1. Are airport transfers included?
2. Are meals included in your package prices?
3. Is my passport valid?
4. Do I need any shots?
5. How much money should I bring?
6. Should I bring cash or traveler's checks?
7. Are ATM machines available?
8. Are international flights included?
9. Peru Airport Taxes
10. How does one do laundry during the trip?
11. What's the best way to communicate with people back home?
12. Will my cell phone work?
13. Why is my price different than the advertised price?
14. Electricity
15. Is Peru expensive?
16. Is tipping included and if not, how much should I budget?
17. How can I avoid altitude sickness?
18. What kind of clothes should I pack for my holiday?
19. Weather
1. Are airport transfers included?
All of our tours include round trip transfers from the airport to your hotel.
2. Are meals included in your package prices?
All of our itineraries indicate which meals are included in the price. Breakfasts are generally included with your hotel everyday, and lunch and dinners are provided within the package where indicated in the detailed itinerary. the restaurants are carefully selected in order to offer clients the best dining experience available. We at CAT however, believe that your vacation should not be set in stone before hand, and that dining out is a way for you to experience the wonder of Latin America firsthand. We do of course have a list of very recommendable restaurants in each of the destinations we provide tours to.
Your passport must be valid at least 6 months after the day of your entry into Peru. If it expires sooner, you must get a renewal (http://travel.state.gov/passport/get/get_840.html).
Check the expiration date of your passport to be sure that it does not expire in the middle of your tour.
Please ensure that you understand fully those requirements. Our agents are not responsible for information regarding visa and passport requirements. It is the responsibility of the passenger. We also recommend checking with the destination country's consulate in advance before embarking on your trip.
No vaccinations are required for travel to Peru from the USA. Call the CDC Travelers' Hot Line at 888-232-3228 888-232-3228 or visit the website (www.cdc.gov/travel). If traveling to the Amazon region, it is advisable to get vaccinated against Yellow Fever in your home country rather than getting the vaccination in Lima prior to your Amazon Adventure.
5. How much money should I bring?
This really depends on the person. Clients are advised to bring as much money with them as they feel comfortable with carrying. Extra money is only really needed for the occasional meal, and of course for souvenirs, trinkets and tips. Carry cash in small bills (up to $20.00) for souvenirs, snacks, etc. You could change some money at the airport in Lima and the rest of it at the rest of it at an exchange office.
The best places to exchange your US$ are at the airport, your hotel or local bank. The majority of better restaurants, shops, hotels, theaters, etc., in Peru accept most major cards. Please carry Peruvian currency with you for remote areas or for shopping in small shops. At the beginning of your trip you can pay with US$ as in most of the places they are easily accepted, until you manage to change your money. You can pay at most of the hotels, supermarkets and restaurants with them.
The markets can be a shopper's paradise. Budget according to your tastes.
6. Should I bring cash or traveler's checks?
Cash is the easiest to exchange and most places accept US dollars, traveler's checks are also OK. but Travelers Checks tend to receive much lower exchange rates than U.S. Dollars, meaning you lose money in the exchange. In many destinations in Latin America one may also find that many people and exchange centers are unwilling to change Travelers Checks.
7. Are ATM machines available?
There are ATM machines in the main cities such as Lima and Cusco. We recommend using the ones located inside some hotels, stores, restaurants or banks. Consult with your guide for safety recommendations on ATM's or exchanging money. You can also use ATMs to withdraw money in most of the cities in Latin America (but not in very remote areas).
8. Are international flights included?
International flights are not included. Travellers arrive from all over the world to begin our tours and as such it is not possible to include international airfare in our prices. Just ask for an air quote when making your booking. You may also book these flights through your preferred travel agent.
Most countries charge a departure fee in cash at the airport and some charge a cash entry fee. Upon departing any airport in Peru one has to pay a departure tax. This has to be done in person and cannot be prearranged with a tour company or airline. The tax for international flights leaving Peru is ~US$ 30, and the tax for domestic flights is ~US$ 6. These prices are subjected to change.
10. How does one do laundry during the trip?
Hotels charge very affordable rates to do a guest's laundry. In major cities, laundry facilities are open most days. Passengers wishing to hand-wash clothes should bring biodegradable soap.
11. What's the best way to communicate with people back home?
Email is the cheapest and fastest way to communicate while traveling in Latin America. All major cities and tourist towns have email services; internet cafes are very popular and easy to find. . Major towns have telephone centers for local and international calls. Our guides can offer assistance to passengers wishing to purchase an international pre-paid phone card on the trip.
It depends on the phone, the provider and the reception in the area where you try to use it. Check with your cell phone provider for the most up-to-date information. Almost all hotels will add a service charge to the cost of any calls you make from your room. This charge can be high, especially for international calls. It is always cheaper to use local phone cards. You can purchase them in any country.
13. Why is my price different than the advertised price?
This could happen for a variety of reasons, for example:
Electrical currents vary abroad. Voltage in Peru is 220V, not 110V as in the USA. Some hotels have built in converters in the room, but please obtain (from any hardware store) a “universal electric travel adapter” before you go.You should have no problem with this.
Peru is moderately priced in the major and touristic cities, and realatively inexpensive elsewhere.Numerically, prices in Peru are very much like in the USA. But it’s really a bargain, because your dollar is worth almost 3 times what it is in Peru. When you desire American standards and/or American food, expect prices as you would pay in the U.S. As with anything that is imported, expect to pay more, at times much more!
16. Is tipping included and if not, how much should I budget?
Tips are not included in the tour price and tipping is entirely at your discretion. Depend of you.
17. How can I avoid altitude sickness?
Altitude sickness is a common problem for visitors to areas of Peru, Chile, and Bolivia. Coca tea is easily available in Peru and Bolivia and can help rid oneself of the feelings of nausea associated with Altitude sickness - although this does not work for everyone. Diamox is commonly used by visitors from the US and is a recommended product to use as are Sorochi or Grovol, both of which can be purchased over-the-counter upon arrival in most airports. Prevention is the best treatment. Gradual exposure to higher elevations and time are the best ways to acclimatize.
Before going to Cusco, don’t eat too much. Drink plenty of water and avoid alcoholic beverages for the first day or two.
Don’t forget to ask your doctor’s advice before taking medications.
18. What kind of clothes should I pack for my holiday?
You will receive a detailed packing list after you book your tour. Since the Peruvian climate varies dramatically depending upon elevation and season, it is difficult to offer many generalizations. Comfort is the rule and fancy clothes are not necessary for any of our Peru tours. Peruvians are used to seeing travelers so shorts, sandals, and jeans are perfectly acceptable. But remember that southern hemisphere countries experience the inverse of seasons in the north. The Rain Forest has a rather wet climate and if you intend to travel to the Amazon ensure you pack a rain coat and some insulated hiking boots.
The following are average temperatures for the individual countries we visit. For more details regarding current weather conditions for any of these countries, visit www.weather.com or www.weatheronline.co.uk.