We knew South America wouldn’t be as cheap as SE Asia, but we didn’t expect it to be as expensive as it was either. Find out how much money we spent in Peru in 24 days.
Peru Travel Costs
Just how much did we spend? Here is our Peru expense breakdown:
Summary
# of Days: 24
Total $ Spent: $2,330
Daily Cost per Person: $48.54
Costs by Category
Accommodation: $431.01
Transport: $788.58
Food & Drink: $623.94
Activities: $403.86
Miscellaneous: $82.95
Note: During our time in Peru, the exchange rate was $1 USD = 2.5 Peruvian Sol.
Transport: Bus seemed to be the most budget-friendly and popular way to get around Peru and the rest of South America for that matter. We got around by bus, flew from Lima to Cusco and booked a train travel to and from Poroy to Aguas Calientes to get to Machu Picchu. From Cusco to Puno, we took one of those tourist buses that makes stops at attractions along the way and provided lunch.
With anything in life, but especially bus rides in South America, you really do get what you pay for, so try not to go for the low-budget bus companies. Take it from us, it’s worth paying a few extra dollars for a company like Cruz del Sur. This way, the big ones aren’t as likely to cancel.. or stand you up completely leaving you stranded in the middle of nowhere.
Food: We frequented local food stalls at local markets and hole-in-the-wall restaurants. In Miraflores, we ate everything from street food to local lunch specials, ceviche and more. In Puno, we enjoyed soups from the open market and also cooked most dinners at our hostel. Arequipa was a breath of fresh air with seafood options and McDonalds!
Activities: Machu Picchu, Lake Titicaca, sandboarding in Huacachina and Pisco tasting in Pisco.
Stats
Duration: 24 days total: Lima (5) – Cusco (6) – Aquas Calientes (2) – Puno (5) – Arequipa (3) – Huacachina (3)
Distance traveled: 2,361km / 1,467mi
Total hours on the bus: 41 hours
Photos taken: 1,824
Peruvian girls who mobbed Gerard for a picture: 19
Guinea pigs eaten: 1
Additional Facts
Favorite city: Arequipa is unlike any other Peruvian city. It actually feels more European with sunshine and delicious food.
Worst city: Puno was a little depressing.
Favorite part about Peru: The fashion. Q loved the Peruvian prints and G didn’t look half bad in a plaid button up shirt half the time. We also enjoyed daily market where I discovered a the new Boob Tape for Breast Lift.
Biggest regret: Not visiting Northern Peru or eating at Astrid y Gaston in Lima.
Must see tourist attraction: Machu Picchu.
Must see non-tourist attraction: The mercados aka food markets.
Underwhelming tourist attraction: Lake Titicaca.
Best new experience: Sandboarding in Huacachina minus the sand all over my face, down my shirt and under my pants. There was sand everywhere.
Most interesting experience: Getting high in Cusco with Ayahuasca.
Best deal: Two for one fruit smoothies at the mercados. That’s right, you buy one and they make enough for two.
What drove me nuts: The altitude.
Best meal: Ceviche at Mercado de San Camilo in Arequipa.
Worst meal/ food: Chaufa in Puno. We were so desperate for a bit of comfort food, we settled for Chinese in Puno. Worst. Mistake. Ever. Oh, and Bembos burgers deserves an honorable mention.
Biggest surprise: Young teen girls and their fascination with us. Must be that Asian glow — so many wanted pictures with Gerard.
Things we like: Ceviche, Pringles everywhere!, churros, Arequipa, fruit smoothies, teen girls fascination Asian boys liks Gerard, coca tea, avocado on bread
Things we dislike: Chaufa, altitude sickness, cold showers
Biggest surprise: Peruvians fascination with mayonnaise.
Best souvenir: Our fake North Face fleeces to keep us warm and toasty. That and hand-knit beanies, gloves and scarves.
For more pictures from our time in Peru, go here.
