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Price comparison

Peru vs Bolivia: which is cheaper to visit in 2026?

The same 29 everyday buys in Peru and Bolivia, from a coffee to an airport taxi: what locals pay, what tourist spots charge, and where your money goes further.

Peru and Bolivia side by side

The numbers that decide a trip, in one table. Money in USD, the local price underneath.

Side by side Peru Bolivia
TruePrice Index
90 Average 24th cheapest of 60
40 Very cheap 4th cheapest of 60 Cheaper
Tourist markup
Tourist prices are about 2.6× the fair price 27th lowest of 60
Tourist prices are about 2.4× the fair price 11th lowest of 60
Fair day Two meals, a coffee, water, a beer, two transit rides and a short taxi ride. Accommodation is left out on purpose.
$27 PEN 92
$12 Bs 142 Cheaper
Tourist-trap day
$71 PEN 243
$24 Bs 284
Currency
Peruvian sol (PEN) 1 USD = 3.443 PEN
Bolivian boliviano (BOB) 1 USD = 12.03 BOB

Item by item: all 29 fair prices

What locals pay in Peru and Bolivia, item by item. Shown in USD at one daily rate so the two sides compare, with the local price underneath. Differences under 3% count as about the same.

28 of the 29 items cost less in Bolivia.

Cheaper in Peru: 1. Cheaper in Bolivia: 28. About the same: 0.
Cheaper side Bars share one scale per item, from zero to the higher fair price.
Food & drinks 8 prices
Cheaper in Peru: 0. Cheaper in Bolivia: 8. About the same: 0.
  • Water 0.5 L

    Bottled, convenience store

    Peru: ≈ $0.58 – $0.87 PEN 2⁠–3
    Bolivia: ≈ $0.25 – $0.42 Bs 3⁠–5
    54% cheaper in Bolivia
  • Coffee (espresso)

    Cafe or street vendor

    Peru: ≈ $0.87 – $2 PEN 3⁠–7
    Bolivia: ≈ $0.66 – $1.50 Bs 8⁠–18
    26% cheaper in Bolivia
  • Local beer

    Draft, at bar or restaurant

    Peru: ≈ $1.50 – $3.50 PEN 5⁠–12
    Bolivia: ≈ $1 – $1.70 Bs 12⁠–20
    46% cheaper in Bolivia
  • Restaurant meal

    Tourist area, main course

    Peru: ≈ $9 – $17 PEN 30⁠–60
    Bolivia: ≈ $5 – $7.50 Bs 60⁠–90
    52% cheaper in Bolivia
  • Street food meal

    Local market or stand

    Peru: ≈ $2.30 – $5.80 PEN 8⁠–20
    Bolivia: ≈ $0.42 – $1.70 Bs 5⁠–20
    74% cheaper in Bolivia
  • Cocktail at bar

    Mixed drink, bar

    Peru: ≈ $7 – $12 PEN 25⁠–40
    Bolivia: ≈ $2.50 – $4.20 Bs 30⁠–50
    65% cheaper in Bolivia
  • Bottle of wine (restaurant)

    House wine, restaurant

    Peru: ≈ $12 – $23 PEN 40⁠–80
    Bolivia: ≈ $4.20 – $7.50 Bs 50⁠–90
    67% cheaper in Bolivia
  • Fresh juice

    Cafe or street stall

    Peru: ≈ $0.87 – $1.70 PEN 3⁠–6
    Bolivia: ≈ $0.42 – $0.66 Bs 5⁠–8
    59% cheaper in Bolivia
Transport 4 prices
Cheaper in Peru: 0. Cheaper in Bolivia: 4. About the same: 0.
  • Airport taxi to center

    Standard route

    Peru: ≈ $17 – $28 PEN 60⁠–95
    Bolivia: ≈ $4.20 – $6.60 Bs 50⁠–80
    76% cheaper in Bolivia
  • City taxi 1 km

    Metered or typical fare

    Peru: ≈ $2.30 – $4.40 PEN 8⁠–15
    Bolivia: ≈ $0.83 – $1.70 Bs 10⁠–20
    63% cheaper in Bolivia
  • Public transit ticket

    Single ride

    Peru: ≈ $0.44 – $1 PEN 1.50⁠–3.50
    Bolivia: ≈ $0.17 – $0.25 Bs 2⁠–3
    71% cheaper in Bolivia
  • Private transfer (app)

