By Morgan Lloyd, Posted Jan 11, 2008
Sections: Intro Basic Info Meet the Peruvians Travel Tips Dating in Peru Work in Peru and Costs Getting There & Around Health & Safety Accommodation Psychotropics Destinations in Peru
you pays your money you takes your chances
Peruvian transport, like almost everything else in the country, largely depends on where you are. Transportation between the main cities can be done by large, deluxe busses on well paved roads. Major companies have reliable timeframes and safe, sober drivers. Even these deluxe busses aren’t usually overly expensive (Costing $10-15 for an 8 hour ride), and are usually overnight services, so you’ll save a night in a hotel.
As is typical, the quality of the ride depends on how much you want to pay. The cheapest busses are crowded and extremely uncomfortable. In the mountains, you might have the interesting experience of having an old man or woman sitting on you lap, at least long enough to explain to them that they can just have your seat.
Travel in the most remote regions involves creativity. If the bus is full, it becomes fully acceptable to ride on top with the luggage which feels something like riding an elephant. Either way, a gringo on top of the luggage will get a good laugh from the locals.
Travel in the jungle is usually done by boat. Travelers have different opinions of life on a jungle boat, but it is essential to bring a hammock in any case. The views from the river at sunset are quite beautiful, and the boat is probably better than a bus on a dirt road, especially in the rainy season.
