Travel Tips for Mission Trips

Our vision purpose for these trips is to win the lost, to encourage the churches, and to see the kingdom of God increase in Peru.

Money 
Average cost for a 10 day trip to Peru is $2,000.00 

Other Money Issues While in Peru:
*Use a money belt!!! Pick pocketing is extremely common.
*Carry cash. Traveler’s checks cost 2% or more and we may not be able to cash them in some areas.
*Bring a Visa or MasterCard. You can get cash from them(with a PIN) and also use them to pay for hotel and some restaurants.

Food 

We will be eating almost all of our meals together as a team once we arrive in Arequipa. The costs for these meals is included in the team costs quoted to you. Before we arrive in Arequipa and after we leave there on our way
back to USA, everyone is responsible for their own expenses for food etc. There may be times when we miss an opportunity to stop and get a meal, so it is a good idea to take granola bars, peanut butter nabs, crackers, tuna, etc. The food provided for us in Peru is excellent and very American( Beef, chicken, potatoes, soups, rice, bread). Even so, some people prefer to be prepared just in case. It is always good to have crackers available in case your stomach is unsettled.

As a general rule: When in doubt do not eat it. Stomach problems are not worth the risk.
Another general rule: Do not eat it if it is not boiled, peeled, or fried. Most American missionaries are safe eating
everything served including salads and raw vegetables because their stomachs have adjusted. I am very conservative and follow the boiled, peeled, fried rule very closely. Many times I pass on questionable food. Since we are eating out in restaurants most of the time it is fine to pass on anything you don’t want. Eating in homes can be a ticklish adventure since our stomachs are so vulnerable. I still try to avoid anything that
looks hazardous.

Luggage

Each person is allowed one carry on and 2 checked bags of luggage. Each person should reserve their largest checked bag for the team to carry medicine and supplies to Peru.
A backpack with lots of pockets is very valuable to keep all of your little personal items with you. It can be hard
on the neck and backs for women that carry huge heavy pocketbooks with only one strap; the backpack is more comfortable to carry. I try to carry a backpack AND take a carry on that I can fit the backpack into if forced to
by the airlines (or just let the backpack be your carry on).
A fanny pack is a great thing to carry your camera in (also prescription medicine). You can carry the fanny pack and a backpack on the plane as 1 carry on.
Carry a book to read or something to do during long layovers.

Passports and Visas

A valid passport is required, but no visa is necessary for this trip. 

Dress code

Arequipa is arrid and enjoys daytime temperatures around 70 degrees all of the time. Nighttime temperatures can dip below 50, so bring a jacket.
Colca Canyon is cold. The daytime temperatures will be pleasant, around 50 degrees, but it drops to around 30 at night and there is little or no heat indoors. Once we had ice in the shade all day where we were doing an outside clinic (but it was not too uncomfortable in the sun!!). Bring long underwear, layers of clothes, possibly a sleeping bag, gloves, and a scarf.
Puerto Maldonado is hot and sticky. Expect daytime temperatures in the 90s and nighttime lows around 80. Hotels will have AC if possible but the electricity is unpredictable. Thunderstorms are possible.

Clinic dress should show respect for the church we are working with.
In the dental clinic patients will be spitting blood into trash cans on the floor so feet and legs should ALWAYS be covered.
Women: long pants are preferred. Dresses and skirts are ok.
Men: long pants. Shorts may be worn for non-clinic or church functions, and comfortable shoes are recommended.
Remember that a lot of the clinics may have dirt floors and no screens in the windows. We usually wash our clothes ourselves in our rooms or pay for a laundry service to wash them.

Where we will stay

There will be hotel rooms available, possibly with hot and cold water, and maybe air conditioning or heat.

Immunizations etc.

We recommend the following:
Tetanus within the last 10 years
Yellow Fever
Hepatitis A
Hepatitis B
An anti-malarial is suggested. We use doxycycline.
CONSULT YOUR PHYSICIAN OR HEALTH DEPARTMENT FOR MORE DETAILED INFORMATION REGARDING IMMUNIZATIONS!!!

It is important that you realize that it is likely that some of the patients we see in the clinic will be HIV positive. We will take precautions but this is a health risk that all of us must appreciate. TB is common in Peru. Wear a mask to protect yourself when in close contact with the patients breath or mucous.

Travel Items

--Bible, notepad, pen. Keep a journal of all the things God does in and through you.
--Spanish/English Dictionary
--Anti-diarrheal medicine
--Sunscreen
--Sunglasses, hat
--Bug repellent(small bottle of DEET is excellent)
--Flashlight, extra batteries
--Personal packets of tissues---many restrooms do not provide tissue.
--Antibacterial hand cleanser, Purell, handwipes---many times there is no running water
--Be a boy/girl scout and plan for the unexpected