Become a Virtual Tourist Member Today! Sign Up for Free | Sign In

Peru Warnings or Dangers

Home » Travel Guides » South America » Peru » Warnings or Dangers

Peru Warnings or Dangers

by gmscalley

Peru travel tips posted by real travelers and Peru locals.

Map

• 806 Members Living in Peru
• 18,954 Peru Photos
• 0 Peru Videos
• 8,897 Peru Tips

Peru Warnings or Dangers

Tips 1 - 10 of 164

Sort By: Most Recent | Best Rated


	Porters Tip Rating:

By SirRichard on May 6, 2005

Peru Page by SirRichard

Porters in Ollantaytambo

by SirRichard

If you do the Inka Trail you will have a number of local porters in your group. They will carry the tents, cooking set... and you may even take a personal porter to carry your rucksack if it's heavy.
Whichever company you choose for the trail, make sure they treat porters right. They do the hard part of the job, and many small companies are reported by treating them like ***, underpaying them and making they work over limits.
Another way to benefit them directly is to give them a good tip after the trail, as this money goes directly to their pockets.

In the pic you can see porters in Ollantaytambo, at the beginning of the trail, waiting to be picked by the tour guides. Many locals from the area come every morning to that point and wait until they are elected... or not.

Leave a Comment

Add to Your Trip Planner | Post a Question | Write a Tip

Visiting Peru?

Read reviews about Peru Hotels

Real Reviews from Real VirtualTourist Members.


	Mosquitos Tip Rating:

By SirRichard on May 7, 2005

Peru Page by SirRichard

The jungle in Iquitos

by SirRichard

If you go to the jungle, either near Cuzco or up in Iquitos, you will find many many mosquitos, so you better be prepared, take some repellent and get informed about anti-paludism medicines.
In Iquitos most of the lodges and accomodations use to have mosquito nets, but if you do trips in the jungle, wear long sleeves and take the mosquito spray!

Leave a Comment

Add to Your Trip Planner | Post a Question | Write a Tip


	Cerbatanas are considered weapons Tip Rating:

By SirRichard on May 7, 2005

Peru Page by SirRichard

Cerbatanas

by SirRichard

If you visit the jungle and buy one of those souvenir cerbatanas through which indians blow little arrows, PACK IT AND CHECK IT IN when you take the plane. They are considered weapons and won't be allowed in cabin.
I didn't know and had to leave it in the security check at Lima airport (though they said nothing in the Iquitos-Lima flight!).

Leave a Comment

Add to Your Trip Planner | Post a Question | Write a Tip


	Inca Trail Words of Advice....Stair climbing! Tip Rating:

By butterfly_girl on April 29, 2005

Peru Page by butterfly_girl

Inca Trail, Peru

by butterfly_girl

If you plan to hike the Inca trail, my words of advice to you is to start climbing stairs. I have never seen so many jagged, uneven, steep uphill and downhill stairs in all my life....did I mention steep??? This is not to discourage you, but be prepared. In all honesty, there is no amount of stairs that you could possibly do to train you for this. I think it just becomes a mind over matter situation. But, if you have knee problems or an aversion to thousands of steps, you might want to watch out for this trail!

Leave a Comment

Add to Your Trip Planner | Post a Question | Write a Tip


	Pueblos Jóvenes Tip Rating:

Updated By traveldave on March 24, 2005

Peru Page by traveldave

by traveldave

As in many Third World capitals, thousands of people from the countryside pour into Lima every year. They come to the big city in search of jobs and opportunities for their children. There is no place for them to live, other than in pueblos jóvenes, or shantytowns, set up on the hillsides on the outskirts of the city. About half of the population of Lima lives in these pueblos jóvenes. Since Lima is located in a desert, the pueblos jóvenes are in areas of dirt and rock, with no running water.

Visitors should avoid these neighborhoods, since the most violent crimes, theft, and drug activity in Lima take place there.

Leave a Comment

Add to Your Trip Planner | Post a Question | Write a Tip

Visiting Peru?

Read reviews about Peru Hotels

Real Reviews from Real VirtualTourist Members.


	Counterfeit Money Tip Rating:

Updated By canuckmike on August 16, 2004

Peru Page by canuckmike

Fake Money

by canuckmike

When I was in Peru I had the joy of recieving counterfeit money. At first I was pretty mad but then I thought what an interesting souvenir. Here are some ways you can tell if the current issue of Nuevos Soles is a fake. On the front side, right hand side there is the number (value) on it's side, the lines through the number should be crisp even on older worn bills(in the picture you can see the lines look smeared). Another way is in the middle of the bill running from top to bottom there are almost like holographic water drops (that is not exactly it but it is how I can best describe them), If they are not there or are hardly visible ask for a different bill.

