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October 23, 2007 13:59
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1. RECENT UPDATES The level of Travel Warning in this report has not changed. Section 2 has been updated (Current Issue removed). BACK TO TOP 2. WARNINGS AND RECOMMENDATIONS Peru
Several political and labour-related strikes have been occurring across the country and may lead to violent demonstrations at any time in the capital and in other cities, especially in the departments of Apurímac, Ayacucho, Arequipa, Cuzco, Huancavelica, Huanuco, Ica, Junin, Lambayeque, Loreto, Piura, Puno, San Martín and Ucayali. The armed forces and the national police have been deployed nationwide in an effort to control civil unrest. Roadblocks may occur on main roads and cause traffic disruptions. Canadians should not attempt to cross blockades, even if they appear unattended. Curfews may also be in effect and airports may be closed. Because of the unpredictable nature of these demonstrations, Canadians should maintain a high level of personal security awareness, avoid large gatherings, monitor local news reports closely, and follow the advice of local authorities. Regional Warning
OFFICIAL WARNING: Foreign Affairs and International Trade Canada advises against all travel to the provinces of La Mar and Huanta in the Department of Ayacucho; the provinces of Marañon, Aucayacu, Huacaybamba, Leoncio Prado and Huamalies in the Department of Huanuco; the province of Tocache and Huallaga in the Department of San Martín; the province of Padre Abad in the Department of Ucayali; and the Upper Huallaga and Ene river valleys (Huánuco and San Martín Departments). In these regions, and in the border area with Colombia, remnants of the Shining Path rebel group continue to conduct occasional ambushes and attacks. In addition, narcotic trafficking still poses threats to security. You are also advised against all travel to the border area with Ecuador, especially the Cordillera del Cóndor region, as landmines are still a problem. Regional Warning
OFFICIAL WARNING: Foreign Affairs and International Trade Canada advises against non-essential travel to the province of Ica, including the cities of Paracas and Pisco, until further notice. A State of Emergency is still in effect in this province since an earthquake measuring 8.0 on the Richter scale struck the coast of Peru, south of Lima, on August 15, 2007. The earthquake was followed by strong aftershocks, causing hundreds of deaths and injuries, and major damage to buildings, tourist infrastructure and roads (including the north-south Pan-American Highway and the east-west Carretera Central Highway). Canadians currently in affected areas should be vigilant and avoid non essential movements, monitor local news broadcasts carefully, and follow the advice of local authorities. In case of emergency, contact the Embassy of Canada in Lima, or the Emergency Operations Centre in Ottawa toll-free (from Peru) at 0-800-50602. OFFICIAL REGISTRATION RECOMMENDATION: We offer a registration service for all Canadians travelling or living abroad. This service is provided so that we can contact and assist you in an emergency in a foreign country, such as a natural disaster or civil unrest, or inform you of a family emergency at home. Registration can be done on-line or by contacting a Canadian government office abroad. For more information, see our FAQs on Registration of Canadians Abroad. BACK TO TOP 3. SAFETY AND SECURITY It is the responsibility of individual travellers to make informed travel choices. The Government of Canada takes very seriously the safety and security of Canadians abroad and provides credible and timely advice in its Country Travel Reports. Situations vary from country to country, and there may be constraints on government resources, which can limit the ability of the Government of Canada to provide assistance, particularly in countries where the potential for violent conflict or political instability are high. In the event of a crisis situation that requires evacuation, the Government of Canada’s policy is to provide safe transportation to the closest safe location. Canada will assist Canadians in leaving a country as a last resort, when all means of commercial or personal transportation have been exhausted. This service is provided on a cost-recovery basis. Onward travel is at the individual’s personal expense. The decision to travel is the sole responsibility of the traveller. The traveller is also responsible for his or her own personal safety. The purpose of this Travel Report is to provide Canadians with up-to-date information to enable them to make well-informed decisions. Terrorism There are continuing concerns about a possible resurgence of terrorist activity by subversive groups, including remnant members of the Shining Path. Isolated terrorist incidents have occurred in remote areas and cities within the departments of Puno, Piura, Lambayeque, La Libertad, Junin, Ayacucho, Cuzco, Ucayali, San Martín, Huanuco, and Apurímac. These were mostly robberies, temporary takeovers of small villages and, very occasionally, violence (including bombings) or threats of violence against security forces or local community figures. Overland travel in these regions can be dangerous. In large centres, terrorist activity has been restricted to propaganda. Canadians should avoid large crowds and public areas, particularly areas frequented by foreigners. Crime Violent crimes such as carjacking, assault, and armed robbery are frequent. Canadians arriving at Lima's Jorge Chavez International Airport should use a secure taxi service to go into the city, and should exercise particular caution en route to their hotel. Attacks and robberies on vehicles occur regularly along the route from the airport, and