General Info

[Sly One]

Great info. Thanks!

Question: What passport did you use to open your bank accounts? (ie which country)

Thanks!

PYY

Any passport will do.

Sly

[PeruYYo]

Great info. Thanks!

Question: What passport did you use to open your bank accounts? (ie which country)

Thanks!

PYY

This summer I went through some of the mentioned procedures. Here is my current knowledge:

With the tourist visa and the "permiso para firmar contratos" you can open bank accounts at HSBC and Banco Fianciero both in Dollars and Soles. You will receive a Mastercard Debit Card but you can also apply for a credit line. After 12 months of "good behavior" you will have the possibility to apply for a mortgage loan. Both banks provide online access including transactions.

The August 2013 interest rates on a saving account were:

2% on USD

3% on Soles.

The withholding tax for non-residents is 30.

It is no problem to hold real estate in Peru as a foreigner. Renting income is taxed at 30% for non-residents and at 5% for residents. You have the possibility to grant the renting income to a resident.

[Member #4352]

This summer I went through some of the mentioned procedures. Here is my current knowledge:

With the tourist visa and the "permiso para firmar contratos" you can open bank accounts at HSBC and Banco Fianciero both in Dollars and Soles. You will receive a Mastercard Debit Card but you can also apply for a credit line. After 12 months of "good behavior" you will have the possibility to apply for a mortgage loan. Both banks provide online access including transactions.

The August 2013 interest rates on a saving account were:

2% on USD

3% on Soles.

The withholding tax for non-residents is 30.

It is no problem to hold real estate in Peru as a foreigner. Renting income is taxed at 30% for non-residents and at 5% for residents. You have the possibility to grant the renting income to a resident.

The authority to sign a contract. That means going to the immigration office and getting a special rider for your visa that grants you the authority to sign contracts in Peru for the duration of your visa (I think it's still true). The fee used to be $50. 00 US. You can easily look this up on the Peruvian government site. I looked into this several years ago, even consulting an abogado (lawyer). However, the only bank I really wanted to do business with (BCP) didn't want my money unless I had resident status. I wanted to deposit $50, 000 (yes dollars) and they weren't even interested.

At that time both Ripleys and Falo banks would accept the deposit, but I am nervous about uninsured bank accounts. Both Ripleys and Falo are Chilean companies, Peru has NO (as in NONE) insurance for your deposits. So any money you put into a Peruvian bank has to be something you can afford to never see again! I can't emphasize this enough. Unless you can afford to lose it all I would suggest you get used to the pitiful return you get from US banks, or try a more developed country with bank deposit insurance.

The bank officers I met with in all of these banks just smiled when I asked about deposit insurance. They simply said, if the bank runs into trouble, it will freeze its assets, or the government will freeze its assets. You can imagine that you might grow old and die waiting for anyone in the government or the banking system to give a tiny little turd for an extranjero's bank account in such a situation.

[PeruYYo]

not true. insured up to 92, 904. 00 soles now. not much for a rich american, but probably covers the majority of peruvian deposits:

http://www.fsd.org.pe/paginas/06-monto-maximo.html

yes, they are insured, with limits, but still it has been long since time to diversify out of the banking system. if you do not, you risk inflation, confirep001ion and bail-ins. my feeling is it is better to be in tangible assets; not necessarily to speculate, more as an attempt to store value. personally, i decided to give up some short term liquidity for long term storage of value. ymmv, but i do wish everyone the best of luck as we proceed down the rabbit hole!

cheers,

pyy

[El Lobo Solo]

Not true. Insured up to 92, 904. 00 soles now. Not much for a rich American, but probably covers the majority of Peruvian deposits:

http://www.fsd.org.pe/paginas/06-Monto-maximo.html

It always is a hard sell to get my Peruvian friends to put their money in a bank because of the generations of mistrust. It goes without saying that without any deposit insurance, people will usually just hide their money and that doesn't help the economy grow. Of course, if you get too much money in the bank maybe it will attract unwanted government attention!

The most important consideration is whether or not you believe that Peru will continue to make the astonishing progress it has been making for almost ten years now. God I hope so!

