Getting Around
To get around a city you have many options: combis (buses) mototaxis, taxis, and motorcycles. Taxis and mototaxis do not have meters, so you have to agree on the prices beforehand.

If you use combis, ask other passengers how much the fee is, because what people actually pay and the posted price is usually different. If you go a short distance, you can often pay 50 or 80 cents. Just be sure to ask before you get on. Other than that, most combis charge about 1 or 1.20 soles. Combis take some getting used to, but once you learn where they go, you can get anywhere. Reading the side of the combi will tell you the main route. Complete routes can be found here. While on combis, it's not uncommon for people selling things, such as candy to come on. Beggars often may also come on. It's your choice whether you give them something or not. If you do, please keep your small change separate from your wallet.

Most flights land at Jorge Chavez International Airport in Lima, LIM. Flights usually cost about 5 times as much as taking the bus. For example from Lima to Piura, 14 hours in bus costs about 60 soles, or about 20 dollars. Flying from Lima to Piura is about 2 hours and around 90 dollars. For flight information see here . Be sure to have enough money to pay the airport tax (TUUA). For national flights, you'll have to pay 5USD and for international flights you'll have to pay 28USD. You can pay in soles or USD. Although you could drive in Peru, unless you've driven here before or have very good reflexes, I wouldn't recommend it. Try Budget Peru , Avis or Hertz for renting a car. You'll probably pay about 200 USD a week plus taxes. If you don't want to drive, you could hire a driver.

Recommended Taxis
If you prefer arranging for a taxi beforehand rather than hailing one on the street. Ask your hotel to arrange for a cab.

Getting a Driver's License
You will need to pass a medical exam, psych exam, driving and written exam. You will also need your original and copies of your passport or CE and two fotos and have to pay the fee.

Sharon de Hinojosa (naturegirl321) has lived and worked (mainly teaching English) in the US, Scotland, Spain, the Czech Republic, China, Korea, and Peru. As well as teaching short-term in Venezuela and Taiwan.

She has created The LA Job List http://www.thelajoblist.blogspot.com which lists schools, institutes and universities in 19 Latin American countries which offer English teaching positions.

Since living in Peru since August 2006, she wrote The Ultimate Peru List http://www.theultimateperulist.blogspot.com With 60 pages it's a comprehensive guide for those living in or moving to Peru.