General Info

[Juan Carter]

Anyone else having trouble logging to www.perutops.com and www.chicastops.com ? I assume it is their server but they went down while I was accessing them the other day. Something I did? I'll be all over Peru in three weeks for three weeks. Any specific advice appreciated. Thanks for the great board, I have been r-ing tff !

[Lima Busy]

is killing me! alan/lourdes/alan/lourdes Have not slept in two days my stomach is in knots. I sold out of the Peru Bolsa on friday at the close. Monday morning looked like a mistake, now I am a hero!
LB

[NJ Dude II]

From my sources in Lima : 1000 interviewed all over the country last tuesday

35% Humala
27% Alan
25% Lourdes

So it's going to be very close.

Here's one of several scenarios with Humala in power
july - Dec 2006 Humala takes over banks, mines, fishing and agricultural industries. Writes a new constitution to take over Congress and Justice Dpt, coca harvest increases 1000%

2007 : With Inflation rate in the rising, and protests all over, Humala launches the 'defenders of freedom', his own personal stormtroopers, who diligently round up oppositors. Seizes TV and radio stations to fight 'terrorists'.

2008 : 1 $ US = 1'000 000 soles, economy is in shambles, only supported by cocaine traffic, Humala blames everything on the US and terrorists. Only friends left are Cuba and Venezuela

2009 : War (either Chile or Ecuador)

PedroNJ

[Roamer7]

To all you experienced travelers:

Which country do you think offer the best availabilty of women for the bucks / peso / re. /etc?

I have 10-14 play days and I can't decide whether to travel and make the best in one country, or hop around Central America, Brazil, Columbia, or... simply travel to Thailand or the SE Asia?

I am not a novice but defintely don't have the experience as many of you. My only experience were 4 trips to Costa Rica, and I enjoyed it. But may be some of you more exprienced mongers might give me better input. Any PM or your contact number 'to share the ropes' would be appreciated.

[Maltrufio]

interesting note: every one of my relatives (several who have large families) in Lima have asked if they can come stay with me here in the US if Humala wins

[Lima Busy]

The news in the US is packed with stories of Humala repeatedly shooting himself in the foot with his dumbass comments about Flores, by the lunch between his VP candidate and the media owner guy, by the evidence that his entourage is connected to Montesinos, and his fucked-up family’s politics. Is there any backlash from the media in Peru? And if so, is it having any negative effect on his poll numbers?

I’ve postponed my relocation until all this election shit is settled and if Humala wins, I doubt I’ll make the move.

Nope, the press is helpless, they make references to the Velasco era and the people do not care. Humala is leading the polls and Lourdes is losing ground to Garcia. Almost a guaranteed runoff so we will go thru it again next month!
Stay tuned!
LB

[Maltrufio]

The news in the US is packed with stories of Humala repeatedly shooting himself in the foot with his dumbass comments about Flores, by the lunch between his VP candidate and the media owner guy, by the evidence that his entourage is connected to Montesinos, and his fucked-up family’s politics. Is there any backlash from the media in Peru? And if so, is it having any negative effect on his poll numbers?

I’ve postponed my relocation until all this election shit is settled and if Humala wins, I doubt I’ll make the move.

[Screwed Up]

I agree. I always used the 10-15 soles cabs before without problems. But I heard more and more stories about these airport cab robberies, so I think this time I will get an official airport cab.
I´ve also been robbed at gunpoint once but that was in La Molina, which is like Lima´s "Beverly Hills". Most probably the robbers followed us from Ate Vitarte where they saw us putting my luggage in the car. I only lost some clothes and an external hard drive, thanks to my gf who ran in the house with my laptop and valuables as soon as she saw a gun.
I don´t think Lima is less or more dangerous than any other south american capital as long as you don´t show anything which robbers might want, like a full suitcase...

[Hoof Hunter]

If you don´t have heavy luggage, after you get out of the airport, you will get to a huge parking lot. Walk to the right until you get to a sidewalk that
leads out to the main street, there, you will see taxis waiting. 10, 12 soles
to the center of Lima.

