Going out Peru

Timetable

In Peru we go out mostly in the big cities and quite late. Concerts often take place from 10 or 11 pm, and obviously late on the time announced in the program. On the other hand, the theatres or traditional places of spectacle respect more traditional schedules, but only Lima proposes this kind of place. In the provinces some of the more important artists perform in stadiums or convention centers, but these can be quite rustic in terms of infrastructure. Nightclubs are very popular, but often located outside of the cities, where you can dance until dawn. The nights of the selva are also very lively.

Budget & Tips

Going out in Peru is rather reserved for a population with a comfortable standard of living, because the cost of a cocktail is often higher than that of a menu. Cocktail bars, wine bars and craft breweries have flourished, especially in Lima. Here, it is welcome to leave a tip. There are also many smaller bars that serve popular beers or alcoholic beverages, but often of lower quality. For shows, it is possible to buy tickets in advance on the Internet, for example on sites like teleticket.com. In Lima, there are some very successful traditional dance shows. In Trujillo, you can attend shows of marinera and caballo de paso. In Cusco, the Qosko center offers a show that is included in the tourist ticket that the city offers.

To be booked

If you are visiting when a big name in Latin American music is also visiting, you will need to make a reservation and prices are often quite high. Other venues do not require a reservation.

Night transport

The safest thing to do once the party is over is to hire a taxi. Buses do not run at night. If you are alone, be extra careful once you are out.

What's very local

Even if there is no dress code, in general Peruvian women bet on their assets and are quite fond of short outfits, low-cut and high heels and often all three at the same time. Be careful with your eyes!

Smokers

While no one smokes during the day, it is not uncommon to see Peruvians smoking in bars or discos even though the law prohibits it.

Tourist traps

Beware of unrepentant flirts or the equivalent for these gentlemen. Even if we are not talking about sex tourism, it is not uncommon to see Peruvian men and women taking care of their gringo or gringa in exchange for a few small gifts and as many bills to pay. In Cusco they are called "britchero/as" (from the English "bridge", looking for a possible winning ticket to Europe). In the selva the practice is also widespread and in some cases it is clearly a case of sex tourism, even in the company of minors, which is obviously punishable by law, but also to be reported immediately if you witness a case like that.