Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
reservations are a must. In Lima, prices remain steady throughout the year; look for last-
minute specials online. Paying cash always helps; ask for discounts for long-term stays.
Apartments
A limited number of short-term rentals, primarily in Lima, attend mid- to high-end needs.
Check
www.vrbo.com
and
www.cyberrentals.com
for listings.
Hostels
Hostelling International (
www.hihostels.com
)
has hostels in the country's main tourist
areas, including Lima, Cuzco and Arequipa. Beyond that, principal tourist towns (espe-
cially Lima) have a wide range of options, from party hostel to mellow ones. Most feature
the gamut of amenities. Rates vary from S10 to S35 per person.
Hotels
BUDGET
Hostales, hospedajes
and
albergues
are Peru's cheapest accommodations. In this price
range, expect to find small rooms, with a shared or private bathroom. In the major cities,
these options will generally include hot showers; in more rural and remote areas, they
likely will not. Some budget inns will include a very simple breakfast in the rate, such as
instant coffee with toast.
Avoid rooms appearing insecure; test the locks on doors and windows. Shopping
around makes a difference.
MIDRANGE
Rooms generally have private bathrooms with hot-water showers and small portable heat-
ers or fans. Some are also equipped with air-conditioning. Amenities may include cable
TV, in-room telephones and safes. Continental or American-style breakfasts are usually
included.
TOP END
Peru's top hotels are generally equipped with en suite bathrooms with bathtubs, interna-
tional direct dial phones, handy dual-voltage outlets, central heating or air-conditioning,
hairdryers, in-room safes, cable TV and internet access (either through high-speed cable
or wi-fi); some may come with minifridges, microwaves or coffee makers. A large high-
end spot may also feature a bar, cafe or restaurant (or several), as well as room service,
concierge services and an obliging, multilingual staff. Expect the biggest places (particu-
larly in Lima) to come with business centers, spas and beauty salons. In the Amazon,
