Claire Dean
Claire Dean

Claire Dean

Travel in South America is a joy to behold. The rich variety of destinations, experiences, landscapes and geography fascinated me so much, that I chose to relocate here, over 20 years ago! The best thing I ever did! Allow me to share my knowledge and passion for Central and South America with you and help you plan your holiday of a lifetime!

How Much Should I Budget for My Trip to Peru?

How Much Should I Budget for My Trip to Peru?

4MINREAD

Written by:Claire Dean

Published: 2023-02-21

Home to some of South America’s most incredible sights, such as the deep Amazon jungle, cuisine, and Inca sites, Peru is probably the perfect destination for your next adventure. With no end to exciting places to visit, Peru is a vibrant country that can be experienced on almost any budget. Whether you’re traveling on a budget or looking to splash out, let’s talk about the costs of traveling in Peru and how to get the most out of this incredible country.

Peru is such a fascinating country to travel to. A Peru vacation package is considered reasonably priced when we talk about costing a trip. This is exciting news because that means you can fit more in for less money. Budgeting for your Peru tour package is an important aspect when you visit Peru.

Huanchaco, Peru

 

Travel Costs Guide for a Trip to Peru.

Not only is Peru a fantastic destination for adventure seekers and nature lovers, but it is also one of the most affordable ones in South America. Perhaps your biggest expense, which you will need to account for well in advance, is your airline tickets. Flight prices to Peru are very diverse and based on your departure location and the time of year you’re traveling (high vs low season). To find affordable flights to Peru, it might be wise to use platforms that allow you to compare airline tickets, such as Skyscanner.

 

Probably the main cost you will have to take into account when you visit Peru is the cost of the airfare to get you there. Peru is one of the most diverse countries you can visit in South America. You can find all kinds of geography ranging from high-altitude mountains to arid deserts and from jungle to white sandy beaches. Unless you’re traveling overland through South America, you’ll need to fly to reach Peru.

Andean Girl

 

The next things to consider are the places you want to explore in the country, as this will be a major factor when calculating your overall travel costs. For example, the prices for a fully customized 9-day trip to Peru, including transportation for the tours, an English-speaking guide, meals, accommodation in an Amazon lodge, and tickets to Machu Picchu, start at over  $1,000 USD and then reach the sky, depending on the experience and price range you are looking for.

 

Pisaq can be visited on a Sacred Valley tour from Cusco. This small town is known for its archaeological site with fantastic terraces, its artisan market, and colorful festivals. The latter showcases the rich cultural heritage of the Andean people in The Sacred Valley of The Incas. Deep-rooted in indigenous traditions and Catholic pageantry, a Pisaq festival is a fascinating day tour from Cusco!

Festival in Pisaq

 

Accommodation

Peru offers all different types of accommodation from party hostels to upmarket chic hotels. Here is the general cost of what you should expect to pay per night for accommodation in Peru. (Based on a double room and 2 people sharing).

  • Dorm Room or Hostel $8USD to $35 USD
  • 3-star hotel $75- $150
  • 4-star hotel $180-$300 USD
  • Boutique Hotel $300-$500 USD
  • Luxury Hotel USD 500 USD and above

 

Budgeting for accommodation in Cusco directly depends on the standard of hotel you want to stay in. Location is another important factor as well as the time of year you're visiting on Cusco tours. Accommodation jumps up in price around June time due to Inti Raymi, Corpus Cristi and other festivals. Availability is also in short supply around this time.

Cusco Luxury Hotel

 

Transport

Peru has a good public transportation system and using public transport is one of the cheapest ways to explore the country. Buses connect most major cities and tourist destinations. The cost of your bus ticket will generally depend on the bus company, the route, and the extras that they offer (e.g. air-conditioning or onboard meals).

Hopping on a train is another great option, specifically, if you’re trying to reach Machu Picchu. There are two rail companies operating trains from Cusco to Aguas Calientes (the town closest to Machu Picchu) – Peru Rail and Inca Rail. A one-way budget train ticket from Cusco to the ancient site of Machu Picchu will set you back between $70 USD and $85 USD. Both companies further offer several different travel classes with added extras such as air conditioning and complimentary snacks. For those who want to travel to Machu Picchu in the lap of luxury, The Hiram Bingham Train service is around $ 900 USD to get to Machu Picchu in style.

 

Budgeting for train travel in Peru involves choosing which of the different train services you would like. The main train route of course is to Machu Picchu. Machu Picchu tours from Cusco have 3 main train classes - The Expedition, The Vistadome and The Luxury Hiram Bingham services.

Titicaca Train

 

Meals

Peru is a foodie paradise and eating/drinking all the local goodness here is a huge part of your travel experience to come! If you eat locally, which you definitely should, then food and drink here is very affordable too. Most hostels and hotels in Peru include breakfast in their prices. While this is often a simple affair of cereal, fruit, yogurt, and toast, it’s an ample start to the day and one less meal to worry about.

When it comes to lunch, fresh juice plus a sandwich in a local market will set you back just $1-3 USD, as will a good espresso coffee at a tourist café.

The best value here is to buy a 5l bottle and then decant it into a smaller metal water bottle you carry with you during the day. This saves money and plastic waste.
Beers are cheap in Peru too, especially when bought in a store, or at a cheap local place, costing $1-2 each.

For dinner, if you eat in local cafes/restaurants, you can expect to pay around USD 5 for a decent feed. If you want to splash and out in a fairly decent restaurant in Peru however, which you can certainly do in Lima and Cusco, then prices start from around USD 20 and then the sky is the limit!

Budgeting for meals on your Peru tour package depends on the type of dining experience you are looking for. Meals range from a couple of dollars in local eateries, to a much larger amount if you dine in one of Lima´s upmarket, world-class restaurants. Whatever your Budget there is delicious cuisine around every corner in the culinary capital of the Americas.

Causa Rellena

 

Entrance fees and guides

Entrance fees and guides can be hard to price up in Peru because if you take a tour or a guided trek to many of the most popular ruins and sights, these will be included in the price. 
Of course, there are many free and cheap attractions in Peru, but for the main attractions, you will obviously have to spend some cash, especially if it involves a trip to a wonder of the world!

Here are some examples:

This last option is essential if you think you’ll be visiting a lot of the ruins around Cusco as it’s a combined entrance ticket that will save you money in the long run.  It covers 16 sights in total, both in and around Cusco and The Sacred Valley. The 10-day ticket is good if you have a decent amount to explore all this city has to offer otherwise, there are a couple of smaller circuit 1-2 day options too for USD 20. 

Budgeting for a journey into the Amazon Rainforest in Peru generally involves planning your stay in an eco-lodge or taking a river cruise. The cost can vary depending on your travel style, and the type of experience you are seeking. On Iquitos tours, you can see pink dolphins and impressive wildlife. A Madre de Dios lodge is all about macaws, parrots, and Oxbow lakes.

Amazon Lodge Excursion

 

If you are unsure about how much things will cost on a trip to Peru, contact us here for more detailed information!
 

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