Positive Social Impact Projects in Lima
Best Bite Peru was the first project to come out of the ‘G Values Fund’ where former CEO looking to move on from the role are given the opportunity to submit a business plan for an idea they can set up at home, with the best and most socially viable being granted the funds for it to start.
What was initially set up to provide culinary journeys in Lima and its thriving food scene soon turned into other offerings which help change the perception of the city. It was with these guys that I visited the San Juan barrio, as well as the street art project emerging in the socially displaced neighbourhood of Callao. I can also recommend ceviche making classes and market tours with a special focus on exotic fruit tasting.
A perception changing tour of the San Juan de Miraflores barrio in Lima, Peru
Art is transforming the run-down, dangerous and forgotten neighbourhood of Callao in Lima
Money in Peru
Using the Peruvian Soles
The currency in Peru is the Sol. It doesn’t take long to get used to it. There are just over three Soles to the US Dollar (USD), around three and a half Soles to a Euro (EUR) and just over four Soles to the Pound (GBP). Rounding up helps you make quick conversions when deliberating prices and making payment.
While some businesses accept US dollars and some ATMs allow you to withdraw it even, it is much easier to pay for day-to-day things with Soles including food and drink, shopping at local markets and entry to local attractions.
We found that Dollar payments were applied for bigger things and where it was easier to pay by debit or credit card like booking the Rainbow Mountain and Colca Canyon treks and hostel and hotel stays.
I also kept 200 Dollars hidden away in case of emergencies.
ATMs in Peru
There are ATMs in every major city in Peru and as a point of reference can also be found near each city’s Plaza de Armas (the main square). It’s highly unlikely that you will find any ATM in more rural areas including villages and small towns.
Like most ATMs in South America, it is wise to use those located inside a bank or to avoid using any located on the street at night. I always withdrew money in the middle of the day when plenty of people were around.
I was able to use my Mastercard and Visa debit cards. Despite having a pre-loaded travel card that limits being charged extra ATM fees, I was charged a small fee at every ATM transaction in Peru not matter what card I used.
The fee for withdrawing money at the Peru ATM was always around $5-$7 per transaction, so I soon learnt to take out hearty amounts each time to cover me for a while. The maximum withdrawal was around $200 – $250 per transaction.
How much does it Cost to Travel in Peru?
Peru is significantly cheaper than the other countries in South America, which adds to its popularity. Like anywhere, your daily budget depends on your style of travel and whether you want to live like a local or live it up in comfort.
The biggest cost for a traveller in Peru is normally a trek, connected to visiting Machu Picchu. My other biggest costs were accommodation, since I always took a private room (average prices for a dorm room in Peru are also listed), alongside more convenient means of transport such as a flexible bus pass and an internal flight.
Costs of Travel in Peru (Average Prices in US Dollars)
Cost of Transport in Peru
- Local long-distance bus rides: $5-$15
- Intercity El Metropolitano bus in Lima: Under $1 (S/. 2.50)
- Peru Hop ticket: $159 for a ‘Get Quick’ pass / $199 for a ‘Full South’ Pass
- An internal flight between Lima and Cusco: $60-$70
- A taxi between Lima airport and hostel: $20
- A taxi between Cusco airport and hostel: $5
Cost of Treks in Peru
- Big Treks like Inca Trail or Salkantay – $600 – $1,000+
- Small two-day treks like Colca Canyon – $50
- Day treks from Cusco like Rainbow Mountain – $50 – $100
Cost of Accommodation in Peru
- Dorm in a hostel – $10-$15
- Private room in a hostel – $25
- Room in a mid-range hotel – $35-$50
Cost of Trips and Excursions in Peru
- Two-hour speedboat tour in Paracas to Ballestas Islands: $15
- Two-hour sand buggy tour in Huacachina: $15
- Nazca Lines flight: $80 + 30 Soles ($9) airport tax
- Day trip to Colca Canyon: $25-$30 + 70 Soles ($20) tourist entry ticket fee
- Half-day tour to Lake Titicaca, Puno: $10-$15
- Full day tour to Lake Titicaca, Puno: $20-$25
Cost of Food and Drink in Peru
- Food in a local restaurant (two courses) –$2-$5
- Food in a gringo restaurant – $10-$20
- Food at a local market – $1- $2
- Coffee: $2-$4
- Local beer: $2 dollars