Internships in Peru

The following is a guest post by Nils Schulz. Nils is CEO at Inside Peru. He lives in Hamburg, Germany and visits Peru regularly.

Internships abroad are increasingly common today and there are many good reasons for that. Broad language and cultural skills are needed in many jobs if you want to succeed in a global economy. Many degree programs require at least one internship as part of the training and many students choose to go abroad. For many people their years of study are the time in their life where they are able to live abroad for a while without much hassle.

There are many ways to do so: volunteering, work and travel, taking a language course, study one or more semesters abroad, or – last but not least – doing an internship. Of course, apart from learning new skills and testing possible future career paths, a given time abroad always enriches ones personality and leaves you with many new experiences, memories, friends, ideas…

At Inside Peru, a placement agency from Germany specializing in Peru, we notice that Peru is also a place which is increasingly popular with young people from all over the world. It’s a relatively stable country with continuous economic growth (which has been a bit slower lately) and the Spanish spoken in Peru is considered to be especially “pure” and easier to learn and to understand than in many other Spanish speaking countries. But above all, Peru is just an exciting country full of colors and contrasts, perfect to discover marvelous landscapes and ancient cultures.

Yet when people start planning their stay in Peru they often encounter obstacles. How do I find the place for my internship that really fits? Why is it so hard to get in touch and they never answer to my emails? These are typical situations many have to deal with. Let alone the language barrier or concerns about security, visa matters, and the like. So reaching out to a place like Inside Peru turns out to be a good decision for many people willing to go to Peru in order to get things done well right from the start. For a modest one-time fee they get professional help planning the trip, finding the right internship and a cosy and secure place to stay. Also while staying in Peru they get follow-up assistance via Internet or with a local contact person and regular activities with other foreign interns.

Many interns going to Peru are social-minded and look for internships dealing e.g. with indigenous people or human rights matters, development cooperation or social work (working with vulnerable groups in society). But also many other work areas like law, teaching, environment or sturdy marketing and economy-related internships are asked for and provided by Inside Peru. If you are interested in a stay in Peru visit Inside Peru’s website and get in touch with us. We are happy to help. -Nils Schulz

Disclaimer:

• Please join my Patreon page
• I use affiliate links. I may earn a commission if you make a purchase after clicking on links. Read more at my FTC Disclosure and Privacy Policy Statement

Machismo and Catcalls in Peru

Although some men and even women may consider catcalls and piropos (come-ons) to be compliments, many more would disagree. It's sexual harassment and sadly a big part of Latin culture. Here's a video showing why this is not ok.

Image source

Disclaimer:

• Please join my Patreon page
• I use affiliate links. I may earn a commission if you make a purchase after clicking on links. Read more at my FTC Disclosure and Privacy Policy Statement

Corruption Gone Wild in Peru

Someone recently sent me a link to this article which talks about political corruption in Peru. It's an eye-opening article which discusses three of the past presidents and other political figures in Peru. Although Peru has come a long way in recent years, it still has a long way to go. You can read the article at the CS Monitor or below.




Corruption gone wild? Peru's political indictments reach from top office down. From three former presidents under investigation for charges for money laundering to selling pardons, and over 90 percent of Peru's mayors accused of corruption, Peru is facing systemic corruption.

By Jeremy McDermott, InSight Crime Elyssa Pachico, InSight Crime September 10, 2014

• InSight Crime researches, analyzes, and investigates organized crime in the Americas. The views expressed are the author's own. 

One former Peruvian president is now facing charges of money laundering, another of selling pardons to drug traffickers, and a third is in prison, while a serving congressman has been linked to a Mexican drug smuggler, suggesting endemic corruption in Peru's political class.

In an unanimous vote, Congress approved a report by a congressional audit commission that proposes charging former President Alejandro Toledo (who was in office from 2001 to 2006) with money laundering and criminal conspiracy. Mr. Toledo is accused of using funds from a Costa Rican shell company in order to finance his mother-in-law's $5 million purchase of a home and office. Toledo, who has been under investigation since last year, has criticized the accusations, calling them a "political attack" as he plans to run for the presidency again in 2016.

Former president Alan Garcia (1985-90 and 2006-11) is facing possible indictment in the "narco-pardons" scandal, where he is accused of having been involved in selling pardons to convicts, including drug traffickers.

Former President Alberto Fujimori (1990-2000) is in prison, serving sentences for human rights abuses and embezzlement.

