Peru is located on the western coast of South America on the Pacific Ocean. It is bordered to the north by Ecuador and Columbia; to the east by Brazil and to the south by Chile and Bolivia.
Learn more about Cheap Flights and Discount Airlines in South America and How to Travel by Bus in South America.
International Airports, Flight Time, Timezones
Peru’s main international airport is the Jorge Chávez International Airport in Lima, Peru. The four other international airports in Peru are in Arequipa (southern Peru ), Cusco (southern Peru – the largest city near Machu Picchu), Iquitos (north-eastern Peru on the Amazon River, only accessible by plane or boat), Piura (northwestern Peru – 260 miles / 420 km north of Huanchaco, Trujillo). (Jump to details on getting to the best surf spots in Peru.)
A flight from Delta’s hub at the Atlanta International Airport to Lima is approximately 7 hours. It may come as a surprise to people that Lima is almost directly south of Atlanta. A flight from Atanta to Lima will take you over the Florida Keys, Cuba, Panama, Columbia and Ecuador before landing in Peru.
Depending on what time of year you go to Peru, you may end up on the same timezone as the eastern United States. Peru does not use daylight savings time, therefore from March to October Peru is one hour behind United States eastern time.
Entry Requirements
One of the great things about traveling to Peru is that they do not charge you a visa or entry fee to enter their country if you are a citizen of the United States, Canada, Great Britain, Australia, New Zealand or South Africa. They will however issue you a tourist card (at no charge) for up to 90 days that must be surrendered upon departure from the country (a fine will be incurred for lost cards). Peru only requires US citizens to have a valid passport. Peru recommends, but does not require, a vaccination for Yellow Fever.
In comparison, neighboring Bolivia charges $130 USD to U.S. citizens for a five-year visa to enter their country (available at the border). When flying on an international flight into Santiago, Chile or Buenos Aires, Argentina you will be hit with a reciprocal entry fee of $131 USD at the airport in order to enter their country. This fee similar to what the United States charges Chilean and Argentine citizens to enter the U.S. As these charges can add up quickly, Peru is a great value for the budget traveler.
How to Get to the Best Surf Spots in Peru
Located in the north of Peru on the Pacific Ocean, the coastal town of Huanchaco, Peru is approximately eight hours north of Lima by bus via the nearby city of Trujillo. Trujillo is the third most populated city in Peru and the closest large city to Huanchaco.
There are many bus companies to choose from in Peru, but Cruz del Sur is one of the safest and most trusted bus companies available. With four busses leaving daily, a one-way ticket from Lima to Trujillo costs about $35 USD.
Once you arrive at the bus station in Trujillo, either spend the night or take a taxi directly to Huanchaco for about $5.00 USD.
Find inspiration to get traveling to Huanchaco in the photo gallery and video sections.
Not sure where to stay in Huanchaco? Check out the list of hostels in Huanchaco.
Want to go surfing in Huanchaco? View this list of surf schools in Huanchaco to help you either with your first lesson or take some advanced surfing lessons with their skilled instructors.