Journal Peru

Peru has one of the world’s most diverse climates. Of the 32 world climate classifications, no less than 28 are found in Peru, with various microclimates tucked into its numerous valleys and mountainsides. This is largely because of the Humboldt Current, a cooling current that runs through most of South America’s western coast, and the presence of the Andes.

Overall, however, Peru climate is classified as dry and subtropical. Much of the country gets little rainfall, except for the Andes where summers are wet and winters decidedly dry. Going into the eastern lowlands, the weather warms up considerably with rains scattered throughout the year. The coastal regions have moderate temperatures, except up north where it warms up near the equator. The mountainous regions get frequent rain, and get noticeably cooler as it nears the Andes.

The coastal climate is often compared to Greece or Italy, although there are some differences. Winter, for example, is cloudy and humid in these areas, but is less rainy than Mediterranean coastlines. This season, which is summer in North America, has comfortable temperatures down to 14°C. Summer is hot and humid, with seasonal highs of around 38°C.

Further down the coast, including the central region where Lima sits, it gets considerably cooler, with temperatures running from 8°C to 29°C and about 30% less rainfall. In the summer the temperature can go down to 18°C, but is generally between 22°C and 25°C. Rain, when it does fall, is more common during the night. Winters are noticeably foggy from the coast to a few kilometers inland, known locally as garua.

The Andes is no doubt the country’s most diverse area in terms of climate. The higher up, the lower the temperatures get, with the coldest areas reaching or dropping slightly below freezing point in the winter. Rains occur frequently from January to March. Areas directly to the east of the mountain can get close to 400 inches of rain in a year. Snow is usually seen only at altitudes over 5,000 meters early in the year, and above 3,800 meters from May to August.

The eastern lowlands, which include Iquitos, have the same climate as the neighboring Amazon Rainforest. Here the climate is steadily hot and rainy, save for brief cool periods from May to September where temperatures can drop to 10°C. Most of the time, however, temperatures are in the mid-20s with lows of 18°C and highs of 36°C.

Ask anyone who’s had to learn or teach a second language, and they’ll be quick to say that it’s all about immersion. You can learn all the grammar and spelling rules, and even read literature in that language, but if you don’t pit yourself against native speakers, not much of it will stick.

That’s why South America, and especially Peru, is a popular destination for aspiring Spanish speakers. As a former Spanish colony, Peru has ties with the Spanish on more than the linguistic level. In a Peruvian school, you’ll learn more than just the words—you’ll also learn the stories behind these words, and gain a new appreciation for the culture.

Peruvian Spanish schools can be found all over the country, but are more common in touristy areas like Lima, Cusco, and Arequipa. They range from large institutions, sometimes affiliated with national universities, to small private outfits. Teachers can be language professionals, writers, or journalists, or people from unrelated fields who are simply doing it for fun. An intensive full-time course usually involves two or more mentors, allowing you to get used to different accents.

Courses can be designed for absolute beginners, meaning your Spanish is limited to sí, no, and buenos dias, if even that. If you already speak it a little, there are intermediate and low intermediate courses. Advanced courses are for those who are already quite conversational and would like to work on their accents, refine their grammar, or widen their vocabulary. Doing all these levels can take up to a year, after which a typical student can usually get around on his own.

What’s great about learning Spanish in Peru, besides the immersion factor, is that you get to meet people from all over the world as well. Language learners in Peru can come from all walks of life—professionals looking to further their career in Latin America, new immigrants, or tourists learning for the fun of it. If you don’t have a common language and are forced to speak in Spanish all the time, you’ll pick it up even faster.

If you have the time and budget, consider signing up for a cultural Spanish course—a program that teaches you not just the language, but Peruvian culture and history as well. It’s a great way to use your newfound skills beyond introducing yourself and talking to hotel clerks, and you’ll have more than just a new vocabulary to bring home with you.

Having a plan for your holiday is the best way to ensure that you will get the most out of your money especially when it comes to booking and paying for flights.  Both international and domestic flights can be expensive so booking ahead of time can save you significant amounts of money.  For people who are looking to take a holiday in Peru and want the most affordable flights then Air Peru or Peruvian Airlines may be the airline that can provide you with the best choice when it comes to affordable air fares.

Peruvian Airlines or Air Peru is one of the major domestic airlines which provides competitive prices on many routes to the major centres of Peru such as Lima, Cuzco, Piura, Tacna and Arequipa.  This air line is relatively small in comparison with carriers in other countries such as Australia however the fleet services most areas of Peru.

