Money in Peru: Currency, Cash, Cards & Tipping (2026 Guide)

Sorting out money before you travel saves a lot of hassle. Peru runs mostly on cash outside the cities, has a few currency quirks worth knowing, and a couple of small scams to sidestep. Here’s everything you need to handle money confidently on your trip.

Quick Answer

• Currency: the Peruvian sol (PEN), symbol S/.
• Cash is king for markets, taxis, small towns, tips and entrance fees; cards work in hotels, nicer restaurants and tour agencies.
• Carry small bills. Breaking a 100-sol note can be hard; keep 10s and 20s.
• US dollars are useful as a backup and for some tours, but you’ll spend in soles day to day.
• Tipping is appreciated but modest — not the 20% expected in the US.

The Currency: Peruvian Sol

Peru’s currency is the sol (plural *soles*), written S/. Notes come in 10, 20, 50, 100 and 200 soles; coins in 1, 2 and 5 soles plus céntimos. Check the exchange rate before you travel, as it moves.

A key habit: always carry small denominations. Taxi drivers, market vendors and small shops often can’t change a 100- or 200-sol note. Break big notes at supermarkets, pharmacies or your hotel.

Cash vs. Cards

• Cards (Visa and Mastercard most widely) are fine in hotels, upscale restaurants, supermarkets and established tour agencies. Amex is less accepted.
• Cash is essential for taxis, markets, street food, small-town purchases, tips, and many entrance fees and local buses.
• A good rule: use cards where you can, but never rely on them outside Cusco, Lima and the main tourist centers.

ATMs & Getting Cash

• ATMs are common in cities and tourist areas; withdraw soles directly.
• Choose “decline conversion” (pay in soles, not your home currency) to avoid bad exchange rates — this applies to card payments too.
• Use ATMs inside banks or malls where possible, and tell your bank you’re traveling so cards aren’t blocked.
• Watch withdrawal fees — some machines charge more; Globalnet ATMs tend to charge higher fees than bank-branded ones.

US Dollars in Peru

Dollars are widely recognized and some tours, hotels and agencies quote prices in USD. But:

• Bills must be pristine — Peru rejects torn, marked or old-series US notes. Bring crisp, newer bills.
• You’ll still need soles for everyday spending, so don’t rely on dollars alone.
• Exchange at established *casas de cambio* or banks, not strangers on the street.

Small Scams to Avoid

• Counterfeit notes. Check larger bills (feel the texture, look for the watermark and color-shifting ink). Get change from reputable places.
• “Broken” ATMs and distractions. Use machines in secure locations and shield your PIN.
• Taxi overcharging. Agree the fare before getting in, or use an app-based taxi in Lima and Cusco.

Tipping in Peru

Tipping is welcome but modest:

• Restaurants: round up or leave ~10% at sit-down places (check if a service charge is already added).
• Tour guides: a few soles to ~10–15% of the tour, depending on quality; drivers a bit less.
• Trek crews (porters, cooks): tipping is customary and genuinely important on multi-day treks — your operator will advise typical amounts.
• Hotel staff: a few soles for porters and housekeeping.

How It Fits Your Trip

Budgeting is part of planning your days — see how costs add up at Machu Picchu in how much Machu Picchu costs, and plan your time with how many days to spend in Cusco. For the broader practicalities, see our Peru travel tips.

How to Book

At Viajes Peru Tour we make the big-ticket costs simple — tours, trains, tickets and transfers handled in advance — so you only need day-to-day cash on the ground. Tell us your dates and we’ll lay out what to expect.

[Plan a worry-free Peru trip →]

Frequently Asked Questions

What currency is used in Peru?

The Peruvian sol (PEN), written S/. Notes run from 10 to 200 soles. US dollars are accepted in some places but you’ll spend soles day to day.

Should I bring cash or use cards in Peru?

Both. Use cards in hotels, nicer restaurants and agencies, but carry cash (in small bills) for taxis, markets, tips and entrance fees — especially outside the main cities.

Can I use US dollars in Peru?

Sometimes — some tours and hotels quote in USD — but bills must be crisp and undamaged, and you’ll still need soles for everyday spending.

How much should I tip in Peru?

Modestly: around 10% at sit-down restaurants, a few soles to ~10–15% for guides, and customary tips for trek porters and cooks. It’s appreciated, not obligatory like in the US.

Are ATMs easy to find in Peru?

Yes in cities and tourist areas. Withdraw soles, decline the machine’s currency conversion, use ATMs in secure locations, and tell your bank you’re traveling.

*Last updated: October 2026 | Written by the Viajes Peru Tour team*

*Exchange rates, fees and prices change. Confirm current details when you travel.*