💰 This page covers the street-level details of spending money in Lima: which districts accept cards, where to find cambistas, how to get from the airport, and what things cost. For the cambista system explained, ATM withdrawal limits, dual currency pricing, and trekking cash tips:
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Order PEN → CEI Currency ExchangeDo You Need Cash in Lima?
Yes, especially outside the tourist triangle. Miraflores, Barranco, and San Isidro are solidly card-friendly. Step outside them and cash becomes essential. Carry S/100–200 ($27–54) in S/10 and S/20 notes (vendors struggle to break S/100 bills).
Where You Will Need Cash
Local markets: Mercado de Surquillo, Mercado Central, neighborhood markets. Street food: anticuchos carts, picarones stands, emoliente vendors. Combis (minibuses, S/1–2.50 cash to the fare collector). Tipping at restaurants (always in cash). Bodegas (corner stores). Keep S/10 and S/20 notes; ATMs sometimes only dispense large bills.
Where Cards Work Fine
Restaurants and cafes in Miraflores, Barranco, and San Isidro. Hotels and hostels. Uber (card through app). Museums (Museo Larco, Huaca Pucllana). Metropolitano bus (rechargeable card). Shopping malls. Lima's food scene is world-class, and the upscale restaurants all take cards.
Paying by Card in Lima
Visa and Mastercard dominate. Amex works at hotels and upscale restaurants. Discover is not useful. Card acceptance varies dramatically by district.
Miraflores
Where most tourists stay, and the most card-friendly district. Restaurants along Calle de la Pizza and Avenida Larco accept contactless. Larcomar (cliffside mall) is fully card-friendly. Parque Kennedy cafés take cards. Even smaller cevicherías on side streets have POS terminals. Apple Pay works at most modern terminals here.
Barranco
Lima's bohemian and nightlife district. Restaurants, bars, and galleries along the Bajada de Baños and around Parque Municipal all accept cards. Craft cocktail bars on Avenida Grau take contactless. The weekend art market in Parque Municipal is mixed: galleries take cards, street artists prefer cash.
San Isidro
Lima's financial and business district. Every restaurant, café, and shop accepts cards. The Bosque El Olivar area has upscale dining that takes all networks including Amex. This is where cambistas offer the best rates (along Avenida Canaval y Moreyra) and where the major banks have their headquarters.
Centro Histórico (Lima Centro)
The historic center around Plaza Mayor and Plaza San Martín has tourist-oriented restaurants that accept cards. Chinatown (Barrio Chino) on Calle Capón is mostly cash. The Mercado Central and surrounding streets are cash-only. Museums (MALI, Larco Museum) accept cards for tickets. Be extra careful with your wallet here.
Surquillo
Home to Lima's best local food market, Mercado No. 1 de Surquillo. The market itself is cash-only, but it is where top chefs shop and where you can eat incredible ceviche for a fraction of Miraflores prices. The newer restaurants and gastro bars on the Miraflores border accept cards.
Callao & La Punta
The port district and the area around the Real Felipe fortress. Street food vendors and small restaurants are cash-only. The emerging art scene in Callao Monumental (galleries and murals) has some cafes that take cards. Safety is a concern in parts of Callao. Keep cash amounts small and stay in the tourist-friendly blocks.
Pueblo Libre
Home to the Museo Larco (accepts cards for tickets and at its café). The surrounding residential streets have local restaurants that are mostly cash or cash-preferred. Worth visiting for the museum but bring soles for lunch nearby.
Where to Find Cambistas in Lima
The Peru guide explains how the cambista system works and safety tips. Here is where to find them in Lima specifically.
Best Cambista Locations
Miraflores: along Avenida Larco between Parque Kennedy and the Malecón, and on Avenida Jose Pardo. Busiest midday on weekdays. San Isidro: Avenida Canaval y Moreyra near the banks. These cambistas handle business district clientele and tend to offer the tightest spreads. Centro: near the banks on Avenida Abancay and around Plaza San Martín. Higher volume but slightly less safe, so be alert.