Travellers to Peru who wish to fly domestically can book flights with Peruvian Airlines over the internet,  telephone and through travel agents.  Booking over the internet is the preferred way to book as travellers can easily compare prices with other domestic airlines operating in Peru to ensure that they are getting the best and most affordable price for the tickets before purchasing.

Tourists who are looking to travel around within Peru to major cities such as Lima or to tourist areas such as the Inca Trail there are suitable airline routes to get you in and out of these areas.  Prices for domestic air line tickets are generally affordable with cheaper tickets on sale during the times of the year that are off peak for tourists.

If you want to make the most of your visit to South America, a continental airpass will allow you to venture outside of Peru and see neighboring countries at a discount. A South America airpass can be valid for one or two countries, or cover most of them within a fixed number of miles. The mileage-based pricing makes them significantly cheaper than buying individual tickets. Passes are usually offered by airlines or by a specific region’s tourism sector, and prices range from around $400 to $2,000.

As with most travel packages, the offerings are seasonal so it’s best to look things up a few months before your trip. Confirm prices and destinations before buying a pass to make sure they are as advertised, as prices can change abruptly. Your travel agent can help you find the best package and plan your itinerary, or you can simply get one when you arrive. The latter may end up being cheaper since it’s all in the same territory. Some of the most popular South America airpasses include:

All America Air Pass: Covers most flights within South America, as well as Mexico, the Caribbean, and parts of the United States. It’s accepted by a wide range of airlines, but is only available as a package with a return trip to your country of origin.

LAN South America Air Pass: Available for travelers coming from outside South America (except Brazil) arriving on LAN (a South American alliance airline) and other selected flights.  It includes travel within Ecuador, Peru, Chile, and Argentina; and between these countries and Colombia, Brazil, Bolivia, and Venezuela. The package is offered through coupons (you can buy a maximum of 16) and mileage fares can vary from country to country.

One World Visit South America Air Pass: Covers LAN, American Airlines, and British Airways flights, and allows travel within Brazil, Venezuela, Colombia, Ecuador, Peru, Chile, Bolivia, Argentina, Paraguay, and Uruguay. Destinations are divided into zones, which determine the prices. Coupons range from $120 to $360. A minimum of three flights is required, with the first and last flights on a One World Alliance airline.

TAM South America Air Pass: Offered by TAM, Brazil’s main airline and the largest airline in South America. It includes flights for two to five countries, including Brazil, Paraguay, Uruguay, Argentina, Bolivia, Chile, Peru, and Venezuela. Prices range from $339 to $1,236, depending on mileage, and passengers must fly a minimum of 1,000 miles.

Many people who travel to South America generally include a visit to Peru in their trip.  Tourists who visit Peru enjoy a vibrant city that has everything you need for a great holiday.  People visiting Peru can enjoy things such as the unique architecture, traditional Peruvian influences, the stretch of beaches in the Miraflores district and the great night life that this city has.  Some tourists also use this city as the start or base for tours on the Inca Trail and visits to the ancient ruins of Machu Picchu and the many glaciers and mountains that surround the city of Peru.

For many tourists and travellers one of the most important parts of organising a trip is booking suitable accommodation which is cheap, clean and has everything that you are going to be needing.  For many travellers bed and breakfast accommodation is often chosen over hotels or hostels as they have more facilities and are a more private option.  The following are some of the best rated B&B hotels in and around Peru.

One of the best B&B hotels, The Green House is located in Peru and is regularly voted as the best by travellers who choose to stay there.  This B&B has breathtaking views, beautiful gardens and comfortable and cosy rooms which are perfect for travellers who are looking to spend a few days relaxing.  The Green House has everything that you would expect from a bed and breakfast and is highly recommended by anyone who has stayed there.

Another B&B hotel, the Casa Bella, is located in Lima and is conveniently situated within walking distance of restaurants and tourist attractions.  The Casa Bella is a mansion style bed and breakfast with only 14 rooms which gives this place an intimate feel.  For golf lovers the prestigious Country Club Hotel and the Lima Golf Club are just one block down from Casa Bella.

For travellers who wish to stay in the Miraflores district, the Bed and Breakfast Tradiciones is a great choice.  This B&B is in a great location as it only takes 8 minutes to walk to the main centre of Miraflores where you can enjoy shopping and dining at some of the great cafes and restaurants in this district.

If you are planning on visiting Peru and are looking for great B&B hotels then you will be in luck as Peru has many top rated bed and breakfast hotels to suit any budget.