The weather in Peru is unpredictable all year long and it's not uncommon to experience four seasons in a single day. There are two seasons in Peru, wet and dry, but with so many diverse regions throughout the country local weather patterns vary greatly. The best time to visit Peru is during the dry season between April and October.

On the coast, dry season temperatures average 28°C, whilst the wet season has an average temperature of 14 °C. Peruvians head to the beaches during the dry season, as during the rest of the year there is a gray coastal mist known as ‘guara' that moves in and hides the sun. In the Peruvian mountains, the sun shines all year long, but the temperature descends during the nights to reach an average of 5 °C. In the jungle area the weather is tropical with both rain and heat, and an average daytime temperature of 30 ºC, while nights cool down to 20 ºC.

In Peru you can use two- and three- pronged power plugs similar to those in the U.S., as well as a European-style two-prong plug. The voltage used in Peru is mostly 220V. Most new devices can handle the different voltage rates, but some devices only work on the U.S. standard of 120V. Check your device to see what voltage range it handles. If it says "Input: 100 - 240V" means that it will work on voltages from 100V to 240V. If your transformer can't handle the different voltage, you'll need to purchase a voltage converter.  

Peru can roughly be dived into three regions:

- The coast with its white beaches and dry desserts.
- The highlands with the famous Andes running all the way from the north to the South.
- The jungle, home to the biggest river in the world, the Amazon.

This looks like quite a simple division of Peru's geography, but it is just a small tip of the iceberg. Peru has an unnatural variety of microclimates and eco-systems that almost every type of animal and plant can be found within its borders.

In the Peruvian part of the Pacific ocean (plus 60 millions hectares in the Antarctic) forms the base for a huge amount of fishes and other sea-animals. On the other side of the country, the tropical rainforest is what covers about 30 % of Peru. Lake Titcaca, world's highest navigable lake, forms in the Southeastern part of Peru's part of the border with Bolivia. Besides all these, the driest place on earth can be found in the Atacama Desert, along the border with Chile.  

Altitude sickness is the only thing to be careful about. Take it easy on the first day, rest as soon as you get to your hotel, drink lots of coca tea and eat lightly. By the second day you will be better adapted to the altitude. Most food will be fine, but it would be better if you do not eat from street vendors and drink bottled water. It is also very important not to forget to bring a good sunscreen and a hat, or you may buy one in Cusco.

No immunizations are required of travelers to Peru. Travelers may wish to receive hepatitis vaccinations and should be current on all other standard vaccinations. The rainforest area of Peru (approx. 3500 ft. and below, east of the Andes) is a malarial and yellow fever zone, and travelers may wish to receive a yellow fever vaccination and take malarial prophylaxis. Please consult your physician or local health department for more information. Though we have not heard of anyone contracting yellow fever anywhere in Peru in many years, the Peruvian government nevertheless recommends a yellow fever vaccination for trips to the rainforest. This vaccination is required or recommended for most rainforest areas around the world. The vaccination, which is valid for 10 years, is only effective starting10 days after it is administered - if you choose in mind and bring your certificate.  

Today we know that well before the approximately 90 year rule of the Incas, sophisticated cultures inhabited the Cuzco area, including the first, Tiwanaku (200-1000AD) culture (which interestingly enough due to the myth had its origins in the southern shores of Lake Titicaca) and the more recent Wari (700-1100AD) culture from which the Incas inherited their highway system and mummy worship. Nevertheless, the Cuzco that Spanish Conquistador Francisco Pizarro in the 16th century described as the greatest and finest ever seen in this country or anywhere in the Indies, that is, the Cuzco with Sacsayhuaman, the Coricancha sun temple, and a huge central plaza, is indeed the handiwork of ninth Inca leader, Inca Yupanqui (later Pachacutek or "shaker of the earth") a master builder.

Francisco Pizarro, in turn, is largely responsible for the Cuzco we know today where seamless Incan walls, some of which were relocated from the now ruined Sacsayhuaman, form the foundation of colonial style churches and monasteries. Of course, the fact that many of these colonial buildings are now museums and that the main plaza is rattled with travel agencies, bars, and internet cafes is a consequence of globalization, made all the more intense by Peru's new openness to international trade and investment in the 1990's under the Fujimori government.

On December 8, 2004 presidents and representatives from twelve South American nations met in Cuzco to announce the foundation of a South American Community based on the model of the European Union. Such integration would mean that for the first time since relinquishing rule to the Spanish over its large swath of land from Columbia to Chile, the ancient Incan capital of Cuzco could become the central city of an even greater union.   

The main language spoken all over in Peru is Spanish. Besides Spanish some people still speak Quechua, an ancient Inca language, in native villages in the Andes.

In the Altiplano, the highlands in the department of Puno, people also speak Aymara. However, this is not held to be an official language.

The tourist's peak season in Peru is from June through August due to the overlapping European and North American summer holidays. October is a busy month as well because of the many Peruvian students traveling around. Dry season in Peru is from May through November; this is the best period for trekking. To avoid the crowded high season we suggest journeying Peru during the months of March, April, May, September, November and also December is mostly fine with generally little rainfall. You can travel in Peru year round although we have a few suggestions; depending on the climate zone you may suffer from rain during certain months. Peak season is from June through September so if you want to avoid the crowd come before or after. Because of the rainy season we suggest to do your hiking tours from April through November. The Amazon is best visited from March through December.

A passport valid for 6 months, and proof of onward passage are needed. Citizens from USA, United Kingdom, Canada, Australia and from many countries visiting Peru as tourists do not need a visa. However we recommend checking before you travel as this may change at any time.

Tourists may stay a maximum 90 days; longer stays require an extension from the Peruvian immigration authorities (Migraciones). All visitors fill out and receive a copy of a tourist card. These short applications are provided on your flight to Peru or at border crossings. While traveling in Peru, make sure you keep your copy with your passport and present it to authorities when departing the country.