Category Archives: Peru

Economy, Peru

Dollar closes week at S/ 3.36, highest since 2006

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The Peruvian Sol continues to fall against the dollar reaching levels not seen since 2006. Via El Comercio Peru:

The exchange rate rose on Friday to a maximum of more than nine years for purchases of dollars to companies and institutional investors due to increased expectations of a rise in the US key interest rate in December and fears about the health of China’s economy.

The dollar rose 0.21% to S / 3.363 units, matching the level of 7 April 2006. Meanwhile, the parallel exchange rate was S / 3.365.

To mitigate the decline, the Central Reserve Bank (BCR) sold US $ 70 million, at an average exchange rate of 3.3609 units.

During 2015, official sales total US $ 7.569 billion, while the local currency recorded a drop of 12.85%.

“Instability and weakness of China’s economy, the approaching end of the year and the odds for the US Federal Reserve to raise rates, continue to generate demand for dollars from corporate and institutional,” said one agent.

Full Article Here: Dólar cerró semana en S/.3,363, su nivel más alto desde el 2006 | El Comercio Peru

Peru, Travel

Sierra del Divisor: 5 keys behind creating a new national park in Peru

Peru has just created a huge new National Park in the Amazon region of Ucayali.

Via El Comercio Peru (Translating via Google Translate with author’s corrections for clarity.)

The new Divisor National Park is a mountain resort located in the Amazonian lowlands, in a territory of 1,354,485 hectares (3,347,005 acres) corresponding to the territory of Ucayali and Loreto.

According to the National Service of Protected Natural Areas by the State (Sernanp), the Sierra del Divisor is geologically one of the oldest areas of the Amazon and has spectacular landscapes and is very inaccessible.

Another interesting observation point is that in the area there are species that only exist there. Its importance has meant that, finally, the Government has determined that Divisor pass be reserved as a national park. Continue reading Sierra del Divisor: 5 keys behind creating a new national park in Peru →

Medical Tourism, Peru

Three Reasons Why I Love Peruvian Healthcare

Updated: November 2016

I first wrote this post in 2015, and since then it’s been plain to see that costs for US healthcare have continued to rise rapidly, along with health coverage premiums and deductibles. It behooves everyone to at least investigate other options for commonplace surgeries and therapy that can be had for a fraction of the cost with just a short trip easily combined with a vacation.

 

Three Reasons Why I Love Peruvian Healthcare

Back in 2010, I herniated a disc in my back, and long (painful) story short, I ended up in Peru for treatment due to the cost (That story here.)

Over the last 5 years, I’ve had very little problem, only occasional discomfort or at most a day or so of lower back pain.

That’s how it was, until recently. Weeks of running around Peru in small, cramped cars, bad hotel beds, and trying to act like I can still handle 100+ pound bags of coffee, combined with lack of stretching finally led to a full blown sciatic pain episode. Once we got back to Lima, I immediately sought therapy. Here’s what I found:

Continue reading Three Reasons Why I Love Peruvian Healthcare →

Chocolate, Coffee, Peru

Expo Cafe Peru 2015 – 5th Anniversary

The 5th Expo Cafe Peru was recently held in Lima. Highlighting the finest coffees & chocolate of Peru, the event also seeks to promote specialty coffees in the Andean nation, where most of the best coffees are exported to Europe & the US.

Via Peru This Week:

The annual event held its fifth anniversary this past weekend, aiming to promote national chocolate and coffee producers.

In the streets of London, Lima features on the tip of many tongues. They are, however, not explicitly referring to the bustling metropolis overlooking the green waves of Costa Verde. They are alluding to the Peruvian restaurant in London which has thrilled gourmets at home and abroad.

The international, gastronomical footprint of Peru is growing without displaying any hint at coming to a halt. And observing the rise of culinary Peru from the outside, there are few reasons why the perceivable future would demand an end.

