General Information About Peru
PERÚ FAST FASTS
NATIONAL HOLIDAYS
- New Year Day: January 1°
- Holy Week: Holy Thursday and Good Friday (date vary)
- Labor Day: May 1
- Feast of SS Peter and Paul: June 29
- National Days: July 28 and 29
- St. Rose of Lima: August 30
- Battle of Angamos: October 8
- All Saints Day: November 1
- Immaculate Conception: December 8
- Christmas Day: December 25
ZONA HORARIA
Corresponds to GMT-5
POPULATION
318’260,000 inhabitants. Lima, the capital, has 11’181,700.
LANGUAJE
Spanish in the official language, spoken by 80% of the population. Quechua is the main language in the highlands; the people living around Lake Titicaca speak Aymara. The indigenous people living in the Amazon area speak many different dialects.
CLIMATE & CLOTHING
In the Coast, December to April are the warmest, sunniest months and it seldom rains. The wettest months are June to August. Lightweight clothes are needed from October to May.
In the highlands, the driest months are June to October. Day temperatures range from the high 60°F/15°C to the low 70°F/20°C, and 50°F/10°C at night. Sweater, jacket and long slacks are necessary. Rainwear is needed from December to March since it is rainy season in the highlands.
In the Amazon Basin, the average temperature is 80°C/27°C ¿. Rainfall is most intense from June to November. Clothing requirements are the same all year: Light, tropical clothes, long pants and long sleeved shirts for jungle outings.
LONG DISTANCE TELEPHONE CODES
Peru:51, Lima 1, cusco 84, Arequipa 54, Puno 51, Ica 56, Trujillo 44, Iquitos 65, Cliclayo 74, Puerto Maldonado 84.
ELECTRIC CURRENT
220 volts, 60 cycles. Major hotels have 110-volt outlets.
WATER
Although tap water is safe and potable, we suggest bottled water.
SHOTS
Please note that yellow fever shot is a must when travelling to Peruvian jungle (Puerto Maldonado) and all people going from Peru to Brazil and Colombia.
TRAVEL REQUIREMENTS
Valid passport. Visas are required for citizens of certain countries.