Alongside these scandals involving former presidents, a sitting congressman has found himself mired in controversy. Investigative news magazine Caretas recently revealed that a spokesperson for Toledo's political party, Jose Leon Rivera, rented a beach house to a man police say is a Mexican drug trafficker responsible for the largest seizure of cocaine ever confiscated in Peru.

While the congressman initially denied knowing the alleged trafficker, Rodrigo Torres, a police surveillance video released by Caretas purportedly shows the two meeting outside the house. After the video's release, Mr. Leon admitted that he did meet with his tenant on several occasions, but did not know of his involvement in drug trafficking.

InSight Crime Analysis 
The ongoing probe into Toledo's financial affairs may soon accompany a deeper investigation into Leon's dealings with the Mexicans. Added to this is the fact that over 90 percent of the country's mayors are under investigation for corruption and you have what appears to be systematic corruption in Peru's political world, reaching the highest levels.

Another current challenge for this Andean nation is cleaning up the pool of candidates who plan to run during the upcoming gubernatorial and mayoral elections scheduled for Oct. 5. The Interior Minister has previously said they've identified 115 candidates who are linked to drug trafficking cases, as well as 345 candidates who've already been convicted of a crime.

Disclaimer:

• Please join my Patreon page
• I use affiliate links. I may earn a commission if you make a purchase after clicking on links. Read more at my FTC Disclosure and Privacy Policy Statement

Tips for Taking Taxis in Peru

A Peruvian moto (epidemicfun.com)

Like combis, taxis, or ticos as they're somethings called, in Peru are often gutted and look like they're on their last legs. Metal's often missing and most of the components from the dashboard will probably have been taken out. Nontheless many people use them to get around and they can be a faster option than combis. If you're looking for an even cheaper option, consider motos. If you're going to take taxis there are a couple of things you should consider.

1. Call ahead of time. If you're worried about safety then call for a taxi. There are a handful of taxi companies out there, or find a taxi driver that you trust and can call when you need them.

2. Agree on the fare. Many taxis don't have meters. And if they do, they probably won't use it. Be sure to agree on the fare before you even get into the taxi. I actually prefer not using the meter as it's less likely that the driver will take you on the scenic route.

3. Text someone the license plate. You just never know, it's better to be safe than sorry. 

4. Speak Spanish. If you don't want to get the foreigner price you're going to have to speak Spanish. Learning a bit of the local language will help you out so much no matter where you go. It'll help you assimilate to the culture and you'll be able to communicate easier.

Disclaimer:

• Please join my Patreon page
• I use affiliate links. I may earn a commission if you make a purchase after clicking on links. Read more at my FTC Disclosure and Privacy Policy Statement

Beware the Bait and Switch in Peru

Bait and switch can refer to a number of things, such as jobs and shopping, but it always refers to fraud. Recruiters may use bait and switch when they dangle a cushy job in front of someone only to change it at the last minute. It's also commonly used in Peru when shopping at the markets or buying something off someone on the street. I've known plenty of people who have fallen victim to this trick both in Peru and elsewhere. Here are some tips to help you avoid the bait and switch trap.

From http://www.findingbetteragencies.com/category/agency-search/page/16/

Take your time. Sellers who use bait and switch try to get time on their side and have you rush. When you rush you're not paying as much attention. Beware of people who want to make you rush.

Refuse a bag. Bags can hide a lot of sins. If there's no bag it's harder for the seller to hide anything.

Buy from reputable people. I love shopping at markets, but some people hate it. The noise, the sellers hawking their wares, etc. However, if you can build relationships with the people you buy from you'll find it can be a great experience. They might give you discounts or the latest and the greatest. Ask other people who they buy from and keep going back to people who give you good deals and good items.

Speak Spanish. Sick of getting the foreigner's price? Learn Spanish. Plain and simple. It's a pretty easy to learn a couple of words and phrases here and there. Knowing Spanish will help you assimilate to the culture and you'll be able to communicate easier.

Be careful about meeting people you find online. I find that living abroad is safer than living at home. I've met many of my friends online through Facebook, forums, and even Craigslist. Back home you wouldn't do that. However, not everyone is safe. Meeting people online can always be dangerous. Be sure to meet in a well-lit place, preferably during the day with other people around.

Trust your instinct. If something doesn't feel right it probably isn't. Move on and find somewhere else to go shopping.

More Shopping Tips
I wrote about markets in Lima as well as shopping in Peru and while markets are great, you have to be careful. Shopping in markets can be a fun experience. These 3 tips will help you make the most of your shopping experience.

