Food and beverage

Peruvian cuisine is incredibly varied and accomplished, for many travelers an exciting and delicious surprise. It is among the best and most diverse cuisines found in Latin America, and is one of the most important contributors to the wave of pan-Latino restaurants gaining popularity in many parts of the world. Peruvian cooking differs significantly by region, and subcategories mirror exactly the country's geographical variety: coastal, highlands, and tropical. In addition to Peruvian cooking, visitors will also find plenty of international restaurants, including a particularly Peruvian variation, chifas (Peruvian-influenced Chinese food, developed by the large immigrant Chinese population), a mainstay among many non-Chinese Peruvians. Chifas are nearly as common as restaurants serving pollo a la brasa (spit-roasted chicken), which are everywhere in Peru. Traditional Peruvian coastal cooking is often referred to as comida criolla, and it's found across Peru.

As far as drinks are concerned, try the very Peruvian Pisco (grape brandy) in any of its various recipes, as well as "chicha morada" (purple corn juice) "chicha de jora" (fermented red or yellow corn juice) and agüaje juice, made from a tropical Jungle fruit.

Tipping
Tipping is customary in most restaurants, but it's not obligatory. In general, you should tip about 10% of the bill. In some upper-echelon restaurants, a service charge of 10% and tax of 18% are included on the bill. Even if service is included, many customers also leave a small amount of additional change as a tip to the waiter. In very informal, budget restaurants, tipping is often not customary among Peruvians, though you might consider leaving some change after having what will surely have been a very inexpensive meal.

Shopping
Peru is one of the top shopping destinations in Latin America, with some of the finest and best-priced crafts anywhere. Its long traditions of textile weaving and colorful markets bursting with tourists have produced a dazzling display of alpaca-wool sweaters, blankets, ponchos, shawls, scarves, typical Peruvian hats, and other woven items. Peru's ancient indigenous civilizations were some of the world's greatest potters, and reproductions of Moche, Nazca, Paracas, and other ceramics are available. (Until recently, it was surprisingly easy to get your hands on the real thing, but that's no longer the case.) In some cities--especially Lima, Cuzco, and Arequipa--antique textiles and ceramics are still available. Some dealers handle pieces that are 1,000 years old or more (and others simply claim their pieces are that old). However, exporting such pre-Columbian artifacts from Peru is illegal.

In general, shops, shopping centers and handicraft markets are open everyday (even on holidays) between 9 a.m. and 8 p.m.

In markets and in places such as those where there are beach vendors and street vendors, it is acceptable to bargain.

Entertainment
Night Life
Most of the cities of Peru have a wide variety of night life entertainment. Information about places of interest can be obtained where you are staying. If you wish to enjoy typical Peruvian music, you can visit the so-called "peñas".

In Lima, the most popular discotheques, pubs and night clubs are in the Districts of Miraflores, San Isidro and Barranco. In other cities they are normally found in city centers (main square and vicinity).