Peru’s diversity is a defining aspect of the Pacific nation. Above all, the food and drink stand as a testament to the impressive variety the country consist off. From ceviche and chifa to turrón and chicha morada, Peru’s gastronomical inventions are the blissful result of multicultural creativity and ingredients in abundance.

What’s the most expensive coffee in the world?

Bewilderingly enough, however, Peru has remained an absent name from the two consumables that large parts of the world would probably collapse without: namely chocolate and coffee. Continue reading Expo Cafe Peru 2015 – 5th Anniversary →

Coffee, Curibamba, Peru

Real People, Really Good Coffee Update September 2015

Coffee arrives from the farm

 

Update: 9/22 We’ve passed Customs Exam! We now await pickup by our warehouse, which should be by mid-day today. We’ll next return to Arizona where we’ll be cupping and roasting.

The “buy” buttons will soon be active, and we’ll announce it here when your fresh coffee is ready for purchase. Meanwhile, sign up for our email list in the box on the right.

See this years coffee lineup below.

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Our ship has come in (literally) and we just now await Customs inspection and release. We’re already FDA approved. From there, our coffee will head to the warehouse, and we’ll be heading over to California in order to pick up a few bags so that we can begin roasting and cupping (tasting) again prior to sending out roaster samples to our wholesale customers.

Meanwhile, if it seems a little quiet on the online side of things, it’s because we’re buried in the details of our upcoming “official” launch. Being somewhat of a geek, I maintain the website, do some social media promotion, and coordinate all of our online payment systems etc. It’s a big task on top of selling, roasting, cupping, and all the other “hats” I end up wearing in the coffee business.

We’re also wired from all of the excitement. We went to the farm, bought some amazing coffees, and somehow managed to work our way through the myriad details involved in international shipping. We did it!

Support your “local” coffee farmer!

Click “continue reading” below  (if you are on the home page, and not already reading this full article) to see the latest coffee offerings. Stay tuned for purchasing details which will be announced later this week.
Continue reading Real People, Really Good Coffee Update September 2015 →

Food, Peru

Mistura 2015 – Gastronomy Fair Peru, Isn’t Just for Foodies

Mistura 2015, Peru’s world renowned gastronomy fair is now in full swing, featuring exhibitions of artisan works,  educational sessions, and of course wonderful Peruvian fruits, vegetables, and every kind of cuisine imaginable. If that’s not enough, there are traditional dance groups, musical events, and even food trucks!

This event is the eighth year, and is being presented oceanside in the Costa del Sol park below Magdalena del Mar. It’s the second largest foodie fair in the world, and attendees come from all over the globe to sample award winning plates, and the best of Peru.

We stopped in to check it out:
Continue reading Mistura 2015 – Gastronomy Fair Peru, Isn’t Just for Foodies →

Peru, Travel

Machu Picchu Becomes “Sister City” with Otama, Japan

 

Machu Picchu has formally become a sister city with the town of Otoma, Japan. Otama is located in the Fukishima prefecture.

Finally, after years of searching and then finding a twin town, Machu Picchu has has paired with Otama, Japan.

Located in the Fukushima region of Japan, the small town of Otama has a big, and special place in the heart of Machu Picchu, Peru. In 1917, Japanese native of Otama, Yokichi Nouchi, moved to Peru and worked as a railroad employee installing paths to Machu Picchu. At 20 years of age, he began his life-long work supporting and contributing to tourism development in the region until his death in 1969.

So it is with this connection that the town of Otama was accepted as a twin town with Machu Picchu three years ago.

Continue reading Machu Picchu Becomes “Sister City” with Otama, Japan →

Peru, Travel

What! Jungle Oddity – A European Style Castle in the Cloud Forest

Lamas Castle, San Martin, Peru

In the small village of Lamas, San Martin region,  is a sight one would never expect to see in this cloud forest area outside of Tarapoto. A real European style castle!

Lamas is a native community known not only for excellent cocoa, but also prized for the rich coffee that comes from the surrounding mountains.
Continue reading What! Jungle Oddity – A European Style Castle in the Cloud Forest →