What budget to travel Peru? Money and currency

What budget for activities and outings Peru?

Some sites offer prices for children, students or senior citizens. While children and the elderly have no trouble proving their identity, student status is more difficult to prove. In general, you'll need to show a photo ID card with a start and end date of validity.

In Lima, some museums are free on the^1st Sunday of each month. There is also a Museum Night, usually on the^3rd Sunday in May.

The Peruvian Andes obviously lend themselves to walking and hiking, with an infinite number of possibilities once you've mastered the altitude. However, the paths are not marked, so you need to follow the recommendations of the locals or be accompanied by a guide for more isolated hikes. Social networks host groups of local hikers who pay a yearly subscription to an association to organize group outings. The Cordillera Blanca is the setting for some incredible and very physical treks, but these can only be done with a guide and suitable equipment.

Lima is not to be outdone, and the pandemic has spawned a new generation of sports enthusiasts who jog along the Malecón (the promenade along the cliffs). You can also rent a bike or a surfboard on the beach.

Don't hesitate to join in the salsa evenings that are often offered, especially in Lima (Callao is home to some excellent salsa groups).

It's time to compare! And don't hesitate to bargain or buy in groups. It's easier for retailers to offer discounts on multiple purchases. Another argument is to indicate that you intend to pay in cash. You won't be able to pay by card in markets, but you will be able to pay by card in classic craft stores. Take into account the quality of the product, which can vary greatly from place to place. In stores run by associations or producers, prices are harder to negotiate, but the quality is quite different.

Going out in Peru is best reserved for people with a comfortable standard of living, as the cost of a cocktail is often higher than the cost of a menu, starting at S/30. Cocktail bars, wine bars and craft breweries have flourished, particularly in Lima. Here, it's a good idea to leave a tip. There are also many smaller bars serving popular beers and alcoholic beverages, but often of lesser quality. For shows, tickets can be purchased in advance on the Internet, for example on sites such as teleticket.com or joinnus.com. In Lima, there are some very accomplished traditional dance shows. In Trujillo, you can attend marinera and caballo de paso shows. In Cusco, the Qosko center offers a show that is included in the city's must-see tourist ticket.

What budget to eat Peru?

All price ranges can be found here. There are plenty of ways to find small snacks or hearty dishes from street vendors, markets or small, popular restaurants. On the other hand, if you stop off at a cafeteria, a good quality coffee will cost between S/8 and S/15 and a sandwich or cake will easily cost S/20 to S/35, the price of a full menu elsewhere. It's all a question of taste and desires.

Meals up to S/50. It's possible to eat for less in many of the city's establishments. The most touristy places are not always the cheapest. For the cheapest restaurants, check the hygiene conditions. They rarely accept payment by credit card. Many restaurants offer a set menu at lunchtime, with suggestions displayed on the slate (S/15-25 per menu), but desserts are rare.

Meals range from S/50 to S/150. A la carte, you'll find what you're looking for in this price range for quality products. Expect to pay around S/50-70 for a dish in a good restaurant. Don't worry, we eat well and generously in Peru. Some of the more isolated hotels offer quality à la carte dining. Beware, though, that the bill rises quickly if you add alcohol, dessert or coffee.

It is possible to ask to take away an uneaten portion "para llevar".

Meals at over S/150 or tasting menus: Lima has no shortage of internationally renowned chefs. These include Virgilio Martinez's Central, as well as his wife Pïa Leon's Kjolle, Maido, Mayta, Rafael, Astrid and Gaston. In Cusco, Pia Leon is at the helm of Mauka, the restaurant at Palacio Nazarenas, Virgilio Martinez of MIL in Moray and Gaston Acurio offers Chicha restaurants in Arequipa and Cusco. Here, quality and value go hand in hand, sometimes with tasting menus to be booked well in advance.

Short breaks are an additional budget item. You can have a cheap lunch, but quality coffees, desserts or cocktails cost more. Let's say around S/15 for coffee or dessert and S/30 for cocktails. Of course, you have to take into account the location, the time spent and the service received. Another good idea is to try the desserts offered by street vendors: mazamora (compote), arroz con leche (rice pudding) or picarones (fried doughnuts).

What is the budget for accommodation Peru?

Peru offers a wide range of prices and comfort. The more touristy regions have more choice, and it's not uncommon to find alternative accommodation, such as glampings, cabins or lodges, but in a more upmarket category. Small hotels and youth hostels can be found at reasonable prices, down to S/ 100 or US$ 30 per double room. These are usually family-run hotels. In some of them, the service is still good and the atmosphere very relaxed. But don't get hung up on the details. Youth hostels and dormitories have been renovated in recent years in line with the workation trend. Here, too, you'll find attractive new places with a wide range of services (cooking, luggage storage, tours, parties). AirBnB also works very well locally. A classic hotel equivalent to our 2** is around US$40 and US$60 per room. Finally, a more comfortable and/or charming room will run from US$70 to US$120, depending on the region and the season. Don't hesitate to book directly on hotel websites.

Travel budget Peru and cost of living

Even if living costs have risen considerably in recent times, a trip to Peru is still affordable (though far less cheap than Bolivia). Once you've paid for your international flight, which varies between 800 and 1,500 euros depending on the date, you'll be able to get a good night's sleep. You can get decent hotel accommodation (double room with private bathroom, but hot water not guaranteed) for S/ 75 per person. For S/ 150 to S/ 250 per person, you're in the range of a European-standard 2-star hotel. For a palace with swimming pool, sauna, tennis court and other amenities, you'll need to spend around US$100 for two.

Eating out depends on your expectations: a simple midday meal can cost around S/ 15 to 20, but a real meal in a restaurant with dessert or coffee easily climbs to S/ 80 to 100. As soon as you want to go a little more fancy or enjoy a nice evening, the bill quickly rises. Alcohol in particular is expensive.

Flying is less expensive. The fierce competition of recent years has brought prices down, but be careful to book with recommended airlines such as Latam or Sky Peru. The others have little frequency and often cancellations or delays. You also need to pay attention to the baggage policy, as the basic price does not include any baggage, and each type of baggage has a different price.

As for the bus, the most convenient and comfortable means of travel if you choose a recommended company, it proves to be very affordable. Trains are more comfortable, but also much more expensive than other means of transport, as they are mainly used for tourist and/or luxury purposes, notably to get to Machu Picchu and between Arequipa, Puno and Cusco.

Tipping. It's customary to leave a tip of around 10% for a tour guide, a restaurant waiter, etc. In good restaurants, you'll always be asked if you want to include the tip when paying by credit card - it's not compulsory, but very much expected. On the other hand, there's no such thing as a tip in a cab, hotel, etc. In any case, a tip is at your discretion.

Bargaining is de rigueur in tourist markets, but not in stores with a street address, with a few exceptions. When haggling, remember that the price of a handicraft item (a woollen sweater, for example) is ridiculous. Scraping together 5 soles will save you around €1.50. That's a pittance for you, but often a considerable sum for the seller. Don't overdo it. But, of course, don't let yourself be taken advantage of (some shopkeepers charge 10 times the normal price, especially if you don't speak a word of Spanish).

Taxes. Most prices include an 18% sales tax (for purchases with invoice), which foreigners are not subject to. The only way to get it refunded is to make your purchase just before boarding, at the airport. Please note that hotel nights are exempt from the 18% tax.