festivites
Here are some of the major holidays and festivals celebrated in Peru:
1. Inti Raymi: This ancient Incan festival is held on June 24th to celebrate the winter solstice, and is one of the most important cultural events in Peru. The celebration takes place in Cusco, and involves a large procession to the ruins of Sacsayhuaman, where traditional dances and rituals are performed to honor the sun god Inti.
2. Carnaval: This festival is celebrated throughout Peru in February or March, with the biggest celebrations taking place in Cajamarca and Puno. It is a time of colorful parades, music, dancing, and water fights, and marks the beginning of Lent.
3. Independence Day: On July 28th and 29th, Peruvians celebrate their independence from Spain with parades, concerts, and fireworks. The main event takes place in Lima, where military processions and air shows are held.
4. Día de los Muertos: Also known as the Day of the Dead, this holiday is celebrated on November 1st and 2nd throughout Peru. Families gather to remember and honor their deceased loved ones by visiting cemeteries, building altars, and leaving offerings such as food, flowers, and candles.
5. Señor de los Milagros: This religious festival takes place in Lima during the month of October and is one of the largest processions in the world. Devotees dress in purple and follow a statue of Christ through the streets, praying for miracles and healing.
6. Qoyllur Rit'i: This festival takes place in the Cusco region in May or June and is a blend of indigenous and Catholic traditions. It involves a pilgrimage to the snow-capped Ausangate mountain, where participants celebrate the arrival of the star constellation Pleiades and perform traditional dances.
These are just a few examples of the many holidays and festivals celebrated in Peru, each with its own unique cultural traditions and significance.
seasons
Peru has three main tourist seasons:
1. High Season: This season spans from June to August and coincides with the dry season in most of the country. It is the busiest time for tourism in Peru, and popular attractions such as Machu Picchu can get crowded. It's recommended to book accommodation and tours well in advance.
2. Shoulder Season: This season encompasses the months of April, May, September, and October. The weather is generally mild, and crowds are smaller than during the high season. It's a good time to visit if you want to avoid the crowds but still enjoy good weather.
3. Low Season: This season runs from November to March and coincides with the rainy season in many parts of the country. Some regions experience heavy rain and flooding during this period. However, it's also a time when you can find lower prices on accommodations and flights. It's important to check weather conditions beforehand and pack appropriately.
visa
Some special Visa rules for visiting Peru are:
1. Tourist Visas: Citizens of many countries, including the US, Canada, Australia, and most European nations, do not require a visa to enter Peru as tourists for stays of up to 183 days per year.
2. Business Visas: Business travelers may need a business visa, which requires an invitation letter from a Peruvian company or organization. The cost of a business visa is around $30-60 USD.
3. Work Visas: To obtain a work visa, you must have a job offer from a Peruvian employer. The cost of a work visa is around $200-250 USD.
4. Student Visas: Students who plan to study in Peru for more than six months will require a student visa. The cost of a student visa is around $50-70 USD.
Note that visa fees are subject to change, and processing times may vary. It's always best to check with the Peruvian embassy or consulate in your country for the latest information on visa requirements and costs.
souvenirs
Here are some popular souvenirs to buy from Peru, along with their average prices and suggested places to buy them:
1. Alpaca Clothing - such as sweaters, scarves, hats, and gloves; average price ranges from $20-$60 USD depending on the item. Suggested places to buy: Cusco or Arequipa markets, or in Lima at Miraflores or Barranco districts.
2. Peruvian Textiles - such as tapestries, tablecloths, and blankets; average price ranges from $20-$100 USD depending on the size and complexity of the design. Suggested places to buy: Pisac Market in Cusco or San Blas district in Lima.
3. Silver Jewelry - such as earrings, necklaces, and bracelets; average price ranges from $30-$100 USD depending on the design and quality. Suggested places to buy: Artisan markets in Cusco, Lima's Barranco district, or in Arequipa.
4. Ceramics - such as pottery or figurines; average price ranges from $5-$30 USD depending on the size and intricacy of the design. Suggested places to buy: Chinchero market in Cusco or in Miraflores district in Lima.
5. Chocolate - Peruvian chocolate is known for its high quality and unique flavors; average price ranges from $5-$15 USD depending on the brand and type. Suggested places to buy: Chocolate Museum in Cusco or El Cacaotal in Lima.
Please note that these prices are approximate and can vary based on various factors such as location, quality, and bargaining skills.
