How to Travel Peru on a Budget

Posted on 29-09-2023 08:01 PM

Peru is an incredible country with ancient ruins, stunning landscapes, and vibrant culture. Exploring Machu Picchu, sandboarding in Huacachina, and eating ceviche in Lima can all be done affordably with proper planning. Use these budget travel tips to experience Peru without breaking the bank.

https://mcrox-my-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/Peru.jpg

Research Prices and Plan Your Peru Itinerary

The first step to budget travel in Peru is researching costs and planning your itinerary. This allows you to budget properly and maximize your time.

Average prices in Peru: Hostels - $10-15/night, Budget hotel rooms - $20-40/night, Set meals - $3-7, Street food - $1-3, Local transportation - $0.50-3 per ride, Intercity buses - $5-50 one-way, Taxis - $3-10 per ride, Domestic flights - $50-100 one-way, Entrance fees - $3-50 per site
Popular destinations and typical costs: Lima - $30-50/day, Cusco - $25-40/day, Machu Picchu - $100-150 for 1 day tour, Arequipa - $25-35/day, Puno & Lake Titicaca - $30-45/day, Huacachina - $20-30/day
Create a Peru budget itinerary: Decide how long you want to visit and your must-see sights. Figure out transportation logistics and costs between destinations. Add up accommodation, food, activities and other expenses to determine your daily Peru budget.
Consider high vs low season: June-August is high season with ideal weather but higher prices and crowds. September-May is low season with fewer tourists and lower costs, but rain in the Andes.
Use budget travel tips: Travel slower, use public transportation, eat street food and cook, stay in dorms, and use Peru travel passes.

Find Cheap Flights and Transportation

Transportation is a major expense, so finding deals on flights and buses will make Peru more affordable.

Search budget airlines like VivaAir, Sky, and LATAM for cheap flights within Peru. Be flexible on dates and departing airport.
Take overnight buses between faraway cities to save on a night's accommodation. Cruz del Sur, Oltursa, and Ormeño are reputable companies.
Use the Perurail pass for cheap train travel through the Sacred Valley. The boleto turistico is another good option.
Ride local collectivos and combis for budget transportation within cities and to nearby towns.
Arrange affordable airport transfers through your hostel or using taxi apps like TaxiSat or EasyTaxi. Beware of taxi scams at the airport.

Choose Affordable Accommodation

Accommodation is a big expense, so choose budget-friendly options like:

Hostels: Private rooms $15-30, dorms $8-15. Book through Hostelworld or Booking.com. Top picks: Pariwana Hostel (Lima), Wild Rover (Cusco), Loki (Arequipa).
Budget hotels: Basic rooms $20-40 per night. Check iOverlander for deals.
Guesthouses and B&Bs: Often cheaper than hotels. Great for meeting locals.
Camping: In some areas like Huaraz and on the Inca Trail. Rent gear to save luggage space.
Couchsurfing: Stay free with locals. Great cultural exchange.
Workaway: Trade work for free accommodation and meals.

Eat and Drink on a Budget

Peruvian food is delicious and inexpensive. Use these tips to eat well without overspending:

Street food: Anticuchos, ceviche, tamales. Fill up for $2-3 per meal!
Menu of the day: Set lunches are $3-7 at local restaurants. Great value.
Grocery shop: Buy bread, fruit, snacks. Prepare simple meals in hostel kitchens.
Limit restaurant meals: Have just 1 per day or only splurge at nicer places.
Pre-game: Drink at hostels before hitting pricier bars and clubs.
Happy hour specials: Go early or late for deals on drinks and food.
All-you-can-eat buffets: Great value if hungry. Watch for hidden charges.

Enjoy Free and Low-Cost Activities

With some creativity, you can enjoy Peru's top sights on a budget:

Free walking tours: Tip-based tours in Lima, Cusco and Arequipa. Just pay what you want at the end.
Self-guided tours: DIY walking tours using free maps and audio guides from sites like GPSmyCity.
Visit churches and plazas: Cathedrals, churches and main squares are free to enter and explore.
Ruins with no entry fee: Pisac ruins, Huaca Pucllana, Cahuachi. Use just for photos instead of paying for Machu Picchu.
Museums: Many are free or discounted with a student ID card.
Surfing and hiking: Enjoy free activities like surfing, hiking Colca Canyon, and strolling Miraflores Malecon.
Festivals and events: Parades, festivals, and cultural events are often free.

Save Money Through Travel Hacks

Use these clever tips to cut costs in Peru:

Get student discounts: Invest in an ISIC card for reduced rates on transportation, tours, and more.
Negotiate prices: Haggle respectfully for souvenirs, taxi rides, and accommodation in low season.
Travel slowly: Spending longer in each place reduces transport costs and daily expenses.
Visit the market: Get fresh produce, snacks, and household items for cheap.
Buy a SIM card: Local SIMs with data are affordable. Useful for maps and logistics.
Cook: Prepare simple meals in hostel kitchens instead of eating out.
Use couchsurfing: Stay free with locals for an authentic cultural experience.
Learn Spanish: Knowing some Spanish makes Peru much easier and cheaper.
Travel off-season: Visiting Peru during shoulder season means fewer crowds and lower prices.

Create a Peru Travel Budget

With average Peru prices, you can create a realistic daily budget.

Accommodation: Hostel dorm bed - $10
Food: Street food and cheap set meals - $10
Transportation: Local buses and collectivos - $5
Activities: Free walking tours, self-guided visits - $5
Other: Incidentals, souvenirs - $5

Total Peru Daily Budget: $35

This allows you to travel Peru comfortably on a budget of $35 per day or $1,050 for a month. Adjust up for more private rooms and activities or down for hardcore shoestring backpacking.

With strategic planning, you can experience the magic of Peru on even the tightest budget!

Make the Most of Your Budget Peru Trip

Follow these final tips to ensure budget travel success:

Track spending to stay on target
Avoid overpriced tourist areas
Carry small bills to pay exact change
Use your haggling skills wisely
Take overnight buses and trains to save on accommodation
Eat street food from busy stalls and drink bottled water
Get cash from ATMs in busy areas to avoid scams
Learn basic Spanish phrases
Meet other travelers to split costs
Pack light to avoid luggage fees
Get travel insurance and vaccinations

With low costs, friendly locals and incredible sights, Peru is an amazing budget destination. Use these money-saving hacks to experience the beauty of Peru on the cheap!