Peru
General Information for Peru
Geo-political:
Capital City: Lima.
Nationality: (noun) Peruvian, (adjective) Peruvian.
Population: 29,546,963.
Communications:
International Direct Dial Code: 51.
Number of Internal Airports: 57.
Major Languages Spoken: Spanish (official), Quechua (official), Aymara, and a large number of minor Amazonian
languages.
Economy:
Currency: 1 Peruvian Nuevo Sol (PEN) of 100 Centimos.
Main Industries: Mining and refining of minerals, steel, metal fabrication, petroleum extraction and
refining, natural gas, fishing and fish processing, textiles, clothing and food processing.
Environment:
Territorial Sea: 200 n.m.
Other Maritime Claims: Continental Shelf: 200 n.m.
Coastline Extent: 2,414 km.
Climate: Varies from tropical in east to dry desert in west; temperate to frigid in Andes.
Natural Resources: Copper, silver, gold, petroleum, timber, fish, iron ore, coal, phosphate, potash,
hydropower and natural gas.
Natural Hazards: Earthquakes, tsunamis, flooding, landslides, mild volcanic activity.
Terrain: Western coastal plain (costa), high and rugged Andes in centre (sierra), eastern lowland
jungle of Amazon Basin (selva).
Average Temperatures:
| Month | High | Low |
|---|---|---|
| January | 27° C | 18° C |
| June | 20° C | 15° C |
| September | 20° C | 14° C |
CHARTS:
Nautical publications and charts are produced by the Directorate of Hydrography and
Navigation. www.dhn.mil.pe/portal/
DOCUMENTS:
Vessels destined for a Peruvian port for the first time should submit the following
certificates for entry into the Peruvian single window for foreign trade (VUCE – Ventanilla
Unica de Comercio Exterior) within a maximum 24 hours prior to arrival at a Peruvian
port.
Certificates of Fitness
Certificate of Insurance or Other Financial Security in respect of Civil Liability
for Oil Pollution Damage
Document of Compliance
International Load Line Certificate
International Ship Security Certificate
International Tonnage Certificate
Oil Pollution Prevention Certificate
Port State Control Certificate
Safety Management Certificate
Ship Safety Construction Certificate
Ship Safety Equipment Certificate
Ship Safety Radio Certificate
Ship’s Particulars
Also see
Pre-Arrival Information.
PRE-ARRIVAL INFORMATION:
Arrival notifications can be submitted to the national ports authority (Autoridad
Portuaria Nacional - APN) via the Redenaves Electronico system, which is available
to registered users.
eredenaves.apn.gob.pe/apn/login.do?action=login
Redenaves Electronico is the APN Electronic Ship Reception and Dispatch System, the
port component of the VUCE single window system.
VUCE – Ventanilla Unica de Comercio Exterior.
www.vuce.gob.pe
Port Status:
Real-time port operating status is available at
www.dicapi.mil.pe/estado-de-puertos
VTS/RADAR:
PERUREP:
Reference DICAPI Directional Resolution 0073-2014.
www.dicapi.mil.pe
Reference DICAPI Directional Resolution 123-2024.
www.dicapi.mil.pe
In order to facilitate maritime search and rescue operations, ships may voluntarily
comply with the reports established in the Monitoring and Information System on Maritime
Traffic (Sistema de Seguimiento, Control e Informacion sobre el trafico Maritimo)
(PERUREP). Reports should be sent to
[email protected]
For reference, Peruvian waters are bounded by the following:
- to the north by Lat. 03° 25′ S
- to the south by Lat. 18° 21′ S
- to the west by a line running 200 n.m. from the coastline.
