Spanish and Quechua are the official languages, but many other dialects are spoken. English is spoken only in major tourist centers and hotels.
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The official currency is Nuevo Sol (PEN) divided into 100 centimos. Visa is the most widely accepted credit card, but all major international credit cards, including Diners Club and MasterCard, are accepted in many, but not all, establishments, and outside Lima facilities may be even more limited. Travelers checks may also be difficult to exchange in small towns and villages, and travelers are advised to have cash on hand. US Dollars are the easiest currency to exchange and plenty of restaurants, hotels and shops in the main cities accept dollars for payment.
Casas de cambio (exchange bureau) often give better rates than hotels and banks and can be found in any town on the tourist circuit. ATMs are available in the main cities.
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The country code for Peru is +51, and the outgoing code is 00, followed by the relevant country code (e.g. 001 for the U.S.). City /area codes are in use, e.g. (0)1) for Lima. A mobile phone operator provides a GSM 1900 network with coverage limited to major towns and cities. Peru is well connected to the Internet with aproliferation of inexpensive Internet kiosks, called cabinas publica, available on street corners in most towns and cities.
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Some restaurants add service charge of between 5 and 10 percent, which will be indicated by the words "propina" or "servicio" near the bottom of the bill. Even if service charge has been added the waiter can be offered an additional 10 percent for exceptional service; this is also the going rate for tipping where service charge has not been added. In hotels porters expect about U.S.$0.50 per bag. Taxi drivers are not tipped (the fare should be set before departure). Tour guides are customarily tipped.
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Thieves are the biggest problem in Peru, with one of the worst reputations in South America. Be especially cautious in crowded areas, on public transport, bus and train stations, and in the center of Lima at night. Special care is required in the cities of Lima and Cuzco against street and violent crime. Women should take particular care to only take taxis that have been pre-booked by a hotel or official company.
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Those entering the country from an infected area require a yellow fever certificate, and outbreaks of yellow fever do occur. Although no other vaccinations are officially required, visitors are advised to take precautions especially if planning to travel to jungle regions. Immunization against typhoid, hepatitis A and B, and cholera are sensible precautions, and it is also recommended that inoculations for polio, tetanus and diphtheria are up to date. Malaria is a risk all year round in the lowland areas, and dengue fever has been reported around Lima. There have been a number of recent incidents of rabies transmitted by bites from vampire bats in Amazonas province near the border with Ecuador; visitors to the area are advised to have a course of rabies injections prior to travel. The most common ailments for travelers are diarrhea and altitude sickness. Drink only bottled water, avoid drinks with ice, and be wary of food bought from street vendors. Health care is good in the major cities, but health insurance is essential.
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Electrical current is 220 volts, 60Hz (Arequipa 50Hz). Two-pin, flat blade and round plugs are standard.
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