    Grab / Bolt / Uber

    Peru: ≈ $3 – $12 PEN 10⁠–40
    Bolivia: ≈ $1.20 – $5 Bs 15⁠–60
    57% cheaper in Bolivia
Souvenirs 3 prices
Cheaper in Peru: 0. Cheaper in Bolivia: 3. About the same: 0.
  • Fridge magnet

    Tourist shop

    Peru: ≈ $1.50 – $2.90 PEN 5⁠–10
    Bolivia: ≈ $0.42 – $1.20 Bs 5⁠–15
    62% cheaper in Bolivia
  • Printed T-shirt

    Tourist shop

    Peru: ≈ $4 – $10 PEN 15⁠–35
    Bolivia: ≈ $3.30 – $7.50 Bs 40⁠–90
    26% cheaper in Bolivia
  • Local handcraft

    Ceramics, textiles, etc.

    Peru: ≈ $6 – $23 PEN 20⁠–80
    Bolivia: ≈ $2.50 – $8.30 Bs 30⁠–100
    63% cheaper in Bolivia
Daily essentials 6 prices
Cheaper in Peru: 0. Cheaper in Bolivia: 6. About the same: 0.
  • Tourist SIM card

    Data package

    Peru: ≈ $4 – $13 PEN 15⁠–45
    Bolivia: ≈ $2.10 – $5 Bs 25⁠–60
    59% cheaper in Bolivia
  • Sunscreen SPF50

    Pharmacy or shop

    Peru: ≈ $12 – $26 PEN 40⁠–90
    Bolivia: ≈ $7 – $12 Bs 80⁠–150
    49% cheaper in Bolivia
  • Water 1.5 L

    Supermarket

    Peru: ≈ $0.58 – $1.20 PEN 2⁠–4
    Bolivia: ≈ $0.33 – $0.58 Bs 4⁠–7
    48% cheaper in Bolivia
  • Cigarettes

    Pack of 20

    Peru: ≈ $4.60 – $5.80 PEN 16⁠–20
    Bolivia: ≈ $1.20 – $1.80 Bs 15⁠–22
    71% cheaper in Bolivia
  • Painkillers (paracetamol)

    Pack of 20 tablets

    Peru: ≈ $0.58 – $2.30 PEN 2⁠–8
    Bolivia: ≈ $0.42 – $1 Bs 5⁠–12
    51% cheaper in Bolivia
  • Mosquito repellent

    Spray or lotion

    Peru: ≈ $2.90 – $5.20 PEN 10⁠–18
    Bolivia: ≈ $2.90 – $4.20 Bs 35⁠–50
    13% cheaper in Bolivia
Services 4 prices
Cheaper in Peru: 1. Cheaper in Bolivia: 3. About the same: 0.
  • Men's haircut

    Local barbershop

    Peru: ≈ $2.90 – $8.70 PEN 10⁠–30
    Bolivia: ≈ $1.70 – $5 Bs 20⁠–60
    43% cheaper in Bolivia
  • Laundry (per kg)

    Laundry service

    Peru: ≈ $1.20 – $2.90 PEN 4⁠–10
    Bolivia: ≈ $0.83 – $1.70 Bs 10⁠–20
    39% cheaper in Bolivia
  • Massage (1 hour)

    Standard full-body massage

    Peru: ≈ $6 – $15 PEN 20⁠–50
    Bolivia: ≈ $10 – $21 Bs 125⁠–250
    35% cheaper in Peru
  • Women's haircut

    Basic cut, salon

    Peru: ≈ $7 – $29 PEN 25⁠–100
    Bolivia: ≈ $4.20 – $8.30 Bs 50⁠–100
    66% cheaper in Bolivia
Attractions 4 prices
Cheaper in Peru: 0. Cheaper in Bolivia: 4. About the same: 0.
  • Top museum / attraction

    Entrance ticket

    Peru: ≈ $3 – $12 PEN 10⁠–40
    Bolivia: ≈ $0.83 – $2.50 Bs 10⁠–30
    77% cheaper in Bolivia
  • Half-day group tour

    Organized excursion

    Peru: ≈ $15 – $35 PEN 50⁠–120
    Bolivia: ≈ $7 – $12 Bs 80⁠–150
    61% cheaper in Bolivia
  • Full-day group tour

    Organized excursion 6-8h

    Peru: ≈ $38 – $73 PEN 130⁠–250
    Bolivia: ≈ $17 – $46 Bs 200⁠–550
    44% cheaper in Bolivia
  • Cooking class

    Local cuisine cooking class

    Peru: ≈ $44 – $58 PEN 150⁠–200
    Bolivia: ≈ $12 – $21 Bs 150⁠–250
    67% cheaper in Bolivia

Where tourists pay more

Tourist prices are about 2.6× the fair price in Peru, against 2.4× in Bolivia.