| 1. | SP (Sailing Plan) to be transmitted two hours before entering Peruvian territorial waters: A, B, E, E, G, E, I, L, M, N, T. | |
| 2. | PR (Position Report) to be transmitted at 0700 and 1900 GMT: A, B, C, E, F, I, M, N, T. | |
| 3. | DR (Deviation Report) to be transmitted when there is a significant change to the Sailing Plan: A, B, E, F, I, M, N, Q, T, X. | |
| 4. | FR (Final Report) to be transmitted when exiting Peruvian territorial waters or on arrival at a Peruvian port: A, B, I, M. | |
| 5. | DG (Dangerous Goods Report) to be transmitted when an incident takes place involving the loss or likely loss of packaged dangerous goods: A, B, C, M, Q, R, S, T, U, X. | |
| 6. | HS (Harmful Substances Report) to be transmitted when an incident takes place involving the discharge or probable discharge of oil: A, B, C, E, F, L, M, N, Q, R, S, T, U, X. | |
| 7. | MP (Marine Pollutants Report) to be transmitted in the case of loss or likely loss overboard of harmful substances in packaged form: A, B, C, M, Q, R, S, T, U, X. | |
| a) | name of vessel, call sign and IMO number | |
| b) | date/hour (UTC) | |
| c) | position (lat./long.) | |
| e) | heading and the name of the next reporting point, including any alternate routes, if applicable | |
| f) | speed (knots) | |
| g) | name of the last foreign port of call | |
| h) | date and time (GMT) of sending PERUREP | |
| i) | destination and ETA | |
| k) | date and time (GMT) of exiting the PERUREP area and position, or date and time (GMT) and name of the Peruvian port of arrival | |
| l) | waypoints | |
| m) | radiocommunication equipment in service, INMARSAT, MMSI numbers | |
| n) | time and date of next notification | |
| q) | any defects or other limitations affecting manoeuvrability or safety of vessel | |
| r) | brief details of the type of contaminants discharged into the water and if any spills have been observed | |
| s) | weather conditions in the area | |
| t) | name of ship’s agent | |
| u) | type of vessel, LOA, draft | |
| v) | medical person on board | |
| w) | number of persons on board | |
| x) | any further information | |
| y) | request to relay to another reporting system, e.g. AMVER | |
BALLAST:
Reference DICAPI Directional Resolution 072-2006.
www.dicapi.mil.pe
Reference DICAPI Directional Resolution 178-2024.
www.dicapi.mil.pe
All vessels coming from foreign ports, and having ballast water on board, arriving
at Peruvian ports as destination or stopovers, shall change ballast water at least
once outside the 12.0 n.m. limit before entering a national port. Whenever possible,
ballast tanks should be cleaned to remove sediment.
MEDICAL:
Medical treatment is not easily available and can be more difficult to access outside
of Lima. Make sure you have appropriate travel health insurance and accessible funds
to cover the cost of any medical treatment and repatriation.
Health risks in Peru include Oropouche virus disease, yellow fever, malaria and Zika
virus. Diarrhoea caused by contaminated food or water is common and is potentially
serious. Major dengue outbreaks are possible following floods.
POLICE/AMBULANCE/FIRE:
Police Tel: 105. Ambulance T: 106. Fire Tel: 116.
EMERGENCY RESPONSE CENTRE:
The Coast Guard Operations Command (Comandancia de Operaciones Guardacostas - COMOPERGUARD)
is responsible for coordinating maritime search and rescue operations.
Contact:
Peruvian Mission Control Center (PEMCC), Coastguard Operations Command. T: +51 (1) 420 2020.
[email protected]
HOLIDAYS:
1 January (New Year's Day); Easter Friday; Easter Sunday; 1 May (Labour Day); 7 June
(Flag Day); 29 June (Feast of Saints Peter and Paul); 28/29 July (Independence Day);
6 August (Battle of Junin); 30 August (Saint Rose of Lima); 8 October (Naval Battle
of Angamos); 1 November (All Saints' Day); 8 December (Immaculate Conception); 9 December
(Battle of Ayacucho); 24 December (Christmas Eve); 25 December (Christmas Day).
WEATHER/TIDES:
The rainy season in Peru runs from November to May. There is heavy rain and snow in
northern Peru, the Andes, including Cusco, and other parts of the country. Rockslides,
mudslides and snow can disrupt walking routes, road and rail travel in mountain and
jungle areas.