If you have 1 week
Peru is an incredible country with something for everyone. Here's a one-week itinerary that will take you off the beaten path and allow you to experience some of the lesser-known but equally stunning attractions:
Day 1: Begin your trip in Lima and head straight to the district of Barranco, known for its bohemian vibe and street art scene. Explore the colorful streets and visit the MATE museum, dedicated to the work of renowned Peruvian photographer Mario Testino.
Day 2: Take a bus to Paracas and explore the Ballestas Islands, known as "The Poor Man's Galapagos." Spot sea lions, penguins, and dolphins, and marvel at the spectacular rock formations that have been shaped by the wind and sea.
Day 3: Continue south to Huacachina, a small oasis surrounded by sand dunes. Go sandboarding or take a dune buggy ride, and enjoy the stunning sunset over the desert.
Day 4: Take a flight to the northern city of Chachapoyas and hike to the stunning Gocta Waterfall, one of the tallest waterfalls in the world. Stay overnight in the nearby village of Cocachimba and experience the local culture.
Day 5: Visit the Kuelap Fortress, an ancient walled city perched on a cliff overlooking the Utcubamba valley. Learn about the Chachapoya culture and admire the impressive architecture.
Day 6: Take a flight back to Lima and explore the trendy district of Miraflores, known for its restaurants, bars, and shopping. Visit the Huaca Pucllana archaeological site, an adobe pyramid that dates back to 500 AD.
Day 7: End your trip by visiting the Amazon Rainforest. Stay in a jungle lodge and take guided tours to spot wildlife, learn about indigenous communities, and experience the incredible biodiversity of this unique ecosystem.
If you have 2 weeks
Oh, how exciting! Peru is a beautiful country with rich cultural and historical significance. Here's a two-week itinerary that will showcase the best of what Peru has to offer:
Week 1:
Day 1-3: Cusco - Start your journey by exploring the ancient Inca capital of Cusco. Visit the iconic Machu Picchu ruins, take a city tour of Cusco, visit the nearby salt flats, and try some delicious Peruvian cuisine.
Day 4-6: Arequipa - Head down to the 'White City' of Arequipa and explore its charming colonial architecture, including the Santa Catalina Monastery. Go on a day trip to the Colca Canyon, one of the world's deepest canyons. Enjoy a scenic flight over the Nazca Lines.
Day 7-8: Huacachina - Head towards the stunning desert oasis of Huacachina, go sandboarding or hop on a dune buggy ride in the vast desert.
Day 9-10: Lima - Visit the vibrant capital of Peru, stroll through the historic center of Lima and its local markets. Try some of the best ceviche while enjoying the stunning views of the Pacific Ocean.
Week 2:
Day 11-13: Iquitos - Fly into the Amazonian jungle city of Iquitos for an immersive Amazon rainforest experience. Engage in activities such as piranha fishing, birdwatching and get up-close with some of the unique species of wildlife.
Day 14: Paracas National Reserve - Take a day trip to the Paracas National Reserve to see the famous Ballestas Islands, known as the 'poor man's Galapagos.' Encounter incredible marine life like sea lions, penguins, dolphins, and whales.
This itinerary provides a diverse range of experiences that highlight the beauty and culture of Peru. Each destination has its unique offering, from the historical Inca ruins in Cusco to the stunning desert oasis of Huacachina and the Amazon rainforest in Iquitos. Paracas National Reserve concludes your Peruvian adventure with a relaxing day trip filled with exciting wildlife encounters.
Culture
Peruvian culture is primarily rooted in Iberian and Andean traditions, though it has also been influenced by various European, Asian, and African ethnic groups. Peruvian artistic traditions date back to the elaborate pottery, textiles, jewelry, and sculpture of Pre-Inca cultures. The Incas maintained these crafts and made architectural achievements including the construction of Machu Picchu. Baroque dominated colonial art, though modified by Native traditions.
During this period, most art focused on religious subjects; the numerous churches of the era and the paintings of the Cusco School are representative. Arts stagnated after independence until the emergence of Indigenismo in the early 20th century. Since the 1950s, Peruvian art has been eclectic and shaped by both foreign and local art currents.
Peruvian art has its origin in the Andean civilizations. These civilizations arose in the territory of modern Peru before the arrival of the Spanish. Peruvian art incorporated European elements after the Spanish conquest and continued to evolve throughout the centuries up to the modern day.
Peru's earliest artwork came from the Cupisnique culture, which was concentrated on the Pacific coast, and the Chavín culture, which was largely north of Lima between the Andean mountain ranges of the Cordillera Negra and the Cordillera Blanca. Decorative work from this era, approximately the 9th century BCE, was symbolic and religious in nature. The artists worked with gold, silver, and ceramics to create a variety of sculptures and relief carvings. These civilizations were also known for their architecture and wood sculptures.