even upon a taxi's arrival at the hotel. It is highly recommended to travel in groups and not to accept transportation or guide services offered by individuals seeking clients on the streets. Incidents of rape have been reported in the cities of Lima, Cuzco, Puno, Pucallpa and Arequipa, and in many isolated areas elsewhere in the country. Female travellers should exercise caution at all times. There have been incidents of drugs being used (including scopolamine) to incapacitate travellers in order to rob or attack them. Scopolamine can be administered through aerosols, cigarettes, gum, or in powder form. As scopolamine can cause prolonged unconsciousness and serious medical problems, Canadians should exercise caution when offered food or drinks from strangers or new acquaintances. Street crime is prevalent in Lima and other cities. Purse snatching, pickpocketing, theft, and break-ins occur, even during daylight hours, in crowded public areas, on micro-buses, and while hailing taxis. Personal belongings should be kept in the trunk of the vehicle as criminals have been known to shatter windows or attempt entry at the sight of merchandise. Travellers should not show signs of affluence. Resisting a robbery can lead to further violence. Travellers are reminded to remain vigilant about the threat of express kidnappings, in which victims are usually abducted for a few hours and forced to withdraw money from Automated Banking Machines (ABMs). Most express kidnappings take place at night, but cases also occur during daylight hours. Kidnappings sometimes involve taxi drivers. Kidnappers tend to select victims according to outward signs of affluence, such as their clothing, vehicle or place of work. Scams If you are stopped by police or security forces, ask to see official identification. Record the officer's name, badge number and district. Thieves have been known to pose as police officers in order to gain the confidence and cooperation of their potential victims. Recreational Activities Treks and hiking excursions should be undertaken in groups, with experienced tour guides only. Each year, several hikers and climbers are victims of serious accidents in the Andes, some of which are fatal. Climbers should be well informed on possible hazards and exercise extreme caution in steep or slippery areas, which are neither fenced nor marked. Assaults have also been reported along the Inca Trail and in the Huaraz region of the Cordillera Blanca mountains. A detailed travel itinerary should be left with a friend and local authorities. Canadians should carry travel and health insurance. Insurance should include provision for helicopter rescue, medical evacuation, and treatment for accidental injury and medical emergencies. Canadians intending to trek in Peru should also register with the Embassy of Canada in Lima, and read our publication entitled Out on a Limb: Advice for the Adventure Traveller. It is strongly recommended that Canadians wishing to hike in the National Huascaran Park register at the entrance. Swimmers should be aware of strong currents in the Pacific Ocean and rivers. Swimming in jungle lakes and rivers can be dangerous due to the presence of caymans and other wildlife. Seek advice from local residents before swimming. Police Assistance The government has opened Tourist Police offices in most tourist destinations. Tourists may register complaints on a 24-hour hotline provided by the National Institute for the Defence of Competition and the Protection of Intellectual Property (INDECOPI). INDECOPI operators can speak English (tel.: 224-7777 in Lima; 01-224-7777 outside Lima; or toll-free 08-004-4040 within Peru). In Lima, their office is open from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. (there is an answering machine after business hours). The office at the Jorge Chavez International Airport operates 24 hours a day. BACK TO TOP 4. ENTRY/EXIT REQUIREMENTS The following information on entry and exit requirements has been confirmed with the Peruvian authorities, and was valid on July 31, 2007. However, entry and exit requirements are subject to change. It is the sole prerogative of each country to determine who is allowed to enter. All countries have special requirements for persons intending to reside for extended periods (usually more than 90 days) or who plan to work, study, or engage in non-tourist activities. To obtain information on specific entry requirements, contact the nearest diplomatic or consular office of the country or countries to be visited. Violations of entry and exit requirements may result in serious penalties. Foreign Affairs and International Trade Canada’s Office of Protocol provides contact details for the Embassy of the Republic of Peru and its consulates, where you can obtain further information on entry and exit requirements. A valid Canadian passport is required for Canadians intending to visit Peru. The passport must be valid for at least six months beyond the date of your expected departure from the country. Tourist Visa: Not required Business Visa: Required Student Visa: Required Canadians do not require a tourist visa to enter Canadians entering Peru by land need to obtain an entrance stamp in their passport. If they fail to do so, Peruvian Immigration Officials could oblige them to go back to the border to obtain the stamp before leaving Peru. Although Canadians do not need a tourist visa to visit Peru, all travellers are given an Andean Immigration Card upon arrival. This card must be presented prior to departure from Peru. Failure to produce this document may result in delays until a replacement card is obtained. If your passport is lost or stolen, a new card and a new entry stamp on the replacement passport must be processed at the Peruvian Immigration Office in Lima: DIRECCION