Accommodation
- Dorms: Beds in 4-6-bed dorms cost 35-65 PEN per night. In larger dorms with 10 or more beds, prices range from 32-38 PEN.
- Private Rooms: Typically range from 115-170 PEN per night.
- Amenities: Most hostels offer free Wi-Fi, and many include a kitchen or free breakfast.
Budget Hotels: Rooms with basic amenities like Wi-Fi, TV, and sometimes free breakfast cost around 85-105 PEN per night.
Airbnb: Private rooms average about 100 PEN per night, while entire homes start at 200 PEN per night. Booking in advance is recommended to avoid higher prices.
Camping: Wild camping is allowed as long as you’re not on private property.
Food
Peruvian cuisine varies by region but commonly features potatoes (native to Peru), quinoa, seafood, and traditional meats like guinea pig and alpaca. Don’t miss ceviche, the national dish made with fresh raw fish. Other popular dishes include stir-fried beef, roasted cuy (guinea pig), arroz con pato (rice with duck), and roasted chicken.
- Street Food: Incredibly affordable, with meals costing 5-7 PEN from roadside grills.
- Casual Takeaway: Expect to pay around 10 PEN for a plate of food.
- Casual Restaurant: Traditional dishes cost about 15-25 PEN.
- Mid-Range Restaurant: A three-course meal typically costs 45 PEN.
Fast Food: Combo meals at places like McDonald’s cost around 20 PEN. Large pizzas are approximately 28-30 PEN.
Beverages: Beer is about 8 PEN, a glass of wine or a latte is around 9 PEN, bottled water costs 2 PEN, and cocktails range from 15-20 PEN. Many restaurants offer extended happy hour specials.
Groceries: For those cooking, expect to spend 60-80 PEN per week on staples like pasta, rice, seasonal produce, and some meat. Local markets are the best place for shopping, though Plaza Vea is a major grocery chain with reasonable prices. Given the low cost of dining out, consider eating out for most meals and buying only snacks and fruit from the markets.
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