Bring crisp $100 USD bills for the best rate. Ask "A cuanto compra el dolar?" and compare to the current rate on Google before accepting. Count your soles carefully before walking away.
ATMs in Lima
For withdrawal limits and bank comparisons, see the Peru guide. This section focuses on where to find machines in Lima.
Look for these logos on the street. These banks work best with foreign cards.
BCP
BBVA
Interbank
Scotiabank
Bank ATMs by District
Miraflores: BCP and BBVA on Avenida Larco, Interbank on Avenida Benavides, Scotiabank near Parque Kennedy. Larcomar mall has BCP and Interbank ATMs inside. San Isidro: All four banks have branches along Avenida Javier Prado and Canaval y Moreyra. Barranco: BCP on Avenida Grau near the bridge, Interbank on Avenida Bolognesi. Centro: Multiple banks on Avenida Abancay and near Plaza San Martín. Use ATMs inside branches here, not street-facing ones.
⚠ GlobalNet & Standalone ATMs
GlobalNet machines (in convenience stores and gas stations) charge extra fees and push DCC. Standalone ATMs near tourist areas in Centro and around the Circuito Mágico del Agua are also fee-heavy. Stick to ATMs inside BCP, BBVA, Interbank, or Scotiabank branches.
Paying for Transport in Lima
Taxis & Ride-Hailing
Street taxis are cash-only with negotiated fares (no meters). Always agree on a price before getting in, and have small bills ready. Uber, DiDi, and InDriver all operate in Lima and charge your credit card through the app. These are safer, cheaper, and eliminate the need for cash. A ride from Miraflores to Barranco is about S/8–15 ($2–4) by app.
Metropolitano (Bus Rapid Transit)
Lima's BRT system runs north-south through the city. You need a rechargeable Metropolitano card (S/5 at any station). Load it with soles at station kiosks. Loading is cash-only. The fare is S/2.50 per ride. Useful for getting between Centro and Miraflores. The stations can be crowded during rush hour.
Airport Transfers
From Jorge Chávez Airport (LIM): the airport is in Callao, about 45–90 minutes from Miraflores depending on traffic. Airport Express Lima is a shuttle bus to Miraflores (about $8 USD, accepts cards online). Official taxi counters in arrivals accept credit cards (about $20–25 USD to Miraflores). Uber and DiDi work from the airport parking area. The BCP and BBVA ATMs in the arrivals hall are fine for a small withdrawal if you need cash immediately. Skip the exchange counter windows.
Tipping in Lima
The Peru guide covers general tipping norms. Here are the Lima specifics.
Lima-Specific Tipping
Restaurants: check your bill for a 10% "servicio" charge. If it is listed, no additional tip is needed. If not, leave 10% in cash on the table. At high-end restaurants (Central, Maido, Astrid y Gastón), the service charge is almost always included.
Delivery apps: Rappi and PedidosYa are popular. Tip through the app (S/2–5). Uber/DiDi drivers: not expected but you can tip through the app. Parking attendants: informal parking attendants ("cuidacarros") in Miraflores and Barranco expect S/1–2 when you return to your car. Gas station attendants: S/1–2 is customary (there is no self-service in Peru).
Prices in Lima
Lima is one of the world's great food cities and remarkably affordable for the quality.
| Item | Price (PEN) | Price (USD) |
|---|---|---|
| Metropolitano bus ride | S/2.50 | $0.70 |
| Circuito Mágico del Agua | S/4 | $1 |
| Café con leche (basic) | S/5–7 | $1.35–1.90 |
| Specialty coffee (Barranco) | S/8–14 | $2–4 |
| Menú del día (set lunch) | S/12–18 | $3–5 |
| Huaca Pucllana ruins | S/15 | $4 |
| Pisco sour (local spot) | S/15–20 | $4–5 |
| Ceviche (casual cevichería) | S/25–45 | $7–12 |
| Pisco sour (Barranco bar) | S/25–40 | $7–11 |
| Museo Larco | S/35 | $9 |
| High-end ceviche (La Mar) | S/60–120 | $16–32 |
| Taxi to airport | S/70–90 | $19–24 |
| Paragliding (Miraflores) | S/250–350 | $67–94 |
USD estimates based on approximately S/3.72 = $1. Rates fluctuate. The menú del día is the best value meal in Lima.