[Member #4351]

Peru has NO (as in NONE) insurance for your deposits. So any money you put into a Peruvian bank has to be something you can afford to never see again!

Not true. Insured up to 92,904. 00 soles now. Not much for a rich American, but probably covers the majority of Peruvian deposits: http://www.fsd.org.pe/paginas/06-Monto-maximo.html

[El Lobo Solo]

The Sol seems to be gaining ground against the dollar AND the Euro. It could be the start of a ride like the Brazilian Real. Is is much hassle for a non-resident to open a savings account in Lima? Is it even possible? Is there a high withholding tax? I've seen long queues outside banks in Miraflores. The impression is not one of efficiency. Also, would the Peruvians swap information with the country of residence?

The authority to sign a contract. That means going to the immigration office and getting a special rider for your visa that grants you the authority to sign contracts in Peru for the duration of your visa (I think it's still true). The fee used to be $50.00 US. You can easily look this up on the Peruvian government site. I looked into this several years ago, even consulting an abogado (lawyer). However, the only bank I really wanted to do business with (BCP) didn't want my money unless I had resident status. I wanted to deposit $50,000 (yes dollars) and they weren't even interested.

At that time both Ripleys and Falo banks would accept the deposit, but I am nervous about uninsured bank accounts. Both Ripleys and Falo are Chilean companies, Peru has NO (as in NONE) insurance for your deposits. So any money you put into a Peruvian bank has to be something you can afford to never see again! I can't emphasize this enough. Unless you can afford to lose it all I would suggest you get used to the pitiful return you get from US banks, or try a more developed country with bank deposit insurance.

The bank officers I met with in all of these banks just smiled when I asked about deposit insurance. They simply said, if the bank runs into trouble, it will freeze its assets, or the government will freeze its assets. You can imagine that you might grow old and die waiting for anyone in the government or the banking system to give a tiny little turd for an extranjero's bank account in such a situation.

[Sly One]

Go to youtube search " Don't Drive Here Lima Peru 1"

Watch the first 3 minutes and you get an idea of what to expect.

Sly

[Vitold]

Hey guys!

Can you suggest please some inexpensive drug like Kamagra (Sildenafil Citrate). Can they be freely sold in Peru or Bolivia. What are brandnames? Or may be there are some local drugs with the same effect?

Thanks!

[AmadouGrand]

I have never had a problem with my credit card in over 40 countries including my first trip to Peru. Now that I moved here for work both a mate of mine and I have had our cards swiped or scanned or whatever they do racking up thousands in clothes at these boutique chica shops in the states. Be warned this happened to both of us in San Isidro over the past month we think as that is where we use the card machines the most.

Take care,

MW

[DownUnderMonger]

Yep.

Go to a non-sexual sauna. Like Banos Turkos Windsor in San Isidro or Palace in San Borja. I love the setup of Peruvian saunas, I miss the smell of Eucalyptus leaves in the steamroom, the dark rooms with soft deckchairs to sleep in (love the service of the staff tucking you in in towels for a short nap) and the feast of food available in the restaurant.

The saunas are sort of mixed, there is a male and female section (well Windsor is). The only sexual one at that level would be SMIK in San Isidro. But expect to pay an arm and a leg for anything there.

Ask the girls on a date, they might say yes LOL. I dated a couple of sauna girls that worked in non-sexual joints.

I have a question for you guys who know Lima well.

Are there banos turcos or spas with nice facilities in Lima where you wouldn't necessarily have to take a girl or where you could get a more or less legitimate massage and then steam, use the pool ect? I have been to the dutch mixed saunas in Amsterdam and I love that atmosphere. Also possible I might want to take a girl from outside and use the facilities.

Anybody have any suggestions?

Thanks

[Stones]

I have a question for you guys who know Lima well.

Are there banos turcos or spas with nice facilities in Lima where you wouldn't necessarily have to take a girl or where you could get a more or less legitimate massage and then steam, use the pool ect? I have been to the dutch mixed saunas in Amsterdam and I love that atmosphere. Also possible I might want to take a girl from outside and use the facilities.

