General Information about Peru

Peru is a country in the west of South America. It is located between Ecuador, Colombia, Brazil, Bolivia, Chile, and the Pacific. Peru's capital is Lima. It is an economic and cultural center of great importance for the region.

Due to its geographical location, the country is often referred to as an Andean state. The Andes are a mountain range that extends over large parts of the South American west. But Peru is not only marked by mountains, but also by its coasts and its rainforest. The jungle occupies about 60 percent of the land area and is almost ubiquitous.

The Amazon, which is the richest river in the world, also flows through Peru. This is something Peru has in common with its neighbors Colombia and Brazil. The Amazon not only represents a spectacular natural landscape but can also be navigated by ships in some parts. Moreover, many native fish species appear on the menus of local restaurants.

There are three official languages in Peru: Spanish, Quechua, and Aymara. In each of these languages, Peru is called differently: República del Perú, Piruw Republika, and Piruw Suyu. It is worth learning some Spanish before your trip as it will help you communicate well in your holiday country.

Peru has a lot to offer and is an unusual travel destination. This is evident in some numbers and facts.

With only about 33 million inhabitants, your travel destination is not particularly densely populated. Meanwhile, the country covers an area of almost 1.3 million square kilometers. For comparison: Germany has less than a quarter of this area, but the population is currently more than twice as large. This means that there are many sparsely populated areas in Peru and the fascinating nature is still largely intact. Almost a quarter of the Peruvian population lives in the capital. Only a fifth of Peruvians are spread across rural areas.

There are many indigenous groups in Peru. The largest of these groups are the Mestizos, making up about 60 percent. In addition to these and other indigenous people, there are also some Asians like Chinese and Japanese who have settled in Peru. Moreover, since the 19th century, there have been smaller, formerly German and Austrian communities.

The Selva (the rainforest region of Peru) is not only an optimal habitat for many plants and animals, but also for some so-called isolated peoples. These are smaller groups of people who are native to a country but have little or no contact with the rest of the population. In total, there are twelve groups with 5,000 people living in the rainforests of Peru.

The scenic beauty of Peru is protected in 74 national parks and reserves. Not all are accessible to tourists, as eight of these areas are reserved for indigenous peoples. The Manú National Park in the Amazon region is particularly interesting for tourists because it is still a truly untouched area by humans. It now even holds the title as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

If you want to travel to Peru, you should know the three most important landscape zones. Each of them has its own charm.

The largest zone is the Selva. It contains the mystical rainforest of Peru, which is bordered by the Andes in the west. Those who want to experience the Selva up close should do so as a guest on a watercraft. The forest is extremely dense and can therefore be best experienced from the water. Jungle hikes are also sometimes offered.

In the landscape zone of the Sierra, you will find the Andes. In addition to the mountain ranges, the numerous canyons and valleys are also striking. Here and there, a river even flows through the area. The highest mountain is Nevado Huascarán at 6,768 meters.

The last landscape zone is the Costa, which is the Pacific coastline of Peru. The coast is simultaneously a desert. In the south is the famous Atacama Desert. It is the driest desert on Earth.

The history of Peru is based on numerous upheavals. From around 20,000 BC, the first people settled in what is now the national territory. A few thousand years later, the first buildings were constructed that possessed a powerful charisma and some of which are still preserved today.

The first high cultures developed from 800 BC. The Incas, the most significant high culture of Peru, only arose from the 13th century. Among other things, they built the city of Cusco, which is still inhabited today. Moreover, the culture was known for its good organization and the first-class road network.

The most important constructions include the terraces at Pisac and the unique Machu Picchu. The terraced city has long been a ruin. It is located in the current Peruvian territory and requires a head for heights when visiting.

In the 16th century, the empire was destroyed and conquered by the Spanish conquerors under the conquistador Francisco Pizarro. From then on, the Viceroyalty of Peru, which stretched even further than the empire at its greatest extent, was located on the former territory of the Incas.

The indigenous population was poorly treated and exploited under the new rulers. It is not surprising that there were severe uprisings in the 18th century. The leadership was held by José Gabriel Condorcanqui, who descended from the last ruler of the Incas. However, the uprising was suppressed, increasing the repression even further.

Three centuries later, Peru's independence followed. The then-common slavery was abolished, and the indigenous people were better integrated. Yet, there were still major problems despite independence. These difficulties manifested themselves, among other things, in a bloody civil war and from 1879 in the so-called Saltpeter War.

From the early 20th century, Peru was on the rise again. Domestic resources such as guano fertilizer or copper had by then found many buyers in the world, so that a flourishing economy developed. A few years later, industrial companies also settled.

