Peru is one of the most accessible South American destinations budget-wise — cost of living remains moderate, and the tourist offer covers a wide price range. The reference budget of €70/day/person corresponds to a comfortable trip excluding international flight, with mid-range accommodation, varied meals and main activities.
A backpacker traveller can manage with €30-45/day: hostels and guesthouses €8-20/night (dorms or single room), meals in popular menus del día (€4-7), economical long-distance buses, free or reduced-rate archaeological sites for students. A comfort traveller (€60-100/day) enjoys 3* Andean charm hotels (€50-100/night), varied restaurants (€15-25/meal), guided excursions and domestic flights. A luxury traveller (€200-400/day) accesses Belmond hotels (Hotel Monasterio Cusco, Sanctuary Lodge Machu Picchu — €500-1,200/night), Hiram Bingham train (€500/trip), premium Amazon lodges (Inkaterra, Tambopata Research Center €400-700/night all-inclusive).
By expense category: accommodation (35-45% of budget) — guesthouse €15-30/night, 3* hotel €40-80, charm hotel €80-150, Amazon lodge €200-400. Food (20%) — menu del día €4-8, tourist restaurant €15-30, Lima gourmet €80-400. Sites and activities (25%) — Machu Picchu ticket USD 50-60 (PEN 152-200 depending on circuit), 4-day Inca Trail trek USD 600-900/person, PeruRail train €75-500 the trip, 3-night Amazon lodge €600-1,200, Sacred Valley excursion €30-50, 2-day Colca excursion €80-150. Transport (15-20%) — Lima-Cusco flight €80-200, Cruz del Sur bus €25-60, Lima airport taxi €15-22.
Practical tips: the local currency is the nuevo sol (PEN, S/) — €1 ≈ PEN 4 (2025 rate, varies). The US dollar is widely accepted in tourism (hotels, agencies, archaeological sites) — prefer paying in soles outside. ATMs (cajeros) BBVA, Interbank, BCP are reliable and numerous in cities — withdraw in daytime in shopping centres (never at night). Visa/Mastercard cards are accepted everywhere in cities (shops and restaurants), bring cash for small shops, markets and Andean villages. Tipping is expected: 10% at restaurant if not included, PEN 1-2 per bag, PEN 30-50/day for trekking guide, PEN 10-20 for driver.
220V voltage (American A and B type plugs + European C type in recent hotels) — universal adapter recommended. Internet is decent in cities and hotels but spotty at altitude/Amazon — a Peru eSIM (Airalo, Holafly, ~€15-30) guarantees mobile data. Tap water is NOT potable — sealed bottled water mandatory (PEN 1-3 per litre). Altitude sickness being the main risk, plan 1-2 days acclimatization at Cusco before any effort, abundant hydration, mate de coca, avoid alcohol first days.
Read also
- Cusco and Machu Picchu — The former Inca capital (UNESCO 1983), the Sacred Valley and the lost Machu Picchu citadel.
- Lima and the Pacific coast — World gastronomic capital, Miraflores, Barranco and the Paracas-Ica-Nazca triptych.
- Peruvian Amazon — Iquitos, Puerto Maldonado and the ecotourism lodges of Tambopata and Manu.
- Arequipa and Titicaca — The White City, Colca Canyon and the world's highest navigable lake at 3,812 m.
- Machu Picchu — The 1450 Inca citadel, UNESCO 1983, named among the New 7 Wonders of the World in 2007.