The three buys where tourists overpay most in each country: tourist-trap price against the fair price, using the middle of each range.

Peru

Tourist markup Tourist prices are about 2.6× the fair price

27th lowest of 60

  1. 1 Local handcraft Fair PEN 20⁠–80 Trap PEN 120⁠–400 Tourist prices are about 5.2× the fair price
  2. 2 Men's haircut Fair PEN 10⁠–30 Trap PEN 50⁠–150 Tourist prices are about 5.0× the fair price
  3. 3 Printed T-shirt Fair PEN 15⁠–35 Trap PEN 60⁠–130 Tourist prices are about 3.8× the fair price
All prices in Peru

Bolivia

Tourist markup Tourist prices are about 2.4× the fair price

11th lowest of 60

  1. 1 Private transfer (app) Fair Bs 15⁠–60 Trap Bs 70⁠–250 Tourist prices are about 4.3× the fair price
  2. 2 Fridge magnet Fair Bs 5⁠–15 Trap Bs 25⁠–60 Tourist prices are about 4.3× the fair price
  3. 3 Local handcraft Fair Bs 30⁠–100 Trap Bs 150⁠–350 Tourist prices are about 3.8× the fair price
All prices in Bolivia

Tipping in Peru and Bolivia

What is expected in each country, so you neither stiff anyone nor overpay.

Peru

Tip 10% in Peruvian restaurants, upscale restaurants in Lima often add a 10% service charge, so check first. At casual eateries, leaving 10% in cash is greatly appreciated. Tour guides in Cusco and Machu Picchu expect tips of 20–50 PEN per person per day.

Bolivia

Tip around 10% in restaurants, service charges are rarely included in Bolivia. At budget "almuerzo" lunch spots, rounding up the bill is a kind gesture appreciated by staff.

Peru or Bolivia: common questions

Is Bolivia cheaper than Peru?

Yes. In Bolivia you pay about 56% less than in Peru at fair prices. TruePrice Index: Peru 90, Bolivia 40 (100 is the median of the 60 countries I track). 28 of the 29 items cost less in Bolivia.

Which is cheaper for a week, Peru or Bolivia?

A week is cheaper in Bolivia: about $83 at fair prices, against $185 in Peru. That covers two meals, a coffee, water, a beer, two transit rides and a short taxi ride a day. Flights and accommodation are not included. At tourist-trap prices the same week runs about $495 in Peru and $165 in Bolivia.

Where is food cheaper, in Peru or in Bolivia?

In Bolivia: food and drinks cost about 57% less there on average. A restaurant meal costs $9 –⁠ $17 in Peru and $5 –⁠ $7.50 in Bolivia, street food $2.30 –⁠ $5.80 and $0.42 –⁠ $1.70.

Where do tourists overpay more, in Peru or in Bolivia?

In Peru: tourist prices there are about 2.6× the fair price on average, against 2.4× in Bolivia. The biggest gaps in Peru: local handcraft (5.2×), men's haircut (5.0×), and printed T-shirt (3.8×).

Sources and method

Where these numbers come from, and how the comparison works.

Prices
Peru 10 verified and 19 estimatesBolivia 3 verified and 26 estimates
Checked
Peru to Bolivia to
Exchange rates
Peru 1 USD = 3.443 PENBolivia 1 USD = 12.03 BOBRate as of
Cities
Peru Lima, Cusco, Arequipa, Iquitos, and PunoBolivia La Paz, Sucre, and Uyuni
Page updated

How the comparison works

  • Item by item: the middle of each fair range, converted at one daily exchange rate. Differences under 3% count as about the same.
  • Overall: the TruePrice Index, all 29 fair prices against the median of 60 countries, averaged geometrically so no single item can swing it. Within 3% counts as about the same.
  • Tourist day: two meals, a coffee, water, a beer, two transit rides and a short taxi ride. Accommodation is left out on purpose: it swings too much with the season and the night of the week.
  • Fair price: what locals typically pay. Tourist-trap price: what tourists are commonly charged in tourist areas.
Full method: the TruePrice Index

How to cite

TruePrice, Peru vs Bolivia, October 2026, truepriceapp.com/en/compare/peru-vs-bolivia/

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