Peru Travel Cost and Trip Planning Guide
Peru is a fantastic country to travel to. Here we can visit charming cities like Cusco and Arequipa, hike through the Andean mountains and also explore the unforgettable Amazon Jungle.
Planning a trip to Peru can sometimes be confusing. This is especially true when working out the different costs you’ll have there, as well as when it comes to sticking to your own budget.
Trip to Peru Cost and Planning Guide
In this guide we’ll explore the different costs that you’ll have when traveling to Peru, and how to set the perfect budget (based on you and your own trip requirements).
We’ll also look at whether Peru is worth visiting, as well as some important things to know before arriving based on our own experience here.
Is Peru Worth Visiting?
Peru really does have it all, and tends to leave a pretty big impression on travelers. After all, I (George) loved it so much that I now live here. Here we can find a dynamic culture, which varies depending if you are in the Sierra, Jungle or along the Pacific Coast.
This includes the rich variety of Peruvian cuisine, which is ranked as one of the most upcoming on the globe. Dishes to try include Papa a la Huancaina, Ceviche, Papa Rellena, Chaufa and Lomo Saltado. You can also try Cuy too if you’re feeling brave!
We’ll also find a tonne of unique and memorable destinations here too. This includes wandering colonial streets in Lima and Cusco, hiking volcanoes in Arequipa and exploring glacial lakes in Huaraz.
Those who love more adventure are also in luck, as you can go Sandboarding in Huacachina and head on the Inca Trail hike to Machu Picchu through the Sacred Valley.
Is Peru Expensive to Travel to?
Generally speaking Peru is a cheap country to travel around, however it does of course depend on your budget and trip style. For example, backpackers can easily spend $20-25 a day, staying in a dorm bed at a hostel and eating local meals.
Those who prefer more comfort or luxury will want to budget for between $30-40 a day. Here you’ll be staying in a nice private room of a hostel (or at a budget hotel), and also have more choice when it comes to where you eat.
The Average Cost of a Trip to Peru
Now we’ll break-down all of the different costs you will have on your trip in Peru. This includes costs of transport, accommodation, food and activities.
Travel Costs in Peru
First we have your inbound (and outbound) flights to Lima. Thankfully it’s a massive airport which has connections all over the globe, so it’s not an overly expensive city to fly to.
Those who are in the Western Hemisphere will find great deals if coming from Cancún, or certain cities in the USA. If in Europe or nearby, your best bet will be heading via Madrid or another large capital city.
Domestic flights are also surprisingly cheap, and can be a great way of covering the larger distances when traveling through Peru.
These include getting to Máncora from Lima (flying to Piura), and also when heading to Cusco. Some of the best airlines include LATAM and Sky, the latter which is overall cheaper.
Next we have buses. This is the most popular way of getting around Peru, and is also the overall cheapest. It’s important to remember that distances can be quite large here, so you’ll need to take a few night-buses here and there.
This is also the same when using public transport within the cities which is cheap, although Uber is another semi-cheap option (and also safer).
- One-Way International Flight from Cancun to Lima = $300-400
- One-Way Domestic Flight from Lima to Cusco including Baggage = $40-50 (2 Hours)
- Bus from Ica to Arequipa = $30 (13 Hours)
- An Uber Ride from Lima Airport to Miraflores = $12-15 (don’t take taxis here as they will overcharge you! Use the free airport WiFi to instead hail an Uber)
Accommodation Costs
Overall we’ll find a large variety of accommodation options in Peru that cater to all budgets and tastes. Hostels tend to be the most popular way of hitting the hay for cheap, where a dorm bed can go for between $7-10 per night.
Hotels can really vary in price, especially when it comes to the type you choose. A popular western brand (for example Marriott) can be over $100 a night, especially in the more built-up neighborhoods such as Miraflores.
We can also find local hotels that offer private rooms and basic facilities for between $20-40 a night.
It’s important to mention that accommodation prices (of both hostels and hotels) can vary where you are too in Peru. Miraflores will be much more expensive than Pisac, a town which is located in the Andean mountains close to Cusco.
The cost of accommodation in Cusco, Peru:
- Dorm Bed in Miraflores = $8-10
- Dorm Bed in Cusco = $6-9
- Private Room in Local Hotel = $20-40
- Private Room in an Exclusive Hotel = $50-100
See this list of top-rated hostels in Peru if you are on a budget and are open to meeting other travelers along your travels.
Food and Drink Costs
Now we move onto food and drink, which will take up another sizable portion of your budget (especially if you’re keen on trying new dishes or have a large stomach!).
Peruvian local restaurants are a great option for those on a budget, where you can order a local menu ejecutivo (which includes a starter, main and a drink) for as little as $2!
