INDEPENDENCE DAY OF PERU:
28th of July (28 de Julio)

AREA:
Peru is the third largest country in South America with an area of 1'285,216 km2.

POPULATION AND PEOPLE:
With a population of nearly 25 million, Peru has a wide ethnic mixture composed mainly by a 54% Indian, 32% Mestizo, 12% White and Spanish descent, 2% Black and Asian minority.

ELECTRICITY: 220 volts AC, 60 Hz.

RELIGION:
Catholicism reigns, but other religious denominations and cults are accepted.

LOCAL TIME IN SOME MAJOR CITIES:
Lima 12:00 noon       New York 13:00 p.m.
London 18:00 p.m.    Berlin 19.00 p.m.
Tokyo 02:00 a.m. 

DOCUMENTS:
Valid passport required. No visa is necessary for U.S. tourists holding a valid passport, but a formal extension is required if the visit exceeds 90 days. If you lose your passport, obtain a temporary replacement from your embassy in Lima.

PROHIBITIONS:
Photographing airports, military bases and police stations is forbidden. In some churches and museums, it is also forbidden to take photographs or make video recordings.

DRUGS:
It is strictly forbidden to transport illegal drugs. Offenders will be arrested and jailed. Under no circumstance should you accept to carry in your luggage packages belonging to strangers.

VACCINATIONS:
If you wish to visit the jungle, you should get an immunization for yellow fever.

HEALTH:
Drink only sealed, bottled water of a known brand. When hiking in the mountains, boil or purify the water. Be careful to wash raw vegetables and fruits thoroughly. Avoid eating food from street vendors. The change of food can cause diarrhea. Ask in a pharmacy for local anti-diarrheal medication.

ACCLIMATIZATION:
Because of the altitude, travelers with heart problems or high blood pressure should check with a doctor in advance or if any problem arises. If you plan to visit the highlands, take it easy for the first 2 or 3 days and drink a lot of water to avoid mountain sickness (soroche). If you get a headache, drink coca tea (mate de coca) for some relief. Always carry sunscreen, glasses and a cap for UV protection.

TRAVELER'S ASSISTANCE:
Peru has organized a traveler's assistance service open 24 hours a day. For assistance, call 574-8000 in Lima or 0800-4-2579 in other cities.

PHONE CALLING: A) FROM FOREIGN COUNTRIES: dial 51 first, then the departmental code and number. B) NUMBERS INSIDE THE COUNTRY (CODE) + (Telephone Number) (CODE) Lima: 01 Huaraz: 043 Cuzco: 084 Ica: 056 Chiclayo: 074 Tumbes: 072 Trujillo: 044 Arequipa: 054 Iquitos: 065 Piura: 073 Ayacucho: 066 Puno: 051