Important for you!
Housing
Volunteers will have the opportunity to live with a Peruvian family and hear their experiences and enjoy their stories, some will have the opportunity to travel with your host family on weekends and thus enhance the bond between you.
Peruvians are known for being warm and friendly people and they will want to teach you all about your culture and traditions! From taking you to their favorite restaurant to buying local fruits and tamales from their favorite street vendor, you will get a truly authentic experience of what Peru is like from someone who has lived there all their life.
Most houses have WIFI otherwise it is very common to find a cafe near your home internert making it possible to communicate with friends and family at home. Volunteers may also purchase a cell phone upon arrival to Peru and are able to receive phone calls for free on these phones.
Homestays differ greatly in their degrees of luxury, as some families are wealthier than others and the living standards differ from city to city. All homestays have been reviewed by AMA PERÚ staff and are clean and comfortable with western-style toilets and showers.
According to previous volunteers, the homestay experience is one of the most enjoyable and memorable experiences of their trip.
Meals
Three meals per day are provided at the homestay. We work with our host families to accommodate each volunteer's dietary needs, but it is important to keep in mind that the same foods that you eat at home may not be readily available in Peru, and we encourage you to be flexible and take advantage of the opportunity to try homemade Peruvian cuisine. Peruvians are very passionate about their gastronomical tradition and are excited for you to try all of their favorite dishes.
Transportation
When the volunteers arrive at the Lima airport they are met by a staff member or representative of AMAPERU World. They will be waiting in front (after you go through immigration) to the left where the escalators are located with a sign that says AMAPERU World. If a volunteer comes after the specified dates allotted to arrive, AMAPERU World will still pay for their transportation to their city they will be working in, but they will miss out on orientation activities. Based on flight schedules, volunteers may spend a night in a backpackers' hostel when they arrive to Lima, but not when they return to Lima after the program is over. AMAPERU World arranges all transportation from Lima to the city in which you will be volunteering and back to Lima at the conclusion of the program. While in Trujillo, volunteers will be taught how to use the public transportation system to commute from their homestays, volunteer sites, and classes. AMAPERU World is also responsible for transportation to group activities that are included in the program.
Health and Vaccinations
It is also important that each volunteer consider purchasing travel insurance for their time in Peru. This insurance should include medical coverage in case of an emergency. A few common companies are: travelguard.com and travelinsure.com
Volunteers are responsible for purchasing health insurance that covers emergency medical evacuation. We do not provide insurance but can provide you with a list of providers that volunteers have used.
We refer all volunteers to the information provided by the Centers for Disease Control at www.cdc.gov/travel for the most up to date vaccination recommendations.
Passport
US citizens can enter Peru with a valid passport. Volunteers who do not hold a US passport must check with their respective embassies for information on travel eligibility. Volunteers are responsible for obtaining or renewing their passports.
Visa
US passport holders are not required to obtain a visa prior to travel to Peru. A tourist visa can be acquired at the Lima airport upon arrival to Peru. Non-US passport holders should check with their respective embassies for current visa requirements and regulations. Volunteers are responsible for ensuring that they are legally eligible to travel abroad.
Flights
Volunteers are responsible for arranging their own flights and must fly in and out of Jorge Chavez International Airport in Lima (code LIM). Airport pickups will be arranged for volunteers arriving on the indicated fly-in dates.
Security
Peru is not a dangerous country, but like any place in the world you must be cautious. While you are using public transportation you should keep your possessions close to you. Also, you should not go out late at night by yourself. If you decide to participate in risky behaviors it is not the responsibility of AMAPERU World. AMAPERU World is only responsible for the activities done within the program.
Activities
AMAPERU World programs specific activities for each session. The activities are based on the time, the climate, the number of volunteers, and the possibility of the activity being available. The activities of your session will be communicated to you during your orientation meeting and in your information booklet. In case you do not arrive on the day in which an activity is taking place you lose the opportunity to participate in this.
