information about peru

Geographic Location

Peru is located in western South America, bordering the South Pacific Ocean, between Chile and Ecuador. It has a total area slightly smaller than that of Alaska and shares borders with the following countries: Bolivia,Brazil, Chile, Colombia and Ecuador. Peru has approximately 1,500 miles of coastline and the climate in Peru varies from tropical in the eastern Amazon jungles and highlands to dry desert in the West along the coast and temperate to frigid in Andes. The terrain in Peru is distributed as follows: western coastal plain (costa), high and rugged Andes in the center (sierra), and eastern lowland jungles of the Amazon Basin (selva).

In Peru the elevation extremes are quite dramatic with the lowest point being the Pacific Ocean at 0 feet above sea level and the highest point being the Nevado Huascaran at 22,205 feet above sea level. Peru abounds in natural resources such as copper, silver, gold, petroleum, timber, fish, iron ore, coal, phosphate, and natural gas.

The only major natural hazard to be aware of in Peru is earthquakes, though in the Andes mudslides are not uncommon in the rainy season which runs from late December to early March. Despite the incredible biodiversity and natural beauty that exists in Peru there are several current environmentalissues such as deforestation (the result of illegal logging and informal mining) in the southern Amazon basin; overgrazing of the slopes of the costa and sierra leading to soil erosion and desertification; and air pollution in Lima due to the high numbers of obsolete public transportation fleets.

Some interesting facts regarding Peru´s geography are that it shares control of Lake Titicaca, world’s highest navigable lake, with its neighbor Bolivia. Additionally, a remote slope of Nevado Mismi, with a 17,441 foot-high peak, is the ultimate source of the Amazon River.

Retirement Options

The two main benefits to retiring in Peru are the low cost of living and the high quality of living. The exchange rate for the US dollar currently floats around S/. 2.75 per dollar. For example, a Social Security check of $1,000 would be worth S/. 2,750 here. The local currency is the Nuevo Sol and is denominated S/. To put your retirement benefits in perspective, the minimum wage in Peru is S/. 600 per month, which is about $218.18. To live in a comfortable and safe zone in Lima you could expect to pay between $500 and $1,000 per month in rent and spend between $500 and $1,000 for food, outings, and a maid, etc. One could spend $2,000 a month and lead an extremely comfortable lifestyle here in Lima; or spending roughly half that, one could still maintain a normal lifestyle that involves meals cooked at home and perhaps less shopping or entertainment.

These low costs of living extend into health care as well. Public hospitals are lacking in many ways by North American standards, but there are many private clinics that offer state-of-the-art treatment and facilities. Health insurance is also widely available and costs considerably less than even the most modest plans in the United States.

The climate in Lima is much milder than that of most areas in the US. During the summer months (December-March) the temperatures get up to the 80´s with mild humidity but be warned that the sun is very strong here and it is recommended to use sunblock and/or a hat for all outings. In the winter (May-August) the temperatures only get down to the 40´s but there is such a high level of humidity that the cold seems to penetrate everything! Given that there is no central air conditioning or heating in the vast majority of even the most modern homes, be prepared to bundle up and drink lots of hot tea or chocolate during the winter months.

Lima is a developing city with a population of about 8 million people, many of whom live in poverty. You will be surprised by the apparent lack of organization of the traffic and housing, but these unfavorable conditions are more than compensated by the charm and hospitality of many of the residents and inhabitants. Lima offers some of best eating to be had in South America and the city itself abounds in history and culture. There is no shortage of meetings, theaters, performances and outings to be attended or had if one so desires. In Lima there is an active expat community that facilitates the transition abroad. Visit LivinginPeru.com or ExpatPeru.com for more information.

In the better districts of Lima you can find supermarkets, banks, private clinics, veterinarians and dentists´ offices without trying. Many of these places would be within walking distance of each other and Lima has an incredible number of beautiful public parks and actively-maintained green areas, most of which are quite pleasant for walking your dog or just sitting to enjoy the sunset. Driving in Lima is hectic to say the least, which is why many expats prefer to use radio taxis or form a relationship with a particular taxi driver they can trust. Taking the public buses is not recommended as they are often not well-maintained and the drivers are not very responsible.

Traveling between Lima and the US can be expensive. If you shop around and buy in advance you can get round trip tickets as low as $550 (with connections), or if you buy last minute and direct, expect to pay up to $2,000, especially during the holidays and peak tourist season (June-August).

Excellent Travel Attractions

With its culture, history, cuisine and geography Peru has become one of the top tourist destinations in the world.The main cause of attraction in the country is Machu Picchu, named one of the 7 Wonders of the World; the citadel holds a mystique that is discovered only by its visitors. The city of Cusco,a city with centuries of culture itself, offers many attractions such as the ruins of San Blas, Coricancha and the City Cathedral.

One of the most famous museums in Latin Americais in Peru, located in the city of Lambayeque, and is called Sipan, a place that should be on everytourist´s places to visit list. In the Colca Valley you will find one of the most spectacular views of Peru, which shows the Colca Canyon. The valley is located in the province of Callyoma. The country’s capital, Lima, is attractive both day and night. It offers some of the finest dining on the continent. Lima is a place where tourism definitely cannot be set aside.The highest lake in the world is in Peru, located near the city of Puno, and is called Lake Titicaca. And while it has actually been made into a nature reserve, the fascinating attraction of the lake is the floating islands inhabited by indigenous peoples.

Nazca hosts the ancient Nazca Lines, which are known as the first American astral calendar.The Peruvian Amazon is a must for sightseeing, tours and excursions to the world’s longest river, the Amazon.Another valley worth seeing is the Callejon de Huaylas, which takes as its territory the department of Ancash. It is known as the “Switzerland of America” because it is situated in the Peruvian Andes and its attractions are the Cordillera Blanca, Cordillera Negra and the Laguna Conococha among others.

In the port city of Trujillo you can find another of the archaeological attractions of Peru: Chan Chan, the largest mud city in the Americas. Tourists who make it here also have the honor of visiting the Temples of the Sun and the Moon. If you have only a little time or simply decide to go as fast as you can through Peru, I advise you to focus on the main selling point of the country, Machu Picchu. Also, without a doubt, you cannot leave the country without having tried its unique and exotic food.