Xref: world wstd.travel.advisories:779 Newsgroups: wstd.travel.advisories Path: world!daemon From: Wally Doerge <76702.1202@compuserve.com> Subject: NEW TRAVEL INFO -- Peru Message-ID: <950731143823_76702.1202_CHN42-1@CompuServe.COM> Precedence: bulk Sender: daemon@world.std.com (daemons) Organization: The World @ Software Tool & Die Distribution: wstd Date: Mon, 31 Jul 1995 14:38:23 GMT Approved: usenet@world.std.com Lines: 169 STATE DEPARTMENT TRAVEL INFORMATION - Peru ============================================================ Peru - Consular Information Sheet July 28, 1995 Country Description: Peru is a developing country with significant tourist and commercial activity. The quality of tourist facilities varies depending on cost and location. Entry Requirements: U.S. citizens must have a valid passport but do not need a visa for tourist visits of up to 90 days. Visitors for other purposes must obtain a visa. Further information regarding entry requirements is available from the Embassy of Peru, 1700 Massachusetts avenue, N.W., Washington, DC 20036, tel. (202) 833-9860, and Peruvian consular offices in California, Florida, Illinois, New York, Puerto Rico, and Texas. Medical Facilities: Medical care is adequate in major cities but is generally less so elsewhere. Local health care providers do not accept U.S. health insurance coverage and require cash payment for medical services. Medicare/Medicaid do not pay for medical services outside the United States. For information regarding health conditions and precautions, contact the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's international travelers hotline at (404) 332-4559. Terrorist Activity: Peruvian government action has greatly reduced the effectiveness of the two active terrorist groups, Sendero Luminoso (Shining Path) and MRTA (Tupac Amaru Revolutionary Movement). Terrorist attacks have not been directed against traditional tourist destinations. Terrorists do, however, continue to attempt sporadic attacks against institutional targets including government offices, embassies and major commercial interests. Miraflores and other affluent suburbs of Lima have been the site of serious bombings. In May 1995, after an interval of several months without a major bombing in Miraflores, a powerful car bomb was detonated in front of a hotel killing four persons and injuring several others. U.S. visitors to Peru are advised of the potential risk of collateral damage from terrorist bomb attacks. The U.S. Embassy restricts official travel of government employees to several areas because guerrilla groups and narcotics traffickers there still resort to violence, usually against local security forces and civilians. Overland travel in or near these areas, particularly at night, is risky. Private U.S. citizens may wish to take the following U.S. Embassy employee-restricted travel areas into consideration when making their travel plans: -Ancash: Provinces of Pallasca, Corongo, and Sihuas only -Apurimac: All areas except Abancay city -Ayacucho: Huanta province (except Huanta city) and Lamar Province only -Cajamarca: Provinces of Cajabamba, Celendin, Jaen, and San Ignacio -Cuzco: Area north of Quillabamba -Huancavelica: All -Huanuco: All areas except Tingo Maria by air -Junin: Province of Satipo -La Libertad: Bolivar, Sanchez Carrion, Santiago de Chuco and Otuzco Provinces -Pasco: Province of Oxapampa -Piura: Province of Huancabamba -Puno: Sandia and Azangaro provinces -San Martin: All rural areas. Travel by air is permitted to the cities of Tarapoto, Juanji, Lamas, Saposoa, Rioja and Moyobamba -Ucayali: Padre Abad and Coronel Portillo Provinces This list is under constant review. For updated information regarding U.S. Embassy-designated restricted travel areas, contact the U.S. Embassy in Lima. (Note: these "restricted travel areas" do not in all cases correspond to existing Peruvian government-designated "emergency zones" which still encompass nearly half of the country, including metropolitan Lima. Certain constitutional rights are suspended in these "emergency zones, giving security forces extraordinary powers to detain and question individuals.) Peru-Ecuador Border: Due to recent hostilities, there is a continuing military presence in the border area. Border crossings may be restricted. It is important that travelers obey the instructions of authorities. Crime Information: Peru is relatively safe for the group tourist who takes appropriate precautions and does not stray