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

Getting Around

Transport options for living in Peru.

Public Transport Overview

Lima has the Metropolitano BRT, Linea 1 metro, corridor buses and a large informal minibus/combi system. Outside Lima, intercity buses dominate. Public transport is cheap but crowded, fragmented and unevenly safe at night.

Main operators:

MetropolitanoLinea 1 Metro de LimaATU corredoresCruz del SurOltursaMovil BusPeruRailInca RailLATAM PeruSky Airline PeruJetSMART Peru

🎫 Transit Passes

Lima Metropolitano card Card usually S/5 plus fare top-ups

Metropolitano BRT and feeder routes

💡 Buy and recharge at stations. Keep cash as machines can fail.

Linea 1 card Card plus per-trip fare

Lima metro Linea 1 from Villa El Salvador to San Juan de Lurigancho

💡 Useful if you live near the line; not citywide.

Cusco tourist rail tickets Variable, often USD-priced for tourist services

Cusco/Ollantaytambo to Machu Picchu area

💡 Book early in high season and check baggage rules.

Taxi & Rideshare

Street taxis usually do not use meters; negotiate before entering. App taxis (Uber, Cabify, Didi, Beat-style local options where available) are safer in Lima. Airport taxis should be official desk taxis.

Rideshare (Long-distance)

Uber, Cabify and Didi operate in Lima and some larger cities. Save driver details and avoid cancelling into cash-only street arrangements late at night.

Cycling

Lima has growing bike lanes in Miraflores, San Isidro, Barranco and parts of central districts, but traffic culture is aggressive. Use lights, helmet and defensive riding.

Intercity Trains

Peru has limited passenger rail. The main expat/tourist routes are Cusco-Ollantaytambo-Machu Picchu and luxury/tourist services toward Puno/Arequipa. Most domestic travel is by bus or air.

Driving

Peru drives on the right. Speed limits: 60 km/h in urban areas (30 km/h near schools and hospitals), 90–100 km/h on national roads. Lima traffic is intense, informal and stressful. Mountain driving involves altitude, fog, hairpins, landslides and buses overtaking on narrow roads. Night intercity driving is not recommended.

Airports

Jorge Chavez International Airport in Lima is the main international gateway. Domestic flights connect Lima with Cusco, Arequipa, Trujillo, Piura, Iquitos, Tarapoto and other regional hubs. Build buffers during coastal fog and rainy-season disruptions.