Inka culture - Peru
Peru Virtual Map

Peru Profile

About Peru

Icon Geographic Location:
In the central and western part of South America facing the Pacific Ocean on the West.
Land Area:
A total of 496,220 square miles, divided into three main geographic areas: the Coast, the Highlands and the Jungle.
Population:
24.5 millions of the following ethnic strains: European, Oriental, African, Indoamerican.
In Lima: 7.5 million.
Language and Religion:
Spanish with 80% literacy rate. Quechua is also an official language. Aymara is spoken by people around lake Titicaca and dozens of languages are spoken by the native inhabitants of the Amazon basin. Roman Catholic: 95%. Protestant and others: 5%.

Climate:

  • Coast:
    Winter (May-October) average: 14ºC (57ºF)
    Summer (November-April) average: 27ºC (81ºF)
  • Highlands:
    Temperatures range from 18ºC (64ºF) during the day to 3ºC (37ºF) at night.
    The rainy season lasts from December to March.
  • Jungle:
    Hot and humid, with sporadic rains all year round.
What to pack?:
Sun protection for the highland and Machu Picchu during the day, repellent, comfortable shoes and protection for rain, mainly during rainy season (Dec to Mar).
Currency:
The Sol, broken down into 100 centimos. US Dollars are accepted in Peru's larger cities.
Credit cards widely accepted: VISA, Diners, Master Card, American Express.
Traveller checks may be cashed in main hotels. US Dollar exchange can be done at hotels and banks.
Current exchange rate: 3.50 soles per dollar.
Entry Requirement:
Valid passport; citizens of few countries require visas. Yellow fever inoculation required for those visiting some areas of the Amazon basin. Passengers traveling through Peru to Brazil also require yellow fever vaccine.
Voltage: 220 volts (Major hotels have 110 volt outlets).
Time: GMT-5 hours (No change during the summer)