How to get to Peru & other Travel Advice

Travellers from the UK will often use the direct flight on British Airways from London Gatwick to Lima BA2239 which runs three times a week between April and October. The rest of the year there are indirect routes via Madrid, Amsterdam or Paris. For travelling from regional airports in the UK there are also indirect options via those airports. Avianca also has an indirect flight via Bogota in Colombia to Lima, Cusco or other regional airports in Peru. It is also possible to fly from the UK via the states although we don’t recommend this for UK travellers. It is also possible to reach Peru overland from Bolivia via Lake Titicaca.

In Peru the standard voltage is 220V and the standard frequency is 60 Hz. The standard voltage in the UK is 230V which means you can use all your electrical devices in Peru without any problems or the need for a voltage adapter. The standard voltage in the US is about 120V, so travellers from the states may need to use a voltage adaptor in Peru. Nowadays most devices such as mobile phone chargers, USB chargers and laptop chargers are multi voltage which means they will switch automatically to the network voltage. However, some high power devices such as hair dryers don’t usually handle different voltages. Always check the label to see what voltage range the device works within. If you try to use a device with the wrong voltage it will most likely break.

In Peru you will find socket types A and C. Socket A will only take plug type A, but socket C works with plug E and plug F too. Socket C is also the same style that is used across most of Europe. Any universal adaptor will fit both socket types.

Lima is the capital of Peru and lies along the country's dry Pacific coast. It is a vibrant metropolis and one the largest cities in South America, despite being surrounded by its colonial centre. It is home to the Museo Larco pre-Columbian art collection and the Museo de la Nacion which traces the history of Peru's ancient civilisations. Old Lima Centro's heart is the Plaza de Armas, and the cathedral from 16th century.

Peru is GMT -5 hours.

No visas required for visiting Peru as a UK passport holder. On arrival you will be granted entry for up to 6 months as a tourist. You may be asked to provide proof of onward or return travel, details of your accommodation and proof that you have sufficient funds to cover your stay. Your passport needs to be valid for 6 months from your date of arrival in Peru. If you are entering Peru from Bolivia overland then you need to make sure you receive a stamp in your passport with the date and time from the immigration authorities.

In Peru the local currency is the Nuevo Sol, referred to as Sol or Soles (plural). US dollars are also accepted in hotels, higher end restaurants, department stores and supermarkets. You will see prices in Soles and US dollars. Smaller shops, kiosks, markets and restaurants in remote areas are likely to only accept Soles.

We would suggest a mixture of credit / debit cards and cash is best to take with you. Credit and debit cards are accepted at most hotels and higher end shops and restaurants. Smaller shops, kiosks, markets and more informal restaurants in remote areas will likely only accept cash, so make sure you have some with you as a back up.

We recommend you take a small amount of US dollars with you in cash. Dollars are accepted in most places mid-range travellers will go and can easily be exchanged into Soles for smaller purchases. US dollars are also better for tips to guides.

ATM’s are widely available in all major towns and cities including the airport in Lima. ATM’s will normally hold both Soles and US dollars. Try to minimise the amount of times you withdraw cash in order to minimize any bank charges.

Changing money in Peru is easy. You can do this at any bank or a “casa de cambio” (currency exchange). We do not recommend you change money in the street as there can be a problem with fake notes. Hotels will also offer to exchange currency but usually at a worse rate.

You should confirm with your doctor that all courses and boosters are up to date as recommended for life in Britain. For Peru the courses or boosters that are usually advised are Hepatitis A, tetanus and typhoid. Other vaccines to be considered are Diphtheria, Rabies and yellow fever.

There is no yellow fever vaccination certificate required for entry to Peru. There is a risk of yellow fever in some parts of Peru and the vaccination is only recommended for travellers over the age of 9 months who will be visiting these areas. Please consult with your doctor to check if the yellow fever vaccination is advised for your trip.

In most of Peru there is a low to no risk of malaria and antimalarial medication is not usually required. In the Southern Amazon region there is a variable risk and antimalarial medication is usually advised if you are visiting this area. In the northern Amazon region there is a high risk of malaria and anti malarial medication is usually advised. Please consult with your doctor as to whether you need anti malarial medication for your trip and for what type of medication is best for you.

Disclaimer: The information provided here is purely for guidance purposes and we are not medical experts. We always recommend that you make an appointment with your doctor 6-8 weeks before departure who will be able to properly assess your personal medical history, give accurate advice and advise on exactly which immunisations or medical precautions you personally need to take.