How much does a trip to Peru Cost?
The Cost of a Trip to Peru
A trip to Peru for one person usually costs between $22 and $181 per day and $43 to $363 for two people. This is a wide range of costs, and the daily average per person from our data is $60 (S/.224) per person. This average includes food, accommodation, sightseeing, and local transportation expenses contributed from other travelers. Prices can vary based on travel style and activities. While the overall price for a trip to Peru is dependent on your personal travel style and the specific places you visit, if you book standard accommodation and travel with an average level of convenience, then your budget should be somewhere within this range. Also, the prices for individual destinations such as Lima, Arequipa, and Machu Picchu may vary, but generally fall somewhat close to this range. Below you can find a breakdown of travel expenses by category, plus a comparison of guided tour costs versus traveling independently.
How much money should you budget for your trip to Peru?
If you're traveling independently in Peru, budget travelers should plan to spend around $22 (S/.81) a day for their trip. This includes stays at budget hotels or hostels, affordable food options, local transportation, and low-cost activities. For those on a mid-range budget, plan for around $60 (S/.224) a day which would cover the cost of a typical hotel, normal restaurants, and a variety of major attractions. Higher-end luxury travelers should allow for $181 (S/.680) per day, which allows for luxury hotel stays, nice restaurants, and private tour options. These price ranges are based on our extensive travel cost data for Peru from other travelers along with hotel and tour data from travel companies.
| 3 Days | 7 Days | 14 Days | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Accommodation1 | $75 | $176 | $351 |
| Intercity Transportation1 | $168 | $392 | $783 |
| Local Transportation1 | $25 | $58 | $117 |
| Food2 | $48 | $112 | $225 |
| Water2 | $4 | $10 | $20 |
| Entertainment1 | $69 | $160 | $321 |
| Souvenirs1 | $20 | $48 | $95 |
| Communication2 | $9 | $20 | $41 |
| Living Expenses2 | $33 | $77 | $154 |
| Scams, Robberies, and Mishaps1 | $21 | $50 | $100 |
| Alcohol2 | $28 | $65 | $129 |
| Tips and Handouts1 | $11 | $25 | $51 |
How much does a one week trip to Peru cost?
When planning a one-week trip to Peru, most visitors to Peru spend between $151 and $1,270 for their trip, with the average cost falling around $419. This estimate includes essential aspects such as sightseeing, local transportation, food, and accommodations. With a full week, you'll have sufficient time to explore one, two, or possibly three locations within Peru, depending on the amount of time you want to spend in each place. The most popular places worth considering are Lima, Arequipa, and Machu Picchu. Keep in mind that these numbers are based on overall averages and may vary depending on your individual preferences.
Santa Catalina Monastery, Arequipa, Peru
How much does a two week trip to Peru cost?
With two weeks, you should budget between $302 and $2,540 for your trip to Peru. The average price for a two week trip is $838. Two weeks will allow you enough time to visit between three and five places. If you're on a budget, you might want to consider some of the more affordable places such as Arequipa and Huaraz.
How much does a one month trip to Peru cost?
With a month-long trip to Peru, expenses can be anywhere from $647 to $5,442 with the average being $1,795. The cost of travel is dependent on your overall style of travel. If you have a full month, you'll likely want to stay at a vacation rental with a kitchen during at least part of your trip so that you can prepare your own meals. Backpackers often prefer hostels for the same reason. Hostels also offer a more social atmosphere at a very affordable price range.
Hostel Prices in Peru
With more than 270 hostels in Peru, the average price is $11 per night for a dorm bed. Hostels are a terrific option for younger independent travelers looking to save money while staying social during their trip. With many types of hostels, it can be overwhelming to sort out the best places, though. Our analysis of the hostels in Peru not only found the average price, but also uncovered some surprises about the overall quality, amenities, and atmosphere of hostels in the region. You can see more details from our analysis about typical hostel prices in Peru here.
| Number of Hostels | Average Price | |
|---|---|---|
| Cusco | 64 | $13 |
| Lima | 45 | $11 |
| Huaraz | 41 | $7 |
| Arequipa | 24 | $8 |
| Lake Titicaca (Puno) | 13 | $9 |
| Iquitos | 10 | $22 |
| Mancora | 10 | $11 |
| Huanchaco | 8 | $10 |
| Pisac | 7 | $10 |
| Huacachina | 7 | $14 |
| Ica | 6 | $7 |
| Paracas | 6 | $10 |
| Chachapoyas | 5 | $6 |
| Ollantaytambo | 5 | $14 |
| Tarapoto | 5 | $8 |
| Trujillo | 3 | $10 |
| Nazca | 3 | $6 |
Here are a few sample prices from popular hostels in Peru.
