{"id":45206,"date":"2024-07-31T22:02:46","date_gmt":"2024-08-01T02:02:46","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/remote-expeditions.com\/?p=45206"},"modified":"2025-09-01T01:40:49","modified_gmt":"2025-09-01T06:40:49","slug":"currency-in-peru-paying-atm-exchanging-money-etc","status":"publish","type":"travel-guide","link":"https:\/\/remote-expeditions.com\/fr\/guide-de-voyage\/currency-in-peru-paying-atm-exchanging-money-etc\/","title":{"rendered":"Currency in Peru: Paying, ATM; Exchanging money, etc&#8230;"},"content":{"rendered":"<h2>Currency in Peru: Paying, ATM; Exchanging money, etc&#8230;<\/h2>\n<h3>La Monnaie Officielle : Sol p\u00e9ruvien (PEN)<\/h3>\n<h4>Comprendre le Sol (S\/)<\/h4>\n<ul>\n<li><strong>Official Name &amp; Code:<\/strong> The official currency is the Peruvian Sol (plural: Soles), with the international code <strong>PEN<\/strong>.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Symbol:<\/strong> You will see prices listed with the symbol <strong>S\/<\/strong>.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Denominations:<\/strong> Familiarizing yourself with the currency will make transactions smoother.\n<ul>\n<li>Bills (<em>Billetes<\/em>): S\/10, S\/20, S\/50, S\/100, S\/200.<\/li>\n<li>Coins (<em>Monedas<\/em>): 10, 20, 50 c\u00e9ntimos, and S\/1, S\/2, S\/5.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>For your reference, here are the current bills and coins in circulation:<\/p>\n<div class=\"currency-images\">\n            <img decoding=\"async\" src=\"\/images\/peru-currency\/pen-10-bill.jpg\" alt=\"Peruvian S\/10 bill\" style=\"width:150px;margin:5px\"><br \/>\n            <img decoding=\"async\" src=\"\/images\/peru-currency\/pen-20-bill.jpg\" alt=\"Peruvian S\/20 bill\" style=\"width:150px;margin:5px\"><br \/>\n            <img decoding=\"async\" src=\"\/images\/peru-currency\/pen-50-bill.jpg\" alt=\"Peruvian S\/50 bill\" style=\"width:150px;margin:5px\"><br \/>\n            <img decoding=\"async\" src=\"\/images\/peru-currency\/pen-100-bill.jpg\" alt=\"Peruvian S\/100 bill\" style=\"width:150px;margin:5px\"><br \/>\n            <img decoding=\"async\" src=\"\/images\/peru-currency\/pen-200-bill.jpg\" alt=\"Peruvian S\/200 bill\" style=\"width:150px;margin:5px\"><br \/>\n            <br \/>\n            <img decoding=\"async\" src=\"\/images\/peru-currency\/pen-10-centimo.jpg\" alt=\"Peruvian 10 c\u00e9ntimo coin\" style=\"width:75px;margin:5px\"><br \/>\n            <img decoding=\"async\" src=\"\/images\/peru-currency\/pen-20-centimo.jpg\" alt=\"Peruvian 20 c\u00e9ntimo coin\" style=\"width:75px;margin:5px\"><br \/>\n            <img decoding=\"async\" src=\"\/images\/peru-currency\/pen-50-centimo.jpg\" alt=\"Peruvian 50 c\u00e9ntimo coin\" style=\"width:75px;margin:5px\"><br \/>\n            <img decoding=\"async\" src=\"\/images\/peru-currency\/pen-1-sol.jpg\" alt=\"Peruvian S\/1 coin\" style=\"width:75px;margin:5px\"><br \/>\n            <img decoding=\"async\" src=\"\/images\/peru-currency\/pen-2-soles.jpg\" alt=\"Peruvian S\/2 coin\" style=\"width:75px;margin:5px\"><br \/>\n            <img decoding=\"async\" src=\"\/images\/peru-currency\/pen-5-soles.jpg\" alt=\"Peruvian S\/5 coin\" style=\"width:75px;margin:5px\">\n        <\/div>\n<\/li>\n<li><strong>A Note on &#8220;Nuevo Sol&#8221;:<\/strong> The currency was formerly named the &#8220;Nuevo Sol&#8221;. You may still encounter older bills with this name. They remain legal tender and have the exact same value as the current &#8220;Sol&#8221; bills, so they can be used without any issue.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2>Obtenir de l'argent : distributeurs automatiques et \u00e9change de devises<\/h2>\n<h3>Using ATMs (Cajeros Autom\u00e1ticos)<\/h3>\n<ul>\n<li><strong>Availability:<\/strong> ATMs are widespread in cities and larger towns. However, they become scarce in remote villages and rural areas, so plan to carry sufficient cash when venturing off the beaten path.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Recommended Banks:<\/strong> For reliability and security, we recommend using ATMs affiliated with major banks such as <strong>BCP, Scotiabank, BBVA, or Interbank<\/strong>.