Unless you are traveling overland through South America, you will need to fly to get to Peru. Although prices vary depending on the time of year, how far in advance you buy, and the type of ticket, the major airlines seem to keep fares fairly stable, and tickets can easily be purchased online. Most people arrive at Lima’s Jorge Chavez Airport – there is an airport hotel, but it is a considerable distance from the downtown areas of Lima (Miraflores, San Isidro, Barranco) or even the old Centro de Lima. A taxi to downtown Lima takes 35-55 minutes.

Public holidays, Carnival, and local fiestas are major events in Peru, celebrated with great enthusiasm and openness, making them a draw for visitors. During these days, everything usually closes, including banks, offices, and museums. Major national holidays occur at Easter, Christmas, and October, in that order. It is advisable to plan ahead to avoid surprises. In addition to these large celebrations, almost every community has its own saint or patron figure, whose holiday is very meaningful to locals. These fiestas are usually very fun and authentic, with processions, music, dancing, and symbolic representations, such as villagers dressed as Spanish settlers with grotesque masks.