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Peru price guide

Prices in Peru in 2026: fair price vs tourist trap

Short answer: about average, if you pay what locals pay. Fair prices sit 10% below the 60-country median, while tourist prices are about 2.6× the fair price.

29 prices checked Apr – Aug 2026 10 verified and 19 estimates How I check

Fair prices at a glance

All 29 prices are also in the free app for iPhone and Android, and they work offline. Get it

One day in Peru: PEN 92 or PEN 243

About $27 or $71 a day.

The first number is what locals pay, the second what tourist spots charge for exactly the same day.

Same day, same things: the tourist version costs 2.6× as much.

Restaurant meal alone: PEN 100, or 41% of the tourist-trap day.

+PEN 151 (about $44) for the same day

What's in the day. Middle of each range
Item Fair (PEN) Trap (PEN)
Street food meal 14 45
Restaurant meal 45 100
Coffee (espresso) 5 18.50
Water 1.5 L 3 7.50
Local beer 8.50 26.50
Public transit ticket 2 rides 5 10
Short taxi ride about 1 km 11.50 35
Total 92 243
  • Sightseeing comes on top: a ticket to a top museum or attraction is PEN 10⁠–⁠40 (about $3 –⁠ $12).
  • Accommodation is left out on purpose: it swings too much with the season and the night of the week for one honest number.

Where tourists overpay most in Peru

Tourist-trap price compared with the fair price, using the middle of each range.

  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

Check a price you were quoted

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about $15

Tourist-trap price

Fair PEN 8⁠–15 Trap PEN 20⁠–50

PEN 50 is 4.3× the middle of the fair range (PEN 8⁠–⁠15).

Tourists often get charged PEN 20⁠–⁠50. From PEN 20 you are paying the tourist-trap price.

In the app, every expense you log on a trip gets the same check, offline.

Fair vs tourist prices in Peru, item by item

What 29 everyday things should cost, and what tourists often pay instead. Typical for Lima, Cusco, Arequipa, Iquitos, and Puno.

Show prices in
  • Fair price
  • Tourist-trap price
  • Verified
  • Estimate

Bars run from zero to each item's top tourist-trap price.

Food & drinks 8 prices, up to 3.7×

Restaurant meal: fair is PEN 30⁠–⁠60. From PEN 80 you are on the tourist menu.

  • Water 0.5 L

    Bottled, convenience store

    Verified ·
    Tourist prices are about 2.0× the fair price
    Fair PEN 2⁠–3 ≈ $0.58 – $0.87
    Trap PEN 4⁠–6 ≈ $1.20 – $1.70

  • Coffee (espresso)

    Cafe or street vendor

    Estimate, reviewed
    Tourist prices are about 3.7× the fair price
    Fair PEN 3⁠–7 ≈ $0.87 – $2
    Trap PEN 12⁠–25 ≈ $3.50 – $7.30

  • Local beer

    Draft, at bar or restaurant

    Verified ·
    Tourist prices are about 3.1× the fair price
    Fair PEN 5⁠–12 ≈ $1.50 – $3.50
    Trap PEN 18⁠–35 ≈ $5 – $10

  • Restaurant meal

    Tourist area, main course

    Estimate, reviewed
    Tourist prices are about 2.2× the fair price
    Fair PEN 30⁠–60 ≈ $9 – $17
    Trap PEN 80⁠–120 ≈ $23 – $35

  • Street food meal

    Local market or stand

    Verified ·
    Tourist prices are about 3.2× the fair price
    Fair PEN 8⁠–20 ≈ $2.30 – $5.80
    Trap PEN 30⁠–60 ≈ $9 – $17

  • Cocktail at bar

    Mixed drink, bar

    Verified ·
    Tourist prices are about 1.8× the fair price
    Fair PEN 25⁠–40 ≈ $7 – $12
    Trap PEN 40⁠–80 ≈ $12 – $23

  • Bottle of wine (restaurant)

    House wine, restaurant

    Estimate, reviewed
    Tourist prices are about 2.5× the fair price
    Fair PEN 40⁠–80 ≈ $12 – $23
    Trap PEN 100⁠–200 ≈ $29 – $58

  • Fresh juice

    Cafe or street stall

    Estimate, reviewed
    Tourist prices are about 2.1× the fair price
    Fair PEN 3⁠–6 ≈ $0.87 – $1.70
    Trap PEN 7⁠–12 ≈ $2 – $3.50
Transport 4 prices, up to 3.6×

Airport taxi to the center: fair is PEN 60⁠–⁠95. At PEN 100 or more, walk away.

