Money, phone and connectivity: travelling simply

The sol, in practice

Peru’s currency is the sol (symbol S/, code PEN), divided into 100 céntimos. The usual notes are 10, 20, 50, 100 and 200 soles; a new series has been issued since 2021, and the old notes are still in circulation. Coins range from 10 céntimos to 5 soles; the bimetallic 2 and 5 sol coins bear the hummingbird and the condor of the Nazca Lines. The 1 and 5 céntimo coins have been withdrawn from circulation: in cash, amounts are rounded.

What you need to know:

• Small notes are precious. Taxis, markets, mototaxis and small shops rarely have change for a 100 or 200 note. Break big notes at the supermarket or the hotel.
• Damaged or torn notes may be refused. Check the ones you are given in change.
• The exchange rate: our pages use the official rate of the Central Bank of Peru, with a date (3.437 soles to the dollar on 30 September 2026). The rate actually applied by a bank, an exchange office or a shopkeeper is always a little less favourable.

Paying: card, cash, dynamic conversion

Dynamic currency conversion. When you pay by card or withdraw at a cash machine, the screen may offer to charge the amount directly in Swiss francs or euros. This is dynamic currency conversion: the rate is set by the terminal or the local bank, often with a high margin. The FRC and moneyland.ch recommend choosing the local currency, soles in this case: your bank then converts at its own rate, which is generally more favourable.

Withdrawing or changing money

At a cash machine. Withdrawing soles with a debit or credit card is the simplest way. Two fees can add up: those of the Peruvian cash machine, shown on the screen before you confirm, and those of your Swiss bank for a withdrawal abroad. The cash machine’s fees are shown on the screen: look at them before confirming, and withdraw reasonable amounts to limit the number of transactions. Choose cash machines inside a bank or a shopping centre, during the day.

At an exchange office. Changing dollars or euros in cash is done in banks and exchange offices (casas de cambio). Count the money in front of the counter. Avoid street money changers.

The fees to check before you leave, with your bank: fees for withdrawals abroad, fees for payments in a foreign currency, withdrawal limits, and activation of the card for South America.

A safety rule: two cards, two places

Keep two cards on two different networks if possible, stored separately, and note the numbers for blocking them. The FDFA reports attacks in Lima and other cities in taxis hailed in the street, with forced withdrawals at cash machines: take taxis you have booked and do not withdraw money at night. See Everyday safety.

Phone: roaming, eSIM or Peruvian SIM?

Buying a Peruvian SIM card. Since the end of 2025, the rule for foreigners is as follows: in person only, at one of the operator’s authorised centres or points of sale, with your original passport and biometric verification with Migraciones; one line at most per operator per month. Go to one of the operator’s official shops, not to a street seller.

The IMEI rule. According to OSIPTEL, nothing to do with a line from a foreign operator used on international roaming; the phone must be registered with the operator if you use a line from a Peruvian operator. What counts is the operator of the line, not the format of the card: an eSIM can be a foreign line on roaming (nothing to do) or a Peruvian line (registration needed). If you take a Peruvian line, on a physical SIM or as an eSIM, have the phone registered with the operator when you buy it. This rule targets imported devices; it does not turn a tourist into a resident.

WhatsApp is the main means of communication in Peru, for hotels, drivers, guides and restaurants. It works with any of the three solutions, as soon as you have data.

Back-ups and losing your phone

Your phone holds your tickets, your bookings and your means of payment: prepare for losing it before you leave.

• Offline: download the maps of your stops, the booking confirmations, the arrival instructions and the contact details of the people you will deal with.
• Elsewhere: a copy of your passport and bookings in an email or an online space you can reach from another device, and a paper copy in your suitcase.
• Useful numbers written on paper: your bank (blocking cards), your insurer, your operator (blocking the line), someone you trust.
• In case of theft: block the line and the cards, change your main passwords, then report the theft to the police (the receipt is used for the insurance). See Everyday safety.

In a lodge or a remote region

For a stay in a lodge, ask whether there is network coverage and electricity, and at what times: some Amazon lodges have only a partial connection, sometimes none. Let your family and friends know. If you need to work, ask for a recent connection test rather than a general promise.