- $18 for a dorm bed at Pariwana Hostel Cusco in Cusco
- $10 for a dorm bed at Pariwana Hostel Lima in Lima
- $9 for a dorm bed at Alpes Huaraz in Huaraz
Hotel Prices in Peru
You'll find a wide range of hotel options across Peru. Below are prices for some of the destinations, and for more details see our analysis of hotel costs in Peru.
| City | Average Hotel Price |
|---|---|
| Paracas | $116 |
| Machu Picchu | $82 |
| Cajamarca | $53 |
| Huaraz | $51 |
| Lima | $50 |
| Lake Titicaca (Puno) | $43 |
| Cusco | $40 |
| Arequipa | $35 |
Lima, Peru
Should you do an organized tour or travel independently in Peru?
When planning a trip to Peru, there are two primary options to choose from: organized tours and independent travel. Organized tours offer a convenient and hassle-free experience, as all the details of your trip are handled by travel experts. Additionally, you'll have the benefit of an expert guide who can provide valuable insights and knowledge during your journey. This option is often favored by travelers who appreciate the convenience and ease it offers, with many tours providing transportation and expert guides to enhance the overall experience.
On the other hand, independent travel provides a different set of advantages. It offers a higher level of freedom and flexibility, allowing you to customize your itinerary and explore at your own pace. This option appeals to travelers who value the ability to make spontaneous decisions and have more control over their travel plans. The independence of traveling on your own can provide a sense of adventure and the opportunity to immerse yourself in the local culture on a deeper level.
Ultimately, the choice between organized tours and independent travel depends on your personal preferences and travel style. Consider your desired level of convenience, the amount of guidance you prefer, and the level of flexibility you seek when making your decision. Both options have their own merits, and the decision should be based on what aligns best with your travel goals and preferences.
Comparing Trip Costs in Peru
When we compare the prices of organized tours to the average costs of independent travelers, we can see that sometimes the prices are fairly even.
| Organized Package Tours | Independent Travel | |
|---|---|---|
| 3-Day Trip Cost | $70 - $2,290 | $65 - $544 |
| 7-Day Trip Cost | $669 - $5,599 | $151 - $1,270 |
| 10-Day Trip Cost | $1,199 - $9,549 | $216 - $1,814 |
| 14-Day Trip Cost | $450 - $13,349 | $302 - $2,540 |
Tours vs. independent Travel: Pros & Cons
Organized Tours
Pros- An expert guide familiar with the culture
- Convenient transportation
- Fellow travelers to socialize with
- Well researched activities
- Efficient and thought out itinerary
- The security of have a trip leader if something goes wrong
- Limited options
- Usually not customizable
- The fast pace often means you can’t visit one place in depth
- Usually more expensive than independent travel
- There may be limited time to interact with the local culture and community
Independent Travel
Pros- Completely customizable
- Opportunity to visit off-the-beaten-path destinations
- Can fully immerse yourself in the local culture
- Freedom to move at your own pace
- Flexibility to change your itinerary at any time
- More affordable
- Challenging to plan an efficient itinerary
- Transportation may be challenging or inefficient
- Booking and trip planning can be a hassle
- Popular sights may sell out well in advance
- If something goes wrong, you're on your own
Are organized tours more expensive than independent travel in Peru?
Organized tours average $235 per day in Peru, and are generally all-inclusive with one large payment. Independent trips usually average $60 (S/.224) per day, and include individual payments to hotels, local transportation, food, and sightseeing. When compared, organized tours and independent trips each come with their own set of challenges and benefits. It's important to understand all aspects of both types of trips to make a fair comparison. You can see our thorough analysis of tour prices in Peru here.
Here are a few sample tours in Peru:
-
The Richness of Southern Peru ($1,980)
13 days, 14 destinations -
Journeys: Iconic Peru National Geographic Journeys ($4,199)
14 days, 14 destinations -
PERU HIGHLIGHTS - 8 DAYS WITH LOCAL FLIGHTS (LIMA TO CUSCO AND CUSCO TO LIMA) ($2,450)
8 days, 13 destinations -
7 Days Best of Inca Adventures (Lima and Cusco) with Domestic Flights ($2,949)
7 days, 11 destinations -
Geluxe: Peru: Lima, the Inca Trail & the Amazon ($6,999)
16 days, 9 destinations
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.
1 Categories averaged on a per-item basis.
2 Categories averaged on a per-day basis.
For example, the Food2 daily average is for all meals for an entire day, while Entertainment1 is for each individual purchase. Thus, the overall daily average cost is not a summation of the individual categories.
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.
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