Peru is in an active earthquake zone and there are frequent tremors. Follow advice
given by the local authorities.
Although tsunamis are rare in Peru, higher tides often happen either after an earthquake
or for other reasons throughout the year. Refer to the Peruvian Directorate of Hydrography
and Navigation (in Spanish) for information.
www.dhn.mil.pe/portal
BANKS:
ATMs can be found in the main cities. When using an ATM, try to do so during business
hours at a location inside a bank, supermarket or large commercial building. Be particularly
vigilant before and after using an ATM on the street, especially at night.
Not all shops, restaurants, bars and hotels accept credit cards, and it is worth checking
whether they do before ordering anything. You are advised to keep credit and debit
card receipts. Western Union is represented in Peru, with bureaux in all main cities.
Be alert to the possibility of being passed counterfeit US Dollars or local currency,
especially from street money changers.
CUSTOMS:
www.sunat.gob.pe/
SHORE LEAVE:
There is a higher risk to your safety in areas where there is serious organised crime
linked to drug production. This includes the border areas with Ecuador, Colombia and
Brazil and the Valley of Apurimac, Ene and Mantaro rivers (VRAEM). Remnants of the
Shining Path guerrilla group are still active in some of the main coca growing areas
in central Peru (Alto Huallaga, Aguaytia and VRAEM river basins).
Street crime, including muggings and thefts, is a significant problem in Lima, Cusco,
Arequipa and other major cities. Be alert in public places and when withdrawing cash
from ATMs. Do not walk on your own in quiet areas or at night.
There have been a number of robberies at gunpoint. Attacks can take place in tourist
areas of Lima such as Miraflores and Barranco. To reduce your personal risk:
- avoid wearing or displaying expensive items
- avoid using your phone at the roadside, as motorbike riders may snatch it.
Report crimes to local police as soon as possible. Ask lodge or hotel staff for help
if an incident happens on site.
Criminals target cars stopped at traffic lights. Keep your doors locked and windows
shut while driving.
Petty crime, such as pickpocketing and bag-snatching, is common, so:
- keep your belongings secure
- do not leave bags unattended
- on bus journeys, keep your passport with you.
There is a risk of robbery by criminals posing as taxi drivers, especially at Jorge
Chavez International Airport and bus terminals. Fake taxi drivers and thieves pretending
to be tour operators sometimes approach arriving passengers. To reduce your risk:
- use licensed telephone or app-based taxi services
- do not hail taxis on the street
- ask your hotel to book taxis for you
- use one of the official taxi companies at the airport, located at desks directly outside the baggage hall
- use one of the taxis registered at bus terminals.
Tourists, especially those travelling alone, are at risk of “express kidnapping”.
Victims are taken hostage and forced to withdraw money from ATMs for their release,
usually at night. Incidents often involve armed criminals posing as taxi drivers,
or taxi drivers working for organised gangs. Armed robbers sometimes hold up provincial
and inter-city buses.
If a kidnapping or hold-up happens to you:
- do not attempt to resist attackers
- agree to any demands for cash or goods
- report the incident to the police as soon as possible.
Criminals can also fake kidnappings by contacting the numbers from a stolen mobile
phone and claiming to have kidnapped the owner. They then demand a ransom. Report
it to the police if you suspect this has taken place.
Personal attacks, including sexual assaults, are infrequent but do happen, mostly
in the Cusco and Arequipa areas. Unscrupulous tour agents have targeted young females,
travelling alone in the Cusco area. You should:
- buy your own drinks and always keep sight of them
- try to get help from people you know
- report incidents to the police as soon as possible.
Do not take photographs of anything of a military nature, it is illegal and you could
face a prison sentence of two to five years.
REPATRIATION:
To enter Peru, your passport must have an expiry date at least 6 months after the
date you arrive. You will normally get permission to stay for up to 30 days when you
arrive. If you need to stay longer, you must apply for permission on arrival. If you
overstay, you will get a fine and you could be detained.