Between the 9th century BCE and the 2nd century CE, the Paracas Cavernas and Paracas Necropolis cultures developed on the south coast of Peru. Paracas Cavernas produced complex polychrome and monochrome ceramics with religious representations. Burials from the Paracas Necropolis also yielded complex textiles, many produced with sophisticated geometric patterns.
The 3rd century BCE saw the flowering of the urban culture, Moche, in the Lambayeque region. The Moche culture produced impressive architectural works, such as the Huacas del Sol y de la Luna and the Huaca Rajada of Sipán. They were experts at cultivation in terraces and hydraulic engineering and produced original ceramics, textiles, pictorial and sculptural works.
Another urban culture, the Wari civilization, flourished between the 8th and 12th centuries in Ayacucho. Their centralized town planning was extended to other areas, such as Pachacamac, Cajamarquilla and Wari Willka.
Between the 9th and 13th centuries CE, the military urban Tiwanaku empire rose by the borders of Lake Titicaca. Centered around a city of the same name in modern-day Bolivia, the Tiwanaku introduced stone architecture and sculpture of a monumental type. These works of architecture and art were made possible by the Tiwanaku's developing bronze, which enabled them to make the necessary tools.
Urban architecture reached a new height between the 14th and 15th centuries in the Chimú Culture. The Chimú built the city of Chan Chan in the valley of the Moche River, in La Libertad. The Chimú were skilled goldsmiths and created remarkable works of hydraulic engineering.
The Inca Civilization, which united Peru under its hegemony in the centuries immediately preceding the Spanish conquest, incorporated into their own works a great part of the cultural legacy of the civilizations which preceded it. Important relics of their artwork and architecture can be seen in cities like Cusco, architectural remains like Sacsahuamán and Machu Picchu and stone pavements that united Cusco with the rest of the Inca Empire.
Peruvian sculpture and painting began to define themselves from the ateliers founded by monks, who were strongly influenced by the Sevillian Baroque School. In this context, the stalls of the Cathedral choir, the fountain of the Main Square of Lima both by Pedro de Noguera, and a great part of the colonial production were registered. The first center of art established by the Spanish was the Cuzco School that taught Quechua artists European painting styles. Diego Quispe Tito (1611–1681) was one of the first members of the Cuzco school and Marcos Zapata (1710–1773) was one of the last.
Painting of this time reflected a synthesis of European and Indigenous influences, as is evident in the portrait of prisoner Atahualpa, by D. de Mora or in the canvases of the Italians Mateo Pérez de Alesio and Angelino Medoro, the Spaniards Francisco Bejarano and J. de Illescas and the Creole J. Rodriguez.
During the 17th and 18th centuries, the Baroque Style also dominated the field of plastic arts.
The term Peruvian literature not only refers to literature produced in the independent Republic of Peru, but also to literature produced in the Viceroyalty of Peru during the country's colonial period, and to oral artistic forms created by diverse ethnic groups that existed in the area during the pre-Columbian period, such as the Quechua, the Aymara and the Chanka people.
Peruvian literature is rooted in the oral traditions of pre-Columbian civilizations. Spaniards introduced writing in the 16th century; colonial literary expression included chronicles and religious literature. After independence, Costumbrism and Romanticism became the most common literary genres, as exemplified in the works of Ricardo Palma. The early 20th century's Indigenismo movement was led by such writers as Ciro Alegría and José María Arguedas. César Vallejo wrote modernist and often politically engaged verse. Modern Peruvian literature is recognized thanks to authors such as Nobel laureate Mario Vargas Llosa, a leading member of the Latin American Boom.
Because of the Spanish expedition and discovery of America, explorers started the Columbian exchange which included unknown food in the Old World, including potatoes, tomatoes, and maize. Modern Indigenous Peruvian food often includes corn, potatoes, and chilies. There are now more than 3,000 kinds of potatoes grown on Peruvian terrain, according to Peru's Instituto Peruano de la Papa. Modern Peruvian cuisine blends Amerindian and Spanish food with strong influences from Chinese, African, Arab, Italian, and Japanese cooking. Common dishes include anticuchos, ceviche, and pachamanca. Peru's varied climate allows the growth of diverse plants and animals good for cooking.