from the confines of organized tour packages. The risk of street crime in downtown Lima is high. Nonviolent street crime such as petty theft also occurs in most other urban areas. Violent crimes include assault and armed robbery. Resistance to violent crime usually provokes greater violence. Travel in groups and with experienced guides is safer. Walking alone, especially late at night or early in the morning, can be dangerous. It is important that trail hikers register at Ministry of Tourism trail checkpoints and register admission to national parks. It is also essential for visitors to the remote Aguaruna/Huambisa tribal area (where two U.S. citizens were attacked, one of whom was killed in January 1995) to obtain permission to visit from the tribal council, and to not visit villages without advance permission. Visitors to Peru should immediately report any criminal activity against them to the nearest police station or tourism police office and to the U.S. Embassy in Lima or the consular agent in Cuzco. Immediate action often results in detaining the thieves and recovering stolen property. Tourism police in Cuzco have upgraded and expanded coverage of areas frequented by visitors. The loss or theft of a U.S. passport abroad should be reported immediately to the local police and the nearest U.S. embassy or consulate. Useful information on guarding valuables and protecting personal security while traveling abroad is provided in the Department of State pamphlet, "A Safe Trip Abroad." This publication, as well as others such as, "Tips for Travelers to Central and South America," are available from the Superintendent of Documents, U.S. Government Printing Office, Washington, DC 20402. Drug Penalties: U.S. citizens are subject to the laws of the country in which they are traveling. Penalties in Peru for possession, use, and trafficking in illegal drugs are strict, and convicted offenders can expect lengthy jail sentences and fines. Prison conditions are poor. Other Information: Updated information on Peruvian adoption procedures and the U.S. immigrant visa application process is available from the Consular Section of the U.S. Embassy, as well as >from the Office of Children's Issues, Room 4811, Department of State, Washington, D.C. 20520, tel. (202) 647-2688. Civil marriage in Peru of U.S.-citizen non-residents to Peruvians is difficult, if not impossible. Non-residents are required to present a "Certificado de Solteria" (Certificate of Marriageability). The U.S. Embassy does not issue such documents. The U.S. Embassy also does not authenticate U.S. civil documents for local use. U.S. citizens may wish to have a Peruvian consular official in the U.S. authenticate relevant U.S. civil documents before traveling to Peru. Civil Aviation Oversight: In February 1992, the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration assessed Peru's civil aviation authority as in compliance with international aviation safety oversight standards for Peruvian carriers operating to and from the United States. The same level of safety oversight would typically be applied to operations to other destinations. For further information, travelers may contact the Department of Transportation at 1-800-322-7873. Registration/Embassy and Consular Agency Locations: U.S. citizens may register at the Consular Section of the U.S. Embassy in Lima, and may also obtain updated information on travel and security within Peru. The U.S. Embassy in Lima is located at Avenida de la Encalada (no number), Monterrico, Lima, tel. (51-1) 221-1202. The Consular Agency in Cuzco is located at Avenida Tullumayo 125, tel. (51-84) 23-3541. No. 95-085 This replaces the Consular Information Sheet for Peru dated September 2, 1994, to remove the Travel Warning, provide updated crime and security information, add information on civil marriage, and provide the new U.S. Embassy address and phone number. ----- ----- ----- ----- ----- ----- ----- ----- ----- ----- ----- ----- ----- The "travel-advisories@stolaf.edu" mailing list is the official Internet and BITNET distribution point for the U.S. State Department Travel Warnings and Consular Information Sheets. To unsubscribe, send a message containing the word "unsubscribe" to: travel-advisories-request@stolaf.edu Archives of past "travel-advisories" postings are available at the URL: "http://www.stolaf.edu/network/travel-advisories.html" or via Gopher: gopher.stolaf.edu, Internet Resources/US-State-Department-Travel-Advisories