What is the dress code in Peru?

Question

Hi,

I was wondering if anyone has travelled to Peru and could offer some suggestions on what to pack - i'm going there in May and I'd hate to offend anyone there.

Is there a dress code for entering churches, or going to the market or visiting the ruins? (ie. shoulders to be covered, long pants or skirt required).

Thanks a bunch

Answer 1

Just dress casually, even in fancy restaurants you can dress casually (kakis and a shirt would be ok for a man and for ladies, a nice jean and top). If going to church, try not no wear something too revealling, some people may be offended, specially the priest. Also in churches, don't act as a tourist, pay some respect to the place.

Lima is not that cold in May but humidity levels are always high (this makes you feel colder) so a light jacket would be OK. Other parts of the coast are usually warmer than Lima.

The mountains are colder and dry but when the sun comes out it warms up everything so a T-shirt below a good jacket (or sweater plus the same light jacket for Lima). Good trekking shoes are a must for the ruins! Sun glasses, a cap, sunblock and insect repellent lotions. No skirt recomended here!

The Amazon rainforest is always hot and rainy. Despite being hot, have your legs covered to avoid mosquitoes and friends. A repellent lotion is a must if you forget one, You can buy it here, try "Off" it has an orange packaging.

In general pack many jeans or chinos, tees, some sweaters, a light jacket and socks.

Have a nice trip!

Answer 2

Please don't wear tanks, shorts, cargo pants, or flip flops, youll be pegged as a tourist ,and rightly so.  

Cover your shoulders.  

peruvians tend to dress more formally than Americans, but less than Europeans.

Answer 3

No dress code.. dress however you want. The only place that i could think of where you might need to dress a little bit more than casual is church.. the rest don't matter (market, ruins, shopping center).

To church you could go casual, but not too casual.. a nice polo shirt, or buttoned shirt, some nice/clean jeans or khakies, you could wear tennis shoes but make sure they're not dirty or too old... church is the one place some people might get offended, but it's not like they're gonna throw u.. they'll just look at you funny and whisper about you :).. come on it's church.. dress nicely

Everywhere else is very casual.. just like the u.s. (except some night clubs of course)

One thing though... don't over do it with the name brand clothing.. unfortunately there is a lot of thieves.. and believe me they could spot a tourist (easy prey)  by the way you walk, talk, and specially by how you're dress.. so becareful. Don't carry valuable stuff, like a nice watch or an ipod. And if you go ou at night, don't go alone.

But don't be afraid, if you stay in the tourists areas you'll be fine.. there's lots of security there.

Answer 4

i was just there past January i had a blast so much fun amazing how Lima changed if you really worry about dress code in Peru you don't have to cause people dress casual most of the time comfortable if you have to go to the ruins but in the city is not a problem you gonna be amazed that most of people dress with designer clothes American European brands so popular over there everybody use them for the restaurants and bars they have like a dress code is more formal/casual  no sporty but no too fancy either so May is winter or starting of winter but is nothing like here no snow no that cold some rain that's it just carry a jacket or hoddie and you should be fine take care and have fun in Peru...

Answer 5

I just came from Peru and it was awesome :D

They dress code is more formal than Americans. Use your common sense like if you go to Machupichu, wear your hiking clothes, if you are going to a nice restaurant in Lima, wear good clothes, kind of elegant but not that elegant. more like going to a job interview in the case of a nice restaurant.

Now, if you are going to a nightclub in Lima, wear the clothes you would wear like if you were going to a night club in New York.

If you are going to the super market, normal clothes (everyday clothes like a jean) should be fine.

If you are going to the beach, shorts, flip flops

Again, use your common sense. Better to be overdressed that underdressed.

Dresses are mostly use for weddings and 15 year old birthdays (big elegant parties)

To go to church just wear jeans or some nice clothes like if you were going to your office job. But nobody will see you bad if you go to Church with jeans as everybody does.

And if you mess up, you have an excuse cause you are the "gringo" so they know you are a toursit and know u don't know so they won't criticize , in fact, they are very very nice people.

Have fun

Answer 6

You can dress casually and not too revealing and youll be fine.The more skin you show the more likely youll recieve unwanted attention from men and stares from women.wear skirts to your knees atleast and avoid see through stuff or too tight.

There's a very good saying that goes 'bring twice as much money and half as many clothes as you think you'll need'!

The key to packing for a trip to Peru is to pack for a variety of conditions while keeping the weight to a  minimum. Easier said than done when you have to deal with the intense heat of the high altitude, the cold mountain nights spent camping on the Inca Trail and the heat and humidity of the Amazon Basin. The best way to deal with these extremes is to dress using several layers rather than one thick jumper. If you forget something, don't despair since most things can be bought in most Peruvian cities frequently visited by tourists including excellent and cheap alpaca jumpers.

Below you'll find a suggested packing list:

1. Backpack (65 litres should be quite sufficient).

2. Day pack

3. Comfortable walking boots with good ankle support.

4. Clothes

    2 pairs long trousers (lightweight)

    2 T-shirts

    1 short-sleeved shirt

    1 long-sleeved shirt

    1 pair shorts

    Underwear and socks (thermal underwear is highly recommended, being light, warm and makes good nightwear on cold nights).

5. Fleece jacket

6. Hat or cap to protect from the sun.

7. Towel plus washing items.

8. Sun cream, lip salve, sun glasses.

9. Alarm clock, torch, knife

10. Basic first aid kit.

11. Insect repellent.

12. Money belt.

13 Camera + film (film can easily be bought in Peru and is of excellent quality).



Optional extras include:-

14. Sleeping bag (3 season)- but can be rented in Cusco for the Inca Trail if you don't have one.

15. Plastic sandals - useful for in the shower.

16. Several good novels, pack of cards.

17. Binoculars

18. Water bottle (mineral water can be bought throughout Peru)

19. Water sterilizing tablets for trekking including the Inca Trail. (Micropur tablets can be bought in Cusco and are very efficient).

Have a wonderful trip!

Answer 7

There is no dress code. People over there also dress like people in the U.S.A jeans and a shirt. However sometimes there are people here who go out in their pajama pants even though it is not offensive in Peru people will look down on you. People over there wear every day clothes. However if you are going somewhwere like a office or something just like here it would be best if you used something more appropriate. Also take in to accout that in May it is winter meaning that it will rain alot.