Lima Warning or Danger Tips by El_Sueco

Lima: The traffic is terrible. If you have planned to drive a car in Lima, donīt do that!
As foreigner you first have to learn to understand when other cars will stop and when they will not stop! Even when you go by car in Lima, driven by a native driver, there are incidents all the time. (adding to that, in some districts there are 'holes' in the pavement, that can hazard your car).
You also have the 'rompemuelles', (in some countries called 'sleeping policemen'), which means a elevation (sometimes more than 10 cm) of the street to force people to drive slowly, on which you can 'chock' heavily! They are seldom marked with signs, but sometimes marked with colour.
Outside Lima and other big cities, you can - but be careful - drive your car. The bigger roads are sometimes of good standard.

Going to the north, Lima-Trujillo for instance, look out for 'flying sand' in desert zones that over night will create a very hard 'rompemuelle' or dangerous obstacle.

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Being a pedestrian: If you want to cross a street, do as the limeņos, wait! Donīt think that the cars will stop for you. They donīt!
In Sweden where I live we have a law (about two years old) that forces the drivers to stop at the crossing signs, if a pedestrian want to cross.
The system in Lima work the other way, if the driver se a pedestrian he doesnīt stop, if he shows some reaction, he will increase the speed, to make the person run or take two steps backwards very quickly!
If a car wants to change driving field, the other cars wonīt let him until they have passed! Making turning signs doesnīt work! Even busses (micros or combis) have to force their way, you hear horn-beeps all the time, and nobody will pay any notice.
Be careful!

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When going by car, peruvians always have the side windows open. This makes it easy for thieves ...
1. Place your hand bags on the floor, do not have them on your knees.
2. Take off your watch, and place it in a trouser pocket.
3. Take off finger-rings, ear-rings, nose-rings or whatever you normally use.
4. Trouser pockets are more secure than jacket pockets.
5. If you must pass a zone that is considered riscy, close the windows, lock the doors from inside and follow advice 1-4. But remember that a car is no protection, a thief can easily smash the window and grab your things before you will be able to react by mere chock.
6. Be aware of the risks from "ambulantes" (merchants in the street) and other persons that will pass between the cars when it is red light. Most people of course are just trying to sell small things to earn their money and make no offence, but anyway, watch out!
7. When walking on the streets, grab your hand-bag firmly and have it in your front, not on your back. Always look around and keep control of your posessions and the persons in your group.
I donīt know which advice i shall give you about your money, if you shall put "all eggs in the same basket" or not. Though it is a good advice, always have some small money easy available (and you shall know exactly where and what you have), then you can buy small things and make minor arrangement without taking out your big purse. (Taking out the purse, you shall only do when and where you have control of the persons around, not anywhere in the street).
Ask the peruvians (hotel staff and such)where and when you can go.
Also look for the Tourist police in the centre of Lima, they will gladly assist you. Local municipal police will also try to help you if you ask them to.
So take care. Common sense will help you!

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