GENERAL DE MIGRACIONES Y NATURALIZACION (DIGEMIN) Address: Prolongación Av. España 734, Breña - LIMA Telephone: 433-0789 Business hours: Monday to Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. To find locations of other Immigration offices you may visit www.digemin.gob.pe or contact the Embassy of the Republic of Peru in Ottawa or the Embassy of Canada in Lima. Travellers who have lost or had their passports stolen on the weekend and whose flights also depart that same weekend may be required to remain in Peru until the following week in order to obtain replacement entry stamps and immigration cards. Canadians who have entered Peru on a business visa must show certification (Declaración Jurada) from the Peruvian Ministry of the Economy that all Peruvian taxes on income earned during the trip have been paid. The certification is required even if no money was paid or earned. The certification must then be taken to the central Peruvian immigration office in Lima. Travellers are required to carry evidence of a yellow fever vaccination if travelling to jungle regions. Travellers to Lima or Cuzco do not require this document. At the airport, a departure tax of US$30.25 (or equivalent in soles) is charged for travellers departing to any international destination. There is also a national tax of US$6.05 (or equivalent in soles) for travellers departing to any domestic destination. A Certificate of Canadian Citizenship (CCC) is not a travel document. Airlines are known to refuse boarding to dual national Canadian passengers returning to Canada, travelling on a passport that requires a visa to enter Canada, regardless of whether the passenger presents a valid CCC as proof of Canadian citizenship. A Canadian passport is the only reliable and universally accepted travel and identification document for the purpose of international travel. It proves your admissibility to enter Canada. Selling, altering, or allowing another person to use your passport is a criminal offence. It could lead to the laying of charges and imprisonment if convicted. It could also lead to the denial of future passport services. Special and diplomatic passport holders should verify visa requirements for this and other countries, as they may differ from those that apply to regular passport holders. Any adult travelling with children may be required to show evidence of parental/custodial and/or access rights. Foreign and Canadian authorities may also require evidence that the adult has the consent of the parents, legal guardian, and/or the court to travel with the children. Some countries may not permit children to enter or, in some cases, leave the country without proper documentation such as a letter of consent or a court order. Although same-sex marriages are legal in Canada, many countries do not recognize them. Attempting to enter as a same-sex married couple may result in refusal by local officials. For more information, contact the foreign government office accredited to Canada. BACK TO TOP 5. CANADIAN GOVERNMENT CONTACTS You can obtain consular assistance and further consular information at the following address: Peru - LIMA, Embassy of Canada Address: Calle Libertad 130, Miraflores, Lima 18, Peru Postal Address: P.O. Box 18-1126, Miraflores Post Office, Lima 18, Peru, Tel.: 51 (1) 444-4015 Fax: 51 (1) 242-4050 E-Mail: lima@international.gc.ca Internet: http://www.lima.gc.ca For emergency assistance after hours, call the Embassy of Canada in Lima and follow the instructions. You may also call the Department in Ottawa toll-free at 011-800-387-3124 or call collect to 613-996-8885. BACK TO TOP 6. LOCAL LAWS AND CUSTOMS You are subject to local laws. A serious violation may lead to a jail sentence. The sentence will be served in local prisons. Canadians arrested or detained have the right to contact the responsible Canadian government office (embassy, high commission, etc.) listed in Section 5 above. Arresting officials have a responsibility to assist you in doing so. Canadian consular officials can provide a list of local lawyers upon request. The procedures required in legal proceedings or police investigations may be different from the procedures in force in the Canadian legal system. Canadians wishing to undertake such proceedings can expect to face long delays and additional efforts in order to resolve their case. The Government of Canada cannot intervene in ongoing legal proceedings in other countries, unless requested to do so by local authorities. Such requests are rare. Foreigners are required to carry identification at all times. Great care should be taken if you carry your passport, especially in entertainment venues. You may wish to carry a photocopy of your passport; however, police may require that you produce the original. Failure to show identification could result in detention and police questioning at the nearest police station where fingerprints would be taken. Drug trafficking is a serious offence and long prison sentences are the norm. Photography at airports, railway stations, naval bases, air bases, military installations, public water and energy plants, police stations, harbours, mines, and bridges is prohibited. If in doubt, do not take pictures. Peruvian law strictly prohibits the export of antiques and artefacts (huacos) from pre-colonial civilizations. Travellers who purchase reproductions of colonial or pre-colonial art should buy only from reputable dealers and should insist upon documentation from Peru's National Institute of Culture (INC) showing that the object is a reproduction and may be exported. The export of coca tea bags is prohibited. It is illegal to remove certain fauna and flora items from Peru. BACK TO TOP 7. LOCAL TRAVEL AND CURRENCY Poor road conditions and lack of traffic signs are common. Mountainous roads can