Tips on Travel in Peru

Tips from an Indagare specialist on traveling in Peru:

Currency Cautions

Not all the ATMs in Peru are safe. It’s best to use only those in the top hotels and at the airports. A lot of counterfeit currency circulates as well, so pay attention to the change you are given. If it looks illegitimate or homemade, it probably is worthless.

Tipping

Our favorite local contact recommends 10 percent at restaurants, $20 per day for a guide and $10 per day for a driver.

Safety

In its guest rooms at the Miraflores Park Hotel, Belmond offers the following excellent advice.

• Do not carry original documents like passports and airline tickets
• Do not wear jewelry or carry valuable objects.
• Put cash or credit cards in your pockets; do not carry a purse or backpack.
• Do not walk in areas that have little or no traffic or are not well lit.
• Always take the hotel’s phone number and address with you.
• A reputable agency provides the cars used by the hotel, which can contact them at any time. Regular taxis off the street are cheaper but risky.

Lima Layovers

One afternoon and one evening in Lima is plenty for most travelers; a day is more than enough time to see the city’s historical center. For a one-night layover, I would recommend holing up at the Miraflores Park Hotel, located on the coast (picture luxury condominiums and commercial buildings). While the hotel is corporate, rooms are comfortable and spacious and Miraflores is home to many of the city’s best seafood restaurants (Cala, located on the oceanfront below Miraflores is a favorite).

Those traveling to Lima for more than one night may want to consider the Lima Country Club, a resort-y property located in San Isidro, Lima’s version of the Upper East Side. While further away from most restaurants, LCC is within walking distance of many luxury boutiques. Both LCC and Miraflores Park are a cab ride from the historical center.