Facts - Peru
Drinks:
- National Drink: ,,Pisco Sourββ
made from grape brandy, egg white, lime juice, and a bit of sugar.
- Chicha Morada
Made from cinnamon, sugar, pineapple, purple corn, and clove.
- Coca - Tea
Made from coca leaves, similar to green tea.
- Inca Kola
Extremely sweet with a bubblegum-like taste, similar to Mountain Dew.
- Freshly squeezed juices
All kinds of fruit juices are available.
The Food:
Local restaurants are abundant and cheap.
They are super cheap and tasty as well!
Prices approximately:
1-2 Euro for Chaufa (rice, vegetables, chicken, egg)
3 Euro for a burger menu with fries and a drink
2-3 Euro for various soups
4 Euro for higher-quality meat dishes
The touristy restaurants are roughly twice-three times the cost.
- Try the national dish Ceviche: .
Raw fish with accompaniments.
- Enjoy a Crepe with fruits.
A fruit dream!
- Churros
similar to filled doughnuts.
- Dulche Leche
Taste Dulce de Leche, similar to Nutella.
- Chaufa or Aeropuerto
a rice dish with various vegetables, chicken, and egg.
- Arroz con Leche
just arroz con leche ^^
- Soups
There are hundreds of soup variations.
- For the adventurous - Try Cuy!
a type of guinea pig.
- Craving European food?
You'll find good pizza, pasta, potato dishes, burgers, and more.
For Fruit Lovers:
- Granadilla (Genus: Passion Fruit)
- Prickly Pear (Cactus Fruit)
- Chirimoya (Taste: Banana, Pineapple, Cinnamon)
- Yellow Pitahaya (Dragon Fruit)
- Watermelon
- Mango
Should I give tips?
Definitely! Locals appreciate even 1-2 Soles (30 cents).
The Weather:
Naturally, the weather depends on the seasons. We were there during the rainy season in December, and apart from occasional 15-minute showers or a rainy night, there wasn't much to notice.
Also good to know:
Peruvians apparently don't like to heat places. Often, it's very cold in establishments, so you often see people sitting there with jackets.
People:
- Incredibly friendly and helpful.
- They live very family-oriented lives and work long hours, even at a very old age.
- Many don't speak English, so knowing basic Spanish words is helpful.
Nature:
Breathtakingly diverse. Peru has so much to offer in terms of natural beauty.
Accommodations:
Standards may not match those of Europe, but most hotels are clean and well-maintained.
Sanitary Facilities:
- Toilet paper goes in the trash, not the toilet.
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- Make sure to bring your own toilet paper as it may not always be available.
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Hygiene:
Good. As mentioned in my other blog articles, it takes some getting used to. Especially in the markets, people often have long, dirty fingernails, and the meat is left in the blazing sun. Flies crawl over some uncovered meat, and dead guinea pigs are stacked in a plastic bucket, while the fruit is placed among free-roaming dogs, on a tarp, on the ground.
Don't be discouraged! We didn't have any stomach problems, so it can't be all that bad! Just wash everything thoroughly, and you'll be fine!
Additionally, you have the option to spend a bit more money and achieve a higher level of hygiene!
Altitude:
Keep in mind the extreme differences in altitude between places. Altitude sickness (dizziness, headaches, etc.) is not uncommon, so prepare before your travels!
Safety:
Peru is one of the safest countries in South America! Of course, you should still keep an eye on your belongings, but that's a general rule anywhere in the world.
The Police:
In the city, the police are often overtaken by cars without any reaction. In Germany, you would have been stopped 10 times already. It's a different world. Definitely!
The police even run red lights...
Currency:
The currency here is the Peruvian Sol.
1 Euro is approximately 4.5 Sol.Traffic:
Traffic:
"Insane" is the right word, I think! Red lights are often ignored. Honking is constant. The cars drive very closely and all look quite damaged. There are many road damages, and people don't often wear seatbelts here. We prefer to avoid renting a car. Driving yourself is definitely risky.
Transportation Options:
Of course, you can also take the bus here, but it's usually overcrowded. It's best to use UBER, as you can get from A to B relatively safely and at a reasonable price. However, be prepared to ride without a seatbelt here too... Don't just hop into any random taxi!
Conclusion:
Peru is definitely a country that I would recommend to everyone. It's especially great:
- if you love nature
- enjoy hiking
- love to indulge in local cuisine
- want to live affordably
- want to experience a new culture
- and want to immerse yourself in a completely different world.