I always get a bit stressed going to the border to renew my Visa. It never seems to come at a good time. When I get to my destination, usually Copacabana, I can never really relax 100% because, in the back of my mind, I’m wondering how many days I’ll get this time.
This last trip was no exception, although for slightly different reasons. This time, the problem came from protesting between Puno and the Bolivian border. I’d heard about protests in Ica on the way to Lima. But it was a complete surprise when my bus stopped before even getting to the fork in the road where the right branch goes to Desaguadero and La Paz while the left Read more
Aside from the backpackers and surfing mecca Máncora, travellers often ignore the north coast of Peru, however there are many beautiful beaches to discover in the region.
Both to the north and south of Máncora, almost all the beaches on Peru’s northern coast are relatively free of foreign tourists and in the low season prices are particularly affordable.
The north coast of Peru stretches from Trujillo to the border with Ecuador and aside from the beautiful beaches there are many important archaeological sites.
Trujillo is Peru’s third largest city and some locals consider the nearby beach at Huanchaco to be place of eternal spring. It is famous for its ceviche (a traditional Peruvian fish dish) but it is also Read more
Imagine driving along the Peruvian pacific coast for 16 hrs. You’re traveling from Lima to Tacna, Peru. Maybe you will attend local festivities, a wedding, a work seminar or some other important engagement. Regardless, 16 hours is a long time. What if you could be there in less than two hours? Thanks to Peruvian Airlines you can!
Peruvian Airlines started operating in late 2009. This new airline offers daily domestic flights to six different destinations. Prices and service rival large airlines. Currently they offer one flight daily from Lima to Tacna leaving at 11:00am and arriving at 12:40 pm. Rates to Tacna start at $96USD for a round-trip ticket. There are four daily flights to Arequipa and three to Read more
On top of a cliff 259 feet above sea level, facing the Pacific Ocean sits Miraflores, Peru. Lima’s business and cultural center, Miraflores is one of the hottest spots in Peru for expats or long term visitors. The city is busy and full of life. There are restaurants, nightclubs, parks, hotels and a wide variety of activities for all to enjoy.
Miraflores is a common destination for those who want to learn Spanish. The headquarters of El Sol Spanish Language School are located in the heart of Miraflores. The school offers a variety of effective, intensive and semi-intensive language courses. The classes are small, usually no more than 5 or 6 and the teachers are native Spanish speakers. El Read more
Heading out for a night in Lima? Stop at Bar La Noche de Barranco for a round of drink, located on Bolognesi 307, at Pasaje Sánchez Carrión.
The bar is a favorite among Lima residents with drinks and music nightly, open from 8 pm to 4 am. La Noche de Barranco has a Bohemian type feel, and Monday night is jazz night, which usually starts at about 10 pm.
For the last 16 years La Noche de Barranco has served up the best in drinks, live music, art exhibitions and more. It is considered the place for the underground music scene in Lima.
The Human Body exhibit has been seen around the world, and right now it is here in Lima. Although this has nothing to do with the culture of Peru, it is an amazing exhibit that should most definitely be seen. And who knows, seeing it in Lima might be the only chance you get!
The exhibit displays real bodies, complete and partial, that have been preserved using polymerization. This liquid silicone preserves the human tissue, leaving the body completely plasticized at a molecular level. You can see the complexity of the bones, nerves, organs, and blood vessels.
This is a cool way to really see how the body works. The exhibit is open to people of all ages, although it Read more
Good news if you are thinking of traveling to Peru: you might be able to afford to stay at a nicer hotel than you once thought. Jose Koechlin, the President of Peru’s hotel Society (SHP), made a statement saying that many of the country’s 5 star hotels have been reducing their rates from between 30% and 50% with the goal of attracting more tourists.
Although there have been reductions on the cost of a night at one of these fancy hotels in Peru in the past, Koechlin states that never has he seen the rate be reduced so much, and during peak seasons at that.
Hotel owners know that internationally the tourism industry is not doing as well as it Read more
A reliable, safe taxi service in Lima? That’s what Taxi Excel is all about. Owner Guillermo Quintana is attempting to fill the void and provide customers with a top notch transportation service. Currently taxis in Lima are known for being late, unprofessional and sometimes even dangerous, although very cheap.
Taxi Excel puts professionalism above price, although they are still a far cry from what a New Yorker would be used to paying. The company manages a group of drivers who all own their own cars, complete with GPS tracking. They are an organized and technologically advanced company, and the next big thing among those who find reliable, quality service to be of higher value than a cheap taxi ride.
Taxis in Lima are one of the most convenient and affordable ways to get around; that is what makes them so popular. You can’t beat a 25 minute, 15 kilometer taxi ride for S/.10 (about $3) practically anywhere! If you are new to taking taxis in Lima, however, there are a couple of things to keep in mind.
For the most part, taxi robbery is not too common, but it does happen, and foreigners are oftentimes the prey. Here are three rules to live by:
1. If anything about the taxi makes you suspicious – the car itself, the driver… anything! – don’t get in. It’s like they always say, “Better safe than sorry!”
LAN is offering discounted round-trip plane tickets when you plan ahead!
Purchase your tickets before December 10th for travel between February 1st and June 15th, 2009 and you will get some of the best deals on flights to Lima and other South American cities such as Quito, Guayaquil, Chile and Buenos Aires.
You also receive a 3% discount when you purchase from LAN.com, and you avoid excess service fees!
Follow this link to LAN.com to see all the details.
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