. The largest and most reliable one is LanPeru [www.lan.com], which also operates internationally from and to the United States as well as from and to neighbouring Latin-American countries. The above mentioned airlines offer several daily flights from Lima to Arequipa, most of them non stop (flying time one hour and fifteen minutes), a few with a stopover in Cuzco, Juliaca or Tacna. – A LanPeru Lima - Arequipa ticket will cost between USD 42.00 and USD 256.00 (without taxes) [refer to www.lan.com]; the exact fare depends upon the season, the date, the departure time and flexibility related to possible changes of reservation (besides: the earlier you book and pay, the cheaper).– Please note that for departing passengers on domestic flights, the Arequipa airport tax is approximately USD 6.00.
Change of timetables. Be aware that departure and arrival times of domestic flights in Peru can change at short or without notice, especially in the end of March and in the end of October when most European countries change from winter to summer time and vice versa. Please check all details with your travel agent or verify them on the corresponding Internet sites of the above-mentioned airlines. You can of course always contact the EDEAQ by e-mail [contact@edeaq.com], so that we can inform you directly about accurate timetables.
Overnight in Lima.
In the event that your incoming flight into Lima does not allow you to catch a connecting flight to Arequipa the same day or you prefer to rest in Lima after a long journey from Europe or Asia, the EDEAQ is more than glad to arrange a reservation for you in a Lima middle class hotel. We suggest two options:
1. The Hotel Kamana (official rating: ***), which is located in the centre of Lima. Single room: USD 25.00, including breakfast, taxes and service charge. Transfer from and to airport: USD 15.00 each. Transfer time from/to airport: 45 minutes. This option would enable you to spend the morning after your overnight in Lima downtown – the two main squares (Plaza Mayor and Plaza San Martín) and some of the most remarkable sights of Peru’s capital (like the Torre Tagle Palace) are within walking distance. –
www.hotelkamana.com
2.
The Hotel Manhattan Inn (official rating: ***), which is located pretty close to the airport. Single room: USD 32.00, double room: USD 43.00 (including breakfast, taxes and service charge). Transfer from and to airport: USD 11.00 each. Transfer time from/to airport: approx. 15 minutes.–
www.perucontact.com/en_peru/ManhattanInnAirportHotel_305.html
The above mentioned hotels are standard middle class establishments. We are of course more than glad to assist you in the event that you prefer accommodation in an upper middle class (****) or in a first class hotel (*****).
Please note that expenses for overnight accommodations and transfers from and to Lima International Airport, as well as for airport taxes and all other expenses related to your stay in Lima, are not included in the package price. |
Travel
Documents / Visa
Passport
Validity.
Your passport must be valid for a minimum of six months when you start your trip.
Entry
Permit Regulations.
Travellers from the United States, Canada and most European countries (EU Member States plus Switzerland, Norway and others) plus Israel, Australia, New Zealand and Japan, do not need a visa to enter Peru. Upon arrival you will get a stamp in your passport which entitles you to a stay of up to 90 days, and a tourist card (“Tarjeta de Embarque”) which you will receive in the plane before arrival and which has to be surrendered when leaving the country. - Extensions of your stay for one or two additional months can be obtained in Arequipa or in any other major Peruvian city and will cost approximately USD 28.00 per month of extension.
Money
/ Change
The Peruvian currency is the "Nuevo Sol," abbreviated "S/.” or officially PEN (caution: the S/. or PEN are also often indicated by the dollar character [$]). Instead of talking about a “Nuevo Sol”, most Peruvians still use the term “Sol” (plural “Soles”). There are coins of 5, 2, and 1 S/. as well as coins of 50, 20 and 10 céntimos in current circulation. The denominations of the bills are 10, 20, 50, 100, 500 and 1000 S/.
Together with your (ATM compatible) bankcard, you should carry a sufficient amount of USD in cash, in small denominations, i.e. bills of USD 50, 20, 10, 5 and 1 (no Euro and no other European currencies, only US-Dollars). Use your credit card only where advisable to do so and for deposits, as well as for emergency cases (cash withdrawals from a bank). The current rate of exchange of the USD against the PEN can be asked through Oanda
[www.oanda.com/convert/classic].
Your mobile phone
Most likely, there is a roaming agreement between your mobile phone company at home and at least one of the providers in Peru such as Claro (Telmex) or Moviestar (Telefónica). This means that you will be able to use your mobile phone in Peru. Outgoing and incoming long distance calls will be quite expensive. When using your mobile phone for domestic calls, topped-up local rates will be applied, meaning that you can call from Arequipa to Lima or any other place in Peru (or vice versa) or within Arequipa at topped-up local rates, regardless whether you communicate with a landline or a mobile number. Bear in mind that this is applicable for mobile phones from Canada and Europe, yet not from the U.S., which operate by a different system.
The country code for Peru is 51; the area code for Arequipa is 054 (calling from abroad, dial +5154). Other relevant area codes are Ayacucho 066, Cajamarca 044, Callao 01, Chiclayo 074, Cuzco and Machu Picchu 084, Huaraz 043, Ica 056, Juliaca 051, Lambayeque 074, Lima 01, Iquitos 065, Piura 073, Pucalpa 065, Puno 051,Tacna 052, Trujillo 044.
In the event that you call a mobile phone, the area codes read as follows: Arequipa 05495, Ayacucho 0669, Cajamarca 0449, Callao 019, Chiclayo 0749, Cuzco und Machu Picchu 0849, Huaraz 0439, Ica 0569, Juliaca 0519, Lambayeque 07497, Lima 019, Iquitos 0659, Piura 07396, Pucalpa 0659, Puno 0519, Tacna 0529, Trujillo 04494.