1. Get recommendations: ask friends which sellers are good and which ones should be avoided.
2. Pricing: be wary of pricing, especially sellers who drop their prices drastically.
3. Trust your instinct: it's usually right.

Disclaimer:

• Please join my Patreon page
• I use affiliate links. I may earn a commission if you make a purchase after clicking on links. Read more at my FTC Disclosure and Privacy Policy Statement

Pollution and Air Quality Index in Peru

From omfitnessclub.com

Many people say that Lima is filthy and polluted. And while it's true there is a hazy that lingers in the air, it's not as bad as some cities. AQI (Air Quality Index) is used to describe how polluted a city is. AQICN.org is a great website with AQI info. Also it says it's for Asia, it actually has info for cities around the world. Here's the scoring system for AQI. Here are some recent stats from AQICN.org:

Asia
Beijing: 61 Moderate
Hanoi: 203 Very unhealthy
New Delhi Punjabi Bagh: 152 Very unhealthy
Keelung: 53 Moderate
Tokyo Sinjuku: 38 Good

Australia
Melbourne Brighton: 21 Good
Sydney East Randwick: 22 Good

Europe
Amsterdam Hemkade: 10 Good
Bern Bollwerk: 8 Good
Birmingham: 38 GoodLondon Etham: 5 Good
Oslo Alnabru: 7 Good
Paris Center: 58 Moderate

Middle East
Kfar Masaryk, North, Israel: 24 Good

North America
Barrie, Ontario: 21 Good
Los Angeles Reseda: 57 Moderate
New York White Plains: 26 Good
Washington DC Division Street: 59 Moderate

South America
Lima San Borja: 44 Good
Mexico City Hospital General de Mexico: 37 Good
Puente Alto Chile: 80 Moderate
Sao Paulo Americana: 37 Good

So where is it very polluted? If you go to the map (unfortunately it only shows Asia), you can see that China has a lot of red flags as does Dehli in India. With rates over 151 and even as high as 356 (anything over 301 is hazardous), it looks like Peru really isn't that bad. If you do decide to head over to Peru, or are already there, you should try to learn Spanish. It'll help you assimilate to the culture, and you'll be able to communicate easier. Be happy that not all days are hazy in Peru like they are in Linfen, China.

Disclaimer:

• Please join my Patreon page
• I use affiliate links. I may earn a commission if you make a purchase after clicking on links. Read more at my FTC Disclosure and Privacy Policy Statement

Reader Request: Getting Peruvian Residency If You Have a Criminal Record

From peoriachronicle.com

Note: Full disclosure here I have never been detained, arrested, or charged with anything; I don't have a criminal record. I have run across people who have records and have managed to get visas. Here's all I know.

If I've said it once I've said it a thousand times, laws in Peru are not black and white, but shades of grey. I've had a couple people email me over the years and ask if it's possible to get Peruvian residency if they have a criminal record. They never tell me what's on their record, which is totally understandable. Everyone who has written to me has told me that they were young and stupid and haven't had any run-ins with the law since then.

One tip to remember is that speaking Spanish will help you greatly. You'll be treated differently than if you speak English all the time, it'll help you assimilate to the culture, and you'll be able to communicate easier.
I believe that there's no way you'll get a visa for Peru (or pretty much any country) if you have certain things on your record such as rape, murder, sex crimes, etc. In fact, here's what will definitely exclude you according to Peru this Week: convicted murderers, drug smugglers, illegal miners (gold, diamonds, etc), and being involved with organised crime. Take note that sex crimes aren't mentioned, though I'm willing to guess they would deny a visa to anyone convicted of them.

Expat Peru has contradictory information. They say that anything on your record will deny you a visa, but then say that they got their CE way before they got the results from their CBC (criminal background check). That's not to say that their home country and Peru aren't in contact though and Peruvian immigration gets the results before they do. 

There are three things to consider when applying for a visa.

1. Will it even show up?: You'll have to undergo a federal check in order to get a visa in Peru. For Americans, that means an FBI check. Misdemeanors that happened over 7 years ago shouldn't show up. It varies by state, but 7 years seems to be the most common. The best way to find out is to ask a friend in law enforcement to run your name. If you get fingerprinted and it's been less than 7 years it will add another 7 years to whatever time is left. Once you find out your record is clean then you can get an FBI check. Most police stations charge about $20 to fingerprint you and you'll pay about $20 to the FBI to get your record. You can find the steps in apostillisations and criminal background checks.
2. Misdemeanors: Now if you have misdemeanors, such as possession of drugs (not trafficking!) or underage drinking or drunk driving, it is possible to get a visa. I'm not saying that you will definitely get once, because each and every immigration officer is different, but it's possible. 
3. When it happened: Let's say that you're 50 and when you were 17 you got busted for underage drinking. It was a one time thing and you've never had any issues, not even a parking ticket, since then. If it happened a long time ago and you haven't had any other issues, then it's much different than a 25 year old who has been busted three times for drugs.

