Peru

🇵🇪

Telefonvorwahl

+51

Hauptstadt

Lima

Bevölkerung

34 Millionen

Einheimischer Name

Perú

Region

Amerika

Südamerika

Zeitzone

Peru Time

UTC-05:00

Peru is a South American country bordered by Ecuador, Colombia, Brazil, Bolivia, and Chile, with a long Pacific coastline. Lima serves as the capital and largest city. Peru is one of the world's most geographically and climatically diverse countries, divided into three distinct regions: the coastal desert (Costa) with cities like Lima and ancient sites like Chan Chan; the Andean highlands (Sierra) with Cusco, Machu Picchu, and Lake Titicaca at elevations over 3,800m; and the Amazon rainforest (Selva) covering 60% of territory in the east. Peru has a population of approximately 34 million with significant indigenous heritage - Quechua and Aymara are recognized official languages alongside Spanish. The country was the heartland of the Inca Empire, South America's largest pre-Columbian civilization, and Spanish colonial rule from 1532-1821 left profound cultural influences. Modern Peru is renowned globally for Machu Picchu (15th-century Inca citadel, UNESCO World Heritage Site and New Seven Wonders of the World), world-class gastronomy (Lima has multiple restaurants in World's 50 Best list, renowned chefs like Gastón Acurio and Virgilio Martínez), extraordinary archaeological sites (Nazca Lines, Sacred Valley, Chan Chan, Kuélap), Amazon biodiversity, trekking including the famous Inca Trail, and vibrant indigenous cultures maintaining traditional textiles, music, and languages. Tourism is a major industry with over 4 million annual visitors. Attractions include Cusco (former Inca capital with colonial architecture), Sacred Valley (Pisac, Ollantaytambo), Lake Titicaca (world's highest navigable lake with floating Uros islands), Arequipa (White City with colonial buildings and Colca Canyon nearby - one of world's deepest), Amazon lodges near Iquitos and Puerto Maldonado, Nazca Lines (giant geoglyphs visible from air), Rainbow Mountain (Vinicunca), Huacachina (desert oasis), and coastal beaches. Peru offers visa-free entry for most Western countries for 90-183 days. Government travel advisories note generally safe tourism but emphasize risks of petty crime in cities, occasional political protests, and altitude sickness risks at high elevations.

Visa Requirements for Peru

Peru offers visa-free entry to citizens of approximately 90 countries including the United States, Canada, United Kingdom, most EU countries, Australia, New Zealand, Japan, South Korea, Mexico, Argentina, Brazil, Chile, and many others for tourism and business purposes. Citizens of these countries receive 90 or 183 days permission (183 days typical for US, EU, Canadian citizens; 90 days for some others - varies by nationality). Passport must be valid for at least 6 months beyond entry date. No advance visa application required - immigration officers stamp passports on arrival with authorized stay duration. Andean Immigration Card (Tarjeta Andina de Migración, TAM) issued on arrival must be kept and returned on departure. Proof of onward/return travel may be requested. Sufficient funds may need to be demonstrated. Entry available at Jorge Chávez International Airport in Lima (main gateway), Cusco airport, and land borders with Ecuador, Colombia, Brazil, Bolivia, and Chile. Extensions can be obtained through Migraciones (immigration office) for up to 183 total days maximum per year. Citizens of approximately 100 countries require visas and must apply at Peruvian consulates before travel with standard documentation (application form, passport valid 6+ months, photos, financial proof, travel itinerary, visa fee approximately $30-50). Peru participates in the Pacific Alliance (Chile, Colombia, Mexico, Peru) allowing visa-free movement for member nationals. Yellow fever vaccination recommended (sometimes required) for travelers visiting Amazon regions - certificate may be checked. Travel to Peru is generally straightforward for visa-exempt nationals. Government advisories from the UK, United States, Australia, and Germany note political demonstrations occur periodically (especially around Cusco, Puno, Lima), with some resulting in road blockades affecting tourist access - monitoring local conditions recommended. Petty crime (pickpocketing, bag-snatching) is common in Lima, Cusco, and tourist areas requiring vigilance with valuables.