In 1968 there was a coup d'état through which a military government took over the leadership. Finally, from 1980, the democratization of Peru took place. There were free elections, but not everything is positive yet. To this day, indigenous population groups (especially in the countryside) are subjected to severe repression.

With the conquest of the then Inca Empire by the Spaniards, Spanish became the most important language in the country. However, it is not the classic Spanish as spoken in Spain. Over the centuries, Peruvian and South American accents have developed. Today, however, most Peruvians speak the originally European language as their mother tongue. This applies to about 83 percent of the population.

The Spaniards banned indigenous languages after the suppression of the uprising by José Gabriel Condorcanqui in the 18th century. Nevertheless, some indigenous languages are still spoken, although they are not recognized as official national languages. The two most significant languages besides Spanish are indigenous languages: Quechua is spoken by almost 14 percent of the country's population and Aymara by only about 1.6 percent.

Not only the languages of Peru were changed by the Spanish conquerors, but also the national culture. Spanish influences can therefore be found in many places, especially in the cities of the country. This is particularly evident in that about three-quarters of Peruvians are Roman Catholic Christians. There are also Protestant and evangelical Christians and other Christian denominations. Indigenous religions such as the Asháninka are hardly to be found anymore.

The religious change did not happen by chance, but the Spaniards and other Europeans as well as Americans have driven intensive missionary work to spread Christianity in Peru and other South American countries.

Nevertheless, there are many cultural treasures and offerings that can be described as typically Peruvian. There are some musical instruments that represent Peru. These include especially the Andean flute Quena and the pan flute Zampona.

In addition to many treasures in the cultural areas of art, literature, and film, sports have become an important part of the lives of many Peruvians. The most popular sport is soccer. It is even the national sport of the Andean country. Although Peru has not yet become world champion, the great passion of the Peruvians for soccer can only be a matter of time.

In the beautiful South American country, there is no uniform climate. There are several climate zones. Due to the proximity to the equator, you can usually expect rather warm to hot, sometimes also tropical temperatures.

Instead of four seasons, there are only the dry and rainy seasons in Peru. In the dry season, which predominantly lasts from April to September, there is hardly any rain. Instead, the sun almost always shines. The season is perfect for vacations where you want to be very active.

The rainy season usually begins in October and lasts until March. There is an extreme amount of rain. Especially the Andes and the rainforest are affected. It can also become very humid, which represents a huge burden for some people.

Those who want to vacation in Peru during the rainy season should take it easy. It is worth checking the climate table of all areas on the planned travel route before booking the trip and preparing accordingly.

The fastest way to get to Peru from European countries is by plane. A suitable destination airport is Jorge Chavez Airport. Although it is located on the western side of the country on the Pacific coast, it is a good starting point for traveling further inland.

Those who want to stay in the capital at first will not regret it. The Peruvian capital, with about 8.5 million inhabitants, is the largest city in the country. Consequently, there is a high density of touristically interesting places. These include numerous museums such as the Rafael Larco Herrera Archaeological Museum or archaeological sites like Huaca Pucllana.

Are you interested in buildings? The Cathedral is very worth seeing. The Cathedral is located in the amazing old town of Lima, which has long been a UNESCO World Heritage site. Besides the Cathedral, it is worth visiting the Rosary Basilica or Plaza de Armas.

Although you can also visit the beaches in Lima on the coast, you should not expect excellent quality except for a few exceptions. Moreover, swimming in the wild Pacific off Peru is not recommended. Nevertheless, the coast can be beautiful and invite you for a walk or to sunbathe.

Besides Lima, Cusco is a popular city among tourists visiting Peru. Cusco was once the capital of the Inca Empire and is accordingly significant. However, the location is somewhat unusual: the city is situated at an altitude of about 4,000 meters. It is not sensible to visit the city only briefly. Take enough time to adapt to the thin high altitude air. After that, it is much more pleasant to explore places like the Sacsayhuaman ruins, Mercado San Pedro market, or the Chocolate Museum.

The emblem of Peru is not the Amazon, but undoubtedly the ruins of Machu Picchu. The ancient site, also known as the "lost city" and bearing the title of UNESCO World Heritage, is located on the other side of the Andes from the capital and a bit further south of the country. Once up to 1,000 people inhabited the city. Like other cities, the ruin lies in the mountains, but the ruin is only at an altitude of about 2,400 meters. However, only a few visitors are deterred by this, as thousands flock daily to see the remains of the city.

For Machu Picchu, you should also take plenty of time, for a ruin like this will not be found anywhere else in the world. Many visitors even celebrate the journey by hiking the Inca Trail beforehand. It is a 45-kilometer long hiking route that, due to the mountainous location, requires a high level of fitness and can only be managed in several day stages.

