Peru

Peru: Thieves Work Lima’s Top Hotels and Restaurants

Date: June 25th, 2008 |

The U.S. Embassy in Lima has received reports of numerous petty thefts occurring in five-star hotels and prominent restaurants in the capital city. Criminals working together dress up and act as guests to infiltrate conferences and special events where they steal purses, laptops, cell phones and other valuables while attendees are distracted. It is not [read more]

Peru: More Protests Possible in Cuzco

Date: February 14th, 2008 |

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Protesters burned tires and blocked roads around Cuzco in a 24-hour strike Feb. 7 that also shut down rail transport to Machu Picchu. The demonstrators were protesting two laws that would expand private development around Cuzco and the Sacred Valley of the Incas and make it easier to build hotels near archaeological sites. One law [read more]

Peru: Travel to Ica Disrupted by Aug. 15 Earthquake

Date: August 22nd, 2007 |

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The devastating 8.0 magnitude earthquake that struck Peru’s southern coast Aug. 15 destroyed some 34,400 homes, killed more than 500 people and left 100,000 homeless. Travel in the region of Ica and the cities of Pisco, Ica, Canete, Nazca and Chincha should be deferred until debris has been cleared away and infrastructure repaired. Other areas [read more]

Peru: New Bridge to Machu Picchu Good for Tourists, Locals, but Maybe Not for Site

Date: April 4th, 2007 |

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A new bridge over the Vilcanota River at the village of Santa Teresa has opened a new route to Machu Picchu. The route involves a day-long bus ride and a seven-mile hike from the village along railroad tracks. Village residents and officials are pleased with the development because of the economic boost they expect to [read more]

Peru: Bus-Trucks Are Dangerous, Illegal

Date: February 21st, 2006 |

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Flatbed trucks that have been modified into bus-trucks known here as “bus-camiones” are notoriously dangerous and were banned in 2002. Bus companies, however, found a loophole in the law to keep them on the road. When 45 people died in two accidents Feb. 14, one involving a bus-truck, police launched a nationwide raid to confiscate [read more]

Peru: Plane Crash at Nazca Lines Prompts Call for Safety Measures

Date: April 17th, 2008 |

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Five French tourists died in a small plane crash en route to view the famed Nazca Lines April 10 when the pilot tried to return to the air strip shortly after takeoff. The accident prompted officials to seek tougher safety measures in the area where critics say supervision is lax for the 40 or so [read more]

Peru: Tourists to be Counted in National Census

Date: October 11th, 2007 |

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Travelers in Peru on Oct. 21 will have the novel experience of being counted in the national census, not as residents but as visitors. Officials of the National Statistics Institute said that tourists will be able to go about their business so long as they carry their passports with them that day and obtain a [read more]

Peru: Nationwide Strikes Disrupt Travel

Date: July 19th, 2007 |

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Nationwide protests over a new proficiency test for teachers led to a general strike and demonstrations in just about every major town and city. In the southern region of Puno, demonstrators tried to take over an airport and railway station, the airport in Cusco was temporarily closed, and protesters shut down the rail line to [read more]

Peru: Police Sting Catches Bogus Taxi Drivers; Landslide Blocks Train to Machu Picchu

Date: February 7th, 2007 |

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In response to a growing number of reports by tourists about being robbed by bogus taxi drivers at Lima’s international airport, police ran a one-day sting operation there to begin to control the problem. They checked every taxi that left the airport and removed 14 vehicles on various charges, confident that some of the drivers [read more]

Peru: Inca Trail Closed for Repair

Date: February 7th, 2006 |

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Officials have closed the Inca Trail for a month of maintenance. The popular route runs 40 miles between Cuzco and Machu Picchu and some 500 hikers a day walk it during the peak season. The volume of traffic has taken its toll with plant destruction, soil erosion and a buildup of garbage. Work is being [read more]