Peruvian cuisine reflects local practices and ingredients – including influences from the Indigenous population including the Inca and cuisines brought in with colonizers and immigrants. Without the familiar ingredients from their home countries, immigrants modified their traditional cuisines by using ingredients available in Peru. The four traditional staples of Peruvian cuisine are corn, potatoes and other tubers, Amaranthaceaes (quinoa, kañiwa and kiwicha) and legumes (beans and lupins). Staples brought by the Spanish include rice, wheat, and meats (beef, pork, and chicken). Many traditional foods – such as quinoa, kiwicha, chili peppers, and several roots and tubers have increased in popularity in recent decades, reflecting a revival of interest in Native Peruvian foods and culinary techniques. It is also common to see traditional cuisines being served with a modern flair in towns like Cusco, where tourists come to visit. Chef Gaston Acurio has become well known for raising awareness of local ingredients.
Peruvian music has Andean, Spanish, and African roots. In pre-Columbian times, musical expressions varied widely in each region; the quena and the tinya were two common instruments. Spaniards introduced new instruments, such as the guitar and the harp, which led to the development of crossbred instruments like the charango. African contributions to Peruvian music include its rhythms and the cajón, a percussion instrument. Peruvian folk dances include marinera, tondero, zamacueca, diablada and huayno.
Peruvian music is dominated by the national instrument, the charango. The charango is a member of the lute family of instruments and was invented during colonial times by musicians imitating the Spanish vihuela. In the Canas and Titicaca regions, the charango is used in courtship rituals, symbolically invoking mermaids with the instrument to lure the woman to the male performers. Until the 1960s, the charango was denigrated as an instrument of the rural poor. After the revolution in 1959, which built the Indigenismo movement (1910–1940), the charango was popularized among other performers. Variants include the walaycho, chillador, chinlili, and the larger and lower-tuned charangon.
While the Spanish guitar is widely played, so too is the Spanish-in-origin bandurria. Unlike the guitar, it has been transformed by Peruvian players over the years, changing from a 12-string, 6-course instrument to one having 12 to 16 strings in a mere four courses. Violins and harps, also of European origin, are also played.
While the Peruvian film industry has not been nearly as prolific as that of some other Latin American countries, some Peruvian movies produced enjoyed regional success. Historically, the cinema of Peru began in Iquitos in 1932 by Antonio Wong Rengifo (with a momentous, initial film billboard from 1900) because of the rubber boom and the intense arrival of foreigners with technology to the city, and thus continued an extensive, unique filmography, with a different style than the films made in the capital, Lima.
Peru also produced the first animated 3-D film in Latin America, Piratas en el Callao. This film is set in the historical port city of Callao, which during colonial times had to defend itself against attacks by Dutch and British privateers seeking to undercut Spain's trade with its colonies. The film was produced by the Peruvian company Alpamayo Entertainment, which made a second 3-D film one year later: Dragones: Destino de Fuego.
In February 2006, the film Madeinusa, produced as a joint venture between Peru and Spain and directed by Claudia Llosa, was set in an imaginary Andean village and describes the stagnating life of Madeinusa performed by Magaly Solier and the traumas of post-civil war Peru.
Llosa, who shared elements of Gabriel García Márquez's magic realism, won an award at the Rotterdam Film Festival. Llosa's second feature, The Milk of Sorrow ("La Teta Asustada"), was nominated for the 82nd Academy Awards for Best Foreign Language Picture, the first Peruvian film in the academy's history to be nominated. The Milk of Sorrow ("La Teta Asustada"), won the Golden Bear award at the 2009 Berlinale.
Religion
Roman Catholicism has been the predominant faith in Peru for centuries, albeit religious practices have a high degree of syncretism with Indigenous traditions. Two of its universities, Pontifical Catholic University of Peru and Universidad Cattolica San Pablo, are among the 5 top universities of the country. As of the 2017 census, 76% of the population over 12 years old described themselves as Catholic, 14.1% as Evangelical, 4.8% as Protestant, Jewish, Latter-day Saints, and Jehovah's Witnesses, and 5.1% as nonreligious.
Amerindian religious traditions continue to play a major role in the beliefs of Peruvians. Catholic festivities like Corpus Christi, Holy Week and Christmas sometimes blend with Amerindian traditions. Amerindian festivities from pre-Columbian remain widespread; Inti Raymi, an ancient Inca festival, is still celebrated, especially in rural communities.
The majority of towns, cities, and villages have their own official church or cathedral and patron saint.
Demographics
With about 31.2 million inhabitants in 2017, Peru is the fourth most populous country in South America. The demographic growth rate of Peru declined from 2.6% to 1.6% between 1950 and 2000; with the population being expected to reach approximately 42 million in 2050. According to the 1940 Peruvian census, Peru had a population at the time of seven million residents.
