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Bookmark & shareContemplate the imperial ruins of mighty cities and dabble in the Amazon Basin.
Peru had a rich cultural life thousands of years before Pizarro turned up in funny clothing. Wander around colonial cities that echo the legacy of Spanish conquistadors, explore the ancient Inca capital of Cuzco, visit the lost city of Machu Picchu and ponder the enigma of the Nazca Lines.
Peru also boasts some of the most spectacular scenery in South America. The beautiful Peruvian Andes issue a siren's call to top-class trekkers. These mountains are also home to squillions of indigenous highlanders, who still speak the ancient tongue of Quechua and live a traditional way of life.
Travel Warning: Civil Unrest - Areas Out of Bounds
Peru has experienced civil unrest in recent times, with political and labour-related strikes occurring across the country. In August, thousands of Pisco residents protested against the government's slow response to an earthquake in 2007 which killed more than 500. In July, another anti-government protest in the capital Lima resulted in about 200 arrests. Travelers are advised to avoid any public protests as these may turn violent without warning.
Areas where the government is conducting counter-insurgency campaigns have been designated 'emergency areas' and should not be entered. The Shining Path (Sendero Luminoso) guerrilla movement is still known to conduct occasional operations in the Ayacucho, Huancavelica, Huanuco, Junín and San Martín areas. Border areas with Ecuador and Colombia are dangerous due to the presence of drug traffickers. The Cordillera del Cóndor region, near the border with Ecuador, is planted with landmines.
Check out the Thorn Tree travel forum for advice from travelers.
severity: Mid-level alert
Fast Facts
Country Full Name
República del Perú/Republic of Peru
Population
28,674,757
Currency
Name: Nuevo Sol
Code: PEN
Symbol: S/
Electrical Plugs
220V 60Hz
Languages Spoken
Official: Quechua, Spanish; Castilian
Time Zones
GMT/UTC -5 (Peru Time)
Country Dialing Code
+51
Weights & Measures
Metric
Peru - Free Guidebook Chapter
Download the free Getting Started chapter or buy individual chapters from our Peru guide, in our online Shop.
› Go to the Peru download page.
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