If you are denied a resident visa you still might be able to live in Peru. Many people are allowed up to 183 days in Peru as a tourist at a time. You could go as a tourist, then travel for a couple of days and then go back to Peru as a tourist. Be aware that there's no guarantee that you will get 183 days. If you've border hopped a lot, or if they decide that they don't want to let you in because of your criminal background, they can deny you entry to Peru, so keep that in mind. If you're looking at teaching, you might also want to check out teaching with a criminal record. The latter has a list of countries where you can get a visa even if you have a criminal background.

Disclaimer:

• Please join my Patreon page
• I use affiliate links. I may earn a commission if you make a purchase after clicking on links. Read more at my FTC Disclosure and Privacy Policy Statement

Natural Peruvian Remedies

Updated 30 October 2017

Local remedies seem to abound in Peru. Many of them are made with food. Here are just a few. Peru Herbals and Peruvian recipes have some more.

• Aloe vera juice: It's commonly drunk on the street where vendors use aloe vera plants. It's supposed to make your immune system stronger and make you healthier.
• Ceviche: Cures hangovers and is an aphrodisiac. 
• Chicken soup: Cures hangovers. 
• Egg: Cures fright. If someone is scared you're supposed to break an egg under their bed and the evil spirits go into at while that person is sleeping. In the morning the egg will be fried. Don't use it with babies or young children since the are still delicate and can't handle the egg's powers.
• Frog juice: If you can stomach have a frog killed in front of you and the juices squeezed out of you, frog juice is supposed to help with asthma, asthma, brochitis, impotence, and tiredness. It's also an aphrodisiac.You can see an advert for it on the right. 
• Lemons: Small, green, and the size of a golf ball, most people would call them limes, but in Peru, they're lemons. They supposedly can find anything from a hangover to the common cold. 
• Maca: It's supposed to make your immune system stronger and make you healthier.
• Newspaper with or without kerosene: If someone is sick with a cough or fever you're supposed to put newspaper directly on their chest, under their clothes. If they're really sick then you should soak the newspaper in kerosene. Newspaper shouldn't be used on infants because it's too strong. You should use paper instead. My grandfather said that in Romania gypsies typically douse their heads in kerosene in order to kill lice.
• Orange peel: Similar to newspaper, orange peel pulls out cough and fever. However, you're supposed to use orange peel before the person gets sick.
• Pulling hair: If you have a headache, taking a couple strands of hair and pulling sharply can help relieve the pain. 
• Quinoa: It's supposed to make your immune system stronger and make you healthier.

Disclaimer:

• Please join my Patreon page
• I use affiliate links. I may earn a commission if you make a purchase after clicking on links. Read more at my FTC Disclosure and Privacy Policy Statement

Culture Shock, General Info, and Maps of Peru

Updated 1 July 2017


In theory, you should carry your passport with you wherever you go. I would recommend caring photocopies or legalised copies instead. It’s unlikely that you will get stopped, but ID checks may happen on buses between cities. If you do get stopped and don’t have ID, you have a few choices:

• Speak to them in English. This will usually make them leave you alone.
• Pretend you didn’t know that you needed ID.
• Lie and say that your school, embassy, etc has it.

However, you should know that by law the police can take you to the police station and keep you there until they figure out who you are. People who obviously look like foreigners may be stopped. I know of foreigners who have been stopped without ID and they’ve never needed to bribe the police. They simply explained the situation and the police move on to the next person.

Some people choose to register with their consulate or embassy and by doing this receive updates on situations, such as strikes or holidays. It's usually not required and is up to you whether you decide to register or not.

General Information

• CIA
• DK Eyewitness Travel Guide
• Fodor's 
• Frommer's
• Lonely Planet
• US State Department (See Countries and Regions)
• If you're coming from the UK, try the FCO website.

There is no Daylight Savings Time. Electricity is 220v and 50/60 cycles. Sockets are fitted to accept both flat and round plugs. The metric system is used except for gasoline, which is measured in gallons.

