Getting Peruvian Soles for Your Trip
Peru is South America's most popular destination, and getting your money sorted is essential for a smooth trip from Lima's culinary scene to the heights of Machu Picchu. The Peruvian Sol (plural: Soles) is a relatively stable currency, making budgeting straightforward.
One advantage of visiting Peru is that US dollars are widely accepted in tourist areas, giving you flexibility. However, you'll get better value and avoid confusion by paying in Soles whenever possible. The exchange rate is typically around 3.7 Soles to 1 US Dollar.
Best Ways to Get Peruvian Soles
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Compare Exchange Rates →Using Cards in Peru
Where cards work well: Lima (especially Miraflores and Barranco), upmarket restaurants, hotels, supermarkets like Wong and Metro, and international chains. Visa and Mastercard are accepted; Amex is less common.
Where you'll need cash: Local markets, street food, taxis (except official apps), small restaurants, Cusco's historic centre shops, Aguas Calientes, and rural areas. Away from the cities you will need more cash, but Machu Picchu entry, the PeruRail and Inca Rail trains and the bus up to the ruins can all be paid by card.
Tip: Many Peruvian card machines ask "Con propina?" (with tip?) or show tip options. You can add a tip here or decline and tip separately in cash.
Withdrawing Cash from ATMs
ATMs (cajeros automáticos) are plentiful in Lima and Cusco, less common in smaller towns. Best options:
- Globalnet ATMs: Found in many locations; check any fee on screen
- BCP (Banco de Crédito del Perú): Largest bank, ATMs everywhere; banks do not publish their foreign-card fees, so check the amount shown before you confirm
- Interbank: Good availability
- Scotiabank: Reliable; Rough Guides lists it with BCP, Interbank and BBVA as banks to use
Important tips: Withdrawal limits vary by bank. Always decline the ATM's offer to convert to your home currency. Use ATMs inside banks during daylight hours. The FCDO suggests using machines in banks, supermarkets or big commercial buildings during business hours.
Exchanging Cash in Peru
Peru has excellent cash exchange options, and USD is by far the easiest foreign currency to exchange:
- Casas de cambio: Currency exchange offices throughout Lima and Cusco offer competitive rates. Compare a few before exchanging
- Street money changers: The only official scheme we found is in Lima's Miraflores district, where the council registers 132 changers in blue-and-green vests with photo badges, working in CCTV-covered zones on avenues such as Larco, Pardo and Benavides. Elsewhere, avoid street changers: the FCDO has had reports of changers in Cusco handing over intis, a defunct currency, in place of soles
- Hotels: Convenient but rates are typically 5-10% worse than exchange houses
- Avoid: Changing large sums at Lima airport (all airlines have used its new terminal since 1 June 2025; rates are not published, and Miraflores usually pays better on larger amounts) and unofficial changers without vests
Bring crisp, unmarked US dollar bills: worn or damaged notes may be refused. Counterfeit soles and dollars circulate, the FCDO says, so check every note you are given.
Money for Machu Picchu
Planning for Machu Picchu requires extra preparation:
- Entry tickets: Sold online by the Ministry of Culture at tuboleto.cultura.pe and paid by card; the 2026 price for adult foreigners is S/152, plus an S/11 conservation charge set by Sernanp from 1 May 2026. If your date sells out, a Ministry ticket office in Machupicchu Pueblo also sells a daily quota of 1,000 tickets for the following day, payable by card, QR code, Yape, Plin or cash. Book well ahead during high season
- Train tickets: Book and pay online via Peru Rail or Inca Rail
- Aguas Calientes: Its cash machines may charge fees (Inca Rail), so withdraw in Cusco or Ollantaytambo
- Cash needs: Meals cost 30-60 Soles, drinks 8-15 Soles. Budget 100-150 Soles per person for your time in Aguas Calientes
- Tips: Have small notes ready for guides, porters, and restaurant staff
Best Exchange Options for PEN
Top providers by category:
BCP
Banco de Crédito del Perú. ATMs everywhere.
BBVA Peru
Major bank with good coverage.
Casas de Cambio
Good rates in Lima Miraflores area.
Lima Airport
Banks and exchanges available.
Street Money Changers
Risk of counterfeit. Use licensed only.
Compare PEN Exchange Rates
See what you'd receive from providers local to you
Frequently Asked Questions
In Lima and Cusco ATMs are plentiful, so withdraw Soles from a machine inside a bank in daylight, checking any fee on screen and declining the conversion offer. Casas de cambio in both cities give competitive rates, especially in Lima's Miraflores district, and US dollars are by far the easiest foreign cash to change, so crisp, unmarked dollar notes are worth bringing.
In tourist areas, yes: US dollars are widely accepted there, which gives you flexibility. Paying in Soles whenever you can is still better value and less confusing, with the rate usually around 3.7 Soles to the dollar. Dollars are also the easiest foreign currency to exchange, but notes must be crisp and unmarked, as worn or damaged ones may be refused.
Yes, in the right places. Cards work well in Lima, particularly Miraflores and Barranco, and at upmarket restaurants, hotels, supermarkets such as Wong and Metro and international chains, with Visa and Mastercard accepted and Amex less common. You need cash for local markets, street food, taxis (other than official apps), small restaurants, shops in Cusco's historic centre, Aguas Calientes and rural areas. Many card machines ask 'Con propina?' (with tip?).
ATMs are plentiful in Lima and Cusco, fewer in smaller towns. BCP has machines everywhere, Interbank has good availability, Scotiabank is reliable and Globalnet widespread, but no bank publishes its fee for foreign cards, so read the figure on screen before confirming. Limits vary by bank; decline the conversion offer, and stick to machines inside banks, supermarkets or large commercial buildings in business hours, as the FCDO suggests.
We found only one official scheme, in Lima's Miraflores district, whose council registers 132 changers: they wear blue-and-green vests with photo badges and work under CCTV on avenues including Larco, Pardo and Benavides. Anywhere else, steer clear: the FCDO has received reports of Cusco changers passing off intis, a defunct currency, as soles. The FCDO also warns that counterfeit soles and dollars circulate, so check every note.
Mainly for food and tips: entry tickets (S/152 for adult foreigners in 2026, plus an S/11 conservation charge) are bought online by card at tuboleto.cultura.pe, and the trains (PeruRail or Inca Rail) and the bus up to the ruins take cards too. In Aguas Calientes budget 100-150 Soles per person, withdrawn in Cusco or Ollantaytambo because local ATMs may charge fees, and carry small notes for tips.
Nearby Destinations
Planning to visit multiple countries? Check out exchange guides for nearby destinations:
Brazil
Colombia
Chile