The name “Peru” probably comes from the troops of the Spaniards who moved through the small landscape of “Biru” and transferred their names to the whole country, from which “Peru” developed over time. For the Incas, the country was called “Tahuantin-suyu” – “four provinces”, since they had divided their great empire in four provinces.

Location

With an area of ​​1,285,220 square kilometers, Peru is the third largest country in South America and the largest of the Andean countries. Peru shares national borders with Ecuador in the northwest, Colombia in the northeast, Brazil in the east, Bolivia in the southeast and Chile in the south. The coast length of the Pacific Ocean in the west is 2,200 km. The extension from north to south extends over 2,000 km and thus over 18 parallels, starting with the equator in the north. The country measures 1,200 km from west to east. The highest mountain is the Huascarán with 6,768 m, which is one of the peaks of the Andes.

Time zone

The time difference between Germany and Peru is 6 hours in winter and 7 hours in summer, due to our summer time.

Business

The rich reserves of ores and crude oil, the abundance of fish and the diverse agriculture should actually allow the country a certain wealth, but the population suffers from abject poverty. Economic upswings such as the guano boom, the rubber boom or the oil boom only lasted a few years and were repeatedly wiped out by external influences such as falling world market prices or unexpected bad harvests.

Germany also imports from Peru. Mainly it concerns mining, fishery and agricultural products. The Republic of Peru, on the other hand, mostly sources trade products from the USA, China and Brazil. Free trade agreements are also to be concluded with Europe, Singapore, Canada, Russia, India, Morocco and South Africa. Japan is trying to reach an agreement to secure its supply of raw materials such as zinc and copper, which Peru is rich in.

Population

Peru still has a very high number of indigenous people. Of the 29.2 million residents, 47% are indigenous, whose ancestors belonged to Indian tribes and 37% are mestizos, i.e. the mixed race between Indians and whites. 13% of the rest of the population are of European and 3% of Asian or African descent. The poverty of the population has its origin in the inferior soils that the conquerors left for the Indians. In many parts of the country, arable farming and animal husbandry are not economically viable and are forcing entire families to look for work in the cities under inhumane conditions and to abandon their farmland. So the erosion of the soil can proceed unhindered.

Language

Many residents still mainly speak their old Indian language, Quechua, which led the government in 1975 to make Quechua the second official language alongside Spanish. English is only spoken in predominantly tourist-oriented institutions.

Food and drink

The dishes vary just like the climatic conditions from the respective region in which one is located.

In the highlands one finds more meat-heavy dishes on the menu as guinea pigs ( “cuy”), alpaca steak ( “lomo de alpaca”) or grilled beef heart pieces on a skewer ( “anticuchos”). But rainbow trout (“truchas”) are also often offered. A starter popular in the highlands is “ papa a la huancaina ”, which is boiled potatoes in a spicy sauce.

In the Amazon basin, for example, you will find dishes such as “ tacacho ” ( plantain dumplings with bacon) or “ juanes ” (boiled rice with chicken, cooked in green Bijau leaves).

In Peru, desserts are often fruit salad, sweet cakes or pudding or “ manjar blanco ”, a caramel-like dessert made from condensed milk.

In Peru, water should only be drunk from canisters or bottles from supermarkets, even if it usually tastes a little like chlorine. Preferably you should stick to the delicious fresh fruit juices. Even if coffee is grown in Peru, the quality often leaves a lot to be desired, as it is usually prepared with instant powder. The beer, on the other hand, is really recommended in Peru.

Religion

Most Peruvians profess the Roman Catholic faith. Otherwise, numerous natural religions are also cultivated.

Money / currency

Most markets and small shops do not like to accept bills. It is therefore advisable to always carry an appropriate amount of coins with you. In typical tourist-oriented areas, US dollars are also accepted.

Memberships

The Republic of Peru is a member of the United Nations (UN), the Organization of American States (OAS), the Andean Community (CAN) and the Conference of Non-Aligned States.

Current

As the voltage is not 220 V in all parts of Peru, it is advisable to have an adapter with you.

Entry

All you need to enter Peru is a passport, which is valid for at least 6 months from the date of arrival. When entering by land, tourists also receive an Entry card that records the length of the traveler’s stay. A fine may apply if the card is lost. No visa is required for stays of less than 90 days. Visit watchtutorials.org for best travel time for Peru.

Medical advice

You can get the latest information from your family doctor or on the website of the Center for Travel Medicine (CRM).

Security / drugs

Please note that any contact with drugs should be avoided, as otherwise severe prison sentences (2 to 25 years) are threatened. The sentence must be served in Peru.

It is also forbidden to have coca tea in any form when entering Germany.

Current travel advice can also be found at https://www.auswaertiges-amt.de/

Adresses

In Germany:

The representation in Germany is divided into federal states. Responsible are:

Embassy of the Republic of Peru
Mohrenstr. 42
10117 Berlin

There are also general and honorary consulates in Bremen, Düsseldorf, Hamburg, Hanover, Munich and Offenbach am Main.

In Switzerland there are general and honorary consulates in Basel, Geneva and Zurich.

A stamped return envelope (DIN A5) should always be enclosed with written inquiries.

Foreign Office: https://www.auswaertiges-amt.de/
In Austria: https://www.bmaa.gv.at/
In Switzerland: https://www.eda.admin.ch/

In Peru:

German Embassy in Peru
Embajada de la Republica Federal de Alemania
Avenida Arquipa 4202 – 4210
Lima 18 – Miraflores / Peru
Tel: (0051 1) 212 50 16
Fax: (0051 1) 4 22 64 75 (Chancellery)
4 40 40 48 (Consulate )

Frequently asked questions about Peru

What are the entry requirements for Peru?

German citizens need a passport that is valid for at least 6 months upon entry if the stay does not last longer than 183 days. Incoming tourists must occasionally present an onward or return flight ticket!

What vaccinations do you need to travel to Peru?

When entering Germany directly, there are no compulsory vaccinations; when entering from a yellow fever area (often neighboring countries), proof of a valid yellow fever vaccination is required – applies to all travelers over the age of one. When traveling to the designated yellow fever endemic areas of Peru (especially for the entire Peruvian Amazon region), vaccination in good time (10 days before entry) is strongly recommended. If you travel on to a third country, you may also be required to have a vaccination if you are coming from Peru. In addition, vaccination against hepatitis A and, in the case of long-term stays, also hepatitis B, rabies and typhoid is recommended. We definitely recommend taking out health insurance abroad with repatriation.