Water

Water for a foreigner in Peru is often a challenge, especially for a family with kids.  You DO NOT want your kids to get sick, if at all possible, from water contamination!  Bottled water is usually available in most places, even in rural communities far from the beaten path.  Our preferred brands, in order, are San Luis, San Carlos, San Mateo, Cielo, and then the other brands.

Another option, for a more permanent setup, is a water filter (purificador), like the one we use, Rotoplas, or another brand Solo.  Both connect up to the kitchen faucet, and offer carbon-based filters that should be changed every 6 months or so (we don't always do that).  Original cost is around S/100-150, with the replacement filters running around S/50.

It doesn't do much to improve the taste, but we, and other missionaries, have never gotten sick (as far as I know) using this system in Piura, Trujillo, or Lima.  We use this mostly for cooking, washing veggies (just to be safe), and coffee/flavored drinks, since it is more cost effective than bottled water.

For drinking water at home, we have tended to get a "bidon" or big 20 liter bottle delivered to the house.  It runs about S/10 to refill, and around S/35 or so to get the bottle originally (full).  Just find a decent brand, and this will usually taste better than filtered water from the sink.

When at a restaurant, and are offered a "refresco" with a meal, feel free to ask if it was made with boiled water or water from a "bidon".  This is typically true in most locations, but I still usually ask.

Finally, we found that we drink a LOT more than the average Peruvian, even in hot locations like Piura.  Not sure exactly why this is (cost of bottled water/drinks, customs, etc).  But this was an area we decided to not adapt to, and found it important to stay hydrated.

Gas Tanks

So, when you are setting up your house, you will probably buy a "cocina", or a stove.  It will likely not come with a gas tank, or "balon".  Looking in the phone book (if you can find one of those for your city), there will be companies like Lima Gas, Costagas, etc, offering tanks of gas, delivered to your door.  But, they DO NOT sell the tanks!  Ok, at least that is what they will tell you.

A good place to buy a tank is at the mercado.  Or, as I found out, sometimes you can push a bit and get the company you call to provide one to you or connect you with a provider.  There are "normal" and "premium" tanks, the second costing a bit more.  The regulators for both are different, so check what comes with your stove (again, if it comes with a regulator - might have to buy that separately).  In 2013, the average cost of a tank with gas was about S/100, and around S/34 to buy a refill.

Most large suppliers have local reps that will provide gas to your house.  I would recommend calling someone you know for someone "de confianza", or trustworthy.  Sometimes there will be flyers placed under the front door, which also works.  They usually will bring it to your house within the hour, sometimes as soon as 10-15 minutes.

The Beginning

I am Lowell.  A father of three, and married to Melissa for going on 18 years now.  We have been missionaries in Peru for a few years, and I have learned a lot while being here.  I have had so many questions, and as most do, I often searched the internet for answers.  Why is the inter-city bus stopping in the middle of the desert when they said they wouldn't?  Is that taxi driver really giving me a good price, or am I paying the "extranjero tax"?  Where are the bathrooms when traveling, and why do I have to pay 50 cents to use them?  Is it ok to refuse food offered to me?  Does it depend on where I am at the time?

So many questions, so much learned.  I hope this is helpful to someone at some point in their own journey.  My target audience is other extranjeros, probably missionaries, coming to Peru.  But guessing there might be a tourist here and there that might benefit from my experiences.

Take care, and looking forward to sharing this journey of learning with you all!

Lowell