By
air
There is the Jorge Chavez
International Airport in Lima to which direct and
stopover flights, coming from the most varied
national and foreign cities, arrive. It is the
threshold to enter Peru and it is connected by air
with the main cities of the country and abroad.
By
land
The Pan American Highway links all the cities along
the coastline, and connects with Ecuador to the
north and with Chile to the south. The inner cities
of the Sierra and the Rainorest are reached through
the Central Highway.
International bus lines link the Peruvian capital
with the main South American cities.
Some distances within
the country
Lima to Arequipa: 1009
kilometres
Lima to Trujillo: 557
kilometres
Lima to Cusco: 1154
kilometres
Lima to Tacna: 1293
kilometres
By sea
El Callao is the most important seaport of the country
and one of the most active in the south Pacific.
Large ships including cruise ships arrive at it.
COMMERCE (Working hours)
The stores are usually open Mondays through Saturdays
from 10:00 AM to 8:00 PM. Many small businesses close a
couple of hours during lunchtime, and work in the
morning only on Saturdays. The bank working hours vary
according to the bank and the season of the year. The
largest ones close for a couple of hours for lunch, and
then remain open until 6:00 PM. Some banks open on
Saturdays' mornings. Most museums open Mondays through
Saturdays from 9:00 AM to 6:00 PM. Some close for lunch,
usually from 1:00 PM to 3:00 or 4:00 PM.
In general terms, stores, shopping malls and
craftsmanship's markets, work every day from 9:00 AM to
8:00 PM.
It is acceptable to bargain about the price of an
article in markets, and with beach and street hawkers.
This bargaining process is known as regateo.
CURRENCY
The national currency is the Nuevo sol (S/.), available
in notes and coins.
Hotels, restaurants and stores in the main cities accept
most major credit cards, and sometimes traveller checks
too. However, it is important to always carry some cash
money with you. You can use the US dollar as well, and
you can pay with such notes at the exchange rate of the
day, or in soles.
