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What currency does Peru use?
Peru uses the sol, abbreviated S/. Peru Travel, the country’s official tourism site operated by PROMPERÚ, states: “The sol (S/) is the official currency of Peru.”
Banknotes are issued in denominations of 10, 20, 50, 100, and 200 soles. Coins are 10, 20, and 50 céntimos, plus 1, 2, and 5 soles. Some older travel information calls the currency the “Nuevo Sol”; the current name is sol. The Central Reserve Bank of Peru (BCRP) lists the law that changed the unit’s name.
Should you bring dollars or soles to Peru?
Have soles available for ordinary purchases, particularly outside larger commercial businesses. Peru Travel advises carrying local cash for markets, taxis, and smaller businesses, and says cash is useful in rural areas where card payments may not be available. Small notes are practical: a seller may not have change for a large bill.
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Many businesses, including hotels, restaurants, and service stations, accept U.S. dollars, but dollar acceptance is not universal. Treat dollars as a possible payment option, not a replacement for soles. For current practical guidance, see Peru Travel’s currency information.
Can you use cards or withdraw cash in Peru?
ATMs
Peru Travel reports ATMs in almost all cities, with many connected to major international networks such as Plus (Visa), Cirrus (Mastercard), and American Express. ATMs may dispense soles or U.S. dollars. The U.S. State Department also says ATMs accept U.S.-issued bank cards.
Neither source establishes a universal withdrawal fee, limit, or foreign-transaction charge. Check your card issuer’s terms and the ATM’s on-screen terms before confirming a withdrawal; the total cost may include charges from more than one provider.
Card payments
Card availability varies by business and location, and the sources do not establish universal card acceptance. Keep cash available for purchases where cards are not taken. The U.S. State Department advises travelers to keep a credit card in sight during transactions to reduce the risk of skimming.
Where can you exchange money in Peru?
Banks and exchange houses exchange foreign currency. Peru Travel gives usual exchange-house hours as Monday through Friday, 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m., and Saturday until noon; individual businesses may differ. Check local hours before relying on an exchange counter, especially outside those times.
Compare the rate offered and any fees before exchanging. The BCRP publishes multiple rate categories, including interbank and banking-system buy and sell rates, as well as monthly statistics that include informal-market series. A central-bank reference is useful context, not a guaranteed rate for a traveler at a bank, exchange house, card issuer, or ATM.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.How to compare the cost of getting soles
- Identify the rate type and date. The BCRP’s monthly exchange-rate statistics and daily exchange-rate series list different categories. Make sure a comparison uses the same date and buy-or-sell basis.
- Ask what you will receive after fees. Compare the provider’s offered rate and any explicit charge with the amount of local currency you will actually get. Do not assume a published market rate is the rate available to you.
- Check access where you are going. Consider whether an exchange counter or ATM will be convenient at your destination and whether you need cash outside business hours.
- Keep payments secure. When paying by card, keep it in sight, as the U.S. State Department advises.
The BCRP’s monthly statistics include data through August 2026, with September update dates listed; its daily series includes data through September 24, 2026, with an update listed for September 25. These are dated references, not live offers. Check the BCRP pages and provider terms near the date you exchange or withdraw.
Quick Recap
What to do before and during your trip
- Bring or obtain a modest amount of soles in small denominations for local purchases.
- Check with your card issuer about international use, fees, and any withdrawal limits that apply to your account.
- At an ATM or exchange counter, review the displayed rate and fees before proceeding.
- Use dollars only where the business accepts them, and keep soles for places that do not.
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