Language & Religion: Spanish with 80% literacy rate, Quechua is also an official language. Aymara is spoken by people around Lake Titicaca and dozens of languages are spoken by the native inhabitants of the Amazon basin. Roman Catholic: 95%. Protestant and others: 5%.

Government: Democratic Republic 

Population: 28 million of the following ethnic strains: European, Oriental, African, Indoamerican. In Lima: 7.5 million.

Money: The Sol is broken into 100 centimos. US Dollars are accepted in Peru's larger cities. Credit cards widely accepted: VISA, Diners, Master Card, American Express. Travellers cheques may be cashed in main hotels. US Dollar exchange can be done at hotels and banks. Current exchange rate: 3.20 soles per dollar.

Time Zone: GMT-5 hours (No change during the summer)

Weather: Coast: Winter (May-October) average: 14ºC (57ºF)
Summer (November-April) average: 27ºC (81ºF)
Highlands: Temperatures range from 18ºC (64ºF) during the day to 3ºC (37ºF) at night. The rainy season lasts from December to March.
Jungle: Hot and humid, with sporadic rains all year round.

Visa / Health Requirements: Valid passport; citizens of few countries require visas. Yellow fever inoculation required for those visiting some areas of the Amazon basin. Passengers traveling through Peru to Brazil also require yellow fever vaccine.
 
What to pack?: Sun protection for the highland and Machu Picchu during the day, repellent, comfortable shoes and protection for rain, mainly during rainy season (Dec to Mar)

Voltage: 220 volts (Major hotels have 110 volt outlets)