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Withdrawal Limits:<\/strong> Be aware that most ATMs impose a limit per transaction, often around S\/700 (approximately $200 USD). Your home bank will also have its own daily withdrawal limit.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Fees:<\/strong> You will likely encounter two types of fees. The local Peruvian bank will charge a fee for the withdrawal itself (typically S\/15-S\/25). In addition, your own bank will probably charge its own foreign transaction and\/or international ATM withdrawal fees. We strongly advise you to contact your bank before your trip to understand their international fee structure. To minimize the impact of fixed fees, it is more economical to withdraw larger amounts less frequently.<\/li>\n<li><strong>S\u00e9curit\u00e9 :<\/strong>\n<ul>\n<li>Privil\u00e9giez les distributeurs automatiques de billets situ\u00e9s \u00e0 l'int\u00e9rieur d'une succursale bancaire ou dans des zones bien \u00e9clair\u00e9es et \u00e0 forte affluence comme les supermarch\u00e9s.<\/li>\n<li>Toujours masquer le clavier avec votre main lors de la saisie de votre code PIN.<\/li>\n<li>Restez conscient de votre environnement et rangez votre argent et votre carte en toute s\u00e9curit\u00e9 avant de quitter la machine.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h3>\u00c9changer de l'argent<\/h3>\n<ul>\n<li><strong>Best Places to Exchange:<\/strong>\n<ul>\n<li><strong>Casas de Cambio (Exchange Houses):<\/strong> This is our top recommendation. These official exchange offices are secure, offer competitive rates, and provide proper receipts. They are easily found in the central districts of cities and major tourist hubs.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Banques :<\/strong> While perfectly safe, banks often have long queues and their exchange rates can be slightly less favorable than those at a casa de cambio.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Airport:<\/strong> Exchanging money at the airport is convenient upon arrival, but the rates are not competitive. We suggest exchanging only a small amount to cover initial expenses like a taxi.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Street Changers (Cambistas):<\/strong> <strong>AVOID.<\/strong> You will see individuals in cities, sometimes wearing official-looking vests, offering to exchange money on the street. The risk of receiving counterfeit bills, being short-changed, or becoming a target for theft is extremely high.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<li><strong>Currency to Bring:<\/strong>\n<ul>\n<li>Devises \u00e9trang\u00e8res (USD) sont de loin la devise \u00e9trang\u00e8re la plus facile \u00e0 \u00e9changer dans tout le P\u00e9rou.<\/li>\n<li>Les euros sont \u00e9galement accept\u00e9s pour l'\u00e9change dans la plupart des villes.<\/li>\n<li>Autres devises majeures, telles que les dollars canadiens (CAD), les dollars australiens (AUD) ou les livres sterling (GBP), sont tr\u00e8s difficiles \u00e0 \u00e9changer en dehors de quelques endroits s\u00e9lectionn\u00e9s \u00e0 Lima.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<li><strong>CRITICAL: Bill Condition:<\/strong>\n<p>This is a point of utmost importance. Exchange houses and banks in Peru are extremely strict about the condition of foreign currency. <strong>Your U.S. dollar bills must be in near-perfect, crisp condition.<\/strong> Any bill with a small tear, tape, heavy creases, stains, or any form of writing on it will almost certainly be rejected. We urge you to inspect every bill you plan to bring before you leave home to avoid any issues.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2>M\u00e9thodes de paiement : esp\u00e8ces ou carte<\/h2>\n<h3>L'argent liquide est roi<\/h3>\n<p>Tandis que l'utilisation des cartes augmente, l'argent liquide reste le principal moyen de paiement pour la plupart des transactions quotidiennes au P\u00e9rou.<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><strong>When to Use Cash:<\/strong>\n<ul>\n<li>Achats dans les march\u00e9s locaux, les vendeurs de cuisine de rue et les petits restaurants familiaux.<\/li>\n<li>Payments for taxis, mototaxis, and public transport like <em>collectifs<\/em>.<\/li>\n<li>Small purchases in corner stores, known as <em>bodegas<\/em>.<\/li>\n<li>Pourboires pour les services.<\/li>\n<li>Essentiellement toutes les transactions dans les zones rurales et les petites villes.