Every neighbourhood has a local park, but be aware of traipsing through the grass and it is usually just for looking at, rather than playing on.

Laundry can either be done by hand (most building have a place to wash clothes on the roof), at home with a washing machine, or sent out to be done. Local laundries are all over the place. There are coin laundries and those where you leave your clothes and they put them through the machines for you. The second usually charges by the kilo. Driers are also at laundries, but most homes do not have them, instead, they put their clothes outside to dry.

All furnishings that you need can be bought here. There is a cheap furnishing market in Villa El Salvador, but it’s quite far from away. You could also try going to Plaza Hogar in Angamos in Surquillo. Both places have hand made furniture at good prices. You could always buy furniture at department stores such as Ripley’s or Saga.

Peruvian Holidays

• January 1- New Year’s
• February 2-Candlemas
• February- Carnival
• March/April- Holy Week
• May 1- Labour Day
• June- Corpus Christi
• June- St. John the Baptist Day
• June 29- St. Peter and St. Paul Day
• July 16-Virgen of Carmen
• July 28/29- Independence Days
• August 30- St. Rosa of Lima
• October 8- Battle of Angamos
• October 18- Lord of Miracles / Mes Morado
• November 1- All Saint’s Day
• November 2- All Soul’s Day
• November 5- Puno Day
• December 8- Immaculate Concepcion
• December 25- Christmas

Here is a website that explains more about Peruvian holidays.

Maps
The library of the University of Austin Texas has a great online map collection. The Peruvian Instituto Geografico Nacional also has a variety of maps, including maps for driving. More info can be found in Latin American Links. The American and Canadian Association in Peru also has information regarding Peru.

Good street maps for Lima, can be found in Planos de Lima and Guia Calles. As well as at Telefonica (go to planos). Lima 2000 also has some for various cities in Peru.

Culture Shock
Moving to another country can be difficult, but there are some things that can help you make the adjustment. There are many books on how to deal with culture shock. Even if you speak Spanish, you’ll find yourself going through culture shock. It starts with fascination with everything and seeing things through rose coloured glass and then goes to not being able to accept anything. Though people usually grow to accept things over time, even with years in Peru, small things might still frustrate you, but with time and effort, you can get over culture shock. Learning the language is probably one of the most important steps you can take. 

Culture shock can be difficult to deal with. The best thing to do is to be aware of culture shock and how to deal with it. Having pictures from home, talking to people in your native language, talking a walk in the park, or even sleeping can all help with culture shock. Remember, that although you may be experiencing culture shock, you still need to be a respectful traveller. Read, Respectful Travel: Look Mommy, A Gringo! for more info. The following websites can give you more insight on culture shock and how to deal with it.

• Dealing with Culture Shock from TEFL Tips.
• Julia Ferguson
• Living in Another Country
• Moving to Another Country
• Planet ESL
• SDSU
• Student Services at WISC

Latin America is known for its laid back lifestyle, but this could be too much of a good thing. This lackadaisical attitude meaning that planning is thrown out the window and things are done in a slipshod manner. This goes for roads, bridges, buildings as well as the future, such as planning for retirement. However, you have to take things into stride and try to understand more about Peruvian culture.

In addition, it means that laws are shades of grey rather than black and white. Some people like this because it means they can overstay their visa easily and just pay $1.25 a day fine. Some who have overstayed their visa for weeks, months, or even years have even bargained down the fine. In the long run, this hurts people who want to stay here legally since fewer employers want to get their employees visas since they know that working on a tourist visa isn't that bad. This in turn causes laughable wages, zero benefits, and no chance for things to get better in the future.

Disclaimer:

• Please join my Patreon page
• I use affiliate links. I may earn a commission if you make a purchase after clicking on links. Read more at my FTC Disclosure and Privacy Policy Statement

Safety in Peru

Updated 1 May 2014

Your opinion of the safety in Peru depends on your experiences, your physical appearance, and the way you behave. In Lima the tourist police speak English, so if you have a problem, you can call them on 3133773.

General Tips
In general, if you look and act like a gringo, you are probably at a higher risk to be robbed than those who don’t. Don’t carry your passport or lots of money with you. Same goes for credit cards or important documents. Also, don’t flaunt expensive items, such as fancy cameras. Make a copy of your passport and carry that with you if you like, though it’s not necessary. Ask the restaurant staff to get you a cab or call one. Keep bags near you. Be careful in crowds. Dress down. Do not carry all your money and ID in the same place. Make yourself bigger: swing your arms when you walk. I also hook my thumb around my purse's shoulder straps and stick my elbow out and swing the opposite arm, anyone coming too close gets elbowed or hit with my swinging arm.