Anybody have any suggestions?

Thanks

[Member #4351]

The Banco Central has been buying and selling trying to keep the dollar more or less steady. But they just started a new "freer floating" policy last week which means we might begin to see more volatility in the currency.

[Mr Enternational]

For quite a while I have watched other currencies rise and fall against the US dollar. During ths time the Peruvian Sol has remained constant at 2. 61 and is now at 2. 60. Have they pegged that shit to the $ without me knowning about it or something?

[Hollywood124]

Hello and thanks to everyone for helping feel at home in Lima, Peru!

After a very difficult flight through Mexico City, Mexico on Aeromexico (I will never take Aeromexico again!"Long lay over and the hassle of going through Mexican customs who are looking for their next victim to pay the "Mordida" or Bribe!" And no, I did not give that MF not one red cent!) I made it to the Lima airport. The Lima airport was a total Madhouse with only four immigration officers for hundreds of travelers. Next, I went through customs and was chosen to x-ray my luggage. No problems at the x-ray machine and was waved on. Finally, I went out to see where my taxi that my hotel had ordered for me was. My taxi was not there! So, I waited about 15 minutes and finally my taxi arrived. It was drizzling so the driver took his time to get to the hotel. So I think it was around 03:00 (am) when we arrived at the hotel. I was hungry, and I did not know where to eat so I went down stairs to the hotel bar and ordered two sandwiches. I did not have any Peruvian Soles and the girl said I could pay with US Dollars. So I gave her a $20. 00USD bill. She said the $20. 00 bill had a tiny cut in it and said that she could not accept it. I then told the girl that I would go across the street to the ATM at the bank and would be back in a second. (I guess in Peru, they do not accept any bills that are not perfect). (But the next day I changed that same bill at the money exchange next door to the hotel). Conveniently a manager said I could charge the two sandwiches to my room. It was around 05:00 (am) when I finally went to sleep. I was totally exhausted!

The next day, I spent several hours at the Claro cellphone store which was 2 blocks away. There were two long lines outside the store which were more than 25 feet long, one for service and one to pay for the cellphone minutes. So, after a couple of hours I finally had my SIM card and minutes and had my cellphone working. (My phone was a cheap Samsung unlocked quad band from Amazon. Com). I was still Jet-lagged from the previous day and it seemed like Murphy's Law was happening to me. (Murphy's Law is: what can go wrong, will go wrong!) And I could not lose the Jet-lag feeling to top it off.

I then called David_33 and exchanged pleasantries and he then set me up with Chicka#1 a Peruvian-Japanese.

Chicka#1 was very nice and pleasing although not quite my type. 22 years old, she was very short and a little overweight. I like very slim and trim ladies. The next day, I called David_33 and he set me up with Chicka#2. Wow, she was more my type, about 5'1' and 95 pounds and just turned 24 years old. Chicka #2 was really a GFE and If I have the funds I will be back very soon to see her!

Although my hotel let my ladies enter my room with just a copy of their I'd, next time I will stay maybe at one of David_33's approved apartments. It would be less hassle and cheaper.

I did notice that the prices for everything were much more than in Hollywood and the quality of everything was very poor. I guess there are no Costcos or Walmarts in Lima. And that got me thinking, since David_33 did not take a commission from me maybe next time I will ask David_33 to take maybe half of the girls payment so he could live better in such an expensive city. David_33 did not charge me for all of his time and effort! David, I'll bring you some 'Goodies' from back home next time. And please accept them as I hear you do not want anything from the members.

The Peruvian people were very nice to me and always smiling. Try finding nice and smiling people in Panama, Mexico City or many other places in Latin America! Lima, Peru is one of the best places that I have ever been to and I have been to many places in the Americas, Europe, Eastern Europe and Asia.

All in all, the six days I spent in Lima was a wonderful experience that will definitely be repeated! I'll try to stay longer as the stress of Jet-lag is difficult to get over from such a long trip. Thanks once again for David_33's kind help and the friendship of his lady friends.

See you all soon,

Hollywood