Here’s a complete breakdown of costs per person for all the nine days of our trip to Peru.
Where: Lima, Paracas, Huacachina, Nazca lines, Cusco, Sacred Valley (Pisac, Urubamba, Ollantaytambo), Machu Picchu, Arequipa
Transport: Airlines, Car, Train, Bus
Who: Three backpackers
Currency: Peru Nuevo Sol (PEN)
Note: International flights in and out of Peru are NOT included in the costs.
All values in USD, unless otherwise mentioned, are approximate and based on the exchange rate at the time of publishing. Each cost is for one adult. The exchange rate at the time of visiting is assumed to be USD 1 = PEN 3.30.
Accommodation
| City | Accommodation | Cost/night | Notes |
| Lima | Hotel Miraflores Lodge | $158.40 | Two nights. Triple bed. Ensuite bathroom. |
| Huacachina | El Huacachinero | $90 | One night. Triple bed. Ensuite bathroom. |
| Cusco | El Huacachinero | $90 | One night. Two rooms, each double bed. Ensuite bathroom. |
| Aguas Calientes | Varayoc Bed & Breakfast | $106.20 | Two nights. Triple bed. Ensuite bathroom. |
| Arequipa | Casona Terrace Hotel | $140 | Two nights. Triple bed. Ensuite bathroom. |
| Lima | Hotel Continental Lima | $78.30 | One night. Triple bed. Ensuite bathroom. |
Flights
| From-to | Airline | Cost | Notes |
| CUZ-AQP | Lan Airlines | $154.15 | One-way flight. Economy. LA2091 (CUZ-AQP) |
| AQP-LIM | LC Peru | $75 | One-way flight. Economy. W42144 (AQP-LIM) |
Planning & Information
| What | Cost | Notes |
| Domestic Flights | $229.15 | See the list and costs here. |
| Accommodation for all days | $220.97 | See the list and costs here. |
| Tourist Visa | $30 | Multi-entry, one year tourist visa. |
| Total Costs | $480.12 | Per person |
| Overall Costs | $480.12 | Per person |
Day 1 – Lima
| What | Cost | Notes |
| Claro SIM card | $50 | Data only. For 10 days. |
| Taxi from Lima airport to hotel | $25 | Pre-paid taxi arranged by hotel. One way, one person. |
| Drinks at Tanta (Larcomar mall) | $6.06 | PEN 20. |
| Lunch at El Vegetariano Sayel | $7.57 | BRL 25. Including food and water. |
| Massage at Miraflores | $15.15 | PEN 50. |
| Dessert at Fresi Crema | $1.97 | BRL 6.50. |
| Snacks & water | $5.45 | PEN 18. |
| Total Costs | $111.20 | Per person |
| Overall Costs | $591.32 | Per person |
Day 2 – Paracas, Huacachina
| What | Cost | Notes |
| Peru Hop bus | $159 | “Get to Cusco Quick” for a 3-day trip from Lima to Cusco |
| Ballestas Island Tour | $15.15 | PEN 50. One person. |
| Coffee at Paracas | $3.03 | PEN 10. |
| Lunch at Desert Nights restaurant | $9.09 | PEN 30. Including food and water. |
| Desert ticket | $1.09 | PEN 3.60 per person. |
| Dune Buggy tour | $18 | Per person, payable in advance. |
| Snacks & water | $5.45 | PEN 18. |
| Dinner BBQ at Casa de Arena | $10.60 | PEN 35. One person, includes meal, unlimited drinks. |
| Total Costs | $221.41 | Per person |
| Overall Costs | $812.73 | Per person |
Day 3 – Huacachina to Arequipa, via Nazca Lines
| What | Cost | Notes |
| Lunch at Desert Nights restaurant, Huacachina | $9.09 | PEN 30. Including food and water. |