If you arrive in Peru at an international airport, authorities will register your
entry digitally through a Tarjeta Andina de Migracion (TAM) - a virtual immigration
control document. You can check how long you are allowed to stay in Peru on the Superintendencia
Nacional de Migraciones website (in Spanish and English).
There are strict rules about goods you can take into or out of Peru
www.gob.pe/6997-mercancias-restringidas-y-prohibidas#main You must declare anything that may be prohibited or subject to tax or duty.
You can bring one laptop and two mobile phones into Peru without paying tax.
When you leave Peru, you may be stopped and prosecuted if you are carrying:
- products made from wild animal skins
- crafts made with preserved butterflies, spiders, starfish, sea horses or other fish or insects
- crafts and jewellery made with condor or other wild bird feathers, turtle shells, teeth, bones and other animal parts.
The sale of souvenirs made with wild animal parts, including condor feathers, is illegal
in Peru. These products are often sold in tourist markets in Cusco and Iquitos.
It is illegal to remove any archaeological artefacts from Peru without authorisation.
Visas:
A Business Visa is required for some nationals if the purpose of the visit is business.
Any business-related unpaid work can be made on a Tourist Visa. Nationals of the following
countries do not need a Business Visa when travelling to Peru on business and are
permitted to stay for up to 90 days:
Austria, Belgium, Brazil, Bulgaria, Chile, Colombia, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic,
Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Indonesia, Italy,
Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxemburg, Malaysia, Malta, Mexico, Netherlands,
Norway, Panama, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovenia, Slovak Republic, Spain, Sweden,
Switzerland.
Note:
Indian nationals and Chinese nationals may enter Peru without a Business Visa if they
are UK, Canada, Australia, Schengen or US resident for a minimum of 6 months at the
moment of entry to Peru.
Nationals of the following countries do not need a Tourist Visa when travelling as
tourists to Peru and are permitted to stay for up to 183 days, depending on nationality:
Andorra, Antigua & Barbuda, Argentina, Australia, Austria, Bahamas, Barbados, Belarus,
Belgium, Belize, Bolivia, Brazil, Brunei Darussalam, Bulgaria, Canada, Chile, Colombia,
Cook Islands, Costa Rica, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Dominica, Dominican
Republic, Ecuador, Estonia, Fiji, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Grenada, Guatemala,
Guyana, Holy See, Hong Kong, Hungary, Iceland, Indonesia, Ireland, Israel, Italy,
Jamaica, Japan, Kiribati, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxemburg, Macedonia,
Malaysia, Malta, Marshall Islands, Mexico, Micornesia, Moldova, Monaco, Montenegro,
Nauru, Netherlands, New Zealand, Niue, Norway, Palau, Panama, Papua New Guinea, Paraguay,
Philippines, Poland, Portugal, Russian Federation, Romania, St Christopher and Nevis,
St Lucia, St Vincent and The Grenadines, Samoa, San Marino, Serbia, Singapore, Slovenia,
Slovak Republic, Solomon Islands, South Africa, Spain, Suriname, Sweden, Switzerland,
Taiwan, Thailand, Tonga, Trinidad and Tobago, Turkey, Tuvalu, Ukraine, United Kingdom,
Uruguay, USA, Vanuatu.
Note:
Indian nationals and Chinese nationals may enter Peru without a Tourist Visa if they
have a UK, Canada, Australia, Schengen or US visa valid for a minimum of 6 months
at the moment of entry to Peru.
Please consult your nearest Peruvian Consulate for full details. A summarised version
of visa requirements per country is available at
www.consulado.pe/Documents/visas/Requerimientos_de_visa_para_ciudadanos_extranjeros.pdf
IDENTIFICATION CARDS:
Always carry ID with you. The Peruvian police may ask to see ID; if you do not have
it with you, you may be required to go to the nearest police station.
AUTHORITY:
APN Head Office:
Autoridad Portuaria Nacional (APN), Avenue Santa Rosa 135, La Perla, Callao, Peru.
T: +51 (1) 630 9600. [email protected] www.gob.pe/apn
