Business in Peru
Time
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Social events do not require punctuality. Being late is not considered rude, and it is quite common to be late by 30 minutes or more.
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Time is approached in a very relaxed and flexible manner, and is often referred to as “Peruvian time” or “Latin time,” as people are often late.
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Meetings should be scheduled a month in advance and confirmed a week before.
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Vacations are often taken between January and March, so this is not a time to try and set up meetings.
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Business is conducted Monday thru Saturday between 8:00 am and 6:00 pm. Lunchtime is usually from 1:00 to 3:00 pm.
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People and relationships are of higher priority than strict schedules to Peruvians; therefore, business meetings are often delayed and start late.
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As a visitor, always make sure to be on time, even though you will likely have to wait for the host.
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Again, building relationships is more important than being fast and efficient in business. Peruvians are more relationship-oriented than goal-oriented.
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Due to the relaxed view on time, business meetings and negotiations will often take a long time.
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Unexpected visits and calls are considered rude.