Cost of Living in Peru — 2026
| Metric | Value | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Budget accommodation (hostel dorm) | 7–14USD/night | — |
| Mid-range accommodation (private room/hotel) | 30–70USD/night | Cusco higher during peak season |
| Budget meal (menú del día, local restaurant) | 2.50–5USD | — |
| Mid-range meal (restaurant) | 8–18USD | — |
| Coffee (café, Lima) | 2–4USD | — |
| Beer (local Cusqueña, bar) | 1.50–3USD | — |
| Pisco sour (restaurant) | 4–8USD | — |
| Monthly rent (1-bed, Lima Miraflores) | 400–750USD | — |
| Monthly rent (1-bed, Cusco) | 250–500USD | — |
| Monthly groceries | 150–280USD | — |
| Train (Cusco–Aguas Calientes/Machu Picchu) | 70–140USD | One way; book ahead |
| Machu Picchu entrance fee | 45–60USD | Price varies by circuit and time; book online in advance |
| SIM card with data (monthly) | 7–15USD | — |
| Budget daily total | 20–35USD | — |
| Mid-range daily total | 50–80USD | — |
| Comfortable monthly budget (Lima) | 900–1,600USD | — |
Peru is one of South America's best-value destinations and has been for decades. Lima has a world-class food scene that punches well above its price point. Cusco and the Sacred Valley are organized around tourism but remain affordable. The further from the tourist trail you go, the cheaper and more interesting things get.
Peru's cost structure rewards slow travel. Getting to Machu Picchu is the major expense (train, entrance fees, guide) and unavoidable if it's on your list. Everything else — food, accommodation, local transport — is very affordable. Lima deserves more than the 24-hour stopover most itineraries give it; the Miraflores and Barranco neighborhoods are excellent bases.
FAQ
The total cost depends on your approach. Train from Cusco to Aguas Calientes: $70–140 each way. Entrance fee: $45–60. Bus up from Aguas Calientes: $12–15 return. A guided tour adds $20–60. Budget $200–350 per person all-in for the Machu Picchu experience. Book the entrance ticket and train well in advance — limited daily visitors.
More than most itineraries allow. Lima has one of the best food scenes in South America — Gaston Acurio's influence on Peruvian cuisine is felt across every price point. The coastal cliffs of Miraflores, the bohemian Barranco neighborhood, the Larco Museum, and the city's ceviche culture all justify 3–4 days minimum.
A set lunch for $2.50–5 that typically includes soup, a main course, and sometimes a drink or dessert. Available at virtually every local restaurant at lunchtime. It's how most Peruvians eat lunch and the best-value eating option in the country.
A two-week trip including internal flights, Machu Picchu, and a mix of hostels and budget hotels typically runs $1,200–2,000 per person excluding international flights. Budget travelers in dorms can do it for $800–1,200. Add the international flight and $2,000–3,500 all-in is realistic for most travelers.
Peruvian Sol (PEN). Rate approximately 3.7–3.8 PEN to 1 USD. ATMs are common in cities and tourist towns; carry cash in rural areas. Machu Picchu entrance fees and trains must be booked online in advance and typically paid by card.
Cusco is at 3,400m (11,150ft) — high enough that altitude sickness affects a meaningful percentage of visitors. Symptoms (headache, nausea, fatigue) typically appear in the first 24–48 hours and resolve with rest and hydration. Arriving from Lima (sea level) with a gradual acclimatization stop (e.g., Sacred Valley at 2,800m) helps. The city is extraordinary and worth the adjustment period for most travelers.