South
Americans hold the family unit in high regard
and children are central to this, but outlined
below are some pointers to help prepare for a
family visit to Peru.
Consult your doctor before leaving home
regarding health issues . Sunscreen is an
important consideration, as are sun-hats (cheap
and readily available in Peru) and even a
parasol for the really small. Conversely, it can
get cold at night in the Andes, so take plenty
of warm clothing. In the mountains, the altitude
doesn't seem to cause children as many problems
as it does their elders, but they shouldn't walk
too hard above 2000m without full
acclimatization. In Lima, where the water is
just about good enough to clean your teeth but
not to drink, the issues for local children are
mainly bronchial or asthmatic, with humid
weather and high pollution levels causing many
long-lasting chest ailments. This shouldn't be a
problem for any visiting children unless they
already have difficulties. The major risk around
the regions is a bad stomach and diarrhoea from
water or food. There are ways to avoid and treat
this; the only difference where children are
concerned, particularly those under ten, is that
you should be more ready to act sooner,
particularly with rehydration salts. In the
jungle, the same precautions for adults apply to
children.
The food and drink in Peru is varied enough to
appeal to most kids. Pizzas are available almost
everywhere, as are good fish, red meats, fried
chicken, french fries, corn-on-the-cob and
nutritious soups, and vitamin supplements are
always a good idea. There's also a wide range of
soft drinks , from the ubiquitous Coca Cola and
Sprite to Inka Cola. Some recognizable
commercial baby food (and nappy brands) are
available in all large supermarkets. Restaurants
in Peru cater well to children and some offer
smaller, cheaper portions; if they don't
publicize it, it's worth asking.
Like restaurants, hotels are used to handling
kids. They will sometimes offer discounts,
especially if children share rooms or beds. The
lower to mid-range options are the most flexible
in this regard, but even the expensive ones can
be helpful. Many, hostals included, have
collective rooms, large enough for families to
share, at reasonable rates.
Prices can often be cheaper for children. Tours
to attractions can occasionally be negotiated on
a family rate basis and entry to sites is often
half price or less (and always free for infants).
Children under ten generally get half fare on
local (but not inter-regional) buses, while
trains and boats generally charge full fare if a
seat is required. Infants who don't need a seat
often travel free on all transport except
planes, when you pay around ten percent of the
fare.
Travelling around the country is perhaps the
most difficult activity. Bus and train journeys
are generally long (12 hours or more). Crossing
international borders is a potential hassle;
although Peru officially accepts children under
sixteen on their parents' passports , it is a
good idea for them to have their own to minimize
problems.
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