Peru - The Rough Guide to South America on a Budget - page 709

ARRIVAL AND DEPARTURE
Peru has land borders with Chile,
Ecuador, Bolivia, Brazil and Colombia.
While the borders with Chile, Ecuador
and Bolivia are easily negotiated, the
borders with Brazil and Colombia are
deep in the jungle and less easily reached.
Lima is a major transport hub with
international flights from the US and
Europe; there are also good connections
from Lima to other South American
countries. International flights within
South America tend to be expensive,
while national flights within Peru average
around US$90 to any destination. Save
money by crossing borders by land and
only flying within Peru.
Major operators include LAN Peru and
Taca; also American Airlines from the
US, Iberia from Europe via Madrid, and
KLM from Europe via Amsterdam. Local
airlines include Star Peru and Peruvian
Airlines. US citizens are required to show
a return ticket if flying in.
If crossing land borders from Chile,
Bolivia or Ecuador, aim to take a
long-distance bus that goes directly to
your destination across the border - it
may be a little pricier, but that way you
avoid hanging around dodgy border
crossing areas and the drivers can assist
you with border formalities.

1990 Surprise presidential victory by Alberto Fujimori
over renowned author Mario Vargas Llosa. Privatization of
state-owned companies improves economic conditions.
1994 Amnesty offered to Shining Path members; more
than 6000 surrender.
2000 Fujimori re-elected amid allegations of electoral
fraud, but flees to Japan shortly after due to revelations of
corruption, extortion, arms tra cking and human rights
abuses.
2001-06 Alejandro Toledo becomes Peru's first full-
blooded indigenous president. Protests against the
US-backed eradication of coca plantations and nationwide
strikes ensue, but the economy remains stable.
2007 Massive earthquake devastates the coastal province
of Ica, killing 520 people.
2007-09 Fujimori extradited to Peru. After a lengthy public
trial he is convicted to 25 years in prison for authorizing death
squad killings in 1991-92.
2010 Mario Vargas Llosa wins the Nobel Prize for Literature.
2011 Ollanta Humala wins the presidential election in a
run-off vote.
2012 Shining Path faction leader Artemio is captured and
charged with terrorism and drug tra cking.

9

WHEN TO VISIT
The best time to visit Peru will depend
upon which areas of the country you
intend to visit, and what activities you
plan on doing. The coast tends to be
mostly dry year-round, but sits under a
blanket of fog from April to November
each year (especially in Lima); the driest,
sunniest months here (Dec-March)
tend to coincide with the rainiest
weather elsewhere.
In the Andes the seasons are more
clearly marked, with heavy rains from
December to April and a relatively dry
period from June to September, which,
although it can be cold at night, is
certainly the best time for trekking and
most outdoor activities. In much of the
jungle , rainfall is heavier and more
frequent, and it's hot and humid all year.
In the lowland rainforest areas around
Iquitos water levels are higher between
December and January, which offers
distinct advantages for spotting wildlife
and accessing remote creeks by canoe.
Those wishing to avoid the crowds will
prefer to visit during the shoulder seasons
of May and September to November, as
from May to August many popular tourist
attractions are packed with tour groups.

VISAS
EU, US, Canadian, Australian and
New Zealand citizens can all stay in Peru
as tourists for up to 183 days without
a visa; for other nationalities, check
with your local Peruvian embassy. You're
typically given ninety days upon entry,
so if you're planning to stay a long time
in Peru, make sure to ask for the
maximum time allowance, as it is no
longer possible to extend tourist visas.
All nationalities need a tourist or
embarkation card ( tarjeta de embarque ) to
enter Peru, which is issued at the border
or on the plane before landing. In theory
you have to show an outbound ticket
(by air or bus) before you'll be given a
card, but this is almost never checked.
Keep a copy of the tourist card and your
passport on you at all times - particularly