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[QUOTE=Lima Busy]The one's Polvo is referring to are very small and can be concealed in a average sized supermarket plastic bag.
LB[/QUOTE]
I remember last year they were all sold out. Any chance of that happening again this year?
I was going to come later in the season but I used my miles....I can't stand those miles programs. At least I got non stop flights though.
They are all over the place. Cheap and small. I have a spare one in my car in case I end up in a ST hostal. Go to Ace or Sodimac for largest selection, but you can probably find them in Metro supermarkets as well. As has been mentioned, hide it because these things really use electricity. Wherever you are staying will not be overjoyed that you are plugging one in.
Not as cold as last year when I needed a hat and could have used gloves. The last few nights 63 outside has meant a t-shirt and a light jacket. Inside of Las Palmas is a little less than just right when you first walk in the room. But two warm bodies seem to be doing the trick. It also brings the temp up a notch by running the hot shower a few minutes. Also keeping the bathroom door closed at night is good.
Are $100 bills accepted in banks and hotels?
[QUOTE=Artisttyp]Are $100 bills accepted in banks and hotels?[/QUOTE]
If they are "unmarked" and in "mint" condition, but you will always get a lousy exchange rate at banks and hotels. Best to visit "Milagros" on Schell and Larco.
LB
[QUOTE=Lima Busy]If they are "unmarked" and in "mint" condition, but you will always get a lousy exchange rate at banks and hotels. Best to visit "Milagros" on Schell and Larco.
LB[/QUOTE]
What is milagros ?
[QUOTE=Artisttyp]What is milagros ?[/QUOTE]
She is a money changer. Personally I would not bring $100 notes as too many people will still not touch them, and the banks will not take any that start with the serial number "CB". There was a rash of forgeries down here.
Further, any notes that you bring down must be pristine. No tears - none. Also no ink marks. Scrutinise any bills you get from an ATM for the same. If there is an ink mark and it is greater that a 10 centimos piece the bank will probably reject it.
I also recently got some torn bills from an ATM. What you do then, is put those in between two good twenties come out of the bank and change them immediately with the parasite standing outside. For some reason they think gringos won't pull stunts like that and they do not really check. But, they haven't met me before! :-)
Suerte!
Polvo
[QUOTE=Polvo]She is a money changer. Personally I would not bring $100 notes as too many people will still not touch them, and the banks will not take any that start with the serial number "CB". There was a rash of forgeries down here.
Further, any notes that you bring down must be pristine. No tears - none. Also no ink marks. Scrutinise any bills you get from an ATM for the same. If there is an ink mark and it is greater that a 10 centimos piece the bank will probably reject it.
I also recently got some torn bills from an ATM. What you do then, is put those in between two good twenties come out of the bank and change them immediately with the parasite standing outside. For some reason they think gringos won't pull stunts like that and they do not really check. But, they haven't met me before! :-)
Suerte!
Polvo[/QUOTE]
Polvo,
Thanks this is really important information. Lima can be a real ***** when it comes to dealing with cash. A large amount of 2 and 5 soles coins are also false.
I have received my share of false paper notes as well. Be sure to look at your money well and do not feel like you are offending anyone by doing it.
A problem arises when you deal with hotels that only accept cash and no CC's or TC's and your bank reams you up the butt for debit fees.
: Bulletin : * Just confirmed via email that the maria luisa accepts all bills.
Thanks,
Artisttyp
Another note about money here...
The further you go outside of Miraflores and San Isidro the harder it becomes to break the larger nuevo sol bills. I live about 30 minutes south of Lima and there is only one place in my neighborhood that can break a 50, anything larger than that I need to take a combi or a taxi to town to the Metro.
The other day in Tarapoto I needed a calculator, so in the little bodega on a dirt road I tried to pay for the 5 sol calculator with a 20. I left with the calculator, a pocket FM radio, some batteries, a lighter, and the 3 soles he had in his coin box.
Does anyone know that when 183 day turist visa expires in a calendar year,
if I go out of the country and come back into Peru, I would get another 183
days visa?
[QUOTE=Samu Ray]Does anyone know that when 183 day turist visa expires in a calendar year,
if I go out of the country and come back into Peru, I would get another 183
days visa?[/QUOTE]
There is no "guarantee" of how long a visa is issued for. It is at the discretion of the immagration officer who reviews your passport at the time of entry into Peru. Also see LB's recent discussion about the change in the law.
Suerte!
Polvo
I have read the Lima Forum, and looked at the lists, and I noted that at least some of the massage places are not full service, and in some it seems like a hand job is about all you can expect, if that. Is this only for some places, or is it the norm? I have my first trip coming up in mid Sept. I am a fiftysomething guy and speak decent Spanish. It seems like mid price options are limited, it's either high price ($100 up) or low end dives. Am I totally wrong here? I hope I am. Thanks for any info anybody wants to share.
Most MPs and Baños Turcos are full service. Since Relax and Vida doesn´t offer this option, it attracts better looking girls who are happy not to have to "give it up" to many less than attractive clients. Just about every place else will give you what you are looking for. Check out the local Perutops forum for details.
Not a fan, but I thought you "Nibu" types might be interested in the closure last week. I was happy to see that they had the "good taste" to give the "mattress memories" a proper cremation!
[QUOTE=Lima Busy]Not a fan, but I thought you "Nibu" types might be interested in the closure last week. I was happy to see that they had the "good taste" to give the "mattress memories" a proper cremation![/QUOTE]
Would that be "La Roca" ? I remember a local telling me there was another one in the area.