Peru FAQs

Visas

EU, US or Canadian citizens do not require visas to enter Peru. For nationalities that do need to obtain a visa before travel, we can help you with obtaining hotel confirmations and a confirmed itinerary, these are the documents usually required by the embassy. We do recommend that you make sure you have enough time to complete the process before travel.

Passports

Your passport must be valid for at least six months from the date of entry in Peru.

We will confirm certain elements of your trip such as domestic flights, permits or train tickets using your current passport details. If a member of your party changes their name in their passport after booking (for example, through marriage or adoption) this could mean having to reissue important parts of the trip at an extra cost and subject to availability. In Peru you may be asked to travel with both old and new passports in some circumstances.

Peru uses the Virtual TAM (migration card) which will be completed on arrival at Lima International Airport.

Please note that requirements can change and we recommend that our guests contact the local embassy in the country where you live for the most recent and up to date information.

We recommend that you carry a colour photocopy of your passport with you while in Peru in case authorities ask to see your ID (this can happen in some areas of Lima, when exchanging currency or paying by credit card). When you travel to Machu Picchu you will be required to have your physical passport with you for the journey there and when visiting the ruins. 

Yes, once your trip is confirmed it is essential that you take out comprehensive travel insurance to cover you in case anything unexpected happens. 

We always recommend that our guests get the maximum level of coverage that you feel comfortable investing in. Read more about travel insurance for US travellers here and for travellers from other countries here.

Yes, you should visit a travel doctor before your trip as they may recommend certain vaccinations or medications before or during travel. Some vaccines commonly recommended for travellers to Latin America include: Tetanus, Diphtheria, Polio, Typhoid, Hepatitis A, Hepatitis B, Rabies and Meningitis.

We recommend asking your health practitioner about Yellow Fever when visiting the Amazon and other remote areas. Peruvian authorities recommend this vaccination but it is not a requirement.

There is a risk of Malaria in remote areas and in the Amazon so this is something to discuss with your medical advisor if you’re travelling to these regions. We recommend you bring some mosquito spray if you are travelling to areas outside of Cusco and Machu Picchu.

Travelling at Altitude

Altitude sickness can affect everyone and to different degrees. On arrival at altitude, to help you acclimatise it’s best to take it easy and not physically exert yourself. Staying hydrated is very important so drink lots of water, take meals which are easy to digest and avoid alcohol during your first days at altitude. Some of our guests take medication and so you may wish to speak with your doctor about this.

Typically regional flights in Peru will be on the national carrier LATAM Peru with a luggage restriction of 23kg/55lbs and a hand luggage allowance of 8kg/17lbs per person in economy class. 

Please let us know if you have seat assignment preferences and we will notify the airlines. Please note that seat assignment is subject to change and always at the discretion of the airline. 

Our team on the ground will be able to check you in online 24 hours prior to your flight.

Travel pack

Before you head off on your adventure you will be sent a travel pack. The travel pack is full of great information and is also a beautiful keepsake. It is not necessary to travel with vouchers or confirmations on your trip but we do recommend having a printed copy of your travel itinerary to hand when you arrive in Peru.

Bon Voyage email

Around 2 weeks before you depart we will email you an electronic version of your travel pack including your domestic flight tickets. Once you’ve received this email your Travel Designer will reach out to arrange a time for you to talk on the phone to go over any last minute questions and talk you through the information we’ve sent over.

We recommend bringing some of the local currency (Peruvian Soles) with you if you can, to cover incidental purchases before you have access to an ATM. US Dollars are also accepted widely, though you will have to keep an eye on the exchange rate given. ATMs in major towns and cities will dispense local currency and sometimes USD Dollars. If you are bringing US Dollars from home to exchange then please bring new notes, not older than 2011 and they should be clean with no rips or tears.

Travellers cheques are accepted in some hotels in Peru. However we don’t usually suggest bringing them as they can be troublesome and time consuming to change.

Credit cards are accepted with almost as much frequency as they are at home and you can use them in most places, excluding local markets or shops where you need local currency. The most widely accepted credit cards in Peru are, in this order, Visa, MasterCard and American Express. When using your Credit Card you will be asked to show your ID and sign a voucher to prove you’re the owner of the card – this is a precaution against fraud.

ATMs are available in the major cities. Some areas such as the Sacred Valley and Aguas Calientes do have ATMs but they can be unreliable or busy.. When visiting the Amazon or other remote areas ATM’s are not always available so you should make sure you have enough cash for tipping or incedentails before you depart the bigger cities. Please note that most ATMs will only dispense up to USD 200 in one go.