  • Airport taxi to center

    Standard route

    Verified ·
    Tourist prices are about 1.9× the fair price
    Fair PEN 60⁠–95 ≈ $17 – $28
    Trap PEN 100⁠–200 ≈ $29 – $58

  • City taxi 1 km

    Metered or typical fare

    Estimate, reviewed
    Tourist prices are about 3.0× the fair price
    Fair PEN 8⁠–15 ≈ $2.30 – $4.40
    Trap PEN 20⁠–50 ≈ $6 – $15

  • Public transit ticket

    Single ride

    Verified ·
    Tourist prices are about 2.0× the fair price
    Fair PEN 1.50⁠–3.50 ≈ $0.44 – $1
    Trap PEN 4⁠–6 ≈ $1.20 – $1.70

  • Private transfer (app)

    Grab / Bolt / Uber

    Estimate, reviewed
    Tourist prices are about 3.6× the fair price
    Fair PEN 10⁠–40 ≈ $3 – $12
    Trap PEN 60⁠–120 ≈ $17 – $35
Souvenirs 3 prices, up to 5.2×

Fridge magnet: fair is PEN 5⁠–⁠10. From PEN 15 you are paying the souvenir-stall markup.

  • Fridge magnet

    Tourist shop

    Estimate, reviewed
    Tourist prices are about 2.7× the fair price
    Fair PEN 5⁠–10 ≈ $1.50 – $2.90
    Trap PEN 15⁠–25 ≈ $4.40 – $7.30

  • Printed T-shirt

    Tourist shop

    Verified ·
    Tourist prices are about 3.8× the fair price
    Fair PEN 15⁠–35 ≈ $4 – $10
    Trap PEN 60⁠–130 ≈ $17 – $38

  • Local handcraft

    Ceramics, textiles, etc.

    Estimate, reviewed
    Tourist prices are about 5.2× the fair price
    Fair PEN 20⁠–80 ≈ $6 – $23
    Trap PEN 120⁠–400 ≈ $35 – $115
Daily essentials 6 prices, up to 3.0×

Tourist SIM: fair is PEN 15⁠–⁠45. From PEN 60 it is the tourist-kiosk price.

  • Tourist SIM card

    Data package

    Estimate, reviewed
    Tourist prices are about 3.0× the fair price
    Fair PEN 15⁠–45 ≈ $4 – $13
    Trap PEN 60⁠–120 ≈ $17 – $35

  • Sunscreen SPF50

    Pharmacy or shop

    Estimate, reviewed
    Tourist prices are about 2.2× the fair price
    Fair PEN 40⁠–90 ≈ $12 – $26
    Trap PEN 100⁠–180 ≈ $29 – $52

  • Water 1.5 L

    Supermarket

    Estimate, reviewed
    Tourist prices are about 2.5× the fair price
    Fair PEN 2⁠–4 ≈ $0.58 – $1.20
    Trap PEN 5⁠–10 ≈ $1.50 – $2.90

  • Cigarettes

    Pack of 20

    Verified ·
    No real tourist markup
    Fair PEN 16⁠–20 ≈ $4.60 – $5.80
    Trap PEN 20⁠–25 ≈ $5.80 – $7.30

  • Painkillers (paracetamol)

    Pack of 20 tablets

    Estimate, reviewed
    Tourist prices are about 2.3× the fair price
    Fair PEN 2⁠–8 ≈ $0.58 – $2.30
    Trap PEN 8⁠–15 ≈ $2.30 – $4.40

  • Mosquito repellent

    Spray or lotion

    Estimate, reviewed
    Tourist prices are about 1.7× the fair price
    Fair PEN 10⁠–18 ≈ $2.90 – $5.20
    Trap PEN 18⁠–30 ≈ $5.20 – $8.70
Services 4 prices, up to 5.0×

One-hour massage: fair is PEN 20⁠–⁠50. Above PEN 50 you are paying for the address.

  • Men's haircut

    Local barbershop

    Estimate, reviewed
    Tourist prices are about 5.0× the fair price
    Fair PEN 10⁠–30 ≈ $2.90 – $8.70
    Trap PEN 50⁠–150 ≈ $15 – $44

  • Laundry (per kg)

    Laundry service

    Verified ·
    Tourist prices are about 3.6× the fair price
    Fair PEN 4⁠–10 ≈ $1.20 – $2.90
    Trap PEN 15⁠–35 ≈ $4 – $10

  • Massage (1 hour)

    Standard full-body massage

    Estimate, reviewed
    Tourist prices are about 2.4× the fair price
    Fair PEN 20⁠–50 ≈ $6 – $15
    Trap PEN 50⁠–120 ≈ $15 – $35

  • Women's haircut

    Basic cut, salon

    Estimate, reviewed
    Tourist prices are about 3.0× the fair price
    Fair PEN 25⁠–100 ≈ $7 – $29
    Trap PEN 120⁠–250 ≈ $35 – $73
Attractions 4 prices, up to 2.9×

Top museum or attraction: fair is PEN 10⁠–⁠40. From PEN 45, check that you are not buying through a reseller.