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<li><strong>Importance of Small Change:<\/strong>\n<p>Always make an effort to carry a good mix of small bills (S\/10, S\/20) and coins. Many small businesses, market vendors, and taxi drivers will not have enough change for a large S\/100 bill, and you may be unable to complete your purchase. A useful habit is to break larger bills at supermarkets, pharmacies, or established restaurants whenever you have the opportunity.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h3>Utilisation des cartes de cr\u00e9dit et de d\u00e9bit<\/h3>\n<ul>\n<li><strong>Where Cards are Accepted:<\/strong>\n<ul>\n<li>H\u00f4tels de milieu et haut de gamme, restaurants et agences de voyages, en particulier dans les grandes villes comme Lima, Cusco et Arequipa.<\/li>\n<li>Grandes cha\u00eenes de supermarch\u00e9s telles que Wong, Vivanda et Plaza Vea.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<li><strong>Cards to Use:<\/strong> Visa and MasterCard are widely accepted. American Express is accepted far less frequently.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Pre-Travel Checklist:<\/strong> It is essential to notify your bank and credit card companies of your travel dates and destinations. This will prevent their fraud-detection systems from flagging your legitimate purchases in Peru as suspicious activity and blocking your card.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Paying in the Local Currency:<\/strong>\n<p>When paying by card, the terminal may present you with a choice to pay in your home currency or in Peruvian Soles (PEN). <strong>ALWAYS choose to pay in Peruvian Soles (PEN).<\/strong> Selecting your home currency activates a service called Dynamic Currency Conversion (DCC), which may seem convenient but comes with a very unfavorable exchange rate set by the payment processor, not your bank. Paying in the local currency ensures you get a much better rate from your own banking network.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2>Le r\u00f4le du dollar am\u00e9ricain (USD)<\/h2>\n<h3>Quand vous pouvez payer directement en USD<\/h3>\n<p>Dans certaines situations sp\u00e9cifiques ax\u00e9es sur le tourisme, les dollars am\u00e9ricains sont accept\u00e9s pour le paiement direct. Ceci est g\u00e9n\u00e9ralement pour les d\u00e9penses importantes o\u00f9 les prix sont souvent indiqu\u00e9s en USD, tels que les paiements pour des forfaits touristiques, certaines factures d'h\u00f4tel, ou les additions dans des restaurants tr\u00e8s haut de gamme.<\/p>\n<h3>Pourquoi payer en soles est g\u00e9n\u00e9ralement mieux<\/h3>\n<p>M\u00eame lorsque le dollar am\u00e9ricain est accept\u00e9, il est presque toujours pr\u00e9f\u00e9rable de payer dans la devise locale.<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><strong>Unfavorable Exchange Rate:<\/strong> A vendor accepting your dollars will give you an exchange rate of their own choosing, which will invariably be less favorable than the rate you would receive at a bank or casa de cambio.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Change is Given in Soles:<\/strong> If you pay for an item with a U.S. dollar bill, your change will be given back to you in Peruvian Soles, often calculated at that same poor exchange rate.<\/li>\n<li><strong>General Rule:<\/strong> For simplicity and value, the best practice is to exchange your dollars for Soles at a reputable place and use the local currency for the vast majority of your transactions.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2>Conseils de s\u00e9curit\u00e9 et pratiques<\/h2>\n<h3>Faux billets (Billetes Falsos)<\/h3>\n<ul>\n<li><strong>Prevalence:<\/strong> Counterfeit bills, both Soles and U.S. dollars, can be a problem. It is wise to be cautious and check your money, especially larger denomination bills received as change.<\/li>\n<li><strong>How to Check Soles:<\/strong> Genuine Peruvian bills have several security features.\n<ul>\n<li><strong>Feel the Texture:<\/strong> Real bills are made of a cotton-paper blend that feels distinct and slightly rough to the touch, unlike the smoother feel of regular paper.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Check the Watermark:<\/strong> Hold the bill up to a light source. A clear watermark image of the person featured on the bill should be visible.