Please note that cell phone rental (in conjunction with the purchase of prepaid SIM cards), which is available at Lima International Airport and in all larger towns, has become pretty popular among foreign visitors to Peru.
Electricity
Peru uses 220 volts, 60 cycles AC, except Arequipa, which is on 220 volts/50 cycles. The major hotels provide 110 volt outlets in bathrooms for the use of shavers or hairdryers only.
Climate
As a result of its immense geographic diversity and significant differences in altitude, each region in Peru has more or less its own climate pattern, without mentioning a myriad of different microclimates.
The pattern for Arequipa (2230 m above sea level) reads as follows:
April to October: winter. Cloudless sky and intensive solar insolation. Day-time temperatures at 14.00 h between 20 and 25 °C. Night-time temperatures around 15 °C, between June and August occasionally lower, i.e. around 10 °C or even lower.
November and December: beginning of summer (“veranillo arequipeño”). The first occasional light rainfalls usually occur in the afternoon (less than 10% probability). In general cloudless sky and intensive solar insolation. Day-time temperatures at 14.00 h between 21 and 26 °C. Night-time temperatures around 15 °C or slightly lower.
January to March: summer, characterised by some precipitation in the afternoons (less than 20% probability), although it is surprising how fast the skies clear up after some rainfall and the sun comes out again. Day-time temperatures at 14.00 h between 22 and 26°C. Night-time temperatures around 15 °C or slightly lower.
Health / Vaccinations
No vaccinations required. For those arriving directly from Europe, the United States, Canada, Israel, Australia, New Zealand, Japan, and most Latin-American countries, there are no vaccination requirements; although in general, vaccinations against tetanus, polio, typhoid and hepatitis A are recommended. If you are considering travelling to the Peruvian lowlands, you may consider being vaccinated against yellow fever and taking malaria tablets.
Altitude. Travellers who suffer heart or circulation problems are recommended to consult their doctor regarding the high altitude, even though Arequipa’s location at 2330 m is not considered a critical zone. Usually the human body needs two or three days to get acclimatised to the altitude, meaning to the lower oxygen content in the air. For possible trouble such as “soroche”/altitude sickness (headache and nausea) which are common symptoms during the adjustment phase, there is effective, time-tested and well tolerated medication available at local pharmaceutical chemists. Especially good help is the so-called "mate de coca" (tea from coca leaves).
A stay in Peru and in Arequipa in particular does not - from our point of view and applying elementary precautions - imply any particular health risks, apart from the AIDS-risk specifically existing in Third World countries. The most serious illnesses to guard against are yellow fever and malaria, which both occur in jungle areas of the north and south Amazon, and malaria in a few parts of the coast. - Your medical doctor or a clinic specialising in tropical medicine can advise which (additional) vaccinations and precautions might be required. |
Insurance
Most private health insurance companies cover health expenses, even in case of short term stay overseas. If you do not have a private health insurance you should get an additional travel insurance. Insurance for your luggage is strongly recommended as welll.
... what you should know
upon arrival in Lima
Arriving
at Lima International Airport (LIM)
Lima’s International Airport “Jorge Chávez” [LIM] used to be a chaotic undertaking, particularly with respect to domestic departures early in the morning when most of the flights were bound to the numerous destinations all over Peru. In recent years however, things have changed dramatically, and these days (under German management), LIM has become a well organised airport and quite customer friendly. Ground staff in general is helpful, and English is widely spoken.
No matter whether you continue your journey the same day to Arequipa or you stay overnight in Lima, we recommend that you change at least USD 50.00 into “Nuevo Soles.” Make sure that the denomination of the bills is small (request bills of 10 and 20 S/. only), and that you get a sufficient supply of coins (some of 5 and 2 S/. and a lot of 1 S/. and 50 céntimos). - Whenever you change money, do this at an authorised changing booth or at a bank, but never in the street with individuals. There is virtually no “parallel market,” i.e. what you would get in the street is not even half of a percent better than at a booth or bank, but you may in fact run the high risk of getting false bills.
Commuting
from the airport to your Lima hotel
Depending on your Lima accommodations arrangements, the EDEAQ will provide you with pertinent information about your transfer. In principle, the hotel where you will spend the night after your arrival will be in charge of your airport pick-up, hence you can be sure that your first contact with Peruvian reality will not end up in an unpleasant surprise.
Security
As Peru’s urban centres have swollen, so has petty crime. Pickpockets and thieves have become more and more common in Lima and Cuzco (and recently in Arequipa too), and they are amazingly adept at slitting open shoulder bags, camera cases and backpacks.
Security is a relative concept. Given the proper precautions and basic common sense, personal security should not become an issue. The most important rules are: never exhibit values (money, jewellery, etc.) in public! Have your back protected! Concentrate on what you are doing and never do two things at a time! Do not allow yourself to be distracted by individuals telling you that your coat is spotted, that you have dropped your handkerchief, etc.! Avoid contacts with over friendly strangers or nationals who may want to get you involved in criminal deals! Be aware that buying, selling, trafficking or possessing drugs is a crime that may result in a long term prison sentence (up to ten years)!
Perhaps the decisive factor related to your personal security, after all, is you - your attitude and behaviour in public, and in particular the way you dress. In the event that you walk through Arequipa in shorts, sandals (possibly without stockings) and a sleeveless undershirt, you will be immediately recognised as a foreigner and thus an extremely visible target for pickpockets and thieves and surprising assaults. Our recommendation is to dress discretely (inconspicuously), i.e. “conservatively”, avoiding flashy colours as well as the typical backpacker-/leisure outfit.
More Hints and Information
After having registered by e-mail (see "Registration"), a new page, which is not listed under the index, will appear ("Welcome again!"). This page includes all necessary information you will need in order to get to Arequipa safely, including useful hints and tips in view of a productive and well-organised stay in Peru.
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