A Guide to Traveling in Peru

Peru is a majestically beautiful country which boasts both an ancient culture and a striking ambiance. Here are 10 do's and 10 don'ts that will help keep you prepared and safe as you explore this fascinating country.

Do's

Do expect to pay more than the locals for the same item. Unless you are fluent and confident in the languages of Spanish or Quechua, local vendors will probably take advantage of you. On the bright side, even if you are overcharged for handmade items such as Alpaca blankets or scarves, you will still save a bundle over what you would pay for them in the States.

Do exchange your currency at the airport while you are still in the United States. If you wait until you are in Peru to exchange your dollars for soles , you will get stuck with paying a percentage of the money you transfer in fees. This fee ranges anywhere from 5-20% or more.

Do get your immunizations. Especially if you are planning to travel outside of Lima or Cuzco to the more primitive areas, you will need immunizations against Typhoid Fever, Malaria, Yellow Fever and perhaps more.

Do visit Cuzco and Macchu Picchu. Cuzco is the center of Indian heritage in Peru. The downtown center is a mass of cobblestone courts and streets, and vendors pushing wooden carts. There are also enough tourist attractions to keep you busy for weeks. Macchu Picchu is also a must-see if you are in the area. Group tours leave from Cuzco and head up to the ancient city through narrow Andean mountain passes and many Indian villages. Expect to spend four hours or more on bus or train from Cuzco.

Do carry a credit card. Because of the exorbitant fees you pay to transfer money, having a credit card available is a must. Also, having cash sent to you from the states is futile. A letter bearing addresses with American names and a U.S. postmark makes a perfect target for thieves within the Peruvian postal system.

Do bring your own toilet paper. Toilet paper is often not supplied in public restrooms in Peru. If you don't want to pack it in your baggage, be sure to stock up on it as soon as you get into the country.

Do carry phone cards. An international phone card is important to carry at any time you are in a foreign country. Peru's government is typically very unstable with government strikes and riots occurring on a fairly regular basis. Be sure you have a way to contact home, should you need it.

Do expect to pay to use a restroom. Especially at major tourist attractions, such as Macchu Picchu. You will need to pay to use a restroom, or find a remote bush or shrub!

Do pack light. Conveniences such as elevators and escalators are usually unavailable or out of commission in Peru. This fact will entail you hauling all of your luggage up and down flights of stairs during your travels. The less you pack, the better.

Do expect culture shock. Along with the beauties and quaint nuances of an ancient culture, you also get the baser, more primitive facts that come with being in a third world country. After a week or so, the things you found fascinating at first may become annoying or downright maddening. Be patient and be thankful for the modern conveniences you have at home.

Don'ts

Don't wear expensive jewelry. Crime rates in the cities and villages of Peru are high. Before my month-long stint in Peru I heard more than one story about women having their hand cut off for watches, or fingers cut off for rings, etc. Though I never experienced any threat to my possessions, it is still wise to use discernment when displaying your American wealth.

Don't depend on public transportation. Vehicles in third world countries are unpredictable and undependable. This is also frequently true of tour buses and convoys. Don't plan to keep a strict itinerary while in Peru.

Don't be offended by the word "Gringo". It is true that you will probably hear the word "Gringo" (white) said to you in a decidedly derogatory manner while in Peru. Many of the nationals believe that the United States takes reckless advantage of South American countries and will openly show their distaste. Shrug it off and do not respond in kind.

Don't take just any ride proffered at the airport. As you exit an airport in Peru, you will receive several offers for rides to your destination, some of the young men being quite earnest with their cajoling. Be sure that the driver is legitimate (he has a vehicle designated as a taxi) before accepting a ride. Also, ask about rates before getting in the car. You will likely be overcharged either way, but asking first is still a good idea.

Don't be alarmed by armed guards. I learned to take comfort in the sight of a man armed with an automatic weapon, especially after all of the crime stories I had heard. Whether you are in a bank, shopping district or airport, guns will be commonplace.

Don't drink the water. Good advice whenever you are in a third world country: Buy bottled water.

Don't expect a warm shower. There are two extremes to water in the outlying areas of Peru: Ice cold and scalding hot. There is generally no happy medium unless you are in a nice hotel in Lima.

Don't flush toilet paper. In a country of under-developed septic tanks, flushing anything besides human waste is taboo. Don't be the one who backs up the sewer for your hostel, hotel, or host.

Don't show impatience. Peruvians and Quechuan Indians already have a stereotype of Americans firmly ingrained within them: Americans are rich, impatient, rude, fat people who like to push others around. Don't aggravate this perception by proving them right.

Don't eat food from street vendors. Your best bet is to purchase packaged, canned, or upscale restaurant foods. Often, tourists who purchase foods prepared by street vendors become the victims of wretched stomach upset, vomiting, diarrhea and worse: parasites. Your sterile American body probably cannot withstand the food preparation practices of the locals.