Peru - The Rough Guide to South America on a Budget - page 719

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SOUTH AMERICAN EXPLORERS' CLUB
The non-profit-making South American Explorers' Club ( W saexplorers.org) is a good
bet for getting information both before you leave home and when you arrive in Lima or
Cusco (membership starts at US$60 a year). In its clubhouses in Lima (see p.734) and Cusco
(see p.745), members can make use of free internet, a library, book exchange, a variety of
maps and extensive booklets and folders full of member reviews and information on different
parts of the country. Bear in mind, however, that some of the information may be out of date.
Membership also gives you discounts on a plethora of accommodation, restaurants and tours.

HEALTH
In most cities there are private clinics
( clínicas ) with better medical facilities
than general hospitals, and if given the
choice in a medical emergency, opt for
a clínica . The EsSalud national hospitals
have undergone drastic improvements in
the last few years, and although they are
supposed to be for Peruvians who pay
into an insurance scheme with them, they
can take independent patients (who pay
a higher price). Even in relatively small
villages there is a posta médica where you
can get basic medical attention and
assistance in getting to a larger medical
facility. The South American Explorers'
Clubs in Lima and Cusco as well as iPerú
offices can provide you with a list of
recommended doctors and clinics.

US dollar. The bills come in
denominations of 10, 20, 50, 100 and
200 soles; there are coins of 1, 2 and
5 soles, and the sol is divided into
céntimos, in values of 5, 10, 20 and 50.
Beware of counterfeit bills, which feel
smooth and glossy to the touch, rather
than crisp and coarse; genuine bills
should have watermarks and thin
ribbons when held up against a light
source, and when tilted from side to
side, the reflective ink on the number
denomination should change colour.
Changing foreign currencies is easy in
all major cities; you will find casas de
cambio around the Plaza de Armas or
along the main commercial streets.
They readily change euros and British
pounds, though the preferred currency
is US dollars. You'll find that some tour
companies and hotels still quote prices in
US dollars, and happily accept them as
long as the notes are new; few places will
accept US$100 bills.
Banks and ATMs are numerous in
cities; if travelling to remote villages,
take plenty of cash in small denomination
bills and coins with you. BCP (Banco de
Crédito) accepts all major credit cards
and is the best bank for cash withdrawals,
as it doesn't charge a fee for the
transaction, whereas the Global Net
network can charge up to US$2.50 per
withdrawal.

INFORMATION AND MAPS
The government iPerú offices present
in every large city are useful for basic
information and advice, as well as free
local maps and leaflets (24hr hotline:
T

01 574 8000, W peru.info); they are also
the place to go if you need to make a
formal complaint about dishonest guides,
tour companies not meeting their
obligations, and so on.
Good bookshops stock the Lima 2000
series, which produces the best maps of
the major cities as well as the best road
map of Peru. For excellent topographic
maps of remote places, try Lima's
Instituto Geográfico Nacional ( W ign.es).

OPENING HOURS AND HOLIDAYS
Most shops are open from around 9am to
9pm, and many are open on Sunday as
well, if for more limited hours. Peru's
more important ancient sites and ruins
usually have opening hours that coincide
with daylight - from around 7am until
5pm or 6pm daily.

MONEY AND BANKS
The current Peruvian currency, the
nuevo sol , whose symbol is S/, is simply
called a “sol” on the streets and has so
far remained relatively steady against the