Lessons Learned: what to do, where to visit and what to eat in Perú:
General:
1. Try bread. Everywhere
2. Always travel with hand sanitizer and toilet paper.
3. Bring Peanut Butter or other favorite foods if you think they can’t be found in your destination!
4. I think under-packing, rather than over-packing, is actually better, but in general, pack wisely! (I need to work on this..)
5. Track exchange rates for a while and change your money when it is around the highest point
6. Nothing can be put down the toilets in Perú, no toilet paper, tampons, nada!
7. Explore the local markets: goods, foods, whatever!
8. Peru cheese is just not the same
9. Papas secas (dried potatoes) are disgusting. Beware.
10. Take pictures, lots. And with you in them
11. Travel with someone who likes taking pictures and get them to take photos of you
12. Set your camera on the correct setting for the picture (dusk, dawn, etc)
13. Bargaining is widely accepted, just don’t insult people too much, especially those that hand make their crafts
14. Visit antique shops
15. Dune buggies are awesome! Definitely an activity to try out, along with sandboarding
16. Fruit in Peru is delicious, try it all
17. Check that your dish is vegetarian, and make sure that you ask about chicken as well, some places consider vegetarian to only include red meats
18. Falafel and Chinese (Chifa) is pretty good the world over
19. Churros, every chance you get
20. Buy a map
21. Talk to locals about the best spots to check out
22. Playa means parking in Perú, along with the typical meaning of beach
23. Try the food, but be smart, being sick away from home is terrible
24. Don’t drink the water if not recommended
25. Carry a copy of your passport with you
26. Bring water to the restaurants, it is pricey there!
27. Keep all papers given to you at the airport, it just might be a $35 replacement fee entrance/exit paper! (Not a personal lesson learned)
28. Manajar Blanco (Dulce de Leche) should be eaten whenever possible. In fact dessert should be eaten as much as possible
29. Bring an assortment of money and cards so that you are never without funds
30. Talk to taxi drivers!
31. Avocado+Bread serves as a good meal any time of the day
32. Soup is served before almost every dinner…good at some times but BLAH at others
33. Food here seems to be extra salty
34. Two words: Platanos Maduras
Ica:
35. There are some crazy waitresses in this town, beware!
36. Chifa place on the Hotel de Ica street is good and fairly cheap
37. The Confetti Maní sold by almost every street vendor is tasty and addicting
38. Plaza food here isn’t as expensive as other cities, but it is still definitely more near the plaza rather than a bit off the beaten path
Lima:
39. Taco place on Avenida El Sol, not a taco but delicious nonetheless
40. The bread at Metro Supermarket is cheap and delicious, the flat one is especially amazing, if not a bit greasy
41. Get ready for some honking, Lima drivers never stop
42. Arroz a la Cubana at the terrace restaurant 3 floors up next to the Plaza de Armas is cheap (S./ 8 for appetizer, entrée and drink) as well as delicious
43. Negotiate your taxi driver down as much as possible before getting in the cab. General rule? Split his given price in half and go from there, normally you will end up in the middle, or if it is still too high don’t worry about finding a different cab
44. The sticker cabs (without the actual taxi sign) are generally cleaner, cheaper, and know where they are going compared to other cabs. Mi favorita!
45. Pizza in this city is not the best, especially Las Pizzas Bar
46. Taxi drivers here don’t know where they are going, it is not unusual to stop 2+ times to ask pedestrians for directions
Cusco:
47. Eat empanadas in Peru, especially the veggie one at the Plaza Regocijo
48. Go to the Bagel Café and try all 3 of the mint shakes, especially the Limonana. And if you are craving fresh veggies that is the place to get a salad as well, just don’t expect a hearty American bagel (Gringo Alley)
49. Cabs here should not charge more than S./ 3 for areas close to the Plaza de Armas, but you will pay more at night
50. Our ‘Vegetarian Place’ had great prices and great food. It was one of the best restaurant finds of the trip (you are welcome guys!) (Calle Tigre)
51. Chocolate Museum! Need I say more? (Plaza Regocijo)
52. You can either negotiate the price before getting in the cab or get in and pay what you think is a fair price. The second option is generally more successful but can end up with an upset taxi driver
53. San Pedro Market, buy and eat a mango right from the stand, the owner will cut it for you (cortar: to cut)
54. Honey in San Pedro tastes just like fresh flowers, yum!
55. McDonalds has free wi-fi and MUCH better fries than in the states. The Iberica McFlurry can also hit the spot on a hot day
56. Try the trout (trucha) and cebiche, Peruvian specialties!
57. Jugo at the Mercado is cheap and good, and you get at least 2 glasses with every purchase (the Jugo Especial includes malt beer and comes with 5 glasses, bring friends!)
Aquas Calientes:
58. The restaurant owners will bargain and give you free stuff almost without you having to do anything, but it is still more expensive
Arequipa:
59. S./ 3.50 all around! YES
60. A little off the plaza everything gets wayyyy cheaper
61. There is a legitimate Crabby Patty burger place off of the Plaza de Armas. I naturally didn’t try the burger but it looked great and I only heard good things. A newly cut bun, papas fritas and vegetables topped off the freshly grilled meat which can be eaten in the Spongebob decked out store, or for one confused look the meal can be para llevar.
Well that about sums up my trip to Peru. Fun times, good people and amazing experiences all around. I feel like I have definitely seen a large portion of the country but can't wait to explore more. ¡Hasta luego Perú!