Expat Community > Peru

Elexpatriado
Joined 2017
Posts: 7238

Changing Money in Peru

5 months ago

I will be travelling to Peru, Huaraz, for 17 days in June.

I have been to Peru several times in the past years, but not recently.

In Colombia (where I live) , Ecuador, Argentina, I usually bring zero or limited $USD cash (never use $USD in Colombia) , and rely on my Canadian Fintec card (which has zero mark up from their side on foreign purchases) to pull cash out of the ATM, and where possible, for merchant purchases.

To make a long question short(er)-

1.What is te most economic way of changing money in Peru?

2. What do the change houses at the airport in Lima and in Huaraz charge above the XE. com midrate or Visa/Mastrcard published rates % wise to change USD?

3. Do the ATMs accept all types of debit cards, including pre loaded Fintec cards? What do they charge for the conversion on the Peruvian ATM side , generally? Which bank ATMs are best for exchange rate? By charge I mean total charge, on screen charge plus exchange rate mark up from XE.com midpoint or Visa /MC published conversion rate.

4. What ar you charged on the Peruvian side for Purchases with Debit/credit/ Pre loaded Fintec cards by merchants (hotels, hostels, bus lines, restaurantes, groery stores) etc.) in Peru? (% above Vias/MC rates)

5. How much cash would you bring? $1000 okay. This heavily depends on the exchange rate at the casas de cambio,

Any experience/ responses would be appreciated.

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