- Capital: Lima
- Time Zone: GMT -5
- Currency: The official currency of Peru is the Nuevo Sol. We recommend you to change your Canadian dollars into the local currency. US Dollars are accepted in most commercial establishments. Visa, MasterCard, Diners and American Express are commonly used in Lima shopping centers, but not in province. If you are planning to buy handicrafts and traditional products, please take note that small shops don’t have this system, payment are only made in cash. If you have a credit card, you can withdraw money from cash machines (ATM) in the principal cities.
Peru is a country in South America covering part of the Amazon rainforest. This is where Machu Picchu, an ancient Inca city located high up in the Andes, is. The area surrounding Machu Picchu, encompassing the Sacred Valley, the Inca Trail and the Colonial City of Cuzco, has many archaeological sites. On the arid Pacific coast of Peru lies Lima, the capital, with a well-preserved colonial center and important collections of pre-Columbian art.
Cities
Cuzco
Cuzco, city of the Andes Cordillera in Peru and ancient capital of the Inca Empire, is today known for its archaeological remains and its Hispanic colonial architecture. The Plaza de Armas is the central square of the old town, with its arcades, carved wooden balconies and ruined Inca period. The Santo Domingo baroque convent was built atop the Inca Temple of the Sun (Qoricancha). It contains archaeological remains of Inca masonry.
Arequipa
Arequipa is the capital of the Peruvian region of the same name, founded in the colonial period. Surrounded by 3 volcanoes, it is full of baroque buildings built in white volcanic stone. Arequipa’s historical center is located around the Plaza de Armas, an elegant square with a neoclassical cathedral dating back to the 17th century, and a museum exhibiting religious objects and works of art.
Lima
It is the capital and the largest city of Peru, as well as the capital of the Lima region. Possessing an architectural patrimony of the twentieth-century colonial era, it is now listed as a UNESCO World Heritage site. A coastal city facing the Pacific, it is a dynamic city that offers an interesting contrast with pre-Columbian archaeological sites on one side and traditional places on the other. Lima is the best place to sample Peruvian cuisine, which contains a wide variety of ingredients from the coastal, mountainous and Amazonian regions.
Nazca
About 200km south of Paracas extends one of the most famous sites of Peru, the UNESCO world heritage: Nasca lines. The hundreds of geoglyphs represent geometric zoological forms that could have been used for ritual and religious purposes. You can see some of the surrounding mountainsfrom an observation tower in the center of the site or by taking a scenic overflight.
Language
Spanish is commonly spoken across the country. Peruvian Spanish has a low accent and is easy to understand. Quechua, the language of the Incas, is spoken in the mountain. Aymara is mainly spoken in the communities of Puno. In the jungle, different dialects are spoken
Electricity
Electricity in Peru is 220 V. In some hotel you will find 110 V.
Entry requirements
Kindly make sure to have the proper documents required to enter the countries you are visiting. Please refer to www.travel.gc.cafor updated information. Regarding visas, you can refer to the link:
www.travel.gc.ca/travelling/advisories.
Failure to obtain these documents prior to travel can result in being denied entry or exit from the country
Communication
International access code: 00 International dialing code: 51 Concerning national calls made in Peru, it is not necessary to dial the 51 country code. If you are calling from Canada, please dial 011, then 51 and finally the local phone number in Peru