Currency & Payment
Exchange rates fluctuate daily. Check current rates locally.
Local Currency Overview
Currency type, banknotes, and coin denominations
The currency is the Peruvian sol (PEN, symbol S/, plural soles), divided into 100 céntimos. US dollars are sometimes accepted in a few tourist settings, but soles are the norm for everyday spending. Carry small notes, as large bills can be hard to break in taxis and small shops.
- Currency
- Peruvian sol (S/, PEN)
- Subunit
- 100 céntimos
- Tip
- Carry small notes
- USD may be taken in some tourist spots, but soles are standard
Currency Exchange Tips
Best places and methods to exchange money
Exchange money at banks, licensed exchange houses (casas de cambio) or the airport, and keep your receipts. Street money changers exist but carry a higher risk of counterfeit notes. Bring clean, undamaged USD, as torn or worn bills are often refused.
- Where
- Banks, casas de cambio, airport
- Caution
- Watch for fake notes
- Cash
- Bring clean USD
- Torn or damaged bills may be refused
- Keep exchange receipts
Credit Card Acceptance
Card brand availability and usage tips
Cards are widely accepted at hotels, restaurants and larger stores in cities such as Lima and Cusco, with Visa and Mastercard the most common. However, cash is essential in markets, rural areas, small shops and taxis. Always keep enough soles for everyday spending outside main tourist hubs.
- Accepted
- Hotels, larger stores
- Networks
- Visa, Mastercard
- Cash
- Needed in markets, taxis
- Rural areas and small shops are often cash-only
ATM Usage
How to withdraw cash and associated fees
ATMs are common in cities and towns; prefer bank ATMs inside branches or malls for security. Many machines dispense soles and sometimes USD, with per-transaction limits and foreign-card fees. Shield your PIN, avoid isolated machines at night and keep a cash buffer.
- Availability
- Cities and towns
- Use
- Bank ATMs
- Fees
- Foreign-card fees, limits
- Shield your PIN and avoid isolated machines at night
- Some ATMs dispense both soles and USD
Mobile & Digital Payments
Digital payment services available locally
Local mobile wallets such as Yape and Plin are popular among residents but generally require a local bank account, so they are hard for short-term visitors to use. Travelers rely mostly on cash and cards. Contactless card payments are growing in cities, but coverage is uneven elsewhere.
- Wallets
- Yape, Plin (residents)
- Visitors
- Cash and cards
- Contactless
- Growing in cities
- Yape and Plin usually need a local bank account
Tipping Culture
Expected tipping amounts and etiquette
Tipping is customary and appreciated. In restaurants around 10% is common when a service charge is not already included. Small tips are welcome for guides, drivers and hotel staff. Keep small notes handy so you can tip easily during the day.
- Restaurants
- ~10% if not included
- Service staff
- Small tips welcome
- Tip
- Keep small notes
- Guides, drivers and hotel staff appreciate tips
Price Guide
Average costs for meals, transport, and accommodation
Peru can be affordable, though prices vary by region. Local menús, markets and public transport are cheap, while upscale hotels and popular sites like Machu Picchu cost more. Tourist hotspots tend to be pricier than provincial towns, so budget accordingly.
- Budget
- Menús, markets, buses
- Higher
- Upscale hotels, Machu Picchu
- Regions
- Tourist areas cost more
- Prices in tourist hubs exceed those in provincial towns
Any tourist tax refund scheme in Peru can be limited and the rules may change over time, so do not assume a broad refund is available. If a refund matters for a large purchase, check current details with the retailer or the relevant authorities before you buy.
- Refund
- Limited / varies
- Check
- Retailer or authorities
- When
- Before you buy
- Do not assume a broad tourist refund is available