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Culture
Peruvians are very kind, warm and loving people. Peru is a multicultural society with an established social and economical scale: middle and high class pay taxes for low income families.
Approximately have of the Peruvians still live on the Andes. 45% of Peru's population is Indian, 37% is mestizo, 15% white and 3% black, Asian and other origin which gives Peru a rich cultural diversity.
More than 90% of the population is Catholic. The Indians usually mix the Catholicism with their own beliefs, and in the past last years a lot of Evangelican churches have started to appear.
There are also quite a lot of important Peruvian writers such as Mario Vargas Llosa and a whole new generation of great writers.
In the Peruvian music we also find the combination of the Indian and the Spanish (mestizo), the Andean music Pre Colombian was based on a pentatonic scale and used wind and percussion instruments; latter on the Spanish would bring in the cords. The traditional Andean music is known as Folkloric. In the coast the music is quite different: the Creole brings together Spanish and African roots (the "tondero" for example).
The Peruvian cuisine is very rich and varies according the every state. Being world acclaimed among the best plates are ceviche (fish, lime and Peru's unique chili) causa rellena, puré de papas, chili, marisco, lomo saltado (chopped steak fried with onions). The first potato to be found was found in southern Peru being the history that it was originated in Peru and from there it was scattered all over the world, giving approximately 291 variations of potatoes that currently exist worldwide.
Peruvian craftsmanship is in many cases the combination of many pre-Colombian and Hispanic cultures, with some geometrical figures. Among the most important work, is the one done in silver (.925 sterling silver) and gold (18k and 24k): rings, necklaces, etc that are entirely hand carved.
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Visas are not required for tourists entering Peru, except very few rare cases.
You may legally stay in the country for 30 to 90 days.
If you need to extend your visit, you may apply for an extension at the
local immigration offices located in the main cities.
The official currency in Peru is el nuevo sol, the dollar and the Euro are openly accepted. These can be exchanged to nuevo sol at the local banks, hotels, currency exchange business and Peru's traditional informal street exchange services, which includes people exchanging the money on the street corners.
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In general, Peru has a temperate climate, without great stormy weather in winter or excessive heat in the summer, allowing tourism any time a year.
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