PERU TRAVEL TIPS
LIMA
Accommodation:
Try to stay in Miraflores and not Lima if you have the choice. Miraflores is more expensive and you will need to take taxis or public transport into Lima to see the museums and sites. However it is a much better place to stay. The streets are less busy, pollution less toxic, and in general a nicer, more comfortable environment. The Youth Hostel there is quite nice and offers a pleasant garden for relaxing and a small kitchen for cooking if you so desire.
Food:
Gotta try the Pisco Sour! It's like a margarita (kinda) and very potent. The tamales, chicha (a drink made from blue corn), and sweet corn bread are musts as well.
Restaurants:
- The Bircher Berger offers pretty good veggie food though a bit over priced.
- If your in the mood to splurge try the Aurelia Cafe on Cantuaries near the intersection with Av Jose Larco. This is a cafe/market where you can buy many imported foods, eat excellent tamales washed down with Chincha (a drink made from blue corn), and have a nice slab of cheesecake for dessert.
- There is a great coffee bar off Parque Central on the Diagonal Street side. I can't remember the name at present (but will add it later if it comes to me) but you can't miss it: it has a huge open glass store front and a two tiered layout with a thin balcony overlooking the bottom floor (its located just behind the men's public toilet on the street corner!) The coffee is good as is the food and it is the place to be seen in Miraflores.
- If you need to do some grocery shopping for meals or snacks visit the huge Santa Isabel on Javier Prado Oeste just caddy corner to the Museo de la Nacion. They also have a nice food court there.
Shopping:
There are some nice artisan markets in Lima. One area is in Miraflores on Av Petit Thouars. There are several on this road so take a stroll to visit them. Another cluster is located on La Marina between the 900-1000 blocks.
CUZCO
A truly amazing city. This is the artistic center of Peru with live bands, musicians, artists and artisans throughout the city. And a beautiful city it is. Plan to spend several days here soaking it up and adjusting to the high altitude. And make sure and get out and enjoy the nightlife because this city is packed with great places to hang out. Get started at the Ukukus Bar and carry on from there...
Accommodation:
The Hostel Amaru is a nice little place at 541 Cuesta San Blas, just a short walk from Plaza de Armas. The staff is very friendly and helpful though they speak little (or no) English. The little courtyard has a nice view of the city and they have 24 hour hot water. If you stay here however, make sure you are on the second floor because the floor boards creak and can be very loud when sleeping below them!
Food:
When the altitude starts to take its toll, gulp down some Coca tea. Made from the leaf of the cocaine plant, coca tea is the local remedy for altitude headaches and pains. And it works! Just try not to get too addicted.
Restaurants:
- Govinda's has nice veggie food though the service is horribly slow. Take a good book with you.
- The Emperador Pizzaria on Plaza Regocijo has good pizza, soups, and other specialties.
Shopping:
The whole city is a shopping center. At night the streets are lined with people peddling their wares. Look for the jackets made from old rugs, pretty cool.MANU
If you're headed to Manu it will probably be with an organized tour. Make sure you shop around in Cuzco and find the best one for you. If possible try to check the equipment and meet the guide before you sign on and pay your money. Meeting the guide is especially important since he will be responsible for telling you about the jungle and its inhabitants. If his english sucks then so does the tour, so do some pre-trip research. And be sure to haggle over the trip price!Some things you may want to invest in before heading to Manu:
- Binoculars! These are invaluable when viewing the wildlife. If you don't have them with you, rent them in Cuzco!!
- Snacks for those trail hikes or boat rides.
- Lotsa film and a panoramic camera and plastic bags to store them in.
- Sunscreen, umbrella, wide-rim hat.
- Mosquito repellent (it won't work though) and possibly one of those over the head mosquito net hats. They sound (and look) stupid but it will come in useful when 100 mossies are buzzing your ears at night.
- A good book, you never know when the truck will breakdown and leave you stranded.
- Water purifying system if you have problems with drinking boiled river water.
MACHU PICCHU / AGUA CALIENTES
If you visit Peru and don't see Machu Picchu you are an idiot! Truly the most amazing place on earth. Whether hiking the Inca Trail to get there of heading up from nearby Aguas Calientes, seeing the ruins is a must. I didn't do the Trail due to time constraints but have heard both good and bad tales of it. However, on my visit to the ruins I saw many groups of tourists who came off the trail and were too tired to enjoy the site, only wanting to head to town for a shower and hot meal.If you do do the trek, be sure and head for the hot springs afterwards to recoup. If staying in Aguas Calientes head for Gringo Bill's or Hostel Machu Picchu to stay and try out Chez Maggy for dinner.
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