Peru-Borders, Roads, Hotels, and Camping

Read more about border crossing, road closures, driving, gas prices, hotels, and camping in Peru.

Basic Facts

• Population: 29,180,900
• Capital: Lima
• Fun Fact: Peru is home to Machu Picchu, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Border Crossing Information

Entry Requirements

Necessary documents

• Passport
• Drivers License
• Vehicle Title/Registration
• 1 photocopy of each
• Vehicle Insurance

Costs

• S/.4 parking fee
• S/.3.10 fumigation

Procedure

First head to migracion to have your passport stamped. You will need a photocopy of the stamped page and the face page of your passport for the importation of your car.  Depending on the border, you may have to pay a parking fee outside of the aduana.  At the aduana, present your passport photocopies and a copy of your car title/registration.  Fill out the 2 parts of the SUNAT (superintendencia nacional de circulacion y salida) form.  The aduana officials will stamp and date the back of the form - they keep one part and you keep the other.  You will also get a big SUNAT sticker for your car's windshield.  There shouldn't be a charge for the importation.  Your car may be fumigated as well for minimal cost.  

Peru requires some form of insurance, but it doesn't have to be SOAT - it just needs to have equal coverage. The relevant law is here:

Articulo 30.1, Ley No. 27181: Todo vehículo automotor que circule en el territorio de la República debe contar con una póliza de seguros vigente del Seguro Obligatorio de Accidentes de Tránsito - SOAT o certificados contra accidentes de tránsito, que contengan términos equivalentes, condiciones semejantes o mayores coberturas ofertadas que el SOAT vigente

You can buy SOAT at the Macara border crossing from Ecuador. It was $8 USD for a one month policy. The insurance office is the building on top of the hill, just south of Migracion and across the street from Aduana.

Exit Requirements

Necessary documents

• Passport
• Tourist permit
• Vehicle import permit

Procedure

When you drive up to the border, you will be asked to surrender your vehicle import permit. They should give you one of the pieces of the permit as a receipt. At the aduana you will surrender your tourist permit and have your passport stamped stating that you have left the country. There should not be any costs.

Individual Experiences

People's experiences vary depending on crowds at the border, corrupt or honest border officials, and rules can also change. People's individual experiences are included in the Peru-Additional Border Crossing page.  

Roads and Driving

Road Closures

July 2009: The road from Rio Marañón basin to Cajamarca is closed from 6 am till 6 pm every day for construction.

Gas Prices

Gas in Peru comes in 84, 90, and 95 octane levels. Prices are in Peruvian Soles (S/.) per gallon. 84 octane is fairly low, so may cause your engine to 'knock.' In the Andes in small villages, the only gas available might be 84, however at high elevations you can get away with lower octane than at sea level. Also expect to pay 2 to 3 soles more per gallon than on the Pan American. And yes, gas is sold by the gallon, not the liter.

July 1, 2009

• 84: S/.8.00
• 90: S/.9.50
• 95: S/.11.50
• diesel: S/.9.80

Conversion: 1L=0.26 gallons

Car Rentals

Renting a car in Cusco may be more expensive than other cities. Before driving into Chile or Bolivia, check with the rental agency to make you have proper documentation for the border crossings.

Mechanics

Recommended mechanic in Arequipa, Peru

• Lubricentro Pegasso, Av Socabaya N 304, San Martin de Socabaya
• Javier Quispe Farfan, administrador
• pegassos@hotmail.com
• 250 904

Helped us with oil change, washed the car to the cleanest it's been in month, checked all fluids, recommended a place to get alignments done. 

Camping and Hotels

Northern Peru

Piura
Hostal El Almirante, Calle Inca 480, (51) 073-335239. No Parking, but there is a big parking lot down the street for S/. 3 a night. Hotel is S/. 60 a night. Hot water, cable, internet in lobby. It's located downtown just off the rotaries with the Grau monument.
Chiclayo
Hostal Silvana. Alfredo Lapoint N 1058 (cross street L Prado) S/. 70 a night, wireless internet. No parking, but they can give you directions to a lot 4 blocks away for S/. 5 a day. TV, clean, nice.
Pedro Ruiz
If you get stuck here driving from Chiclayo to Chachapoyas, you can stay at the Hostal Casa Blanca. S/. 45 a night for 2 people, simple clean rooms, a little musty. Parking, TV with 2 channels, Hot Water. Recommended by two people on the way here. It's on the main street that runs through town.
Kuelap
If you've visiting the ruins of Kuelap, you can park in their lovely grassy parking lot for camping (free). There is no water or bathroom, but you can get meals in the homes of people who live near there.
Celendin
Hostel Raymi Wasi. Jr. José Gálvez 420, 855374. About 2 blocks off Plaza de Armas. S/. 20 a night. Hot water (supposedly), TV, Parking (limited clearance and a cockfighting ring that they're turning in to a restaurant apparently.
Trujillo
Hostal Colonial. Independencia 618 (cross street Gamarra) about 1 block off Plaza de Armas. Hot water, nice courtyard, quiet, and Trujillo has loads of parking lots, so you'll have your pick.

Central Peru

Lima
Hostal Residencial El Faro Inn is located in the Miraflores neighborhood. $30-$35/night depending on the room. Very nice (but limited clearance) parking, cable TV, hot showers, wireless internet access, room service, very clean and nice. Close to restaurants, etc and one block from the ocean. Calle Francia N 857 (at intersection with Ave de La Aviacion and G Vigil). (511)-242-0339
Puerto Inca
Located 3 hours south of Nazca along the Pan American highway, Puerto Inca is an old Inca fishing village, complete with ruins, old llama corrals, a pretty cove, and tombs with human bones. Hotel Puerto Inka is right next to the ruins, look for the sign on the Pan American highway at km 610, about 5 km north of Chala. Camping for $5/person, bathrooms with hot water. Has a somewhat expensive restaurant as well.