Is Peru expensive to visit?
Peru is known as both a well-liked and budget-friendly destination. When compared to the rest of South America, it is a reasonably affordable country. It places in the top 25% of countries in South America for its affordability. This puts it on par with destinations such as Ecuador and Uruguay.
As this is not an overly touristy country to visit, you'll find a number of great places in Peru at a variety of price ranges. The most expensive destination is Cajamarca. If you're looking for a lower cost destination, you can visit Cusco.
Average daily price of selected cities in Peru, by affordability
| City | Average Daily Cost |
|---|---|
| Machu Picchu | $125 |
| Cajamarca | $98 |
| Lima | $98 |
| Paracas | $86 |
| Lake Titicaca (Puno) | $72 |
| Huaraz | $68 |
| Cusco | $66 |
| Arequipa | $62 |
Santa Catalina Monastery, Arequipa, Peru
How expensive is Peru?
Travelers spend an average of $78 per day when visiting Peru (U.S. Dollars). This is according to our calculations which come from the expenses of previous visitors. While this is an average cost, prices can vary by travel style, the length of your trip, and other factors. However, you can keep close to this average, or even travel cheaper if you stay at moderately priced hotels, eat at affordable restaurants, and take public transportation when possible. See more travel costs for Peru here.
How expensive is a one week trip to Peru?
On average, a one week trip to Peru costs about $545 per person. This is based on the previous expenses of actual travelers, and includes accommodation, food, activities, local transportation, and more. For two people, a one week trip costs $1,090.
How expensive is a two week trip to Peru?
A two week trip to Peru costs about $1,090 per person on average, based on the previous expenses of other travelers. This includes accommodation, sightseeting activities, transportation, food, and nightlife. For two people, a two week trip costs $2,180.
How expensive is a month long trip to Peru?
Based on the travel expenses of others, a one month trip to Peru costs around $2,336 on average, per person. This includes food, sightseeing, local transportation, accommodation, and nightlife. For two people, a one month trip costs $4,671.
The Cathedral Basilica of the Assumption of the Virgin, Plaza del Armas, Cusco, Peru
Is it expensive to backpack in Peru?
With more than 350 hostels around the country, Peru is a popular backpacker destination for travelers looking to stay on a tight budget and have a fun time along the way. Hostels here cost an average of $12 per night for a bed in a hostel dorm. (See hostel prices in Peru here.) Many backpackers head to Cusco, Lima, and Huaraz. Typically, the most expensive hostels are in Iquitos, Ollantaytambo, and Mancora, which average $31, $28, and $15 a night. On the other hand, the cheapest hostels are in Huaraz, Ica, and Chachapoyas which average $8, $8, and $7 per night.
Here are a few sample prices from popular hostels in Peru.
- $12 for a dorm bed at Pariwana Hostel Cusco in Cusco
- $11 for a dorm bed at Pariwana Hostel Lima in Lima
- $7 for a dorm bed at Alpes Huaraz in Huaraz
Where to find affordable hostels in Peru
| City | Number of Hostels | Average Price for a Dorm |
|---|---|---|
| Cusco | 83 | $13 |
| Lima | 57 | $13 |
| Huaraz | 55 | $8 |
| Arequipa | 26 | $9 |
| Iquitos | 16 | $31 |
| Pisac | 16 | $9 |
| Mancora | 15 | $15 |
| Huanchaco | 14 | $10 |
| Lake Titicaca (Puno) | 14 | $9 |
| Paracas | 8 | $13 |
| Huacachina | 8 | $14 |
| Ollantaytambo | 6 | $28 |
| Ica | 6 | $8 |
| Chachapoyas | 5 | $7 |
| Puerto Maldonado | 5 | $12 |
| Tarapoto | 5 | $10 |
Are hotels expensive in Peru?
From our analysis of hotel prices in Peru, we find that they come at a significantly lower cost compared to other countries. The average rate for a room is approximately $43 per night. Keep in mind that pricing can vary across cities in the country, with places like Cajamarca commanding a higher average of $96 per night. Conversely, there are more economical options like Arequipa and Huaraz, where hotel prices average around $35 and $33 per night.
Where to find affordable hotels in Peru
| City | Average Hotel Price |
|---|---|
| Cajamarca | $96 |
| Paracas | $59 |
| Machu Picchu | $53 |
| Lake Titicaca (Puno) | $52 |
| Lima | $48 |
| Cusco | $38 |
| Arequipa | $35 |
| Huaraz | $33 |
The coast near Paracas, Peru
How expensive are sightseeing activities in Peru?
Activities and things to do in Peru can vary in price depending on the type of activity, length, and location. Below are a number of popular activities to give you an idea of what to expect when visiting. Generally, previous travelers have spent $25 per day on sightseeing activities and things to do when visiting.
- Sacred Valley Full-Day Tour:Chinchero,Maras,Moray & Ollantaytambo: $155
- Machu Picchu Mystical Tour Cusco - Peru: $204
- Private Cusco City Tour with Sacsayhuaman & Inca Sites: $180
- Monkey Island,Amazon River & Native Aquatic Species - All tickets: $150
- From Urubamba & Ollantaytambo: Sacred Valley Day tour with Lunch: $129
- Professional Sandboarding and Sandskiing Tour, Ica, Peru: $57
- Tour Climbing Nevado Mateo | Your First 5,150 m Summit | 12 Hours: $110
- Private Shipibo Craft Village Experience: $136
Is food expensive in Peru?
Food in Peru can vary in price depending on the restaurant and food options available. Generally, other travelers have spent $29 on food per person per day. To save money, eat at less expensive restaurants, try street food, or cook your own meals when possible.
- Lima Food Tour & Market Experience: 12 Peruvian Bites: $50
- From Callao Port: Lima City Tour, Dinner and Magic Water Tour: $119
- Lima: Lomo Saltado & Pisco Sour Cooking Class with Local Chef: $129
- Dinner at Huacachina Desert: $160
- Ceviche Cooking Class Including Pisco Sour Lesson: $250
- Cusco Food Tour: Andean Cuisine & City Tour: $79
Machu Picchu, Peru
Is transportation expensive in Peru?
Local transportation in Peru can vary in price depending on the type of transit used. Generally, other travelers have spent $9 on local transportation per person per day. To save money, take public transit whenever possible, as it will almost always be cheaper than a taxi or private driver.
Intercity transportation in Peru can vary widely in price depending on the type of transit used and the distance traveled. Generally, other travelers have spent $62 on intercity transportation per person per day. To save money, take long distance buses or trains instead of flying, as it will almost always be cheaper, even if it's slower.
More for Peru
If you're planning a trip to Peru, check out these other informative travel guides.
We've been gathering travel costs from tens of thousands of actual travelers since 2010, and we use the data to calculate average daily travel costs for destinations around the world. We also systematically analyze the prices of hotels, hostels, and tours from travel providers such as Kayak, HostelWorld, TourRadar, Viator, and others. This combination of expenses from actual travelers, combined with pricing data from major travel companies, gives us a uniqe insight into the overall cost of travel for thousands of cities in countries around the world. You can see more here: How it Works.
Budget Your Trip is all about finding out how much everything costs so that you can travel cheaper and longer. Created by avid travelers Laurie and Bryan, our goal is to help you plan your next trip on the right budget. With average daily travel costs that are calculated from the budgets of real travelers, plus an analysis of hotel and tour prices, you can find out how much money you need to plan your next adventure. We also have plenty of travel advice, accommodation reviews, and activity suggestions.