General Travel Information

The most visited tourist attractions include Machu Picchu, Cusco, Puno and Lake Titicaca in the East, Chiclayo and Trujillo and their ruins, Mancora, Punta Sal and Colan Beaches and Cajamarca in the Northwest. In the South, you could go to Ica, Nazca, Pisco and Arequipa. Iquitos is in the Jungle in the Northeast and in Andean Mountains (Cordillera Blanca, near Huaraz) towards that centre you can find snow. Of course, in the centre, you'll find Lima the capital.

Peru's official tourist website has tons information from hotels, to attractions, to restaurants, to transportation information, to photos, and travel agencies. They also have a list of embassies and consulates, maps, guides, facts and more.

The South American Explorers Club

If you're in Cusco or Lima, the best place that I've found with travel information, and in English is the South American Explorers. They have tons of info from guidebooks to magazines, flyers, recommendations from other travellers and even information for volunteering. In fact, many travel writers such as those from Lonely Planet use the information that the SAE have to put in their guidebooks. Some of the info is free, and some of it is only for members.

Music

The traditional dance is the marinera. Traditional music is criolla, afro, cumbia, folkloric, and chicha. Some instruments that you may see include the cajón (wooden box), charango (small guitar) or zampoña (panpipes). Reggaton, bachata, salsa are modern music styles that you will often hear in discos. Some Black music singers are Susana Baca, Eva Ayllon and Zambo Cavero. Andean singers include Manuelcha Prado and Raúl García Zarate. Jazz singers include Hijos del Sol, Wayruro and Manuel Miranola. Yet, since the world is getting smaller every day, pop music, rock and even rap can be heard here. If you can't move your hips like a Latino, don't worry, gringos have a reputation for being duros, or stiff. Keep practicing, you'll get the hang of it. Gianmarco is probably the most famous Peruvian singer to be international known. He recently won the Latin Grammy and spends time between Miami and Lima.

Crafts

Alpaca wool is used to make sweater, scarves and other woolen goods. It's expensive, but some of the finest quality you will find. Weaving is also an important craft here in Peru. And if you're a woman, you'll find plenty of handmade jewelry sold by street vendors.

Architecture

In many cities around Peru, you'll find evidence of the Spanish occupation. And colonial architecture can be found mainly in churches and cathedrals, however, you may also find preserved building in the old section of towns.

Actors

There are only a handful of Peruvian actors, like Christian Meyer, who have made it to the big screen. Most of the movies shown in cinemas come from Hollywood and are shown in English. Exceptions are movies for children and those from Spain. Since burned DVD are the norm and much less than a cinema ticket (about 3 soles compared to 15 soles), many people simply buy DVD on the street and watch them at home.

Authors

The most famous Peruvian author is Mario Vargas Llosa who was born in 1936. His first novel was The Time of the Hero. Other authors include José María Areguedas (1911-1969) who wrote Deep Rivers and Yawar Fiesta and Ciro Alegría (1909-1967) who wrote The Golden Serpent. As far as poetry is concerned, César Vellejo (1892-1938) is famed for his avant-garde poetry.

Hotels

If you're traveling during the high seasons (Holy Week, Independence Days, or New Year's), it would be wise to make reservations a few weeks ahead of time as hotels fill up and prices can double or triple.

However, if you're traveling during other times, sometimes the best thing to do is ask where good hotels are once you arrive. If you arrive, ask at the bus station or airport and often the staff can recommend some hotels that aren't too expensive, yet are safe and tend not to be overcrowded with tourists so that you can get the "real Peru" feeling.

One travel tip, be sure to bring toilet paper as many hostels might not provide any and if they do it won't be the best quality. Remember, not to flush the toilet paper, but put it in the waste basket.

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.