The strength of the Peruvian Nuevo Sol (PEN) will make perhaps the biggest difference to foreign visitors, but even then Peru is, by regional and global standards, fairly inexpensive. The Nuevo Sol is an unstable currency and you should always check the exchange rate just before your trip. For that reason, I give prices in PEN with a rough estimate in USD. In 2023, $1 USD is worth about s/3.70 PEN. In some situations prices are quoted (and best paid for) in US dollars - see PEN & USD.

Cash & cards

Besides major hotels and restaurants, most places accept only cash. Bank fees for accepting credit or debit cards are very high in Peru, which discourages almost all small businesses. Even entrance fees for national parks and archeological sites are often only payable with cash. Be sure to always have enough cash on you to get through a few days.

Travel budgets