Important information
Expand Peru will ensure that you have a very good stay, but keep in mind the following recommendations that will help you better plan your experience.
01.
COMMUNICATIONS:
Communications are guaranteed in the areas where EXPAND Peru works. In the city of Huancayo and in all the rural towns there are public telephone booths, Internet and a very good cell phone signal. Also in the homes of families and in the residence of volunteers there are telephones and Wi-fi, you will not have problems to communicate with your country of origin.
02.
PUBLIC TRANSPORT:
Within the city and for the rural area there is a very varied public transport network, in a few minutes you can go from the residential area to the city center, or leave the city to any town. It should be noted that we are not talking about a system like the one that exists in your country, it is definitely very different, with many peculiarities.
03.
CLIMATE:
The climate is very varied in Peru and depends a lot of the season. In Huancayo the climate is very characteristic of the Andes, with rains during the months of November to April and very dry between May and October. From December to March, temperatures range from 21 ° C (70 ° F) to 27 ° C (80 ° F). In the months of February and March temperatures range from 10 ° C (50 ° F) to 16 ° C (60 ° F).
04.
MONEY:
Life is cheap in Peru, here you can find everything and at a great price. The tickets for you to move within the city vary between 0.50 cents, up to 0.80. A taxi does not cost more than 1.80 USD. To travel to the rural area is not very different. The food: A lunch in a good restaurant costs 2.00 USD, of course there are also more expensive.
05.
Banks and exchange houses:
You will not have problems to access your account or withdraw money, there are many banks with ATMs, in addition to very safe exchange houses (they can change euros or dollars without problems)
06.
VEGETARIAN:
If you are vegetarian or have a special diet let us know in advance, to select a suitable family and coordinate everything correctly, it is important that your stay is pleasant so you can do your job well.
04.
Medical Service:
Expand Peru has medical friends who share with us the concern for the safety and health of the volunteers; they will help you as soon as you feel some discomfort. You will always have our help and assistance.
05.
Immunizations:
It is not necessary to get vaccinated to live in the city of Huancayo, the mountain climate is very healthy and there are no endemic diseases. But for volunteers who wish to visit the jungle on their days off, the yellow fever vaccine is necessary. Be sure to discuss it with your doctor before coming.
06.
CLOTHING:
It is very important that you bring varied clothes as the weather can change in minutes, it is said that in one day we have the 4 seasons of the year (summer, winter, spring and autumn) you have to be prepared. Bring a rain jacket, weather can change in minutes, a sunny day can change to a rainy day very fast. Wear comfortable clothes, sometimes it is necessary to walk to take public transport, run, play, play sports with children, paint, etc.
SECURITY
Huancayo is one of the safest in Peru, our organization also strives to ensure that all volunteers have a safe experience, we do not work in dangerous places and a volunteer never does it alone, always accompanied by members of our organization or by other volunteers.
04.
The altitude:
This influences in many aspects, but above all your digestion, which is slower and can cause some disorders, be careful with the meals the first days, then you can enjoy the delicious and very varied Peruvian food. Another problem that altitudes causes is the “MAL DE LAS MONTAÑAS”, manifests with headache and some discomfort. Not to worry, it is very normal, this is counteracted by resting, drinking water and especially coca leaf infusions.