Does anyone have advice on travelling to Peru?

[Township75]

It looks as if I am going to spend my Christmas vacation touring Peru. I have never been there before, and was hoping to get some advice on visiting the country.

If you have any tips for travelling there, or enjoying myself there, or just tips about trips in general, I would love to hear them.

Thanks

[Placebo]

1. Don't drink the water.

[Township75]

3. Are you serious, or is that a joke?

I am being serious, I have heard that the water is not potable in many SA countries, but I didn't know Peru was among them.

[specter]

4. My wife and I had no

problems with the water in Costa Rica. Well be visiting Nicaragua in January. Havent heard anything about Peru though.

[Placebo]

5. That's what my aunt said when she went there.

Don't drink the water. :)

And watch out if you go swimming at night, be sure to check the beach for red flags, because you can get caught in the current and swept out to sea, it almost happened to her.

[Township75]

6. thanks for the info

.

[da_chimperor]

7. I'd avoiding drinking it

I lived in Brazil for a year, and I would not recommend it. I got sick at first until I got resistant to the bugs in the water. It'll probably result in the runs for you. Let's Go also doesn't recommend it.

http://www.letsgo.com/PEB/01-Introduction-38

On edit: Brazil is more modern than peru, so the water in Peru will most likely not less safe to drink.

[da_chimperor]

2. Don't forget to try some roasted guinea pig while visiting

:evilgrin:

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/americas/3946771.stm

[seventhson]

8. Coca tea and Machu Picchu - Take the trail

It will be Spring/Summer there but it is mountains so be prepared for cold.

Leave more than one day for the mountaintop city. It is a spiritual place and you need to feel it. I recommend seeing the Motorcycle Diaries first too.

Peruvians are wonderful people but they have suffered much.

Lake Titicaca is supposed to be very cool too. The crafts are awesome and the photography brilliant (if you are a photographer).

[Township75]

10. Thanks, I will be taking the Inca Trail to Machu Picchu...

I hope I can deal with the altitude OK...I don't think it will be a problem.

I will not be going to Lake Titicaca, but I will be going along the Amazon and into the rainforest.

[specter]

15. Coca Tea??

[likesmountains 52]

16. yup

served everywhere, with every meal. Also readily available are bags of coca leaves to chew....a staple for the porters on the Inca Trail.

[likesmountains 52]

9. I just got back from Peru

and would be happy to answer any questions...I drank bottled water there, but I ate anything and everything and had only one problem. Take some Cipro (antibiotic) with you to take if you happen to get travelers diarrhea. If you want to hike the Inca Trail you should make a reservation before you go to Peru, they limit the number of people on the trail and you must be with an organized tour group.
I found the food to be quite good and healthy..lots of rice and vegetables and fish. The beer is good, and traveling is pretty easy.
We were told that we had to get Yellow Fever shots here in the US, but we never had to show any proof that we had received them....I think you only need this if you're going to the jungle.

[Township75]

11. Thanks a ton...

I will likely PM you once I have the trip setup.

I will be going through an Outfitter group, and they will take care of the permits for hiking the trail.

Where did you get Cipro from? Is that an over the counter drug, or will I need a prescription?

[da_chimperor]

12. So I guess you'll be skipping the guinea pig . . .

I'd be reluctant to try it too . . .:D

[likesmountains 52]

13. you'll need a prescription

but the nice thing is you only need to take it twice a day for 3 days...
I did hike the Inca Trail, an incredible experience that culminates with daybreak at Machu Picchu...awesome.
If you like the ocean, Mancora is a cool place to go too, but it's up near the Ecuador border.
Feel free to private email me.

[indigobusiness]

14. Wouldn't it be easier to visit a pharmacy there? n/t

[likesmountains 52]

17. you could

get it filled here or just go in a pharmacy there...you can get almost anything without a prescription there.

[maddezmom]

18. jsut got back from living in Peru for 2 years

Still have lots of contacts and my hubby knows the area quite well, PM me if you need anything. Decemeber is beach time in Peru, so be sure to visit.

:)

[Township75]

20. thanks, I will PM you once I have the trip booked....

I won't be near the beach...I am mountain person.

[Zorro]

19. Don't wear any rings

I'd keep my watch off my wrist, too. And keep your wallet in your front pocket.

Peru, along with the rest of South America, is distinctly third world, with masses of poor people and little -- if any -- law enforcement. Flashing something that indicates you to be a person of wealth will make you a target for thieves.

[Jose Diablo]

21. There is a wine

Castellerro I believe is the name. Best I have ever had.

[qnr]

22. Pure baby alpaca! You buy sailor? You buy?

Sorry, flashbacks from too much pisco.

I loved all my visits to Peru, but I don't have anything useful to add.

[Astrochimp]

23. Bob Newhart-Seven Lost Cities of the Incas N/T