Peru Currency & Money Guide: Exchange, Cards, and Tips

Peru’s official currency is the Peruvian sol, written as S/ or PEN, and cash remains essential for markets, taxis, small restaurants, and rural travel, even though cards work widely in major tourist areas. As a practical October 2026 reference, S$1 buys about S/2.68–S/2.69, but live rates change throughout the day, so check the rate before exchanging or withdrawing. For a comfortable trip, budget about US$70–130 per person daily, while budget travellers can often manage on US$35–60 excluding international flights, according to Travel with Hello’s Peru guide. Carry small sol notes, use bank ATMs, decline dynamic currency conversion, and tip modestly rather than automatically. The Hello app can track spending in soles and Singapore dollars, automatically convert exchange rates, scan receipts, split shared costs, and categorise expenses—useful when travelling with friends.

The Peruvian sol is the currency you need in Peru, and exchanging or withdrawing soles usually gives the most practical access to local prices. The sol uses the symbol S/ and the international code PEN; notes commonly circulate in denominations from S/10 to S/200, while coins are useful for short taxi rides, snacks, and small purchases. As of 23 October 2026, published market references placed the rate at approximately S$1 = S/2.69, with another live-rate source showing about S$1 = S/2.6828. Treat this as an indication rather than a guaranteed cash-exchange rate, because banks, card networks, and bureaux apply different margins.

A useful mental guide is:

Compare the final amount you receive, not just the advertised rate. Airport exchange counters are convenient but often less competitive than established exchange houses in Lima’s Miraflores or San Isidro districts. Avoid exchanging large amounts with informal street cambistas, where counterfeit notes and confusion over rates create unnecessary risk. Keep receipts, count cash at the counter, and check banknotes for damage before accepting them.

The safest Peru money strategy is to arrive with a small emergency reserve, then withdraw soles from reputable bank ATMs and exchange only modest amounts at established bureaux. ATMs are readily available in Lima, Cusco, Arequipa, and other major cities, but availability becomes less predictable around remote Sacred Valley villages, trekking routes, and rural stops. Withdraw enough before leaving Cusco for the Inca Trail or before heading to smaller Andean communities.

Peruvian ATM fees commonly range from about S/15 to S/36 per foreign-card withdrawal, depending on the bank and machine, while your Singapore bank may add an international withdrawal fee or foreign-exchange markup. Because the local fee is usually fixed, one larger withdrawal can cost less than several small withdrawals. Check the fee displayed before confirming, and cancel if it seems excessive. ATM limits may range from roughly S/700 to S/1,500 per transaction.

Always choose to be charged in soles when the ATM asks whether to convert the transaction into Singapore dollars. This declines dynamic currency conversion and normally lets your card network determine the exchange rate. Use machines inside banks, shopping centres, or airports during daylight, shield your PIN, and avoid accepting help from strangers. Banco de la Nación machines have sometimes been reported as charging no local fee, but availability and acceptance of foreign cards can vary.

Visa and Mastercard are widely accepted in Lima’s Miraflores, Barranco, and San Isidro districts, as well as in major hotels, supermarkets, chain restaurants, and established shops in Cusco, Arequipa, and Paracas. Cash is still the dependable option for markets, street food, public transport, small family-run restaurants, taxis, local guides, and villages outside tourist centres.

Contactless card payments are increasingly available at modern hotels, cafés, supermarkets, and restaurants, but terminals may still require a physical card, PIN, or signature. Carry at least one backup card stored separately from your wallet. American Express acceptance is less consistent, and some businesses add a card surcharge or require a minimum spend. Ask before ordering if a menu price assumes cash payment.

Popular local digital payments include Yape and Plin, which are widely used domestically for quick transfers, but visitors may not be able to register without a Peruvian bank account or local phone setup. WeChat Pay and PayPay are not dependable everyday payment methods for most travellers in Peru, so do not build a payment plan around them. Keep offline access to your banking app and save emergency card numbers. An eSIM from Hello can provide mobile data for banking alerts, maps, translation, and digital receipts; see Hello eSIM for Peru.

Peru tipping is appreciated but generally discretionary: leave around 5–10% in a sit-down restaurant when service is good, check whether a service charge is already included, and use soles for small tips. Unlike some countries, tipping is not automatically expected for every interaction, but it is a meaningful way to recognise helpful service.

In tourist restaurants in Lima, Cusco, and Arequipa, a 10% tip is a straightforward choice for attentive service; in a local menú restaurant, rounding up or leaving a few soles may be more natural. For porters and trekking staff, ask your tour operator about the group’s recommended arrangement because expectations vary by route, group size, and service level. A commonly published 2026 guideline suggests approximately S/20–S/50 per day for a city or site guide, although private, full-day, or specialist tours may warrant more.

For taxis, round up rather than calculate a percentage, especially when using an informal street taxi. Hotel porters may receive S/2–S/5 per bag, while drivers can be tipped for long transfers or extra assistance. Carry S/5 and S/10 notes because large notes can be difficult for small businesses to change. If service was poor or a charge was unclear, ask for clarification rather than feeling obligated to tip.

The most avoidable Peru money problems involve bad exchange rates, counterfeit notes, inflated taxi fares, and card-payment confusion, so verify prices and count change before walking away. Use official taxi apps, hotel-arranged cars, or agree on a fare in soles before entering a street taxi. At markets, confirm whether a quoted price is S/20 or US$20, particularly when bargaining quickly.

Decline anyone offering an unsolicited currency exchange, ATM assistance, or a better rate outside a bank. Check notes for obvious security features and refuse badly damaged bills that smaller shops may reject. When paying by card, confirm the amount on the terminal, keep the receipt, and select soles rather than Singapore dollars. Do not hand over your card for it to be taken out of sight.

Peru can still offer strong value in 2026. Travel with Hello estimates roughly US$35–60 per day for budget travel, US$70–130 for mid-range travel, and US$180 or more for comfort or luxury, including accommodation, meals, and domestic transport but excluding international flights. Save money by eating menú del día lunches, using public buses where practical, booking trains and Machu Picchu-related transport early, travelling outside peak dates, and grouping ATM withdrawals. The Hello app’s automatic multi-currency conversion, AI receipt scanning, bank-statement import, voice entry, and shared expense splitting make it easier to see whether a spontaneous tour or restaurant still fits your budget.

Travellers usually need both a card and cash in Peru: cards are convenient in established businesses, while soles cover the everyday transactions where payment terminals are unavailable. The following answers address the most common planning questions.

Should I bring Singapore dollars or US dollars to Peru? Singapore dollars are not as widely exchanged as US dollars, so use an ATM card or exchange through a reputable provider rather than relying on direct SGD cash exchange. Carrying a small emergency amount of US dollars can be useful, but do not exchange everything at the airport.

How much cash should I carry? Keep enough for one day of taxis, meals, small purchases, and transport—often around S/100–S/250 per person—then replenish in secure locations. Carry a mix of small notes and coins.

Can I use cards in Cusco and Machu Picchu? Cards work in many Cusco hotels, tour operators, restaurants, and shops, but cash is essential for markets, small businesses, transport, and stops in the Sacred Valley. Machu Picchu village and nearby services may accept cards selectively, so withdraw before leaving Cusco.

Is tipping mandatory in Peru? No. Around 5–10% in a good restaurant, rounding up taxis, and modest tips for guides or porters are customary ways to show appreciation, not universal obligations.

Can the Hello app track Peru expenses? Yes. Hello tracks soles alongside Singapore dollars, applies automatic exchange-rate conversion, scans receipts in different languages and currencies, imports bank statements, categorises spending with AI, and splits costs across multiple currencies.