Planning a trip to Peru - Visas and Money Matters

Visa, Passport and Money Matters

Whether you build your own Peru holiday using a selection of our bite-sized Peru tours, or choose from one of our ready-made suggested Peru holidays, it's really important to get up-to-date with all the essential Peru travel information (such as visa requirements) before you begin your trip.

Below, we've put together some top Peru travel tips, advice and information regarding passports, visa applications and currency to help you get prepared for your exciting Peru adventure.

Planning a trip to Peru: Passports and Visas

There is no visa required for Peru or Bolivia for British passport holders (and most other countries), providing you hold a valid UK passport and are staying in Peru/ Bolivia for no longer than three months. All travellers (including children and infants) must have an individual machine-readable passport and it must be valid for 6 months beyond their intended return date. For more information, check out the UK Passport Information site: http://www.ukpa.gov.uk

Upon entry in Peru at the start of your Peru travels, you’ll receive a tourist stamp valid for 30 days, or a 90-day stamp if you say you’re planning on staying longer than a month. For other nationalities, please check with your embassy or consulate of the country where your passport was issued.

Planning a trip to Peru - Prepare for your trip

Planning a trip to Peru: Passports and Visas

Flying via or to the USA - ESTA (Electronic System Travel Authorization)
If you're flying to Peru via the USA and want to use the Visa Waiver Programme (VWP), you will need to apply for an ESTA (Electronic System Travel Authorization) in advance of your departure date.

All travellers on UK passports (including children and infants) must have an individual machine-readable passport and must complete an ESTA (Electronic System for Travel Authorization) prior to your departure. As of 9th September 2010 there is a $14 charge for an ETSA.

It takes about 15 minutes to fill out the form and we recommend you do this at least two weeks before departure. Without an approved ESTA you could be denied entry into the US and therefore denied boarding your flight(s). Also check with the US embassy website for current customs regulations, as they change frequently.

Planning a trip to Peru: Currency

The Peruvian currency is the Peruvian Nueva Sol (PEN. The exchange rate 1 PEN is roughly £0.20 (November 2009). The currency in Bolivia is the Boliviano (BOB), roughly £0.08.
US dollars are widely accepted in Peru, so it’s a good idea to carry some change and small denomination notes ($10, $20) with you. Take note; the bills need to be undamaged, clean and unwritten. They’re very strict about this.

Credit cards are also widely accepted, mostly Visa but increasingly MasterCard, Amex and Diners Club. Expect to pay 8-10% commission on credit card transactions. It’s usually better to withdraw some cash and use that for payments. You can use your credit card to withdraw cash, but Banco Latino, Banco de Credito and Banco Wiese machines also accept debit cards with Cirrus logo). ATMs have both US$ and local currency.

Peru visa and currency - ATMS accept most cards

Planning a trip to Peru: Money and tipping

Travellers cheques can be cashed at most banks but it’s slow, a waste of the commission and you won’t get a very good rate. You can also exchange money with the money exchangers on the street or at the Casas de Cambio. Make sure you double check the rates on a calculator. Cash euros are accepted in the larger towns and cities but you won’t get a very good rate. Use your larger bank notes whenever you can and make sure you carry enough small change and notes in case they don’t have enough change.

Tipping: You'll find that during your Peru travels, service is included in the more expensive restaurants. In the cheaper restaurants service isn’t included but tipping isn’t customary. Rounding off the bill is enough. It’s not customary to tip taxi drivers but make sure you agree on a reasonable price beforehand. If you're taking part in a trek during one of our tours to Peru, please be aware that you’re expected to tip the guide/porter/cook etc.