Click here for Best vacation spots – Peru part 1
Transportation in Peru
Air - Because of the complexity of the relief of the country the most convenient and the fastest way to reach Best Vacation Spots around the country is by plane. Several local airlines (Lan, StarPeru, Peruvian airlines, Taca, LC Busre and some others) servicing the majority of cities around Peru, as well as regular flights to neighboring countries. Make sure you check websites of major local airlines (StarPeru, Peruvian airlines)to find the best airfares for flights around the country as Lan Peru and Taca may have significant extra charges for foreigners.
Buses - a cheap and fairly convenient mean of transportation for both short and long distances. Tickets for long-distance routes can be purchased at bus stations and local tourist agencies, but agencies may add some extra charges. You will need to present your id in order to purchase the tickets. Some of the bus companies sell their tickets online (Cruz del Sur).
City buses – is a disputable pleasure: they are always crowded, slow, but cheap. The route is marked on the sign behind the windshield as well as the names of streets which this bus will drive by. You can stop the bus anywhere. In addition, the busiest routes are served by “kombis” minivans with slightly higher fares than in conventional buses, but the comfort level is much higher.
Taxi – it’s not a problem to take a taxi in Peru. It is better to agree the price in advance so you will have no unpleasant surprises in the end of the trip. It is better to use the official licensed yellow taxis. Taxis collecting passengers near the train stations and airports, will cost more than those that are just around the corner. But still taxi is reasonably priced in Peru. In addition, in some cities bicycle taxi and rickshaw are popular: they are less expensive than a taxi.
Boats (canoes and motor boats) - the main (and virtually the only) transport in the area of Selva.
Railway - the cheapest form of long-range transport in the country, so the cars are usually overcrowded, and schedules are rarely observed. Special tourist trains serve daily the routes Cusco - Machu Picchu and Ollantaytambo - Machu Picchu. Consider buying tickets of not less than a second or first class if you travel with regular Peruvian railways (not applicable for touristic routes).
Timetables for all modes of transport in Peru are often not followed (or rather – followed rarely), so plan your connections and railway trips accordingly.
Tourists’ safety of in Peru
Tourists in Peru should be extremely careful in order not to fall pickpockets’ victim – exercise caution especially at railway stations, airports, trains and public transport. You should not carry large sums of money, and left your personal belongings unattended. In addition to that, all the values should be kept in a safe.
It is strongly advised to drink only bottled water and pasteurized milk, and do not buy food on the street stalls as well as try to avoid cheap street cafes.
Before visiting the Amazon consider to be vaccinated against yellow fever (at least 10 days before the trip), take care of malaria tablets, insect repellent and sunscreen.
Before visiting the highland sites tourists are advised to undergo gradual acclimatization if possible. Try to avoid coffee, cigarettes and alcohol in order to minimize the effect of an altitude sickness while light food tea from coca leaves would help to acclimatize faster.
The climate of Peru
Climate conditions vary greatly throughout the country. On the coast winter lasts from June to September, temperatures throughout the year is kept within +61 +77 F (+16 .. +25 ° C) with very low humidity.
In mountainous areas, at 3500 m the climate is temperate, the temperature in winter (June-October) +39.. +43 F (+4 .. +6 ° C), in summer – up to +61..+63 F (+16 .. +17 ° C), and in the valleys – up to +75 F (+24 ° C). Above the 4000 m begins so called “Poona” (“cold place”), with mountain climate: winter temperatures from 19… 32 F (0 to -7 ° C), summer 37… 45 F (+3 .. +7 ° C) with sharp temperature fluctuations (during the day it can reach up to 72 .. 82 F (+22 .. +28 ° C) at night – 10F (-12 ° C). The mountain peaks are year round covered with snow and glaciers.
The eastern and northeastern parts of the country are very different from the center and west in terms of weather conditions: in the plains of Selva average summer temperatures range from 64.. 81 F (+18 to +27 ° C), in winter – from 61.. 79 F (+16 to +26 ° C). There are two seasons – dry (May-October) and wet (November-April).
The best time to visit the mountains and Selva – June-August, the coast – December to March.
To be continued (Hotels, Shopping, Restaurants, Entertainment etc)
