It's important to ensure you get a fair exchange rate, so we recommend exchanging your Dollars to Soles at the airport when you arrive. It's also fine to use your credit cards when paying at establishments, but when they ask if you want to pay in Dollars or Soles, use Soles. This should get you the best exchange rate.

We recommend only drinking bottled water and avoiding ice as much as possible. Travelers from the U.S. can sometimes get sick from the tap water in Peru. We don't want anybody to get sick on their vacation, so we recommend this out of an abundance of caution.

Similar to many places in Europe, in some bathrooms in Peru, you shouldn't flush toilet paper down the toilet. If you see a garbage can located directly near the toilet, especially in a public bathroom, fold your used toilet paper and place it in the garbage can. You don't want to be the reason the toilet clogs.

Peru's standard voltage is 220V, which is higher than the 110V standard in the US. Some electronic devices are built to handle 220V and some aren't. Most modern smart phone chargers are "dual-voltage" or "worldwide voltage", which means they can handle between 100-240V. If you're unsure what kind of outlets are available at your accommodations, it's generally smart for travelers from the U.S. to bring a Type C adapter. For electronics that produce heat like hair dryers and straighteners that are not labeled "dual-voltage" or "worldwide voltage", you'll need a 220V-to-110V power converter.

Traffic in Lima can get pretty hectic at times, prepare yourself. Although you likely won't be driving in Lima, your driver will know how to navigate the traffic and avoid accidents. When riding in cars, it's best to keep the doors locked and your valuables (including your phone) hidden and out of sight. Keeping your valuables out of sight will make you a less appealing target.