| Dinner | $9.09 | PEN 30 for dinner. |
| Snacks & water | $13.63 | PEN 45. |
| Toilets | $1.51 | PEN 5. Costs PEN 1 per use, per person. |
| Total Costs | $33.12 | Per person |
| Overall Costs | $845.85 | Per person |
Day 4 – Arequipa to Cusco
| What | Cost | Notes |
| Lunch at Pucara | $9.09 | PEN 30. Including food and water. |
| Dinner at Green Point (Cusco) | $14.24 | PEN 47 for dinner. |
| Snacks & water | $13.63 | PEN 45. |
| Total Costs | $36.96 | Per person |
| Overall Costs | $882.81 | Per person |
Day 5 – Sacred Valley, Aguas Calientes
| What | Cost | Notes |
| Sacred Valley tour | $24.24 | PEN 80. Including lunch, transportation. |
| Sacred Valley entrance fees | $21.21 | PEN 70 for Circuit 3 (see above). |
| Snacks & water | $13.63 | PEN 45. |
| Coffee at Ollantaytambo | $2.42 | PEN 8. |
| Drinks at Urubamba lunch | $3.03 | PEN 10. |
| Dinner at Aguas Calientes | $7.27 | PEN 24. |
| Total Costs | $71.80 | Per person |
| Overall Costs | $954.61 | Per person |
Day 6 – Machu Picchu, Aguas Calientes
| What | Cost | Notes |
| Machu Picchu Entrance | $40 | One-day entrance fees to Machu Picchu only. |
| Train tickets | $138 | Ollantaytambo-Aguas Calientes return, includes snacks at Belmond Sanctuary Lodge. |
| Bus tickets | $24 | Aguas Calientes to Machu Picchu return. |
| Snacks & water | $15.15 | PEN 50. |
| Coffee at Aguas Calientes | $2.42 | PEN 8. |
| Dinner at Quinua Restaurant | $21.21 | PEN 70. |
| Laundry at hotel | $4.85 | PEN 16. |
| Total Costs | $245.63 | Per person |
| Overall Costs | $1,200.24 | Per person |
Day 7 – Cusco, Arequipa
| What | Cost | Notes |
| Taxi from Ollantaytambo to Cusco | $5.05 | PEN 50. One-way for 3 persons. PEN 16.66 per person. |
| Snacks & water | $9.09 | PEN 30. |
| Lunch at Cusco Airport | $5.45 | PEN 18. |
| Dinner at Hatunpa Restaurant | $8.58 | PEN 28. |
| Total Costs | $28.17 | Per person |
| Overall Costs | $1,228.41 | Per person |
Day 8 – Arequipa
| What | Cost | Notes |
| Tip to FWT guide | $5.05 | PEN 50 for 3 persons. Price mentioned per person. |
| Snacks & water | $9.09 | PEN 30. |
| Lunch at Mercado San Camilo | $2.12 | PEN 7. |
| Fruits at Mercado San Camilo | $3.33 | PEN 11. |
| Street-side food | $1.51 | PEN 5. |
| Drinks before diner | $3.63 | PEN 12 for a bottle of beer. |
| Dinner at El Buda Profano Restaurant | $10 | PEN 33. |
| Total Costs | $25.64 | Per person |
| Overall Costs | $1,254.05 | Per person |
Day 9 – Arequipa to Lima
| What | Cost | Notes |
| Taxi from Arequipa hotel to airport | $9.09 | Flat rate of PEN 30. |
| Taxi from Lima airport to hotel | $20 | Flat rate of $20 by hotel. |
| Snacks & water | $6.06 | PEN 20. |
| Dinner in Lima | $5.45 | PEN 15. |
| Taxi from hotel to Lima airport | $20 | Flat rate of $20 by hotel. |
| Total Costs | $60.60 | Per person |
| Overall Costs | $1,314.65 | Per person |
Miscellaneous
| What | Cost | Notes |
| Souvenirs & things missed | $50 | Additional costs. |
| Overall Costs | $1,364.65 | Per person |