  • Top museum / attraction

    Entrance ticket

    Verified ·
    Tourist prices are about 2.5× the fair price
    Fair PEN 10⁠–40 ≈ $3 – $12
    Trap PEN 45⁠–80 ≈ $13 – $23

  • Half-day group tour

    Organized excursion

    Estimate, reviewed
    Tourist prices are about 2.9× the fair price
    Fair PEN 50⁠–120 ≈ $15 – $35
    Trap PEN 150⁠–350 ≈ $44 – $100

  • Full-day group tour

    Organized excursion 6-8h

    Estimate, reviewed
    Tourist prices are about 2.1× the fair price
    Fair PEN 130⁠–250 ≈ $38 – $73
    Trap PEN 300⁠–500 ≈ $87 – $145

  • Cooking class

    Local cuisine cooking class

    Estimate, reviewed
    Tourist prices are about 1.9× the fair price
    Fair PEN 150⁠–200 ≈ $44 – $58
    Trap PEN 250⁠–400 ≈ $73 – $115

Converted at 1 USD = 3.443 PEN, the rate on October 3, 2026. Approximate.

Money and tipping in Peru

Currency

Peruvian sol (PEN)

  • 1 USD = 3.443 PEN

Rate as of October 3, 2026

Quick converter, PEN to USD

$15

Approximate. Your card or exchange booth adds its own margin.

When a card terminal or ATM offers to charge you in your home currency, choose PEN. The rate it offers is almost always worse.

Tipping in 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.

Bargaining in Peru

Bargaining is common in artisan markets for crafts and textiles. Aim for a 10–20% discount by being polite and respectful. Bundle items for better deals and always carry small denominations of PEN. Avoid haggling in supermarkets, restaurants, or modern stores.

Fuel prices per liter

  • Gasoline PEN 5.78 / liter ≈ $1.70
  • Diesel PEN 6.59 / liter ≈ $1.90
  • LPG (autogas) PEN 2.15 / liter ≈ $0.63

Fuel prices as of

Scams and safety in Peru

What tourists actually run into, from overcharging tricks to local laws. Open any item for the details.

Scam or crime Lima taxi abduction and express kidnap

At Lima LIM airport and Miraflores tourist zone, street taxis have driven tourists to ATMs and forced withdrawals of 3,000–10,000 sola in sola (soles). The express-kidnap MO targets solo arrivals. Use only authorised airport taxis (Taxi Green, Taxi 365) or Cabify/Uber booked inside the terminal. Set your card's daily limit before travel and never get into a cab from the curb outside.

Scam or crime Cusco altitude-pill and Machu Picchu ticket fraud

Street sellers in Cusco offer 'Diamox altitude pills' that are aspirin, and 'discount' Machu Picchu tickets that fail at the gate: 50–200 sola lost per tourist. Real tickets come only from machupicchu.gob.pe and reputable agencies; check the QR on entrance. For altitude, buy Sorojchi Pills at any InkaFarma or MiFarma pharmacy in sola. Never pay for anything in cash on Cusco's streets from unknown vendors.

Health Altitude sickness, traveller's diarrhoea and cholera

Altitude sickness and traveller's diarrhoea: altitude sickness hits about 30 percent of visitors arriving in Cusco (3,400 m), Puno (3,800 m) and Huaraz (3,050 m), and symptoms that start after 12 to 24 hours can escalate to HAPE or HACE. The CDC rates Peru moderate to high risk for traveller's diarrhoea, and raw fish dishes such as ceviche and tiradito carry a real foodborne illness risk. Ascend gradually, with a night in Lima and one in the Sacred Valley at 2,800 m before Cusco, drink sealed bottled or treated water, and eat raw fish only where it is kept properly chilled.

Emergency numbers in Peru

Not sure who you need? Call this one. 105 Police

Peru has no single universal emergency number. Dial 105 for police, 106 for an ambulance (SAMU), 116 for the fire brigade. The 116 line also sends ambulances and rescue teams.

Medical costs

  • Doctor visit Private clinic, general consultation without insurance $25 –⁠ $50 ≈ PEN 86⁠–⁠170
  • Hospital night One night in a general ward without insurance $200 –⁠ $800 ≈ PEN 690⁠–⁠2,750
  • Ambulance Emergency transport to hospital Up to $250 ≈ up to PEN 860
  • Dentist Check-up or basic treatment at a private practice $30 –⁠ $100 ≈ PEN 105⁠–⁠345

Typical private prices a tourist pays without insurance.