Day Trips from Lima
Pachacamac Ruins
An ancient archaeological site 30 km south of Lima. Entrance is S/15 ($4) and accepts cash only. Hire a guide at the gate (S/50–80 for a group). Get there by Uber (S/25–40 from Miraflores) or organized tour (booked by card online). The on-site museum accepts cards.
Paracas & Islas Ballestas
A popular overnight or long day trip south. Cruz del Sur and Oltursa buses from Lima to Paracas (4 hours, S/50–80) can be booked online with a card. Boat tours to the Ballestas Islands cost S/40–70 and can be paid by card at agencies in Paracas town. Restaurants on the El Chaco boardwalk accept cards.
Lunahuaná (Rafting & Wine)
A river valley 3 hours south of Lima known for rafting and pisco vineyards. Most rafting operators and bodegas (wineries) are cash-only. Bring S/200–300 for the day. There are a few ATMs in the town center but do not rely on them. Withdraw in Lima before going.
Lima Quick Reference
| Destination | Cards? | Cash Needed? | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Miraflores dinner | ✅ Yes | Some for tips | Most card-friendly district |
| Barranco nightlife | ✅ Bars and restaurants | S/20–30 for street food | Art market vendors may want cash |
| Mercado de Surquillo | ❌ No | S/30–50 | Best food market, entirely cash |
| Centro Histórico | ✅ Museums and tourist spots | S/30–50 for markets | Watch your wallet in crowded areas |
| Larcomar mall | ✅ Everywhere | Not needed | Cliffside mall, fully card-friendly |
| Pachacamac day trip | ❌ Entrance is cash | S/80–120 | Museum takes cards, ruins do not |
| Lunahuaná day trip | ❌ Most things | S/200–300 | Withdraw in Lima before going |
Frequently Asked Questions
Where can I find cambistas in Lima?
Licensed cambistas in blue or green reflective vests are found along Avenida Larco and near Parque Kennedy in Miraflores, on Avenida Canaval y Moreyra in San Isidro, and near the banks on Avenida Abancay in Centro. They carry SUNAT registration cards and offer rates within 0.5–1% of mid-market. Always count your soles before walking away.
Is Miraflores safe for using ATMs at night?
Miraflores is one of Lima's safest districts. Bank ATMs inside branches on Avenida Larco, Avenida Jose Pardo, and in Larcomar mall are safe to use in the evening. Avoid standalone ATMs in quieter streets after dark. Use Uber or taxi apps rather than walking with cash at night.
Should I exchange money at Lima airport?
The exchange counters at Jorge Chávez Airport offer rates 5–10% worse than city cambistas. The airport does have BCP and BBVA ATMs in the arrivals hall, which are fine for a small withdrawal to cover your taxi. Exchange the rest once you reach Miraflores or San Isidro.
Do Lima taxis accept credit cards?
Street taxis do not. They are cash-only with negotiated fares (no meters). Use Uber, DiDi, or InDriver instead, all of which charge your credit card through the app. These are also safer and cheaper than street taxis.
Can I use contactless payments in Lima?
Yes, in Miraflores, San Isidro, and Barranco. Most restaurants and shops in these districts have modern POS terminals that accept contactless Visa and Mastercard. Apple Pay and Google Pay work at many terminals. Outside these three districts, chip-and-PIN or cash is more common.
How much does a ceviche lunch cost in Lima?
A ceviche at a casual cevichería in Miraflores or Surquillo runs S/25–45 (about $7–12 USD). At a high-end restaurant like La Mar or Maido, expect S/60–120 ($16–32). The best value is the menú del día (set lunch) at local spots for S/12–18 ($3–5).
Is the Metropolitano bus cash only?
You need a rechargeable Metropolitano card to ride. Buy one at any station for S/5 and load it with soles (cash-only loading). The fare is S/2.50 per ride. Regular combis (minibuses) are cash-only with collectors taking fares onboard.
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