Tipping

Although tipping is discretionary many workers in the tourism industry do rely on tips to make up part of their income. 

• 10-15% for restaurant and bar staff
• USD 30 – 35 per day for professional guides in cities. 
• USD 10 – 15 per day for your driver
• USD 1-2 for hotel or airport porters per bag 
• USD 5 for drivers on short transfers, perhaps from the airport. You can add more if they have been very helpful.

If you plan to tip in US dollars, you should plan the amount of dollars you bring from home ahead of time, the US currency can be difficult and sometimes costly to obtain in Peru.

Please speak with your concierge or travel designer about tipping if you are taking a longer, overnight trek.

Etiquette

It’s important to be respectful when taking photographs of strangers when in Peru, particularly in rural areas. It’s best to ask your guide before starting to take pictures to make sure it’s appropriate – you may need to leave a small tip and the guide will explain this to you.

What you pack for your trip can change depending on the time of year and where you go. In general visitors in May through to September will enjoy the dry winter season which can mean you need sun protection in the daytime but warm layers for earlier mornings while at altitude as temperatures can get down to freezing. October through April will be warmer with more rain so waterproof coats and shoes are advisable. If you’re visiting the Amazon the weather here will be hot and humid year round – there are occasional cold spells in the Amazon so it’s best to bring at least one warm fleece or jumper. Speed boat rides can also feel chilly so an extra windbreaker/waterproof layer is also important. Most lodges and cruises will provide wellington boots and waterproof ponchos for your stay.

If you are taking a longer, overnight trek it’s best to speak with your travel designer or concierge about any extras you may need and consult our guide to Trekking in Peru.

A note that if you’re visiting Machu Picchu for an overnight stay you will only take an overnight bag with you. We will take care of large luggage until you return to either the Sacred Valley or Cusco. Always remember to bring your passport with you to Machu Picchu.

Below you’ll find our essentials list, please feel free to speak with the travel design team for a more personalised list.

• Layers – it can be cold in the mornings while at altitude but get very warm in the middle of the day.
• Lightweight rain jackets for showers and to act as a windbreaker. 
• Polarised sunglasses
• Swimming costume
• Trousers and shirts with adjustable arm and leg lengths in lightweight, quick dry fabrics. These are also good to protect against mosquitos and bugs, which is important in the Amazon.
• Camera/Smartphone with all the necessary charging leads, plugs and batteries
• Earplugs
• Sunscreen
• Insect repellent
• Sun hat
• Binoculars – your guide will have a pair but having your own can mean that you see a bit more for a bit longer
• Day bag for carrying all your daily essentials, depending on the time of year and where you’re visiting you should also consider a dry bag.
• Worn in, comfortable, waterproof walking shoes or hiking boots.

It is possible to do laundry at most hotels in Peru, it’s worth checking the price list as it can be a little expensive. The exception can be very remote lodges, camping and on some Amazon Cruises.

We highly recommend that you make restaurant reservations in advance of your trip. Once your trip is confirmed you will be introduced to your concierge who will be able to assist you in not only making the reservations but also  making  recommendations based on your preferences.

We only recommend taking transfers arranged by Jacada travel, the team on the ground, your hotel or a restaurant we’ve reserved for you. Although there are metered taxis and even uber in the major cities it shouldn’t be necessary on your trip. 

Plugs and power

Electricity in Peru is 220 Volts and 60 Hertz but many of Peru’s luxury hotels have outlets for 110 volt appliances. All plug sockets should be clearly labelled but always check if you’re unsure. There are two types of electrical outlets in Peru. One accepts two-pronged plugs with flat, parallel blades, while the other takes plugs with two round prongs. Many Peruvian electrical outlets are designed to accept both types. 

If your appliance has a different plug attachment (such as a three-pronged UK plug), you’ll need to buy an adapter. Universal plug adapters are inexpensive and easy to carry around. It’s a good idea to buy one before you go to Peru, most major airports have a store selling plug adapters.

Wifi and internet connection

Wifi is common in all larger city hotels and in most other frequently visited areas on your trip. In more remote areas the connection can be patchy and is not always available throughout the entire property, sometimes only being available in the common areas or in the rooms. 

Not all properties offer wifi so if this sort of connectivity is very important to you please do discuss this with your travel designer.

Remote areas

Cell phone reception and roaming may let you down in some remote areas so please bear this in mind if you need to stay in touch while on your trip. It is possible to buy local sim cards in Peru and these can be handy when keeping connected with those in your group, your guides or folks back home. We can arrange to have a sim card ready for you on arrival, please ask your travel designer or concierge about this before departure.