IGV or General Sales Tax in English is added automatically to all bills (19%). In some up-market hotels or restaurants, other “taxes” could be added such as service charges. There are some geographical areas of Peru that have other rates of tax but lower than the standard rate of IGV. At the airport, the traveller must pay a departure tax; $30.25 on international flights and $6.25 on national flights. Passengers in transit do not have to pay any taxes.

Transport

Jorge Chavez is the main international airport and is located in Lima (Callao). There are also other airports classed as international in Iquitos, Cuzco, Puerto Maldonado and Chiclayo but as yet they mainly cater for domestic flights. Jorge Chavez airport is the main connection with the others surrounding countries.

From Lima there are daily flights to most other South American countries. Direct and indirect flight are also available from the USA, Canada, Europe and the Asia Pacific region. The major domestic carriers in Peru are Lan Peru, Taca Peru, Star Peru and LC Busre. Further information about the airport and the airlines can be found at www.lap.com.pe

For international flights you have to be at the airport 2 hours before your departure and 1 hour in the case of domestic flights. We suggest you always check your tickets or you respective airlines website for any changes to this regulation.

Taking the bus is the most common method of transport here in Peru. Roads and services along the coast are good, the Pan American Highway runs the whole length of Peru as is in generally good condition for the full length. Most of the other roads inland through the Andes to the major tourist destinations are generally in good condition too, and make for a comfortable journey onboard the better class of bus services available here in Peru.

Weather

Peru is located in the tropical belt and near to the equatorial line, but its weather is not as you would expect for this area. Apart from the tropical weather, Peru has a range of weathers and climates that make it so diverse and different from other countries.

In the world, you can find a total of 32 different kinds of climate and Peru has 28 of them (87.5% of the total!). In other words, a trip through Peru could see you visiting the following climates and zones, hot deserts, dry forests, humid savannas, rainforests, cold plateaus, icy mountains and glaciers.

As a easy way to explain the average weather here we can say that in the time of the typical northern hemisphere summer, in Peru you will have winter in the coast, and summer in the Andean highlands and the jungle. In the winter in northern hemisphere, you will have in Peru a rainy season in the Andes and the jungle, but a hot summer all over the coast. The following chart can help you to understand how the Peruvian weather "works":