Good to know before you go

Gestures and etiquette 1 note

Respectful language matters

Never use the term "Indio", it's very offensive. Say "indígena" or "campesino" instead. Respect Pachamama (Mother Earth) at indigenous sites and don't mock or disrupt ceremonies. Personal space is closer than in Europe or the US, so don't step back during conversation.

Buying souvenirs 1 note

Alpaca textiles & Pisco

Alpaca wool textiles, sweaters, scarves, blankets, are incredibly soft and come in natural undyed colors. Buy from cooperatives in Cusco or the Sacred Valley. Pisco (grape brandy) is Peru's national spirit; quebranta and italia varieties are the most popular. Peruvian coffee from Chanchamayo, Cusco ceramics, and superfoods (maca powder, raw cacao nibs) are other excellent, lightweight picks.

Did you know? 3 notes

  • Machu Picchu was built around 1450 AD but was unknown to the outside world until 1911. Visitor numbers are now limited, so book tickets well in advance.
  • Peru is the birthplace of the potato, with over 3,000 native varieties. You'll find potatoes in almost every Peruvian dish.
  • Ceviche is Peru's national dish, fresh raw fish "cooked" in citrus juice. It's best enjoyed at lunchtime, when the fish is freshest.

Cities these prices cover 5 cities

The prices on this page are typical for these cities and the tourist areas around them.

  • Lima
  • Cusco Qusqu
  • Arequipa
  • Iquitos
  • Puno

How Peru compares

The TruePrice Index for Peru, next to the countries people weigh it against and its nearest neighbors, all on one scale. 100 is the median of the 60 countries I track.

  1. Bolivia 40 Prices about 56% lower than in Peru
  2. Ecuador 87 Prices about 3% lower than in Peru
  3. Peru 90 This page
  4. Colombia 100 Prices about 11% higher than in Peru
  5. Chile 103 Prices about 14% higher than in Peru
  6. Argentina 113 Prices about 26% higher than in Peru
  7. Costa Rica 175 Prices about 94% higher than in Peru

Bars show each country's TruePrice Index. The dotted line marks Peru.

See all 60 countries in the TruePrice Index Browse every country guide

Common questions about prices in Peru

Is Peru expensive to visit?

Short answer: about average, if you pay what locals pay. Fair prices sit 10% below the 60-country median, while tourist prices are about 2.6× the fair price. On the TruePrice Index, Peru scores 90, the 24th cheapest of the 60 countries I track.

How much does a day in Peru cost, without flights and hotel?

Roughly PEN 92 (about $27) a day at fair prices, or PEN 243 (about $71) at tourist prices. That covers two meals, a coffee, a bottle of water, a beer, two transit rides and a short taxi ride. Sightseeing comes on top (PEN 10⁠–⁠40 for a top museum or attraction), and accommodation is not included.

Do you tip in Peru, and how much?

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.

What currency does Peru use?

The Peruvian sol (PEN). On October 3, 2026, 1 USD was worth 3.443 PEN. Card terminals and ATMs that offer to charge you in your home currency usually give a worse rate, so pay in PEN.

How much is a meal and a beer in Peru?

A restaurant main course is PEN 30⁠–⁠60 (about $9 –⁠ $17) at fair prices, while tourist menus charge PEN 80⁠–⁠120. A street food meal runs PEN 8⁠–⁠20. A local beer is PEN 5⁠–⁠12 (about $1.50 –⁠ $3.50), or PEN 18⁠–⁠35 in tourist bars.

How much money should I bring to Peru?

Budget roughly PEN 92 (about $27) a day for food, drinks and getting around at local prices, or about PEN 243 (about $71) at tourist prices. Add PEN 10⁠–⁠40 for each major sight, plus your accommodation.

What is the emergency number in Peru?

If you are not sure who you need, call 105, the police line. Direct lines: ambulance 106, fire brigade 116.

Sources and method

Where these numbers come from, and how sure I am about each one.

Prices
29 items: 10 verified and 19 estimates
Checked
to
Exchange rate
1 USD = 3.443 PEN,
Fuel prices
Cities
Lima, Cusco, Arequipa, Iquitos, and Puno
Page updated

What the labels mean

Verified
Checked against recent local sources.
Estimate
Based on related prices and not yet confirmed.
Rough estimate
Thin data. Treat it as a ballpark.
Fair price
What locals typically pay.
Tourist-trap price
What tourists are commonly charged in tourist areas.
Markup
The middle of the tourist-trap range divided by the middle of the fair range. 3.0× means three times the fair price.
TruePrice Index
Fair prices for all 29 items compared with the median of the 60 countries I track. 100 is the median, 50 means half the median price and 200 twice it.

How to cite

TruePrice Index, October 2026, truepriceapp.com/en/trueprice-index/

Spotted a price that looks off? Email me at [email protected] and I will check it.

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