We’ll also find plenty of fancier restaurants too, however costs really vary where you are. In Barranco you can expect to spend between $10-15 per person, where in Cusco it’s more like $8-12 per person.
Drinks are also quite cheap, although can vary if going to nicer establishments. Local supermarkets are best for those on a budget, where you can get more quantity and value for your buck.
In bars drinks will of course be more expensive, and even more so when heading to fancy venues in more touristy areas.
- A Street Food Dish (Menu Ejecutivo) = $2-3
- Meal at a Chain Restaurant = $4-8
- Meal at a Luxurious Restaurant = $10-20
- A 2L Bottle of Water = $0.70-1
- Beer at a Local Bar = $2-4
- Beer at a Supermarket = $1
Cost of Activities in Peru per Day
Peru is a real paradise for travelers given the large amount of things we can see and do here. Starting in the cities, we’ll find plenty of awesome tours to do which includes visiting ancient Inca museums, joining local food tours and also heading on walking tours.
When in Lima we highly recommend heading on this awesome food tour, where you’ll try as many as 15 different Peruvian dishes!
Day trips are also a must, where we can head into the outer regions of Peru with ease. These can be booked locally with ease, although online tours may offer other advantages (such as private transport and sticking to the schedule).
This includes visiting alpine lakes in Cusco, going sandboarding in Huacachina or visiting archaeological ruins dotted around the country.
From Lima we can join this organized tour to Huacachina, which includes all transport, a Sandboarding tour as well as a visit to the Ballestas Islands in Paracas.
Multi-day Treks are also insanely beautiful and memorable here, although you’ll want to plan in advance for these (as they are more expensive). This includes heading on the Inca Trail to Machu Picchu, and also the different mountain circuits in Huaraz such as those of Huayhuash and Santa Cruz.
If you want to visit the Amazon Jungle, then we recommend joining this 3 day tour from Iquitos. Here you’ll stay deep in the jungle, where you can see Pink River Dolphins, meet the Yahuas tribe and also head on some memorable night walks.
- A Visit to a Local Museum (Free-$5)
- Entrance to an Archaeological Site ($5-10)
- Day Tour to Rainbow Mountain ($50-80)
- Multi-Day Inca Trail Trek ($500-800)
Got travel insurance for Peru?
Things to Know Before Traveling to Peru
Here we’ll now cover some of the most important budget-setting tips we have for Peru. We’ll also share some of our very best travel tips too, based on our own experience here.
Using Taxis vs Uber
The most important thing to know when arriving into Lima is that taxis charge almost three times as much as Ubers. They have free WiFi in the airport, so make sure to get an Uber instead.
Generally throughout Peru you’ll also find Uber in most touristy destinations, which is the safest way to catch a ride.
Stay Flexible When Choosing Where to Eat
Peru has an incredible variety of foods, however this doesn’t mean you have to always visit top restaurants when here. Local restaurants also do some fantastic national dishes, and it is also a great way of seeing the local culture. Just make sure to pick one that has a queue (this is the easiest way of validating their reputation).
Keeping an Open Itinerary
Most travelers fix their schedule tightly when heading to Peru. Now if you are really short on time then it makes sense to follow an itinerary like this, however if you have more time then we recommend being open with it.
Not only might you find a place you end up loving, there’s also a tonne of incredible and unique Peruvian destinations you can stumble upon too during your travels!
Properly Setting Your Expectations
It’s important to remember that many parts of Peru are not yet developed, and here the culture will be more raw for the eyes.
For this reason it’s important to stay humble and not expect world-class service or the very best amenities (especially in areas like the mountains or jungle). This way you can also relax more and enjoy your time traveling around Peru with less daily worries.
Choosing Reputable Tour Companies
In general, you’ll find local companies great for city tours and day trips. However when it comes to multi-day experiences (especially those that include hiking), then it’s really important to head with an experienced and reputable tour provider.
For example when heading on the Inca Trail, we recommend booking this multi-day tour, which includes all meals, lodging and your own personal porter.
Trip to Peru Cost of Travel
And that’s all for this guide on the costs of planning a trip to Peru.
This diverse South American country has a little something special for everyone here, and most travelers end up spending longer here than originally planned.
When planning a trip to Peru, you’ll be glad to know that costs are generally quite low, and travelers on all budgets can easily explore everything this incredible nation has to offer.
In this guide we’ve explored the different costs you can have when traveling to Peru. This includes food, accommodation and those must-do activities.
We’ve also covered some important things to know before heading to Peru, as well as some personal tips based on our time spent here.
Are you planning your own trip to Peru? Be sure to read our Peru Travel Itinerary to learn more about the very best destinations.
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