Peru Program FAQ's

This page contains answers to questions specific to Peru. If your question is more general, you may find an answer in the International Volunteer Travel general FAQs page, to be directed there, click here.

Section1: Planning for Peru Travel

Q1. What languages do I need to speak to be able to participate in your volunteer Peru program?
Q2. When is the best time to participate in your programs?
Q3 When do the programs begin?
Q4. Where can I read more about Peru?
Q5. What is the Weather like in Peru?

Section 2: Traveling and Visa Issues

Q6. What kind of visa do I need? Do I need a work permit?
Q7. How much do I need to pay for a Peru visa and how do I get one?
Q8. My Visa Processing in the city of entry will take time - will someone wait for me?
Q9. What Airport Should I Fly to?

Section 3: Fees and Money

Section 6: Living in Peru

Q12.What language program is offered in the country I plan on going to, is it the Spanish Survival or the Language and culture program, and how long does it take?
Q13. How much time do I have to spend in your programs abroad?
Q14. What are the living conditions like in Peru?
Q15. What is the food like in Peru?

Q1. What languages do I need to speak to be able to participate in your volunteer Peru program?

The language of business in Peru is Spanish. A few people in the area, your program coordinator or some of the program staff will speak English. But having some basic knowledge of Spanish will help. Our Survival Spanish Program gives you an opportunity to learn basic Spanish.

Q2. When is the best time to participate in your programs?

Ans. Any time is just as good. This varies from country to country.  In Peru, any time is just as good.

Q3. When do the programs begin?

Ans. Beginning dates are Second (2nd) and Fouth (4th) Wednesday of each month.

Q4. Where can I read more about Peru?

Ans. You can click here to go to the Peru Country Profile Page, where you can read more about Peru. 

Q5. What is the Weather in Peru like?

Ans. In Lima the rainy season is June to September but very little rain really falls. Generally, Peru has a very humid climate, with a mild summer (temperature rarely goes above 30° Celsius (86 F)), a humid but mild winter (temperature never below 13°C (55 F), but with 100% humidity) and no rain worth mentioning. As a result, the sky is almost always overcast, and it is only in summer that the sky clears.

Section 2: Traveling and Visa Issues

Q6. What kind of visa do I need? Do I need a work permit?

You will need a tourist visa since you are categorized as a tourist because you do not get paid for any services you provide while in the country. For the same reason you do not need a work visa.

Q7. How much do I need to pay for a Peru visa and how do I get one?

All persons visiting Peru on business are required to have a visa. For those visiting as tourists, citizens of the US, Canada, most of Western Europe, Australia and New Zealand only need to present, at the airport in Lima, a valid passport with 6 months or more time to expiry. A tourist visa for 90 days costs $30 US dollars. You can get the tourist visa at the Peruvian embassy in your country or at the airport in Lima upon arrival.

Q8. My Visa Processing in the city of entry will take time - will someone wait for me?

Ans. The visa process at the airport will normally take at 30 minutes to 1 hour. If we know that you will be getting visas at the airport our party will wait for you however long it takes.

Q.9. What Airport should I fly to?

Ans. You will fly to Jorge Chavez International Airport (LIM/SPIM) in Lima, Peru. The conventional airport name is LIMA and the Airport Code is LIM.

Section 3: Fees and Money

Q10. How much money should I bring for my personal expenses in Peru?

The amount of money you bring depend on you. Most participants can live on USD 25 per week for out of pocket expenses. A weekend out will cost you between $ 250 and $500.

Q11. What does my payment cover?

Ans. Please go to the Peru Fees page and our terms of service page to find out what the fee does and/or does not cover.

Section 6: Living in Peru

Q12.What language program is offered in the country I plan on going to, is it the Spanish Survival or the Language and culture program, and how long does it take?

Ans. The Survival Spanish program is offered in Peru. Two options are offered both taking one week. Please see the survival Spanish Peru program for more details.

Q13. How much time do I have to spend in your programs abroad? 

Ans. You can spend a minimum of 1 week and a maximum of 12 weeks with our programs in Peru.

Q14. What are the living conditions like in Peru?

Ans. In order to maintain low fees for our clients, accommodation is provided by host families who are carefully selected from among respected members of society and in such as way as to ensure maximum security and comfort for our clients. Host homes will have running water and electricity; you may be asked to share a room with another person of your gender. During the tours economy hotels will be used and food will be at local restaurants. If you would rather stay at a hostel or hotel that can be arranged with costs borne independently by you.

Q15. What is the food like in Peru?

A la criolla is the term used to describe slightly spiced dishes such as sopa a la criolla, a wholesome soup containing beef, noodles, milk and vegetables. Throughout the extensive coastline, seafood plays a central role in the Creole diet. The most famous Peruvian dish, ceviche, is raw fish or shrimp marinated in lemon juice and usually accompanied by corn and sweet potato. Other Southern American countries have their own ceviche, but many foreigners consider Peru's to be the best. Corvina is sea bass, most simply cooked a la plancha, while scallops (conchitas) and mussels (choros) might be served a lo macho, in shellfish sauce. Chupe de camarones is a thick and tasty soup of salt or freshwater shrimp.