12 NIGHTS/11 DAYS IN PERU!

CanadaMan says on Sep 24, 2008, 16:24:

Here is a great forum on Peru that I belong too..There are 4 separate forum area's.

http://www.expatperu.com/expatforums/index.php

I post a lot in the Expat Discussion board forum under "singlefather"

http://www.expatperu.com/expatforums/viewforum.php?f=1

This is the expat travel forum and post your travel questions here.. The will be able to
answer all your questions.

This travel forum is moderated by the good folk at the South American Explorers Club. (www.saexplorers.org)

http://www.expatperu.com/expatforums/viewforum.php?f=12


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Formerly WidowerfromCanada...I am now married to my wonderful Peruana wife. Thanks PBH for all your advice and help over the years..

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nine inch nails says on Sep 25, 2008, 10:55:

Thank you!

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nine inch nails says on Sep 25, 2008, 10:59:

I think I figured it out to spend at least 5 days in Cusco then 3 nights in Trujillo based on what I would like to see. I studied a lot of the tour company sites. On each side of these two cities will be 2 days each in Lima as a cushion for flight delays/other. But I will also check out these web-sites. So much great info...

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CanadaMan says on Sep 25, 2008, 11:25:

When in Lima make sure you are staying in a hotel in the Miraflores area only..

You need to take a secure car from the Airport to Miraflores and return.. The Miraflores Marriot has a great secure limo service for US $ 36 each way for the 1 hour ride.

They are Mercedes limos with bullet proof , body , windows and tires.. The Drivers all have specialized driver training. The only way to get to downtown Lima from the Airport is through a bad slum and occasional attacks happen.

This might sound paranoid but I was warned by Novia's family to be very very careful in Lima and to take high security limo's or taxi's..

My Driver was a hoot and he required that of course I be seat belted at all times and that he may or may not stop for stop lights depending on how he felt the security situation..

Lima has some real absolutely terrible poverty and crime in some area's.. Miraflores is very safe and nobody messes with you there..

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Formerly WidowerfromCanada...I am now married to my wonderful Peruana wife. Thanks PBH for all your advice and help over the years..

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nine inch nails says on Sep 25, 2008, 12:22:

I really appreciate this. Heard it is dicey. From BsAs Argentina airport I took Remises only (similar to what you described sans the bullet proofing) and everywhere else only registered "airport" cabs. Makes the ride from Bogota airport seem like a cakewalk.

Yes areas like Miraflores only. I think the only other good places are San Isidro y Baranco.

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nine inch nails says on Sep 25, 2008, 13:07:

http://www.lap.com.pe/taxis.html

From the Aeropuerto Internacional Jorge Chavez web-page. Links to the secure taxis/remisses available from inside the airport.

Thank you again for the heads up.

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elchibolo says on Sep 25, 2008, 15:58:

San Miguel is also an ok area. It is cheaper than Miraflores but still nice. I always stay there when I am in Lima.

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nine inch nails says on Sep 26, 2008, 07:20:

Thanks.

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Man Tequila says on Oct 3, 2008, 20:30:

I just got back from some time in Peru. Your split sounds okay, but I might spend another day in Cuzco and one less in Lima.

There are reasonable hotels in Lima in Centro, San Isidro and Miraflores, though the last two are safer. Taking bulletproof limos is perhaps paranoid, and certainly calls a lot of attention to oneself.

A "Green Taxi" from the airport costs 55 nuevo soles (18 bucks) and is safe. Your hotel can get you a safe taxi back to the airport for 40 soles. Many hotels will try to offer you $30 taxi rides, or worse, charge you an 18% tax that you are exempt from if you show them a foreign passport. I have taken taxis in the street, several times, but would not do it if wearing hiking gear or carrying suitcases or valuable items.

The breakfast at the Radisson properties is pretty good. I met a few travellers who had stuff stolen in hostels when improperly secured, some of the hostels on www.hostelworld.com have good reputations, My credit card was cancelled when I was in Lima, due to a bizarre turn of circumstances, and I ended up getting a taxi driver to show me a hotel with private room for $25 a night (Paititi Bed and Breakfast) which was basic but adequate.

Aunque no me creas/ si me lo propongo/ lograre olvidarte/ porque a fin de cuentas/ no soy tan cobarde./ Y termino todo una de estas tardes/ no sera dificil buscar algún sitio donde refugiarme/ donde nunca mas vuelvas a encontrarme. (Polo Montañez)

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nine inch nails says on Oct 7, 2008, 13:38:

Thanks Man T. Yeah I don't want to draw unusual attention to myself in an armoured car. They might start IEDing tourists next! LOL

Yeah currently my split is:

5 days Cusco/MP, 3 Trujillo and 4 in Lima (2 days each end). I don't want to bookend Lima now after hearing about the gauntlet run into Lima (why do it twice in 12 days?) but too late I already bought my LAN. Now I know why passengers like the overnight flights so they can just stick around the airport a few hours until a domestic flight in the morning to save the time and transport to a hotel for just one night.

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nine inch nails says on Oct 7, 2008, 13:40:

Canadaman,

Do the secure Limos stand out too much? I don't mind the extra $$ for it here.

Thanks.

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Man Tequila says on Oct 7, 2008, 22:17:

I'm sure you would be fine in a secure limo. It's overkill, and a little more than you need to spend, but it's not like it is a large sum of money. If it's worth it to you, stay at the Marriot and get it. Green Taxi from the airport is fine.

The taxi ride from Miraflores to the airport took me about half an hour, but traffic can be bad if they are painting the main road, etc.

I know several people who have had minor problems in Lima, but they generally did stupid things. There is no e-special reason to be paranoid if you don't hail street cabs wearing expensive hiking gear, use a money belt, leave your plastic in the hotel safe, don't annoy the corrupt transit police (the biggest danger in using the limo, I would guess), be careful with ATMs on the street, etc. and stick to San Isidro, Barranco, Miraflores, although some of Centro is fine during the day.

Aunque no me creas/ si me lo propongo/ lograre olvidarte/ porque a fin de cuentas/ no soy tan cobarde./ Y termino todo una de estas tardes/ no sera dificil buscar algún sitio donde refugiarme/ donde nunca mas vuelvas a encontrarme. (Polo Montañez)

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nine inch nails says on Oct 22, 2008, 09:01:

As a follow on question anyone know of any reason why I can't carry a current copy of my passport with me and leave the original back in my hotel safe in Peru?

Thanks.

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Man Tequila says on Dec 7, 2008, 01:31:

This is what I do. No one has ever asked to look at it.

Aunque no me creas/ si me lo propongo/ lograre olvidarte/ porque a fin de cuentas/ no soy tan cobarde./ Y termino todo una de estas tardes/ no sera dificil buscar algún sitio donde refugiarme/ donde nunca mas vuelvas a encontrarme. (Polo Montañez)

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cfG21 says on Dec 24, 2008, 01:29:

I love Peruvian women. Tell me how it went.

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