This doesn’t fit the theme of this mostly abandoned blog, but I wanted to post as a public service. I just returned from two weeks in Lima, Peru and stayed at an apartment in Miraflores that I rented through AlquileresPeru.com. Despite doing extensive web searches prior to going, I couldn’t help thinking that the rental might be some sort of scam. AlquileresPeru has a nice website and everything, but this Washington Post article had me on edge.
It turned out to be a completely legitimate rental and I was very satisfied with the apartment. I rented the condo identified as T10 on the site. It’s location on Calle Las Dalias turned out to be accurate, the apartment features were accurate, and the pictures accurately represented the space. I would mention only that this might be a little challenging if no one in your party speaks Spanish as the person who delivers your keys and shows you around the place seems to speak only Spanish. That said, we had no difficulty since my wife speaks Spanish. We had a great experience in this apartment and with AlquileresPeru.com.
I should add that we used Akatori for our airport transportation and were very happy with them as well. The driver was friendly, helpful, and more cautious than most in Lima! He was also arrived early for our return to the airport – which is more than I can say for the Arlington-based taxi company we took to the airport on our way to Lima.
Did you actually speak with someone from that company in the US? On their website, there’s no info on how to book the apartments or mode of payment…
Yes, I called the US number on the website. The woman I spoke with, Gisella Varas, took down the apartment I was interested in and the dates I wanted to be there. Most of the details were handled over email with a gentleman names Luis Bardales. I paid something like 20% down plus a 20% security deposit over PayPal, plus a credit card processing fee of maybe $20. They requested the balance in cash when we arrived in Lima. I never carry that much cash in the U.S. – let alone late at night into Lima. So I arranged to pay the balance via PayPal a couple of days before I left the U.S. I think it might vary based on the apartment owner, but my security deposit was returned in cash, less a $30 cleaning fee I knew of in advance, when I returned the key to the apartment owner. I am happy to answer any other questions about my experience!