Terrorism
Terrorist attacks on the USA and UK have shown use that in this day in age, terrorism can happen anywhere. Peru has a bad rapt because of some problems with The Shining Path (Sendero Luminoso and MRTA Movimiento) and Revolucionario Tupac Amaru.

They both led a number of terrorist attacks in the 80s and 90s. However, the leaders and most terrorists have been caught and have been in prison since 1992, so there is not much to worry about.

At home
Safety tends to be a concern for anyone moving to a new country. Here in Peru, homes usually have walls around them and may also have a neighbourhood security guard. Windows on the first couple of floor usually have bars on them and doors have a couple of locks. All this security does not mean that Peru is not safe. It’s just a safety precaution.

In a car / on a bus
You'll also have to be careful when you're in a car. Here are some things to remember. Put things in the trunk or under the seat. Roll up your window. Don’t buy things at intersections. Don’t use mobile while driving. If someone bumps you from behind, do not get out of your car. Go to the police station if necessary. If a police officer stops you, don’t get out of your car, insist on going to the nearest police station. You can find more safety info about transport in getting around.

Beggars
Beggars are another matter. Unfortunately, beggars are a common scene here. You will see country people, old people and children as young as 2. You can either give them money or not. If you give them money, it should only be about 10 or 20 centimos. Also, have the money ready and easily accessible, in a pocket separate from your bills. You don’t want to be taking out your wallet when you give money to beggars. If you don’t want to give them money, simply ignore them. They may follow you and pull on your clothes. Be careful of their little hands that reach into pockets.

Common Tricks
As always, it's better to be safe than sorry. Being aware of scams will help you be alert. Below are some scams that are commonly used.

• Distractions: One scam is when someone puts something, like ketchup on you, and while you’re cleaning it off, another robs you.
• Making you take a taxi: People will try to get you into taxis. Don't get into taxis with unknown people, no matter what they tell you.
• I was downtown in a nice area looking for flights in travel agencies. As I left one another woman left after me. When we were outside she asked if I was looking for flights. I said yes. She said she worked for a travel agency. I asked for her card. She didn't have one with her. She then offered to take me to the travel agency in a taxi. I said thanks and walked away. 
• Another way to get you into a taxi is posing as someone from a business. I got a call from some at my bank. She said that they were having a breakfast in order to ask me my opinion about the bank. She wanted to get info from me, such as where I lived, what I did, etc. Don't give out info over the phone, even if they say that they are from a place where you have accounts. She told me that the breakfast was free and a taxi would be provided. I then called the bank and they said they there was no breakfast. People inside the bank or company sell info to others, that's how they know you're a customer there.
• Peasant won the lottery: Another ploy is the "ignorant peasant who won the lottery." A campesino  wanders up to strangers, carrying a note he can't read. The note says "this guy has a winning lottery ticket" or an insurance judgment, or something else that means he's going to get a lot of money...but he needs help with the bureaucracy, as he can't read. To help him make his claim, and receive a share, take him to _______ (A street address.) Don't. If you can, when you run into these people, talk to the police, security guards, or locals who can arrange to move him on out of your neighborhood.
• Take a survey: Be sure to be street smart. Don't answer surveys on the street if they ask for personal details, or a signature.
• Shine your shoes?: Be aware of shoe shine boys. They will charge you much more than they say and if you refuse to pay they will gang up on you.
• ATM safety: When you use an ATM, be aware of who’s near you. Often women will try to get your card, money or PIN number. You can find more safety info about banks in money matters.

These are just some of the ploys, I'm sure there are more. Always be aware. One reason why foreigners usually fall into their traps is because they’re busy looking at the tourist attractions.

Emergency numbers

• Fire 115
• Police 105
• Alcohol Anonymous 442-9412
• Family Planning 442-7440
• Family Violence 261-1556
• Child Labour 261-8562

It’s also helpful to know the number of your local police station and you can find this information in Paginas Amarillas by looking under Comisaria. Your neighbourhood may also have a neighbourhood watch, or Serenazgo that you can also call in case of emergency.

Disclaimer:

• Please join my Patreon page
• I use affiliate links. I may earn a commission if you make a purchase after clicking on links. Read more at my FTC Disclosure and Privacy Policy Statement