be particularly dangerous. When renting a vehicle, always purchase insurance. When travelling by car, Canadians should keep their doors locked and their windows shut at all times. Travelling in groups is recommended. Only use reputable transportation companies. Avoid travelling by road outside major cities after dark. Intercity bus travel can be dangerous. Bus accidents are frequently caused by excessive speed and poor vehicle maintenance. Do not hail taxis on the street. Taxis should be reserved through hotels or by calling reputable taxi companies. Agree to a fare prior to departure, and do not pay until you have reached your destination. Police spot checks are common and can cause delays. Carry identification and vehicle registration at all times. An International Driving Permit (IDP) is recommended. The currency is the Peruvian nuevo sol (SOL). The US dollar is widely accepted. Credit cards are widely accepted in Lima, but less so outside major cities. In small towns, Automated Banking Machines (ABMs) may not be readily available. ABMs accept international credit cards only. Canadian currency and traveller's cheques are not widely accepted worldwide. Check with your bank for information on Automated Banking Machine ( BACK TO TOP 8. NATURAL DISASTERS AND CLIMATE Peru is located in an active seismic zone and is prone to earthquakes. Canadians should know the address and telephone number of the Embassy of Canada in Lima in the event of an emergency. The rainy season extends from November to May in the Peruvian Andes. Heavy rains, flooding, landslides, and corresponding transportation delays are likely to occur. Travellers should keep informed of regional weather forecasts and plan accordingly. BACK TO TOP 9. TRAVEL MEDICINE PROGRAM The Public Health Agency of Canada and the World Health Organization (WHO) report on disease outbreaks that occur throughout the world. For the latest travel health advisories and related information, visit the Public Health Agency of Canada’s Travel Medicine Program Web site. The Public Health Agency of Canada strongly recommends that your travel plans include contacting a travel medicine clinic or physician six to eight weeks before departure. Based on your individual risk assessment, a health care professional can determine your need for immunizations and/or preventive medication and advise you on precautions to avoid disease. Travellers are reminded to ensure that their routine (childhood) immunizations (e.g., tetanus, diphtheria, polio, and measles) are up to date. Standards of medical care may differ from those in Canada. Treatment may be expensive, and payment in advance may be required. Travellers are advised to arrange for medical insurance prior to departure. Prescription medications should be kept in the original container and packed in carry-on luggage. The Public Health Agency of Canada also recommends that travellers who become sick or feel unwell on their return to Canada seek a medical assessment with their personal physician. Travellers should inform their physician that they have been travelling or living outside of Canada. BACK TO TOP 10. ADDITIONAL HEALTH INFORMATION Travel to Cuzco, Machu Picchu, Puno, Lake Titicaca, Huaraz and other areas in the Peruvian Andes may result in altitude sickness. Those who have high blood pressure or heart conditions should be particularly cautious. All travellers should consult with a travel medicine specialist prior to departure. Private hospitals and clinics in urban centres are often better staffed and equipped than public or rural facilities. Physicians and hospitals often expect immediate cash payment for medical care. Canadians are advised to use bottled water and to avoid raw and undercooked food. It is recommended to take measures against mosquito-borne diseases when travelling to the jungle regions. BACK TO TOP 11. ADDITIONAL INFORMATION Returning to Canada Traveller's Checklist Health and Travel Insurance: Do not rely on your provincial health plan to cover all expenses if you get sick or are injured while abroad. It may cover nothing or only a portion of the costs. Understand the terms of your supplementary insurance policy. Some credit cards offer their holders health and travel insurance. Do not assume the card alone provides adequate coverage. Carry details of your insurance with you. Also, tell your travel agent, a friend or relative, and/or travelling companion how to contact your insurer. Get a detailed invoice from the doctor or hospital before you return to Canada. Always submit original receipts for any medical services or prescriptions received abroad. Most insurance companies will not accept copies or faxes. See Canada's Health Portal. Cancelling a scheduled trip abroad could cost you money. Before cancelling a scheduled trip, you should discuss the matter with your travel agent, your travel insurer, or the airline. The decision to travel is the sole responsibility of the traveller. Adoption: Provincial and territorial authorities in Canada are responsible for authorizing international adoptions. If you are thinking of adopting a child from another country, you must first obtain information about the adoption regulations of the province or territory in which the child will reside. While adoption is a provincial/territorial responsibility, Citizenship and Immigration Canada (CIC) is responsible for allowing an adopted child entry into Canada. Entry can be refused if the child does not hold the appropriate immigrant visa. A visa may be denied, even if the adoption has already been completed. For more information contact CIC at 1 888 242-2100 (in Canada only), check the CIC Web site or contact your provincial or territorial government. BACK TO TOP 12. ANNEX N/A BACK TO TOP |
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