Peru (PE)

Peru combines world-class food, ancient Inca heritage, Pacific coastline, Amazon rainforest, Andean cities and one of Latin America's lower cost-of-living profiles.

Capital: Lima

Region: Americas

Language: Spanish

Currency: PEN (S/)

Cost of living: Very affordable (index 30)

Emergency: 105

Education & Schools

Schools, universities, and language courses in Peru.

👶 Childcare & Kindergarten

Cuna / guarderia S/700-S/2,500+ in Lima private centres

Age: 3 months-3 years

Apply directly, provide vaccination record and ID documents.

⏱️ Good districts and bilingual centres fill early; visit in person and inspect safety/hygiene.

Inicial Public free; private S/800-S/3,500+ depending on school

Age: 3-5 years

Subsidy available

Public education is free, but expats often choose private/international options.

School application, birth certificate, vaccination record, previous reports and immigration ID.

🏫 Schools

Primary education Free

Educacion primaria

Ages: 6-11 years · Language: Spanish in public schools; bilingual/international schools vary.

Public enrolment through MINEDU/local school; private schools require applications, interviews, records and fees.

Public quality varies significantly by district. Many expat families use private bilingual schools in Lima, Arequipa or Cusco.

Secondary education Free

Educacion secundaria

Ages: 12-16/17 years · Language: Spanish in public schools; English/IB options at international schools.

Academic records, apostilled/translated certificates, passport/CE and school-specific assessments.

Validate grade placement early if arriving from a northern-hemisphere school calendar.

International Schools

Lima has the strongest international-school market: Colegio Franklin Delano Roosevelt, Markham College, Newton College, Hiram Bingham, Cambridge College and others. Annual fees can range roughly USD 8,000-25,000+ plus enrolment/building fees. Cusco and Arequipa have smaller bilingual options.

University

Tuition fee

Public universities are low-cost but competitive and Spanish-language. Private universities range widely from S/1,000-S/5,000+ per month depending on programme.

Semester fee

Varies by institution and credits; budget additional costs for legalised transcripts and translations.

Student visa

Formation/student migration status may be issued for 365 days for studies and is renewable depending on programme.

Health insurance

Universities may require private insurance; residents without other cover may seek SIS if eligible.

Application process

Apply directly to each university; foreign records often need apostille, translation and recognition/revalidation steps.

🗣️ Language Courses

Spanish for foreigners

Provider: Language schools in Lima, Cusco and Arequipa · Duration: Flexible · Levels: A1-C2

S/35-S/90 per group hour; private tutors S/50-S/120/hour

Prioritise bureaucratic Spanish and Peruvian accent/listening practice.

Quechua courses

Provider: Universities, cultural centres and Cusco schools · Duration: 4-12 weeks · Levels: Beginner-intermediate

S/300-S/1,200 per course

Useful in Cusco, Sacred Valley, Puno and rural Andean work.

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