Job Discussion Forums

sarc1 · Posted: Mon Nov 28, 2005 8:38 pm Post subject: Leaving for Peru

So I got my Lonely Planet Peru (some people dislike it, I find it very useful) the other day and I've pretty much made up my mind that I will got to Peru sometime in Jan and teach English staying until July/Aug. From the advice on the board it seems like I will just go knocking on schools when I get there.

I just can't decide if I want to stay in Trujillo or Arequipa. Arequipa appeals to me since its close to Machu Pinchu and Lake Titicaca. Trujillo appeals since the lifestyle appears to be relaxed and near the beach. Any thoughts of those who have been to both?

Another question, how do I get a work visa?

naturegirl321 · Joined: 04 May 2003 Posts: 9041 Location: home sweet home

Your employer will do the paperwork for you for a work visa.

Guy Courchesne · Joined: 10 Mar 2003 Posts: 9650 Location: Mexico City

Is that paperwork done from within Peru or from outside?

naturegirl321 · Joined: 04 May 2003 Posts: 9041 Location: home sweet home

I entered on a tourist visa, then left to Ecuador and then my paperwork was sent to Lima.
However, now my school is requiring teachers to get their work visa BEFORE entering Peru ,. I think it depends on the school

mahajosh · Joined: 11 Oct 2005 Posts: 21 Location: Lima, Peru

Both cities should give you a decent experience, but don't choose Arequipa because it's "close to Maccu Piccu". It looks real close on the map, but it's a 12 to 16 hour bus ride on mountian roads.

If you're considering a beach lifestyle, look into Chiclayo, too.

naturegirl321 · Joined: 04 May 2003 Posts: 9041 Location: home sweet home

I'm all for Trujillo!

jessicah632 · Joined: 12 Jun 2005 Posts: 36 Location: Texas, USA

I think it depends if you're more a mountain or an ocean type. I will say the Trujillo beach isn't all that great. It's Huanchaco, a little fishing town, and from what I remember the sand wasn't very wide and there were rocks underfoot so swimming wasn't pleasant close to shore. Plus the water's cold much of the year. I loved the town, it has a really nice little atmosphere, but the beach was a bit disappointing if you're dreaming of calm warm waters and endless white sand. Just FYI : )

--Jessicah

keepwalking · Joined: 17 Feb 2005 Posts: 194 Location: Peru, at last

I've been to both places - and am currently in Trujillo, teaching a student from Arequipa - and this is her comparison of the two places.

People in Trujillo are less likely to try and rip you off - taxi drivers ask more or less the going rate that sort of thing.

Arequipa is nicer to walk around, the streets are wider and taxi drivers don't beep at you endlessly. Arequipa is quieter in that the shops don't blare out the same three songs morning noon and night.

People in Trujillo smile more.

The mountains in Arequipa are stunning, but the beach at Huanchaco is also a good place to chill out.

There�s more night life in Arequipa (there is a serious lack of pubs and clubs in Trujillo). Arequipa also has a cinema multiplex with an in house Pizza Hut and Burger King. Trujillo on the other hand has two for one on a Tuesday at the cinema and they look the other way when you smuggle in boxes of wine to the Harry Potter opening night.

Trujillo can get dusty and a little smelly (streets pass as toilets in the minds of some....) Arequipa is blue sky all year round.

If you want mountains then Trujillo has Otuzco just two hours away and Huaraz is closer to Trujillo than MP is to Arequipa.

So there, I bet that has made things as clear as mud! I couldn't choose between the two and plumped for Trujillo in the end simply cos I had been to Arequipa and wanted somewhere new. Also, Trujillo is off the tourist trail a bit and so there is less competition for jobs here - although from the number of PM's I get, it seems to be growing in popularity.

sarc1 · Posted: Thu Dec 01, 2005 10:50 pm Post subject:

Another addition on this topic. When I get to Peru how are Cell Phone prices? I don't need anything to fancy. Do you pay monthly bills or do you have a SIM card and use charge cards as you go?

naturegirl321 · Joined: 04 May 2003 Posts: 9041 Location: home sweet home

you can pay as you go. expect to pay about 50 to 100 usd for the cell.

sarc1 · Posted: Sat Dec 03, 2005 7:05 pm Post subject: Housing Question

How is the housing in Trujillo? Is it possible to rent a furnished apartment? I'm only staying for 6 months so I don't want to have to be spending money on bed/tables.

keepwalking · Joined: 17 Feb 2005 Posts: 194 Location: Peru, at last

Housing in Trujillo is plentiful. You can get a furnished room in someone's house for about 150-200 soles a month, depending on location and whether you have a private bathroom.

Alternatively you can rent an apartment, in the good areas these go for about $200 a month furnished. I have heard of cheaper ones but have never actually seen any in areas I would want to live in.

Cell phones which are pay as you go (prepago) can go for as little as 150 soles -a new company Claro has just opened up and there seems to be a bit of a price war going on at the moment. If you go with Telefonica you get occasional special offers, like 90 soles of free calls - enough to phone home once a month and surprise the old folks.

sarc1 · Posted: Mon Dec 12, 2005 6:50 am Post subject: Dress

Am I going to have to pack some nice clothes for work? I assume I have to wear dress shirts or can I get by with jeans and t-shirt for teaching?

keepwalking · Joined: 17 Feb 2005 Posts: 194 Location: Peru, at last

Clothing depends where you work, but I'd go for trousers and shirt, bring a tie just in case but most people seem to go for smart casual. If you are planning to teach teenagers, the smarter you are the quicker they will view you as a teacher. Some schools have a uniform - for the staff. I kid you not, where I work, blue and white is the required standard, including jacket. I know about three people, all Peruvian, that adhere to this and the rest of us just laugh at the idea. The boss mentioned once when I started and hasn't said anything since. They are quite concerned with professional image here though