Getting there & Getting around

Getting there

Peru has flights linked with North America, the UK, continental Europe, Australia, New Zealand, Asia, Africa, and the rest of Latin America. Many South American capitals have direct flights to Lima. If you're headed to Cuzco, but are flying to Peru from another continent, you will most likely land in Lima in the late afternoon or evening, meaning you'll have to wait until morning to catch the next flight to Cuzco.

The following airlines fly to/from Peru: Aerolineas Argentinas, Aeroméxico, Aeropostal, Air Canada, Air France, Air Madrid, Alitalia, American Airlines, Avianca, Continental Airlines, Copa Airlines, Delta Airlines, Iberia, KLM Royal Dutch Airlines, LACSA, LAN, Lloyd Aereo Boliviano, TACA and Varig.

The high season for air travel to and within Peru is late May to early September, as well as around major holidays. Lower fares may be offered at off-peak times. Tickets bought in Peru are subject to an 18% tax.

If you're flexible with dates and can manage with only carry-on luggage, you can fly to Lima as a courier. This is most practical from major US gateways.

Because no roads cross the Darien Gap, it is not possible to travel to South America by land from the north. Furthermore, overland travel from Bolivia, Brazil, Chile, Columbia and Ecuador can be unsafe or not particularly straightforward. Getting to Peru by boat is possible from points on the Amazon River in Brazil and from Leticia, Colombia. Ormeño is the main bus company offering cross-border travel. The only rail service that crosses the Peruvian border is the train between Arica, Chile, and Tacna on Peru's south coast.

Getting around

Domestic flight schedules and ticket prices change frequently. New airlines open every year, as those with poor safety records close (check out www.airsafe.com). Most cities are served by modern jets, while some smaller towns are served by propeller aircraft. A useful website is www.traficoperu.com, which details flight schedules and fare quotes between major cities.

Mountain-biking can be safe and enjoyable in Peru, and it's often better than driving on the chaotic roads. Rent one here or bring your own.

While there's no passenger service along the coast, boat travel is of major importance around the Amazon Basin and in the Andean highlands on Lake Titicaca.

Driving can be a hassle in Peru and it's a long way to get anywhere from Lima - consider getting a taxi. Car and motorcycle rental is possible.

Hitchhiking is not practical, or entirely safe in Peru - there are much cheaper and more convenient methods of travel.

In most towns and cities, it's usually easy to walk or take a taxi. Using local buses, micros and combis, can be tricky, but less expensive than taxis.

There are limited train services available in Peru. Train buffs should get themselves onto the historic railway between Lima and Huancayo.

Visa information

With few exceptions (notably some Asian, African and communist countries), most travelers do not need visas when entering Peru. Tourists are permitted a stay of 30 to 90 days, stamped into their passports and onto a tourist card, called a Tarjeta Andina de Migración (Andean Immigration Card), that must be returned upon leaving the country. The actual length of stay is determined by the immigration officer at the port of entry. If you lose your tourist card, you'll have to queue up at an oficina de migraciónes (immigration office) for a replacement. Carry your passport and tourist card on your person at all times, especially when traveling in remote areas (it's required by law on the Inca Trail). Extensions of 30 days cost about 28.00 and can be obtained at immigration offices in Lima, Arequipa, Cuzco, Iquitos Puerto Maldonado, Puno and Trujillo, as well as near the Chilean and Ecuadorian borders. You can keep extending your stay up to 180 days total. When your time is up, you can leave the country overland and return a day later to begin the process again.

Anyone who plans to work, attend school or reside in Peru for any length of time must obtain a visa in advance. Do this through the Peruvian embassy or consulate in your home country.