FESTIVALS, HOLIDAYS AND OTHER ANNUAL EVENTS IN Lima

There are a number of festivals, holidays and other events celebrated in Lima each year. The main ones are listed below.

Lima celebrates the founding of the city by the Spanish conquistador Francisco Pizarro on this day in 1535 with military and religious ceremonies, a parade, dances, traditional music and fireworks.

Carnival is a very colourful celebration in Peru, with elaborate costumes, music and dancing, drawing visitors from around the world every February. This is a warm time of the year in Lima and throwing water at passers-by is a traditional carnival pastime!

The anniversary of Peru's declaration of independence on July 28, 1821 is the occasion for a large celebration: firing of cannons in Lima, military parade, ceremony at the cathedral, traditional music and processions.

To commemorate the first canonized saint from Latin America, Santa Rosa de Lima, huge processions are held on this day in Lima. Pilgrims from throughout the country converge on the capital city.

Celebrated since 1687, this major religious festival features large and solemn processions, drawing millions of faithful believers into the streets of Lima.

CLIMATE AND WEATHER IN Lima

Month	Min. Average Temperature (°C/F°)	Max. Average Temperature (°C/F°)	Average Rains (MM)	Best Time to Travel
January	19/66	26/79	0.8/0.03	Good period to go
February	20/68	27/81	0.4/0.02	Good period to go
March	20/68	26/79	0.4/0.02	Good period to go
April	18/64	24/75	0.1/0.00	Not the best period to go
May	16/61	22/72	0.3/0.01	Not the best period to go
June	16/61	20/68	0.7/0.03	Not the best period to go
July	15/59	19/66	1/0.04	Not the best period to go
August	15/59	19/66	1,5/0.06	Not the best period to go
September	15/59	19/66	0.7/0.03	Not the best period to go
October	15/59	20/68	0.2/0.01	Good period to go
November	17/63	22/72	0.1/0.00	Good period to go
December	18/64	24/75	0.2/0.01	Good period to go

Jorge Chávez International Airport

Lima's Jorge Chávez International Airport is located about 10 kilometres (6 miles) from the city centre.

• One terminal
• Getting from the airport to Lima and back:
  • By car
    • Via the Express Elmer Faucett freeway that connects the airport with the city centre.
    • A short and long-term parking lot is located just opposite the main terminal building (PEN 7 for up to 1 hour, PEN 49 for up to 24 hours).
    • Several car rental companies have counters in the arrivals halls at the airport.
  • By taxi
    • Taxis are available at the ranks outside the arrivals halls. The trip to central Lima costs around PEN 60.

• Services: shops, bars and restaurants, free Internet access (Wi-Fi) available in the airport.
• Telephone: +51 (0)1 517 3100
• Website: https://www.lima-airport.com

GETTING AROUND Lima

Lima covers a very large area. Buses are the best option for getting around the city. Given the constant traffic jams, not to mention the often reckless local drivers, using a car to get around Lima is best avoided!

By bus

Lima's bus network offers extensive coverage of the city and is quite efficient. Thousands of buses run on routes criss-crossing all districts. Fares range from about PEN 0.50 to PEN 2. If you need to cover long distances within the city, the Metropolitano buses use special reserved lanes along major thoroughfares. Fares on these buses may only be paid using a rechargeable card, which you can purchase for PEN 5, plus PEN 2.50 per ride. The fastest way to get around Lima.

By taxi

Tens of thousands of taxis operate in Lima. Short trips within the city usually cost between PEN 5 and PEN 30. You should be aware that taxis do not always follow the Highway Code.

Visitor information

Upon your arrival in Lima, you can get in touch with local tourism professionals for further information and to help organise your stay.

Offers practical information and useful recommendations (accommodation, restaurants, public transport, festivals, cultural events, etc).

• Lima Airport: Jorge Chávez International Airport (domestic check-in and departure hall, international arrivals hall and mezzanine)
  Opening hours: 24 hours a day / 7 days a week
  Telephone: +51 (0)1 574 8000
• Lima Larcomar: Plaza Gourmet Nivel 1, Stand 211
  Opening hours: 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Monday to Sunday
  Telephone: +51 (0)1 234 0340

• Lima Basadre: 610 Av. Jorge Basadre, San Isidro
  Opening hours: 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday to Friday Telephone: +51 (0)1 421 1627 / +51 (0)1 421 1227
• Website: www.peru.travel

Currency and Exchange Rates

The currency of Peru is the Peruvian Sol (PEN).

1 € = 3,72 S

1 S = 0,27 €

The above exchange rate is given for information because is variable.

Medical information

See your doctor before you travel. It is recommended that you obtain insurance covering health care expenses as well as medical evacuation or repatriation before you leave home. Lima counts several hospitals and medical institutions, as well as quality medical practitioners and health specialists.

Booster doses of diphtheria, tetanus, pertussis and polio vaccines are recommended.

For more information, contact Air France's international vaccination centre:

• Address: 38, quai de Jemmapes, 75010 Paris
• Website: https://www.vaccinations-airfrance.fr
• Telephone: +33 (0)1 43 17 22 00
• To make a vaccination appointment:
  • online (click here)
  • call the centre at +33 (0)1 43 17 22 00

It is recommended to:

• avoid eating insufficiently cooked products
• avoid eating raw produce on the markets

Avoid drinking tap water. It is best to drink bottled water.

Administrative formalities

Entry requirements for Peru

As a French citizen, you do not need a visa to enter Peru for a stay of less than three months as a tourist, provided you are in possession of a valid passport and an onward or return ticket. Upon your arrival, a visa stamp is placed in your passport by an immigration inspector. For stays of more than three months, a long-stay visa is required and your visa application must be made with the Peruvian Embassy in France well in advance of your departure.

To enjoy peace of mind during your stay in Lima and Peru, be sure to check with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in your home country for the latest travel information and recommendations. Comprehensive information that may be helpful for international visitors is also provided on the Peru page of the U.S. State Department’s travel Website:

view information for travellers to Peru

Useful Addresses

Peruvian Embassy in France

• Address: 50, avenue Kleber, 75116 Paris
• Telephone: +33 (0)1 53 70 42 00
• Website: www.embajada.pe/sites/francia/Paginas/home.aspx

French Embassy in Peru(consular services provided by the Embassy)

• Address: Avenida Arequipa 3415 San Isidro Lima
• Telephone: +51 (0)1 215 84 00
• Website: www.ambafrance-pe.org

Peruvian Consulate General in France

• Address: 25, rue de l'Arcade, 75008 Paris
• Telephone: +33 (0)1 42 65 25 10
• Website: www.consulado.pe/es/paris/Paginas/Inicio.aspx

Essential phrases

Good to know

+51

+ phone number (without the 0)

-6 : 00
of time difference with
Paris

There is no daylight savings time in Peru.

Banks
Usually open Monday to Saturday from 9 a.m. to 1 pm. and 3 p.m. to 6 p.m.

Government Offices
Usually open Monday to Friday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. (winter hours) and 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. (summer hours)

220 V / 60 Hz

Tipping
Tipping is not mandatory in Peru, but any amount will be appreciated accordingly. In restaurants, if you are pleased with the service, you can leave a tip of 3 to 5 PEN. You can also leave a few soles in bars. For taxis, the gratuity is already included in the fare.