After many years working as a fixer, producer and filmmaker for documentaries and TV shows in Peru for international TV channels and directors from Europe, North America and New Zealand. Here are my main tips before you come to film in Peru.
- Be sure that your fixer has a good connection and understanding with the people you will film with. This is a very important part and makes people trust in your project. You don’t speak Spanish as a native language, so the fixer will be the main connection for this to happen.
- Arrange permits to enter your gear into Peru without paying taxes. This applies to cameras, drones, batteries, etc. There are different types of permits. You can check my detailed article about it. https://humanafilms.wordpress.com/2024/01/16/do-i-need-permit-to-fly-drone-in-peru-for-my-documentary-film/
- You don’t need to arrange a Visa for yourself (In most of the cases) However in some countries when you come to film in Peru, you need to arrange a Journalist Visa. This is something you have to double check at the embassy of Peru in your country.
- Paying with credit or debit cards only happens in the main cities and only hotels, flights and some restaurants. Peru has a lot of informal businesses like taxis, local restaurants, local markets, etc. So you really have to have a fair amount of cash when coming here. Especially for projects away from the main cities for many days and for many people.
- ATM machines are only located in main cities and you only can get between USD$400 – USD$800 per day. So it’s better that you bring enough Dollars or Euros in cash and we change them at the exchange houses in Lima before we travel to any part of the country.
- Peru is a country that doesn’t have many rental houses for professional equipment. You can rent some equipment here but in most cases are really expensive, more than Europe or USA and very limited models. Besides, if the equipment is stolen or damaged you will have to pay for the whole thing, we don’t have insurance. I suggest you bring your own equipment as much as you can.
- Sim cards are needed with different brands according to the place you will film. These days the easier and faster option is buying an e-sim card. I have used Airalo in other countries before and it always works great but it is more expensive. You can also buy normal sim cards like Entel or Claro brands which are the ones which work well in provinces inside Peru. Avoid buying the Entel brand if you will be outside Lima.
- Check for weather conditions. Either for rain, frost, high radiation or even mosquitos, which are the main extreme conditions that can make your days uncomfortable when filming in Peru if you are not prepared.
- Don’t rent cars at international companies. This is something very common in other countries but in Peru there are a lot of local companies that can give you better prices for the car and a driver together. It is safer and your money ends up in local people’s hands. Besides, they have great stories for the route!
- Bring enough snacks and water for the route. Filming in Peru can take you to places where there are not even stores and not many people aware you on that! We should always stock up with a variety of snacks and water in case. This involves chocolates, of course! 😀
- An extra tip! – Most important meal for Peruvians is lunch and you have to find the time for this. I know this might sound strange that I mention this here but I have worked with countless crews that see a sandwich as a lunch! And this is not a lunch for us at all. Especially if you are interviewing Peruvians or filming with Peruvians, this is something they/we won’t be happy about 😀. So please be aware that lunch means a meal, sitting down. This reflects your caring for people. It is a cultural thing and can be sensitive sometimes, not for nothing we are a gastronomy country! 🙂
And if you are still hesitating on what to film in Peru, check my article for ideas! https://humanafilms.wordpress.com/2022/06/26/what-to-film-in-peru-and-latin-america/
I am also a filmmaker as you can see from the pictures. If you have any question, let me know! https://humanafilms.wordpress.com/
Written by Lizeth Yarlequè
Documentary Filmmaker & Production in Peru (Fixer) 