A colorful landscape awaits you in the Sacred Valley. The valley on the Urubamba River is called "Heiliges Tal" in German. So the name also promises something special. On site, there are colorfully striped hills and fascinating viewpoints that may require a bit of courage. Additionally, there is another ruin city, Ollantaytambo, in the valley. It played an extraordinary role in the conquest of the Inca Empire by the Spaniards because the South Americans were able to defeat the Spaniards here in a battle.

Ask yourself: How can one see all the sights in a single vacation? It's good that there are tours. You start at a well-frequented place like the capital and travel the tourist highlights of the country. At the end of the tour, you return to your starting point to begin the journey home. However, you can also move further away from your starting point and return from one of the other airports in the country.

The starting point is usually the best choice because you can arrive and depart well via the international airport. From the capital, it is relatively easy to start journeys through all three landscape zones past the most beautiful and exciting sites. The following itinerary has proven successful for many travelers: Lima - Paracas - Ica - Huacachina - Arequipa - Puno - Cusco - Iquitos.

Each of these places is a real highlight in this breathtaking country. We have already presented the capital in detail, but what can you expect in Paracas? It is a small coastal town in the Ica region. There is an amazing ground artwork and a national reserve.

The next city on the itinerary is Ica. The city houses an amazing museum for pre-Columbian mummies. The tiny place Huacachina is located at an oasis and is framed by 100-meter-high dunes. The landscape invites cool sports like sandboarding. It is also a pleasure for those seeking relaxation.

The city of Arequipa has a center that is a UNESCO World Heritage site and holds corresponding treasures for you. The city of Puno is close to the famous Lake Titicaca, and there is also a beautiful cathedral. The last place on the tour is Iquitos in the tropical rainforest. The city can only be reached by boat or plane, making the visit a real adventure.

The currency in the Andean country is the Peruvian Sol. It has only been around since 2015, which makes the currency very young. One Sol consists of 100 Céntimos. The notes are equipped with various security features. When you are traveling in Peru, you should always carry enough cash, even in the age of digitalization. This is not only true for rural areas but also for cities.

If you do not want to carry Sol, you can usually also pay with US dollars. In popular tourist locations, payment in euros is sometimes possible as well. However, you should not always rely on this. To exchange money, you can visit an exchange office, a bank, or a hotel. Additionally, you can also receive the Peruvian national currency at standard ATMs, provided you use a debit or credit card. In larger stores and restaurants, it is often possible to pay by card. Credit cards like Visa and MasterCard are particularly well accepted.

Travel or traveler's checks are also a good idea for your travel funds. Make sure they are issued in US dollars if possible. The advantage of these means of payment is their security. If a check is stolen or lost, it can be easily replaced.

Those who travel to Peru should know that tips are often expected. While it is not mandatory, it is appreciated and a sign of recognition for good service or friendly treatment. A reasonable tip is about ten percent of the value of the service. With a tip between one and 40 Soles, you often can't go wrong. However, adjust the amount wisely: a special performance is naturally worth a higher tip.

Is the country safe enough for a relaxed trip? In fact, you can become a victim of crime. In addition to thefts and robberies, kidnappings occur occasionally. However, certain areas are significantly less safe than others. There is a high risk for tourists in poor regions and slums. You should not enter the latter as a tourist at all. You should be vigilant everywhere and preferably not travel alone.

Tourist sites are occasionally targeted by criminals. Tour buses and hotels have also been attacked. Taxis can become a trap for tourists if the driver is part of a criminal group. However, this has only occurred in some cities so far and certainly does not apply to all taxi drivers. As in Europe, you should keep a close eye on your drink in clubs and bars because knockout drops can be used. Also, you should keep an eye on your luggage and check it regularly. In the past, tourists have been exploited as drug smugglers. Do not voluntarily engage in such a business under any circumstances!

Terrorism, as in Europe, plays hardly any role in Peru. However, political unrest can occur, which can also happen in tourist regions. In some areas, a state of emergency applies. This is intended to combat drug-related crime. Expect checks by police officers. But even in these areas, robberies can occur.

Among the most popular means of travel in your holiday country is the airplane. Small planes are not always in good condition. Safety standards known from Europe are not always maintained. With a car, you can get around well in many regions of Peru. However, expect toll roads here and there. Furthermore, it might be a good idea to take the train to travel the country.

Before you book your trip to the Andean state, you should check the current travel advice at the Foreign Office. You can find this on the internet on the website of the authority when you search for Peru. There you will learn more about special features for your safety during the trip. This includes information on the coronavirus pandemic, but also on crime and terrorism.