Peru Entry Requirements :: 4 Essential Travel Tips

To say Peru is a diverse country is quite an understatement. The third-largest country in South America has a coastal region bordering the Pacific Ocean for the length of the country, while the Andes Mountain range to the east hits heights of over 19,500 feet (5,950 meters). Continue reading to learn about Peru’s entry requirements and how you will have big from Peru not having a reciprocity fee.

Peru’s neighbors to the north are Ecuador and Columbia; to the east is Brazil and to the south are Chile and Bolivia.

#1 – Peru Entry Requirements

A huge benefit of traveling to Peru is that there is no entry fee, reciprocity fee or visa requirement if you are a citizen of the United States, Canada, Great Britain, Australia, New Zealand or South Africa. (If you are from another country, check your government website for entry requirements.)

This easily saves you $130 USD compared to neighboring countries entry requirements. (This mainly pertains to U.S. Citizens… read on.)

Customs will issue you a tourist card (at no charge) good for up to 90 days that must be surrendered upon departure from the country. A lost card will result in a fine. Peru only requires US citizens to have a valid passport. Peru recommends, but does not require, a vaccination for Yellow Fever.

In comparison, neighboring Bolivia charges $130 USD to U.S. citizens for a five-year visa to enter their country (available at the border). When flying on an international flight into Santiago, Chile or Buenos Aires, Argentina you will be also hit with a reciprocity entry fee of $131 USD at the airport in order to enter their country. This reciprocity entry fee is the equivalent to what the United States charges Chilean and Argentine citizens to enter the U.S. These charges can add up quickly on your travels and can be quite a pinch in your travel fund.

Just one more reason that Peru is a great value for the budget traveler.

#2 – International Airports in Peru

When flying into Peru, it is likely that you will arrive into Peru’s main international airport at Jorge Chávez International Airport in Lima, Peru.

Aside from the international airport in Lima, there are four additional international airports in Peru. (View the map below to help you plan your trip.)

• Arequipa (southern Peru )
• Cusco (south-eastern Peru – near Machu Picchu)
• Iquitos (north-eastern Peru on the Amazon River; only accessible by plane or boat)
• Piura (northwestern Peru)

You can find some affordable options by hopping on a flight to make quick jumps on the massive continent of South America. Find out about how you can take Cheap Flights in South America and learn about the most popular mode of transportation – Traveling by Bus in South America.

#3 – Flight Times

To give you an idea of how long it will take you to get to Peru, below is a list of travel times and potential layover cities for travel to Lima, Peru from the North America, Europe and Australia:

Departing from the North America:

• Delta Airlines hub in Atlanta, Georgia to Lima, Peru (7 hrs / 3,200 miles)
• American Airlines flies to Lima via Miami, New York, Los Angeles, San Francisco and Dallas

A major departure point for travel from the United States to Peru is via Delta’s hub at the Atlanta International Airport.

While in transit to the South American capital, your flight will take you over the Florida Keys, Cuba, Panama, Columbia and Ecuador before landing in Peru.

Departing from Europe:

• Flights from London, England take approximately 20 hours with possible layover in Atlanta, New York or Miami

Departing from Australia:

• Flights from Sydney, Australia last approximately 24 – 30 hours (including layovers) with potential layover in Santiago, Chile

#4 – Time Zones – Keeping in Touch Back Home

Peru does not use daylight savings time, therefore from March to October, Peru is one hour behind United States eastern time.

Below are comparisons for cities around the world showing Daylight Savings Time in Effect

North America:

• Los Angeles / Vancouver, British Columbia – 2 hours behind Lima
• Chicago – the same time as Lima
• New York and Miami – 1 hour ahead of Lima

Europe

• London – 6 hours ahead of Lima
• Paris – 7 hours ahead of Lima
• Athens – 8 hours ahead of Lima

Australia / New Zealand

• Sydney & Melbourne – 15 hours ahead of Lima
• Perth – 13 hours ahead of Lima
• Auckland, New Zealand – 17 hours ahead of Lima