Gängige Visumtypen

Visa-Free Entry (Tourist)

90 or 183 days depending on nationality (US, Canada, UK, EU typically receive 183 days; some countries 90 days); passport valid 6+ months required; no advance application needed; entry stamp at arrival (airport or land borders); immigration officer determines duration (90 or 183 days) and stamps passport; Andean Immigration Card (TAM) issued on arrival - keep and return on departure; return/onward ticket may be requested; proof of funds may be requested; extensions available through Migraciones offices for up to 183 total days maximum per year (fee approximately $30); yellow fever certificate may be checked if traveling to/from Amazon regions; straightforward entry process at Jorge Chávez Airport (Lima), Cusco, or land borders; most visitors receive full 183 days for visa-exempt nationalities.

For tourism or business for citizens of approximately 90 countries including US, Canada, UK, EU, Australia, New Zealand, and most of South America.

Consular Visa (Tourist/Business)

30-90 days typically; apply at Peruvian embassy/consulate before travel; requires application form, passport (valid 6+ months), passport photos, bank statements, hotel reservations or invitation letter, travel itinerary, return ticket, yellow fever certificate (if visiting Amazon), visa fee USD $30-50; processing 5-10 business days; single or multiple entry depending on approval; granted for tourism or business purposes; extensions possible in Peru through Migraciones; less common for Western travelers due to visa-free access for most.

For nationalities requiring advance visa, approximately 100 countries including many African, Asian, and Middle Eastern nations.

Work Visa (Visa de Trabajo)

1 year typically, renewable annually; requires Peruvian employer sponsorship and work authorization from Ministerio de Trabajo (Ministry of Labor); employer must demonstrate position cannot be filled by Peruvian national; application includes employment contract, university degrees/professional qualifications (apostilled), police clearance (apostilled), health certificate, passport, photos, work permit approval, visa fee; processing 2-4 months; allows legal residence and employment; dependents can apply for dependent visas; renewable subject to continued employment; pathway to permanent residence after several years; common for expatriates in mining, oil/gas, education, NGO sectors; Peru has growing expat communities in Lima, Cusco, Arequipa.

For foreign nationals employed by Peruvian companies or organizations, requires employer sponsorship.

Student Visa (Visa de Estudiante)

Duration of studies (typically 1 year renewable); requires acceptance letter from recognized Peruvian educational institution, proof of enrollment and tuition payment, financial proof (bank statements or scholarship letter), police clearance, health certificate, passport (valid 6+ months), passport photos, visa fee; apply at Peruvian consulate before travel; processing 2-6 weeks; allows residence for study purposes; limited part-time work may be permitted with authorization; must maintain full-time enrollment; renewable annually while studies continue; popular programs include Spanish language schools (Cusco, Lima), university exchange programs, Peruvian cuisine/gastronomy courses; graduates can potentially convert to work visa if securing Peruvian employment.

For international students enrolled in Peruvian universities or educational programs.