Samu - no disrespect intended in any manner. However, I must state that this is not great advice for the novice to Lima, esp. only to save a few (maybe $5) dollars.

I've also heard of situations like what Lima Busy just described. Not only in Lima. Not the greatest way to start off a vacation.

My advice: just pay the 35 soles ($11USD) to the official green taxi services at the airport. If you want to save a buck going into Miraflores, there's also an official shuttle service into Miraflores for like 20 soles (approx. $7USD). With those other taxis in front of the arrivals door, some aren't official. And you must pass through Callao, where the airport is located and not one of the safest areas in Lima.

[Lima Busy]

According to the world press, the national election for Peru is this coming Sunday, April 9. Is that correct?

I am arriving in Lima on Friday night and staying in Miraflores over the weekend until Tuesday.

Do you think the election will impact my stay (rallies? bars or brothels closed? riots?).

Thanks in advance.

-zing

Zing,
Everything will be peaceful in Miraflores & Environs as we will probably have to go to a 2nd round next month.Bars will be closed Sat Night & Sunday and Achohol can not be sold. Monday everything returns to normal.
LB

[Samu Ray]

If you don´t have heavy luggage, after you get out of the airport, you will get to a huge parking lot. Walk to the right until you get to a sidewalk that
leads out to the main street, there, you will see taxis waiting. 10, 12 soles
to the center of Lima.

[Zing23]

According to the world press, the national election for Peru is this coming Sunday, April 9. Is that correct?

I am arriving in Lima on Friday night and staying in Miraflores over the weekend until Tuesday.

Do you think the election will impact my stay (rallies? bars or brothels closed? riots?).

Thanks in advance.

-zing

[Lima Busy]

A friend of mine had his buddy come in from Cali last week. Instead of taking a "Green Taxi" he hopped into a cab in the parking lot. They robbed him of his cellphone,camera,$600.00 and dumped him in Callao. Not hurt (except his pride).
If you are not going to use a recommended Taxista or do not have hotel or private pickup, really should pay the $10 and use a "green cab".

[Tuna Man]

Some comparisons would be great. I realize that in some areas it is like apples and oranges, but not all.

As far as hotels are concerned, I don't need 5 star palaces, but not a dive either. It just seems weird to see $30/night rooms within the Miraflores section. CR is getting pretty pricey. I don't know of any hotel rooms in San Jose that are under $50/night that I would want to stay in.

All replies welcome, whether you have been to CR or not.

[Lima Busy]

I have been going to Costa Rica for the past 7 years on my annual vacation. I have always enjoyed myself there and feel real comfortable in the cities and countryside. Maybe a little too comfortable.

This year, I have decided to go somewhere else in Latin America, have read a lot of the posts here, and think Peru will be the right choice. Here are my reasons for choosing Peru, so feel free to give your opinions or advice.

1. I hate to change planes when i travel, and I can go non stop from JFK (NY) to Lima, a real plus for me.

2. Mongering at a nice price. Also very important for me because I can only take one multiple week vacation a year, so I have to do it right. The better the prices, the longer I can stay. I also believe the hotels are much cheaper than CR.

3. Diverse geography. Like CR, Peru has beaches, rainforest, mountains, etc. I like to do some tourist stuff, and the Inca ruins and the Andes will give me some great photos.

Well, that is why I want to try Peru this time. I feel that beside the airline ticket, Peru should be a lot cheaper in the long run than Costa Rica. I have an understanding of the Latin culture and can speak passable Spanish.

Any comments?

You are right about the hotels! check out that section for pricing. Travelling in country can be pretty expensive(air) figure $200.00 per city RT. Bus travel is cheap, but can take up to 24 hrs to get to some cities. If you plan well you could hit most every place in a month. I would probaby stay in Lima and go to Cusco and or Iquito's and save the other cities for a future trip.