For many, budgeting is a way to get pumped about a trip. They use it as the initial step to get themselves excited about a destination. Some people, of course, can take it to extremes in some occasions.
For many of us, though, budgeting for a trip is not all that interesting. budgeting is a great way to make sure you don’t run out of money though. Just imagine doing the entire trip: arrival in Lima, flight to Cusco, overnight stay in Calientes to simply forget you’ll need a train back to Cusco! Its happened, we’ve seen it and it’s not fun. Here we answer some of the more common questions about how to successfully save money and budget for your Peru trip.
How much will I need for my Peru trip?
Start by putting together the biggest expenses first – These will most likely be your international flights. Accommodations will begin to add up as well though so It is a good idea to narrow down the hotel or hostel style you’d be more comfortable with.
Start by putting together what would be your daily costs, you can work out a daily cost based on meal costs, room rates. After that, we can begin to add costs for activities, museum fees, and transportation like cabs.
Remember to always have a little bit of extra money left over per day. You never know when you might want to have a nice Pisco sour somewhere or just one more Peruvian ceviche. The worst type of budgets are always the super restrictive ones. Imagine having to weigh the pros and cons of tasting something so ethnic to Peru like a “suspiro a la limena” or a delicious “aji de gallina” in its’ country of origin?
What should I buy before I leave for my Peru trip?
Now let’s take a look at the costs you might have before you even start your trip. Depending on where you are coming from, there might be some visa costs, good travel insurance and maybe immunizations. Some travelers decide to leave out travel insurance, this tends to be a massive error. You never know what can happen with your luggage or if a flight gets canceled. Look at it this way, if you can’t really afford travel insurance can you really afford to travel? Some people like to take a backpacker route across Peru but even in these cases, there is no way to backpack an international flight.
Now let’s get into your travel gear. Travelers, especially first-timers, often overinvest in specialized travel gear. Many travelers coming to Peru will commonly invest into taking a hike to Machu Picchu. There are the few that think they’ll need as much gear to take the Inca trail as someone climbing Everest. A strong, comfortable backpack is key and well worth their price for a good quality model. An equally important investment is a pair of comfortable hiking shoes for something like the Salkantay trek. Hiking boots would probably be a little too much and can even hurt your feet.
How do I save money for my Peru Trip?
At this point, you probably figured out how much you will need more or less. Now it’s time to streamline how you will reach your goal. A popular method to constantly remind you of how you really need to save is either setting the number on your fridge, computer screen (screensaver) or as a wallpaper in your smartphone.
Sometimes (most times for many) it can be rather difficult to save money. A good budgeting app can be very helpful in these circumstances. If you by any chance don’t hit your money goal then it’s time to go back to the drawing board and re-check the budget. Going over your original cost sheet for your Peru trip can bring up new ideas and ways to save a little bit of extra cash. Instead of visiting an a la carte restaurant for a good Peruvian dish you can go to a “Menu” restaurant. This basically means a lunch special of Peruvian food. A fraction of the price and in many cases just as delicious.
Being flexible can be a lifesaver in these situations. Maybe you don’t stay at the Libertador hotel in Cusco and go with a more affordable 3 or 4-star hotel. Heck, even the hostels in Cusco are good and no better place to meet travelers from around the world.
How can I keep cash safe when I’m traveling to Peru?
Peru is a very safe country by any standards and this is especially true for visitors. Just like any other country in the world, it has it’s not so savory areas and there are always a few bad eggs no matter the circumstance. That being said, here are a few suggestions that would help no matter where you are. Remember to keep your valuables safe in your pockets or zipped up in your jacket or coat.
Diversifying your money is a great way to ensure you aren’t left wondering what to do in case you lose some cash while touring. Remember to carry some cash, a credit card, and an ATM card. Maybe leave your ATM card in your hotel and only use it for emergencies. A good suggestion is to take out money in the airport and also exchange currency while there. Use that cash up until you need to take out anymore, you always have your credit card for restaurants or shops.
As stated, these are only suggestions but please remember to stay away from dodgy places and bars.
More info: journeymachupicchu.com
Machu Picchu Peru