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Look at the Security Thread:<\/strong> A shimmering, color-changing security thread is woven into the paper. On newer bills, it appears to &#8220;move&#8221; as you tilt the note.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>We suggest you take a moment to carefully examine the bills you receive from a reputable ATM or bank. This will help you quickly recognize the look and feel of authentic currency.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h3>Tipping (La Propina)<\/h3>\n<ul>\n<li><strong>Restaurants :<\/strong> Tipping is not obligatory as it is in some countries, but for good service in mid-range and upscale restaurants, a tip of 10% is customary and greatly appreciated. It is best to leave the tip in cash directly for your server.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Tour Guides &amp; Drivers:<\/strong> Tipping for guides and drivers who have provided excellent service is a standard practice. A good guideline is S\/20-S\/40 per person for a full-day tour, adjusted based on your satisfaction and the size of your group.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Personnel de l'h\u00f4tel :<\/strong> A small tip of a few Soles for porters who assist with your luggage or for housekeeping staff is a thoughtful gesture.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h3>Portez Votre Argent<\/h3>\n<ul>\n<li><strong>Divide Your Funds:<\/strong> Never keep all of your cash and cards in one place. Consider using a money belt for the bulk of your cash and a backup card, and store other valuables in your hotel safe.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Daily Cash:<\/strong> Sur<br \/>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Navigate Peru&#8217;s sol: ATMs, card use, and money exchange made simple.<\/p>","protected":false},"featured_media":46762,"template":"","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"_seopress_robots_primary_cat":"","_seopress_titles_title":"Currency in Peru: Paying, ATM; Exchanging money, etc&#8230;","_seopress_titles_desc":"Navigate Peru's sol: ATMs, card use, and money exchange made simple.","_seopress_robots_index":""},"tags":[562,12],"article-type":[24795],"collection":[27040],"continent":[24758],"country":[46],"class_list":["post-45206","travel-guide","type-travel-guide","status-publish","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","tag-peru","tag-trip-planning","article-type-trip-planning","collection-repull","continent-south-america","country-peru"],"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/remote-expeditions.com\/fr\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/travel-guide\/45206","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/remote-expeditions.com\/fr\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/travel-guide"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/remote-expeditions.com\/fr\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/travel-guide"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/remote-expeditions.com\/fr\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/46762"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/remote-expeditions.com\/fr\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=45206"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/remote-expeditions.com\/fr\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=45206"},{"taxonomy":"article-type","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/remote-expeditions.com\/fr\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/article-type?post=45206"},{"taxonomy":"collection","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/remote-expeditions.com\/fr\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/collection?post=45206"},{"taxonomy":"continent","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/remote-expeditions.com\/fr\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/continent?post=45206"},{"taxonomy":"country","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/remote-expeditions.com\/fr\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/country?post=45206"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}