Leave a Comment

Add to Your Trip Planner | Post a Question | Write a Tip


	For Women Traveling Alone Tip Rating:

By catalysta on December 13, 2003

Peru Page by catalysta

Be aware and be informed!!!!

Remember that in this culture, you are considered a "loose woman" if you are a solo traveler, and you may get harassed or worse. Don't be paranoid, but use sensible precautions, and do not expect the attitudes of the locals to adapt to your ideas about what they should be.

I found an excellent book that's now out of print, but still useful and still available used from various resources: "A Traveler's Guide To El Dorado & The Inca Empire" by Lynnn Meisch. For me, it had the added advantage of being written by a weaver, as well as a savvy woman who loves to travel in S. America.

Leave a Comment

Add to Your Trip Planner | Post a Question | Write a Tip


	HEALTH Tip Rating:

By christian99 on November 17, 2004

Peru Page by christian99

We strongly recommend you take out comprehensive travel and medical insurance before travelling. Medical treatment can be expensive and not always available in some parts of the country.

Malaria is prevalent in northern parts of Peru and in Iquitos (Amazon) particularly, where there is risk of flooding during the Peruvian summer months of November to April. Cases of Dengue fever have also been reported in northern Peru.

Movement at altitudes over 9,000 feet (3,000 metres) can be debilitating, particularly upon arrival. Visitors to Cusco and other high altitude areas are therefore advised to take things easy for the first day or two after arrival.

Leave a Comment

Add to Your Trip Planner | Post a Question | Write a Tip


	Cusco : The bus tickets - Les tickets de bus Tip Rating:

By Maillekeul on December 15, 2003

Peru Page by Maillekeul

No picture - Pas de photo

by Maillekeul

If you want to leave Cusco, never buy your tickets in another place than the bus station. A lot of agencies in Cusco will sell you tickets, but they usually lie about the time and they will make you pay more than the regular price.

Si vous voulez quitter Cusco, n'achetez jamais vos billets ailleurs qu'au terminal terrestre. Des tonnes d'agences a Cusco essaieront de vous vendre des billets, mais ils mentent generalement sur les horaires et vous feront payer bien plus que le veritable prix.

Leave a Comment

Add to Your Trip Planner | Post a Question | Write a Tip


	Getting into hot water Tip Rating:

By melosh on November 26, 2004

Peru Page by melosh

Cold mountains, cold showers

by melosh

At the cheap hotel level in Peru hot water is a problematic adventure. You always need to ask, but still you may be disappointed. The electric power may go out or the gas run out, or even water be disrupted. There may be hot water for the earlier birds but none later. Hotels may have hot water but not when you want or need it just as they may run out of water altogether.
Even when there is hot water you may find yourself taking a cold shower. Does "C" stand for cold or caliente? If it stands for caliente what does "H" stand for? And why does it take so long to warmup. Why does the hot water not come on at all? -- look for a second valve. And then there are those head of shower electric water heaters with exposed electric wires. If you are brave enough to step under exposed wires, why is it that the higher you turn on the water the colder it gets but if you do not turn it on enough the heater does not seem to start at all.

Leave a Comment

Add to Your Trip Planner | Post a Question | Write a Tip

1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | ... 17

More Peru Tips

Overview	Hotels and Accommodations Tips: 232 - Photos: 183
Things To Do Tips: 823 - Photos: 987	Nightlife Tips: 63 - Photos: 45
Transportation Tips: 166 - Photos: 110	Restaurants Tips: 154 - Photos: 115
Shopping Tips: 51 - Photos: 44	Off the Beaten Path Tips: 159 - Photos: 174
Tourist Traps Tips: 62 - Photos: 44	Warnings or Dangers Tips: 164 - Photos: 95
Local Customs Tips: 155 - Photos: 135	Packing Lists Tips: 48 - Photos: 26
Sports Travel Tips: 18 - Photos: 19	General Tips Tips: 297 - Photos: 251

Best Peru Travel Deals

US$1999 10 Day Peru Tour
Lima Nazca Colca Cusco Sacred Valle Machu Picchu Puno Flights Included

Escorted Peru Tours
Machu Picchu & Lake Titicaca travel with Collette Vacations

Plan 2010 Vacations Today
Guided Peru Tours Holiday Packages From Guided Hikes to Luxury Hotels.

Peru Vacation Packages
Customized/Guided Tours of Peru to Suit Your Pocket. Contact Us Today!

Save on Peru Tours
Explore Machu Picchu & Inca Trail. Save up to 40% with guided tours.