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Lima ClubhouseCusco Clubhouse Environmental Campaign in the Sacred Valley - Click here for more information!Peru Earthquake Information - Click here!
The Lima clubhouse is the oldest and has been in operation since 1977. For 25 years, members made their way to Breña to visit the Lima clubhouse. But this changed in April 2002, when the clubhouse moved to new and classier quarters in Miraflores. The location of the new clubhouse is better for members and visitors—the area is safer, and restaurants, hotels, internet cafes, and shops are close by. Just like our old clubhouse in Breña, our new home is full of charm, friendliness, character, and warmth. Members will find all the things they signed up for—a knowledgeable staff, lending library, storage facilities, trip reports, evening lectures and events, outings, provincial binders, back issues of the magazine, research facilities, a map collection, and help with their plans and projects. Services on offerAs well as the usual SAE services such as trip planning, access to the trip reports and volunteer database, extensive library, reference books, maps & guidebooks for sale, luggage storage, safety deposit box, book exchange and wireless internet, we also offer a weekly events program, and the chance to learn about and contribute to local community and environmental projects. Weekly events ProgramAll events take place on a Wednesday at 7pm in the Clubhouse, unless otherwise stated. Everyone welcome.
Volunteer Resources CenterLima makes an ideal base from which to delve deep into Peru's varied, complex and fascinating society through volunteering. Using the resources we have here at the Clubhouse, you could put together a package to include working with disadvantaged children in Lima, wildlife in the jungle or on the coast and campesinos in the mountains, for example.
Supporting local community projectsWe try to get involved in and support community projects. In the past successful beach clean ups have been organized, and we are always making donations of clothes, toys and even a guitar, to charitable projects that we feel are worthwhile. Presently, we have a photo display in the Clubhouse showcasing pictures taken by street kids capturing their lives on the margins of Lima society. Future projects in collaboration with local businesses and NGOs include a trip to Ayacucho and Huancavelica delivering Christmas presents to disadvantaged children and a clean-up hike of the Huanca Trail in the province of Junin at the beginning of the tourist season. Our weekly events program also gives local projects a springboard to promote their work. We often invite local organizations to the clubhouse to give a short presentation about their work in the community and how SAE members and other tourists can get involved. Our Environmental PolicyOne of the aims of South American Explorers is to: “ Support scientific field exploration and research in the social and natural sciences as well as charities and NGO´s with aims to improve social, economical and ecological conditions” In keeping with this philosophy we recycle all our plastic, paper, tins and glass and we offer a facility to refill your plastic bottles with mineral water. We also try to use low energy appliances and attempt to keep our ecological footprint as low as possible in running the clubhouse. Useful PublicationsWe keep a number of publications here that can be taken away: Peripheria is a bilingual quarterly magazine published in Huaraz; Urbania is a monthly events newspaper; the monthly ACAP Newsletter aimed at Lima's expat community. We also stock a number of information packets published by the Cusco Clubhouse: Alternative Inca Trails, the Peruvian Jungle, and the Eating & Drinking Guide to Cusco. 9 Lima FAQs
How do I get a taxi to and from the airport, and how much should it cost?From the airport there are desks of private, safe taxis. These are reliable but cost more. If you contact the Clubhouse in advance we can give you the name and telephone number of a taxi driver. Getting to the airport, you can hail a taxi on the street; however a more reliable taxi can be called. Staff at the Clubhouse know of reliable taxi drivers and companies. It should cost between US$8-13.
Is it safe to walk around at night?Miraflores is well lit and fairly safe at night. That said, try to avoid being alone, and keep to streets you are familiar with. The usual rules apply – don’t carry valuables, and look confident. Be careful around Lima Centro. Barranco has a fairly lively nightlife so stick to the more populated places (although be aware of pickpockets). Lima is not as dangerous as its reputation, certainly every large city has its dodgy areas – don’t be afraid to enjoy it!
Are the money-changers on the street reliable?On the whole yes, but we would still recommend that you use a bank or 'casa de cambio' and always ask for a receipt. Even in these places, always double check that the notes and coins you are given are authentic. Here at the Clubhouse we have sample false currency. Things to look out for on notes are: the small shiny dots peel off, ‘holographic’ effect on the number on the side, the texture may be different in a fake note. For coins, make sure the etching is detailed, compare the coins you have.
Where can I have post sent to?There is a post-restante at the main post office in central Lima, but this is often unreliable. If you are a member of South American Explorers you can have post sent to any of our Clubhouses. The addresses are on the website. Post can take anywhere between one to three weeks to arrive so bear this in mind! If it is a package, leave out the “South American Explorers” part of the address as this can sometimes cause problems at Customs.
Can I buy maps at the Clubhouse?Yes you can!! We sell a range of different maps, from city plans to topographical maps for hiking. These are sold at a discount to SAE members. We can also direct you to other outlets for a wider selection.
What is the food like? Is is safe to drink the water?Peru boasts some of the most varied cuisine of anywhere in the world. Coastal dishes, traditional Andean foods, and of course lots of potatoes and rice! Favourites are ceviche; raw fish marinated in lime and chilli juice which cooks it. Served with roasted corn kernels and sweet potato, it is a delicacy and portions are usually huge. Rocoto relleno is chilli peppers, stuffed with a mix of vegetables, peanuts and meat. Aji de gallina is a curry-style dish made with chicken. For the more daring, try alpaca steak or roasted guinea pig! Jungle areas also serve a huge variety of dishes, and trying fresh exotic fruits is an opportunity not to be missed. Water should be boiled before drinking – and in highland areas it is best to boil it for at least 5 minutes as water boils at a lower temperature at altitude. Purification tablets are usually a worthwhile purchase, and bottled water is often cheap although for the more eco-friendly, be careful with disposing of these. Tourist restaurants usually used bagged ice, but in cheaper places be wary of ice cubes that may be made from unboiled tap water.
How do I know a tour agency is authentic?This is a tricky one. Many ‘pirates’ open offices and can pretend to be tour operators, which then disappear when a problem arises. A sure-fire way to avoid these is to consult friends who have been to the area, and use our Clubhouses to find out well-known and recommended tour agencies. For SAE members you can also look online at our discount lists, find a good agency and save money at the same time! You can also get up to date information and recommendations from our member-written trip reports which are online as well as in each of our Clubhouses.
I have to spend a few days in Lima – what is there to do?There are various museums around the centre of town, from the Franciscan monastery with its underground catacombs – Lima’s first public cemetery, the Museum of the Inquisition, with gruesome displays of the torture methods used on suspects. The Plaza de Armas is a fine example of colonial architecture. The Museo de la Nacion in San Borja often has good exhibitions of pre-Columbian cultures and also more modern displays. You can walk along the cliff-side parks or visit the Pucllana ruins in Miraflores, or enjoy the cafes and shops! If you have longer to spend, there are some good walks in the mountains, and the large ruins of Pachacamac to the south of the city, near the fertile Lurin valley. See also the info sheet: ' Top 10 things to do in Lima'.
What if I am going to a country where there is not a Clubhouse?You can email the country representative at countryname@saexplorers.org. Or contact the relevant clubhouse, and they will be able to advise you: Quito has information about Ecuador and Colombia Lima has information about North Peru, Chile and Venezuela Cusco has information about South Peru, Bolivia and Brazil Buenos Aires has information about Argentina, Uruguay and Paraguay Ithaca has information about Suriname and the Guianas. |
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