Travel Cheap: Saving Money While in Peru & Bolivia
We’re compiling some of our favorite money tips for new travelers and veterans who could use a reminder, based on more than a decade providing budget lodging for travelers throughout Peru & Bolivia- and of course, on our own travels!
Stay Longer
Our first tip is not so much about saving money as it is about getting the best value for your hard-earned travel dollars. If you’re a budget-minded traveler or backpacker, the largest portion of your travel budget is probably allotted to international fares. Despite the falling dollar and local inflation, the exchange rate still goes in your favor, making daily expenses in Peru and Bolivia pretty cheap. If you’re splashing out on a trip, try and stretch it out a little- the most frequent regret by travelers is not having scheduled enough time, and changing airline tickets or buying more for subsequent visits can get pricey!
Enjoy Cheap Eats
Left to Right: Eating Picana at Pirwa La Paz, Sampling birthday cake at Pirwa Inclan B&B, Eating together at Pirwa Inclan in Lima, which boasts a well-stocked kitchen.
Avoid tourist-oriented restaurants and choose a moderately-priced menú. 5 to 10 soles, or 10 to 20 bolivianos, is enough for a quality lunch (you can find even cheaper options, but cleanliness is often sacrificed at the cheapest locales). Staying at hostels with guest kitchens is smart. Consider budgeting for one great meal in each city (ceviche in Lima, alpaca in Arequipa, etc) and eating on the cheap otherwise. 9 times out of ten, you can get away with eating street food…the tenth time can be a real downer however, as you have to forgo planned excursions and endure bus trips. If you’re going for it, try anticuchos (shish kabobs) but avoid fried food like papas rellenas, which become bacterial magnets when left to sit after frying.
Demonstrate Money Smarts
Traveling internationally without informing 
your bank beforehand is just begging for them to freeze your account at the most inconvenient moment- don’t risk it. Avoid getting scammed by getting average prices before arriving in the airport, learning to spot counterfeit bills, and studying your money before handing it over (so that an unscrupulous vendor or taxi driver can’t switch it and then return it saying its false). Never accept American dollars with nicks, tears, or excessive folding, because not even the banks will accept them from you while in Bolivia or Peru. Negotiate with both vendors and taxi drivers, because the first price offered is almost never the fair one. If you bring your iphone with you, tap into free hostel wi-fi to contact family back home through messengers rather than more expensive telephone calls….but never let it out of your sight because it will be the first thing stolen. If you don’t want to take the risk, stick to the internet cafés at a sol an hour.
Save on Lodging
If you’d like to spend more than week in a city of your choice, one of the best ways to save on lodging is to work shifts at the hostel in exchange for your stay. This lets you spend more time in a city and actually get to know it beyond the tourists’ quarters. If you’re looking to shave a night or two off your budget, night buses have the triple advantage of traveling cheaper while saving a night’s lodging and also allowing you to sleep through an uncomfortably long ride.
Be Prepared
Leave the curling iron behind, and use that space for the things you actually need. During your trip to Bolivia or Peru you are likely to encounter cobblestone streets and dirt roads, oppressively sunny afternoons coupled inexplicably frigid mornings and nights, and during the November through March rainy season, frequent rains and mud. Bringing lightweight layers is wise, and decide on your altitude sickness plan ahead of time. Bathrooms are not often stocked with soap/disinfectant or toilet paper, so if possible keep some on hand. Dealing with the climate and protecting your health will save you money in the end- trust us!