FAQs

Our experience is that intenational news about Peru tends to be exaggerated. Cusco especially is a relatively peaceful place. If you keep in mind some basic rules (do not carry a lot of cash money with you, do not walk around alone at night), you will usually be safe. Items that are on the news often happen in the country side or in other desolate places, where tourists never visit.

AMAUTA opened the doors in 1996 and is the oldest Spanish School in Cusco, and the largest. We have an average of 30 – 50 students in the low season, and 80 – 100 in the high season. The location of the school, just two blocks from the Plaza de Armas, is simply perfect, and the view from our sunny terrace is breath-taking. All our teachers are professionals and native speakers of Spanish. Because of the large number of students that visit our school, we can always offer group lessons at many different levels.
AMAUTA is the only school with programs at different locations, with a professional volunteer and trainee program and with it´s own students residence. And if you cannot decide, just visit us and sign up for our free trial class.
Please check our website and find out about what our ex-students say: http://www.amautaspanishschool.com/amautaspanish/students/

During the low season (from November – April), we have an average of 30 – 50 students and volunteers. During the high season (May – October) this number will increase to 80 – 100.

You can bring your dirty laundry every morning before 10 am to our office, and it will be ready the same day at about 6:30 pm. The price is about US$ 0.70 per kilo. If you booked a stay with the family Plus Program, your laundry service is included.

That is difficult to say as it depends on your way of living while staying in Cusco. Just to give you an idea: Public transport in Peru is very inexpensive. A taxi in Cusco will charge you US$0.60 during the day and US$ 0.90 after 10pm. A ride on a public bus in Cusco costs US$0.20. An average meal (set menu) in a restaurant will cost you about US$ 2.00. A beer or a coffee in a bar will cost between US$ 1 and US$ 3, depending on where you go. With a US$ 10 Visitors Ticket (‘Boleto turístico’) you can visit the most important ruins, museums and other sites of interest in and around Cusco. The ticket is valid for 10 days. With an ISIC Card you pay only $ 5. A visit to Machu Picchu or to the rainforest is much more expensive. For details, please check www.dosmanosperu.com, the webpage of our travel agency.

We do recommend you to take a medical and a travel insurance in your home country.

Free internet is included in your program, you can use the computers at the internet café between the hours of 8:30 am and 6:30 pm. You can use the phone at your accommodation for incoming calls or to make phone calls with a card.

There are several ATM machines in Cusco, but it is always good to bring some cash money or travellers cheques with you in case the machines are out of order. Please check with you local bank about the rates they charge for withdrawing money in a foreign country

You can change money (cash US or traveler cheques) at the banks or at the different Casas de Cambio at the Plaza de Armas. The exchange rate, at the time of writing, is $ 1.00 equals 3.4 soles. It is also possible to exchange other currencies (e.g. euros) but the exchange rate isn´t that good.

No visa is necessary for most countries (check with the Peruvian Embassy in your home country). The tourist visa you will get when entering Peru will allow you 90 days in Peru. You are allowed a maximum of three 30-day extensions for up 180 days (6 months) in Peru. Each extension will cost you about $ 25.00. You might want to consider just crossing the (Bolivian or Chilean) border, if you need more time in Peru. It'll take you about two days and you'll be guaranteed another 90 days.

All the study materials are included and there is no need to bring materials with you. However we recommend you to bring a good dictionary. There is no bookstore in Peru where you can buy Spanish Grammar books or (good) dictionaries.

With an ISIC Card you get 10% discount on course price at AMAUTA. You can also use the card to get a $ 25 discount on the Inca Trail and $ 5 on the Boleto TUristico, the entrance fee ticket for the tourist sites in Cusco.

AMAUTA has an international staff that speaks a number of languages. When something unexpected happens, you can go to the school administration and talk to them. AMAUTA also has a 24 hour emergency phone number.