, 79.3% lived in urban areas and 20.7% in rural areas. Major cities include the Lima metropolitan area (home to over 9.8 million people), Arequipa, Trujillo, Chiclayo, Piura, Iquitos, Cusco, Chimbote, and Huancayo; all reported more than 250,000 inhabitants in the 2007 census. There are 15 uncontacted Amerindian tribes in Peru. Peru has a life expectancy of 75.0 years (72.4 for males and 77.7 for females) according to the latest data for the year 2016 from the World Bank.
Peru is a multiethnic nation formed by successive waves of different peoples over five centuries. Amerindians inhabited Peruvian territory for several millennia before the Spanish conquest in the 16th century; according to historian Noble David Cook, their population decreased from nearly 5–9 million in the 1520s to around 600,000 in 1620 mainly because of infectious diseases.
The 2017 census for the first time included a question on ethnic self-identification. According to the results, 60.2% of the people identified themselves as mestizo, 22.3% identified themselves as Quechua, 5.9% identified themselves as white, 3.6% identified themselves as black, 2.4% identified themselves as Aymara, 2.3% identified themselves as other ethnic groups, and 3.3% did not declare their ethnicity.
Spaniards and Africans arrived in large numbers under colonial rule, mixing widely with each other and with Indigenous peoples. After independence, there was gradual immigration from England, France, Germany, and Italy. Peru freed its black slaves in 1854. Chinese and Japanese arrived in the 1850s as laborers following the end of slavery, and have since become a major influence in Peruvian society.
According to the Peruvian Constitution of 1993, Peru's official languages are Spanish and, in areas where they predominate, Quechua and other Indigenous languages. Spanish is spoken natively by 82.6% of the population, Quechua by 13.9%, and Aymara by 1.7%, while other languages are spoken by the remaining 1.8%.
Spanish language is used by the government and is the mainstream language of the country, which is used by the media and in educational systems and commerce. Amerindians who live in the Andean highlands speak Quechua and Aymara and are ethnically distinct from the diverse Indigenous groups who live on the eastern side of the Andes and in the tropical lowlands adjacent to the Amazon basin.
Peru's distinct geographical regions are mirrored in a language divide between the coast where Spanish is more predominant over the Amerindian languages, and the more diverse traditional Andean cultures of the mountains and highlands. The Indigenous populations east of the Andes speak various languages and dialects. Some of these groups still adhere to traditional Indigenous languages, while others have been almost completely assimilated into the Spanish language. There has been an increasing and organized effort to teach Quechua in public schools in the areas where Quechua is spoken. In the Peruvian Amazon, numerous Indigenous languages are spoken, including Asháninka, Bora, and Aguaruna.
Roman Catholicism has been the predominant faith in Peru for centuries, albeit religious practices have a high degree of syncretism with Indigenous traditions. Two of its universities, Pontifical Catholic University of Peru and Universidad Cattolica San Pablo, are among the 5 top universities of the country. As of the 2017 census, 76% of the population over 12 years old described themselves as Catholic, 14.1% as Evangelical, 4.8% as Protestant, Jewish, Latter-day Saints, and Jehovah's Witnesses, and 5.1% as nonreligious.
Amerindian religious traditions continue to play a major role in the beliefs of Peruvians. Catholic festivities like Corpus Christi, Holy Week and Christmas sometimes blend with Amerindian traditions. Amerindian festivities from pre-Columbian remain widespread; Inti Raymi, an ancient Inca festival, is still celebrated, especially in rural communities.
The majority of towns, cities, and villages have their own official church or cathedral and patron saint.
Peru's literacy rate is estimated at 92.9% as of 2007; this rate is lower in rural areas (80.3%) than in urban areas (96.3%). Primary and secondary education are compulsory and free in public schools.
Peru is home to one of the oldest institutions of higher learning in the New World. The National University of San Marcos, founded on 12 May 1551, during the Viceroyalty of Peru, is the first officially established and the oldest continuously functioning university in the Americas.
Many of the Peruvian toponyms have Indigenous sources. In the Andes communities of Ancash, Cusco and Puno, Quechua or Aymara names are overwhelmingly predominant. Their Spanish-based orthography, however, is in conflict with the normalized alphabets of these languages. According to Article 20 of Decreto Supremo No 004-2016-MC (Supreme Decree) which approves the Regulations to Law 29735, published in the official newspaper El Peruano on 22 July 2016, adequate spellings of the toponyms in the normalized alphabets of the Indigenous languages must progressively be proposed with the aim of standardizing the naming used by the National Geographic Institute (Instituto Geográfico Nacional, IGN). The National Geographic Institute realizes the necessary changes in the official maps of Peru.
Cities:
