Peruvian living is very affordable

Can I afford to move to Peru: What’s the price of food, houses, cars? A – Living in Peru is extremely affordable in many ways. The prices of food, gas and rents are very low. Peruvian friends here in Lima recently rented a 5 bedroom, 4 bath house with car park, large yard and garden for $250 a month. $8-12 USD a week will buy all the fabulous fresh fruits and vegetables needed for a whole week of munching.
Move to Peru for Plentiful and Cheap Fresh Fruits and Vegetables
Move to Peru for the markets! Market days are often the highlight of the week for many locals and markets are bustling on those days. Peru’s market day is SaturdayMarket day is a day for vendors to socialize as well as profit from the literal “fruits” of their labor and the markets ring with laughter, lively conversation and bartering as each buyer looks for the best produce at the best price.Your move to Peru can save you money. Here’s a sampling of approximate costs for Peru food as of September, 2008:
3 medium pineapples (pinas) - $1
4 small papayas - $1
6-8 Gala apples (manzanas) - $1
fresh blackberries (mora) - $1 per liter
huge red juicy fresh strawberries (fresas) - $1 per 1 – 2 lbs.
bunch of fresh herbs like cilantro, basil, parsley - $.15
free range eggs (huevos) - 10-12 cents each
potatoes (papas) - $2 for 10 pounds
red bell peppers – 10 cents each
zucchini, eggplant, broccoli, etc. – 25 - 50 cents per large piece
2 dozen fresh roses or other cut flowers - $1-2
A chain of grocery stores called, “Wong,” has locations in most larger cities and towns in Peru. They carry many of those things ex-pats crave but often cannot always get in other countries; things like peanut butter, olives with pimento, imported cheeses such as jalapenos, Mexican salsa, chips like Doritos and Ruffles, safely-packaged meats of all kinds, and ketchup. You move to Ecuador will not take you far away from familar foods.Upon moving to Peru you will recognize those tried-and-true American brands you know and love, plus a large variety of European items. They don’t carry very many spices, especially the ethnic ones from countries like India or Thailand.Palso sells very good quality kitchen utensils, glasses and cups, pillows and specialty ingredients for Thai and Mexican dishes. Their pots and pans are the Peruvian standard—not the greatest. A huge Wong has just opened in a new mall in Lima.

Mail in Peru

Is it hard to receive and send mail after my move to Peru? A Mail service is reasonably trustworthy in large towns. Paying for a post office box in a town like Lima could be the best and safest system for receiving mail. There's a tiny fee for this service. Mail in smaller cities and rustic areas is infrequent or non-existent. General delivery at the local post office. Use UPS, DHL or FedEx. It's safer and more trustworthy, though costly. We lately received a Visa card from the states thru FedEx Global Concern and the price for mailing was $69USD! Mail Forwarding and your move to Peru www.EarthClassMail.com makes your postal mail straight away available on the net, just like e-mail.
You can look at, open, recycle and manage your mail online, from anywhere around the world. Check out your mail and then get rid of the junk mail, fliers, ads and other pointless paper.
Simplify your move to Peru. You have your selected mail sent to a remote address. Earth Class picks up your mail every day at the post office, scans in all of the sealed envelope photographs, then electronically sends every one to you on the web. You view your envelopes in a safe online mailbox and tell them what you wish to do with your mail. Recycle all of the junk with a click of your mouse Have them soundly scan the contents so you can read it online Shred sensitive info Forward the first to you or some other person Forward the electronic document to whomever you select repository the originals at their facility This service is fast, safe and environmentally sound. Save fuel costs and cut back your carbon footprint. Expatriates save 50-75% over standard mail forwarding services. They also have check processing. Www.usglobalmail.com gives you your own U.S. Address, whether or not it's a suite, box, flat, dep. or office. You can view all incoming mail and customise each cargo by carrier, speed and cost. For world business, a U.S. Address is mandatory. They offer inventory and accomplishment services as well as mail forwarding. You can shop on Amazom.com. For people, they offer the most sophisticated mailing service. View incoming mail in real-time and customise each cargo by carrier, speed, and price. With U.S. World Mail you can shop on Amazon.com and other well-liked sites that may only ship to a U.S. Address.
Forward mail and packages to your current foreign address.

Mancora Peru

The small, laid back fishing town of Mancora is located on Peru's north coast approximately 1165km north of Lima and 120km south of the frontier with Ecuador. It has attractive sandy beaches which provide safe swimming as well as excellent surfing. The best surfing months are from November to February.Although Mancora is sunny all year round, the high season is from mid-December to mid-March when the beaches and hotels can become full of holidaymakers from Lima and Ecuador.The town itself has one bank (Banco de la Nacion) and several ATMs (automatic cash machines) as well as a small mini-market, a couple of pharmacies, internet cafes and plenty of shops selling souvenirs and beachwear. There are many small hostals and hotels, a good choice of restaurants and a few lively bars.Mancora has a very relaxed, safe, friendly feel and the beaches are clean, making it an excellent stopping off point when visiting the north of Peru or travelling to Ecuador.Weather:The weather is semi-tropical, dry with sunshine all year round. The chance of rain is very small. In the Winter (June - August) the daily temperatures are in the high 20's (centigrade). During the Summer months (January - March) the avergae daily temperatures are in the high 30's (centigrade). However temperatures can feel a little cooler due to the coastal breezes which can often be quite strong in the afternoons.

Andes Mountains

The climate of the Andes Mountains really varies depending on where you are. The southern portion of the mountains is rainy and cool. The central part of the mountain range is dry, and the northern Andes are warm and rainy. The mountains are capped with snow, but then there is a rainforest close by! The climate is really different depending on where you are and the altitude of the mountains in the surrounding areas. The rainforest used to be bigger, but it’s slowly going away.The Inca Empire began here in the Andes way back in the 1400s. It’s really interesting to think that people were here so many years ago. Eventually, the Spanish conquered the Incas. Three main crops come from the Andes Mountains today. These are tobacco, cotton, and coffee. They also grow Coca here, which they use in small amounts in some herbal teas. It’s also kind of a big deal, because apparently Coca is used to make drugs, too. Mining is also a big business in the mountains. The main minerals are iron, gold, silver, tin, and copper. The Andes are known for being the most important sources of these minerals in the world! Being here is so much fun. It gets pretty cold at night, but it’s very pretty during the day. The mountains are so big! It’s so different from being at home. It’s very peaceful and quiet. I’ve really enjoyed being here and learning about these mountains.

Where to go in Peru.part 2

Reachable only by a five day boat ride or by plane, Iquitos is far apart from other cities. Since it’s in the jungle, expect high temperatures and lots of humidity. In addition, seasons are reverse what they are in the coast and mountains. In the jungle, summer is in July and August and known as the dry season. Lots of rain, humidity and bugs can be expected in the wet season.LIMAThe most populated city in Lima has changed by leaps and bounds in the past 50 years when it was a sleepy capital. Now many businesses, both local and international have jobs in Lima. In addition, the majority of paperwork, such as immigration issues and passports, or visits to embassies, have to be taken care of in Lima. Because of this, there are many foreigners who call Lima home. You’ll have no problem finding people from your country, try going to the embassy and they should help you get in touch with others.Located smack dab in the middle of the western coast, Lima’s easy to get to, weather it be by bus, car, or plane. If you have an international flight, you’ll be flying into Jorje Chavez Airport in Lima.There are about 8 million inhabitants in Lima and because of this, you can find just about everything you need. High end as items as well as bargains can be found in Lima depending on where you look. So there’s things that will fit everyone’s budget. Read more about budgeting in Lima in this Lima on 500 dollars a month.

Where to go in Peru,Part 1

Where to go Part 1: Some people are certain what city they want to live in while others aren’t. Many people want to go to Cusco. Keep in mind that there are lots of tourists and is similar to Europe, so if you want the real Peru experience, I would advise against Cusco. Smaller towns are an option. Piura and Chiclayo are close to the famous beaches. Trujillo is a uni town. Lima is the centre of everything. Arequipa is famous for its volcano. Puno has snow. Iquitos is in the jungle. Do some research; what appeals to some many not appeal to others.
CUSCOPerhaps the first thing that comes to mind when thinking about Peru is Cusco and Manchu Picchu. Voted as one of the Modern Wonders of the World, it’s no wonder that people flock to Cusco. You should have no problem finding people who speak English and you’re sure to find people who speak other languages as well. In addition to a high foreign population, Cusco also has many native people living there as well. Cusco’s a big of a hodge-podge with foreigners, Peruvians, and native people living together.It’s located in the eastern part of the country, near Bolivia. Cusco’s located high up in the mountains, so be sure to allow yourself a couple of days to adjust to the altitude. Bring some medicine as people often suffer from altitude. sickness while they are there.Due to the large foreign population, prices tend to be a bitter higher than in other cities. However if you ask around and learn a bit of Spanish, you’ll find places to go where you can get lower prices.Many handicrafts, such as jewellery, clothes and artwork can be found in Cusco. You’ll have no shortage of courses or teachers to choose from if you decide to take up a hobby. All of this gives Cusco a bit of a bohemian, laid-back atmosphere.
AREQUIPAKnown as the white city because of all the granite, Arequipa’s a relaxing place to live in or visit. It’s also high up in the mountains, so you’ll be sure to get plenty of fresh air. Arequipa is also pretty touristy because of Misti, the volcano, and the fact that it’s relatively close to Chile.As the second biggest city in the country, Arequipa has a decent sized foreign population, though not as many foreigners live here as in Cusco or Lima.Prices are lower than Lima, but if you want to go shopping for touristy stuff, expect to pay. If you want to g out on the town, stay close to the centre if you want to meet foreigners and if you want to make locals, head away from the tourist traps.

Peruvian Business Idea

Why is Alpaca fiber valuable? Alpaca fiber is classified as a rare specialty fiber. It is five times warmer than sheep wool fiber and more luxurious than cashmere. There are more than 22 natural colors of alpaca fleece. An infinite array of natural colors can be produced by blending these fibers. Alpaca fiber can also be easily worked. Alpaca fiber is strong and resilient and has more thermal capacity than almost any other animal fiber. The fiber actually contains microscopic air pockets that contribute the creation of lightweight apparel with very high insulation value. Alpaca fiber does not itch as wool often does because it does not contain lanolin and has a smooth cell structure.
Alpaca, also offers great export opportunities for people who want to do business in Peru.
I have traveled all over Peru and have found this among many other business opportunities available here.
It's very exciting to me to be in a place that has so much opportunity just ripe for the taking.

Organic Foods

Peru is home to a growing number of organic farmers who are selling both locally and internationally ... and it’s home to first-rate institutions investigating solutions to pest, disease and nutrient problems in organic tropical systems. I love writing about the food in Peru, Peruvians are in love with their food and it shows.Not only is the food exceptional, so are the prices.
People are selling food all over the streets, in vegetable card,little take-out diners, even a tiny little markets sell everything from fresh organic fruits and vegetables two eggs and cheese.
Everything is healthy to, there are a few fast food restaurants, as a matter of fact the McDonald's and Burger King's are more expensive then the freshly grown organic foods they serve in the restaurants, it's hard to believe.

Economy in Peru

The U.S. Federal Government has done what has been titled as unprecedented since the era of the Great Depression. They say that “when the U.S. sneezes the rest of the world catches a cold.”
Well it seems Peru was prepared to avoid a cold. Peru is a dual currency country so to speak. The primary currencies are Nuevos Soles (PEN) and U.S. Dollars (USD) with the Euro (EUR) coming in third place.
Since the weakness of the USD us foreigners and even Peruvians have felt the squeeze. Incomes are often paid in Soles or Dollars, but this year more employees and businesses have been earning and charging in the national currency due to the weakness and devaluation of the once mighty greenback.
With the recent bailouts and nationalization of major corporate players in the States it came as a huge surprise to many that the exchange rate of the USD in Peru didn’t waiver. The joke is, “When Bush speaks the dollar falls.” It seems the joke has no truth this week.
While the U.S. economy have been shrinking the Peruvian economy has been expanding. In fact, much of Latin America has been seeing positive economic growth at astonishing rates.
CNN International reported that developing markets were able to survive this global crisis, because developing markets have more cash reserves. That’s true, especially in the case of Peru. While credit use is increasing, it is still relatively new, the majority of daily transactions are done in cash.

After spending 3 years now in Peru, My eyes were opened and I saw the dramatic difference between the two economies. Peru was more cash rich than the United States! In Peru I use cash 99% of the time, while in the United States I use cash 1% of the time. If you think about it, everything is a farce in the States, it is plastic and you never actually OWN your property or possessions. It gives the “American Dream” a whole other meaning.


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So how has Peru managed to remain relatively unaffected by this financial circus? According to a report by Agencia Andina, Peru has been able to weather out the international crisis since the country had prepared itself months before last week’s events occurred.
The Ministry of Economy and Finance had foreseen the collapse of U.S. markets and increased the Fiscal Surplus to absorb any losses.
Lima’s stock exchange had taken a temporary dive along with the other global indexes, but recovered at one of the highest rates recorded in the last years.
While tent cities are springing up across America, construction in Latin America is booming and Peru is no exception.
Fortunately, the Peruvian government has been cautious, but hopefully they will take a note from history and not repeat the same mistakes the U.S. has made as credit comes into popular use by the day.
The Peruvian economy has had its rollercoaster rides in the past going from wealthy to poor at the rate of a guano dropping, yet the past cycles are likely to be past. The rules are changing worldwide and developing countries such as Peru are becoming unlikely economic powerhouses.
The U.S. may be sneezing up a financial flu, but Peru drank its coca-tea and has stayed relatively immune for now.

Tipping and Pisco in Peru

Tipping in cafes isn't something that is done with the Peruvians. If they leave a tip at all, it will probably be one sol(33 cents), irrespective of the cost of the meal or number in the dining party. Travellers should tip not more than ten p.c. It's not critical to tip more -- and it's not a brilliant idea to show off ones wealth. In a little Lima eaterie with local food, a Peruvian buyer was overheard enlightening her gringo dining partner that he shouldn't leave a tip there. The lady who waited on them, cooked the food, and brought the check is also the owner, she said. In that case, the buyer declared, the person does not expect to be tipped. The man left a tip any way as he is used to doing, which his Peruana partner told him was excessive and fully needless.
Luckily when I came to Peru I learned this right away as I was used to leaving around 18% for my meal in the US.
My friends here cant believe we Americans tip so much,I still leave about 8%-10% tip,as the meal is still ¼ the cost of the food in the US.

Nothing written about food and dining in Peru would be complete without a mention of the nation's drink of Peru. Pisco is an area where the 1st vinyards were planted in South America, so that the name of the conventional Peruvian brandy ( Pisco ) and the drink from which it is formed ( Pisco sour ) originate in that area.
Lately Chile officials have approached Peruvian vinyards about co-promoting Pisco, but Peruvians have strongly pretested any claims on the origion of the drink.
Even the working class in Chile reconize that Pisco came from Peru. Many sweet wines come from the Ica area, but wines from Chile and Argentina are also abounding in Peruvian eateries. A drink that each visitor must try is chicha morada, a drink made of purple maiz ( corn ). And naturally, one must also try the nation's softdrink from Peru, Inca Kola, a thick yellow bubblegum seasoned soda pop that does not have as much kick / carbonation as say a Mt. But do not expect ice, because ice is not typically served in drinks in Peru. Some cafes may have a bit of ice to give to patrons if they ask for it, but it's not something that is typically served there. Even in the warmer climates of the rainforest, soda is typically served cool without ice, and often at a comfortable temperature right in the bottle with a straw

Arts and culture in Peru

Peru is known for its mythical culture,enticing the visitor with its stunning archeological sites. During pre-Hispanic times, many cultures with backgorunds in agriculture, pictorial humanities and organizational systems settled the territory.
Although many modern Peruvians have left the highlands and the jungle for the towns, a high number of the Peruvian population remains native. That is, they have kept their customs that make Peruvian folklore various and rich. In the colonial period, the towns were planned according to the Spanish convention. Churches, municipalities, museums and homes were built, some of which are still saved ; some of the most

Here is a photo from Lake Titicaca,It is a place of incredible beauty,I visited Puno and the lake recently and blown away by the natural beauty here.

I took the train from Cusco to Puno and it was almost like i was traveling back in time.

It is a must see if you are spending time here in Peru.

Engaging places are Arequipa, Lima and Cusco. The city is full of life, sometimes chaotic and loud, while the little towns are appealing and undying. The capital, Lima, contains the bulk of the population ( 8,000,000 according to the last census ) and is a tiny model of the entire country.
Modernity and underdevelopment, exclusiveness and anguish, beauty and anarchy are seen in life daily. Jugglers and street sellers are a part of the town scene. Up to date art unfolds in many expressions, but plastic ( such as sculpture, carving, pottery, and weaving ) are the most widespread.In Lima you will find film, theater, opera, modern and classical dance, rock, jazz, and classical music concerts, as well as salsa and countless art studios, all expressing the multiple faces of the country. Faith is a vital facet of Peru. Catholicism is the number one faith, though there are others too.
Many religious celebrations are held thru the country in the full year, but especially at Easter. The native population is principally Catholic and has additionally kept some other ancient beliefs alive through their culture.

Peru business opportunities

Peru is bursting with business opportunities.
Just ask Walt Disney World, they have been looking at building a theme park about an hour south of Lima.
Of all the countries in the world why would Disney picked Peru to build a theme park?
Peru is one of those countries that has gotten very little press, with the exception of Cusco and Machu Picchu.
When the US and world economy in turmoil Peru has amazingly held its own. Everywhere you look there is building going on from brand-new high-rise buildings to homes and businesses will will in all this is being done at a fraction of the cost of many countries prurience take pride in their work and it shows.
If you live here for a while like I have and walk the streets of Lima daily, you'll notice an amazing work ethic and friendliness in these people
It's almost like someone turned the clock back 40 or 50 years prices of things here and the way people are genuinely friendly and caring.
It's very refreshing for me to finally be in a country so close to the United States that has all the modern conveniences we do at a fraction of the cost, that has yet to be discovered as Panama and Costa Rica have. As a business person you have excellent internet and phone services. You also have digital broadband cable TV will or your choice of the dish network. Also brand-new movie theaters with first run movies in English. There is even a theater here in Miraflores that you can have dinner and drinks while watching the movie.
There isn't a day that goes by, I don't see near business opportunities. Everything from the small business venture, like exporting Peruvian products worldwide. To larger scale opportunities such as restaurants and bars. If there's one thing that Peruvians love to do, that's eat. Peru has some of the best food anywhere on the planet. And almost any night of the week you will find that there is a waiting line to get into the good restaurants.
There are quite a number of business opportunities will to be had within the restaurant niche.
Peruvians are fascinated with Americans and American culture, there are many types of cuisine here that could also be be implemented.
Real estate is another great investment here you can buy a brand new three bedroom apartment for $70,000 and if you do not want to live here full-time there is a great market for weekly daily or monthly rentals, which would more than cover any mortgage payment you may have and add a profit on top of that.
These are just a few of the opportunities that are here in Peru for.

Health Care In Peru

I have been living in Peru now for about three years. I just recently acquired private healthcare. I am a 50-year-old male in good health, although I do have lyme disease.
My girlfriend has lived in Peru her entire life and was familiar with what clinics offer the best care and best medical plans.
So one afternoon we drove to the clinic and picked up an application and spoke to the girl about getting health insurance for myself. The girl made an appointment for later that evening and came by the house to fill out the paperwork.
I figured it was going to be a long drawn out process like it is in the US trying to get health insurance.
What a surprise it was when she showed up and asked me questions for about 15 minutes about my past health history. All he needed to do was show my passport and tell her I was healthy and I was covered!
I thought to myself okay what's the catch!they wil come back in a month after they checked my medical records and say pre-existing this and pre existing that and Much to my surprise two weeks later she called and said you can pickup your health card at the clinic you're all set.I have since found out, they don't check medical records.
Oh and did I forget to mention the grand total is $38 a month for full coverage.
Unfortunately literally the day my coverage was in force I decided to go in and check and see what the story was with my stomach.
Long story short, the specialist decided to do an endroscopy.
In case you don't know that means they use medicine to make you sleep and they put the camera down your throat to see what's going on in your stomach.
The total cost for me out-of-pocket was $30.
You have to pay 10% for the specialist fee and 10% for any prescriptions or medicines they're going to use in the procedure.
That included the fee to see the specialist,medicine to put me under,the endroscopy and the diagnosis.
The people in the clinic were very professional and very knowledgeable.
It certainly was a different experience than what you get in the US.
I feel the care in this clinic was as good if not better than a lot of the care that I have received in the US for 15 times the cost of the same health insurance.
It certainly has made me a believer in the health care system here in Peru.
And it confirmed something I are ready new. That the US badly needs to fix their system.

Retire in Peru

Living and retiring in Peru has become a great opportunity for many people.
With everything from great city life, great food incredible value for the dollar and perfect year-round weather.
It's easy to see why Peru has become a country that so many are talking about.

If you're living on a tight budget, you can easily live on less than $1000 a month that includes rent.

Peru has something to offer for everyone.Everything from Lima Peru, with its great nightlife, theater, world-class restaurants, shopping and extremely warm and friendly people, to the adventure minded, trekking in the Andes Mountains where you can take a boat ride down the Amazon River, Peru truly has it all and at an extremely affordable price.
For example one, you can go to a first-class restaurant in Lima with dinner for two for less than $30.
If you choose to live in Peru you can hire a full-time live-in maid who will cook clean and run errands for you for less than $200 a month.
Many people that I know don't own a car, there is no need, a taxi will cost you three dollars for a half hour ride. Or some prefer to take the bus for a mere $.33.
The markets and grocery stores are also very affordable, a dozen eggs will cost you less than a dollar, a loaf of bread is also around the dollar, I haven't been back to the states in a while but form what I understand it's at least three times that for loaf of bread.
Utility bills are also very affordable, and average size 2 bedroom apartment the electricity bill for the month is usually around $15-$20.
With perfect year-round weather there is no need for heat or air conditioning, as a matter of fact none of the homes have it. The only place you may want air-conditioning would be the Amazon jungle as the humidity is extremely high and temperatures are often in the 80s year-round.
Airline travel is also very affordable within Peru, they often run specials from such places like Lima to Cusco, where the world-famous Machu Picchu is located for round-trip fare of $59. Or you can travel from Lima to Mancora on the Ecuador border also for round-trip fare of $59.
Real estate investing is also another great reason to come to Peru, you can buy a beautiful two bedroom condominium brand-new in a brand-new building overlooking the city for $70,000.
There is much more to discover about Peru.

Peruvian food

Peru is world-famous for its food. The coast of Peru sits directly on the Pacific Ocean, with the Humboldt current just a few miles offshore. 20% of the world seafood comes from the Humboldt current.It is no wonder that Peru offers first-class seafood dishes like the mouthwatering ceviche. The food costs here also are beyond reasonable, you can sit down and have a nice lunch for three dollars and that includes everything appetizer entrée and a drink. And this isn't fast food either,this is made to order fish chicken or meat will with your choice of vegetable and a salad this also includes dessert.
I have lived here for a little over three years and in the city of Lima alone every week I am finding new and interesting places to go. In Peru you have different types of cuisine depending on what part of the country you where you are in.
The city of Lima is like a melting pot for the entire country, you can find food from the Andes Mountains food from the jungle and food from the small towns throughout Peru, all located in one city.
It's amazing to me the quality of the food here and the amount of restaurants that serve them.
Some of them are all decked out like some of the finer restaurants you'd see in New York city, but at fraction of the cost, a typical dinner for two at one of these high-end restaurants will run you anywhere from $30-$40 and that is the high end. How much you think that would cost in New York?
And the service is impeccable it's like the restaurants were 40 years ago, when you need something just raise your hand you got it. Peruvians are also very proud of their food, it's funny almost anytime I get a taxi, the taxi driver asks me where I am from and how long I've been in Peru. And inevitably the taxi driver will bring up the conversation of food, have you tried this restaurant, or have you tried that food, it's really fun to see how excited Peruvians are about their food.
There are many areas in the city to choose from, everything from Miraflores which is along the ocean to Barranco with its many steakhouses, so Lima downtown with its old world restaurants and bars.
One thing is for certain if you come to Peru and try the food you'll never forget it.