Location: South America
Local Time: GMT-5
Capital City: Lima
Population: 29.46 million
Area: 1,285,216357,021 square km, 496,225 square miles.
Language(s): Spanish, Quechua, Aymara, Minor Amazonian Languages
Dialling Code: 51
Emergency: Police: 313040. Fire: 723333. Ambulance: 400200
TV Standard: NTSC
Driving: Driving is on the right. International Driving Permit required
Electricity: 220V AC 60Hz
Currency: New Sol (PEN 1 = 100 Centimos)
Notes: PEN: 10, 20, 50, 100, 200
Coins: Centimos: 1, 5, 10, 20, 50; New Sol: 1, 2, 5
Credit Cards/Travellers Cheques: Credit cards and travellers cheques are accepted although limited outside of Lima. All banks and certain hotels and Casas de Cambios exchange foreign currency. Receipts for exchange of foreign currency into PEN must be presented when re-exchanging from PEN into foreign currency
Opening Hours
Bank: 0900-1000-1700-1800 Mon-Fri (variations during summer months)
Office: 0900-1700 Mon-Fri
Shops: 1000-1300 & 1600-2000 Mon-Sat
Public Holidays
2012
Note: In addition, Chinese, Jewish and Indian businesses will be closed for their own religious holidays. Muslim festivals are timed according to the lunar calendar and local sightings of various phases of the moon. Dates listed are approximate. It should be noted also during Ramadan that precedes Eid al-Fitr, Muslims fast during the day and feast at night. Normal business patterns may be interrupted. Many restaurants and eating establishments are closed during daytime and there may be restrictions on smoking and drinking. Some disruption will continue into Eid al-Fitr itself, which can last anything from 2 to 10 days, depending on the region. Hindu festivals are declared according to local astronomical observations and it’s only possible to normally forecast the month when they occur.
Business/Social Hints: Business is conducted in Spanish. Constant eye contact is important. The minimum drinking age is 18 years
Tipping: A 15% service charge is normally added to the bill. It is customary to add a further tip of around 5%. Tips are not customary for taxis