Important Travel Information

Machu Picchu - Visiting the Iconic Wonder: Machu Picchu is Peru's most famous attraction and one of the New Seven Wonders of the World. This 15th-century Inca citadel sits at 2,430m (7,970ft) on a mountain ridge above the Sacred Valley. Built around 1450 under Inca emperor Pachacuti and abandoned during Spanish conquest, it was 'rediscovered' by Hiram Bingham in 1911. Today approximately 1.5 million visitors arrive annually. Access requires planning: visitors must purchase entry tickets in advance (online at official Peruvian government website or through agencies - tickets often sell out weeks ahead for high season June-August). Tickets cost approximately $50-75 for standard entry; various time slots (morning 6am-12pm, afternoon 12pm-5:30pm) and routes available. Tickets include entry to Machu Picchu citadel only; additional tickets required for Huayna Picchu mountain (400 permits/day, $75), Machu Picchu Mountain (400 permits/day, $75), or Huchuy Picchu (smaller peak, 400/day). Getting there: no road to Machu Picchu - access via train from Cusco/Ollantaytambo to Aguas Calientes town (PeruRail or IncaRail, $65-200 round-trip depending on service class, 1.5-4 hours), then bus up switchbacks (30 min, $24 round-trip) or hike uphill (1.5 hours). Budget option: walk along tracks from Hidroeléctrica (accessible by bus from Cusco, 6 hours, $20-30) to Aguas Calientes (3 hours walk). Most visitors stay overnight in Aguas Calientes (hotels $30-300+). Guided tours recommended for historical context ($30-50). Best months to visit: April-October (dry season); June-August busiest. November-March is wet season (rain daily but fewer crowds, dramatic scenery). Altitude at Machu Picchu is moderate (2,430m) but Cusco (3,400m) causes altitude sickness for many - acclimatize 2-3 days in Cusco before visiting.

Altitude Sickness (Soroche) and Acclimatization: Peru's Andean regions reach extreme elevations requiring acclimatization to avoid altitude sickness (soroche in Spanish). Cusco sits at 3,400m (11,150ft), Puno at 3,827m (12,555ft), and Rainbow Mountain at 5,200m (17,060ft). Altitude sickness symptoms include headache, nausea, dizziness, fatigue, shortness of breath, and difficulty sleeping, typically appearing 6-24 hours after arrival at altitude. Prevention strategies include: gradual ascent (spend 2-3 nights in Cusco before higher elevations or strenuous activities like Inca Trail), stay hydrated (3-4 liters water daily), avoid alcohol for first 48 hours, eat light meals, rest on arrival day, consider altitude sickness medication (acetazolamide/Diamox - consult doctor before travel), drink coca tea (mate de coca - traditional Andean remedy using coca leaves, legal in Peru). Most visitors experience mild symptoms that resolve within 2-3 days with acclimatization. Severe altitude sickness (HACE or HAPE) is rare but serious - descend immediately if severe symptoms occur and seek medical attention. Cusco and Puno have medical facilities familiar with altitude sickness. Many hotels in Cusco offer oxygen. Those with heart or lung conditions should consult doctors before high-altitude travel. Machu Picchu is at moderate altitude (2,430m) causing fewer problems than Cusco. Sacred Valley towns (Ollantaytambo 2,790m, Urubamba 2,870m) are lower than Cusco and good for initial acclimatization. Don't underestimate altitude - it affects fitness levels regardless of physical conditioning.

Inca Trail Trekking and Alternative Routes: The Classic Inca Trail to Machu Picchu is one of the world's most famous treks - a 4-day, 43km (26-mile) route through Andean mountains, cloud forests, and Inca ruins, ending at Machu Picchu through the Sun Gate at sunrise. The trail crosses Dead Woman's Pass at 4,215m (13,828ft). Only 500 permits per day are issued (including guides and porters) - these sell out months in advance (book 6+ months ahead for high season May-September). Trekkers MUST use licensed tour operators (independent hiking not allowed) - packages cost $500-800+ including permits, guides, porters, camping equipment, and meals. The trail is closed in February for maintenance. Physical fitness required (moderate to challenging difficulty, altitude training helpful). Alternative treks include: Salkantay Trek (5 days, 74km, crosses 4,630m pass, stunning mountain scenery, $300-500, permits not limited), Lares Trek (4 days, cultural focus visiting traditional Andean villages, $400-600), Choquequirao Trek (4-5 days to remote 'sister city' of Machu Picchu with far fewer visitors, challenging, $500-700), and Ausangate Trek (5-7 days circling sacred 6,384m mountain with Rainbow Mountain, high altitude, $600-900). For those unable to trek, train to Aguas Calientes is comfortable option. Trekking season: April-October (dry season); June-August busiest. November-March is rainy making trails muddy and difficult. Pack layers (temperatures vary from hot valleys to freezing passes), rain gear, sun protection, good boots, and altitude medication.

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