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Since 1991, the Peruvian currency is the “Nuevo Sol” (S/.), which was renamed to just “Sol” (S/) in 2016. It’s subdivided into 100 centimos (cents). Issued by the Peruvian Central Reserve Bank (BCRP) the current banknotes and coins of Peru are not only a reflection of the country's historical and cultural past and Peru’s abundance of natural wealth decorated with famous Peruvian personalities, amazing archaeological sites, natural resources and highlights of the vast flora and fauna typical of the country, but are also highly sophisticated and have top-notch security features.

So, scroll through the next pages which introduce you to Peru's lovely current banknotes and coins.

In Lima you find banks nearly at every corner. But finding a reliable bank is as difficult as in any other city around the world. Being here only on holidays, you might not need a bank at all. For changing money you should better use exchange offices anyway and for drawing cash use ATM's that are placed all over the city. If you are a customer of an international bank that is present in Peru you should preferably use their ATM's. That way you can most probably save the sometimes quite high fees for international withdrawals. Check with your bank at home what charges you have to expect before you leave!

Opening an account is easy when you are a Peruvian resident. As far as we could find out, most banks have tightened their policies in the last years and don't allow tourists to open an account anymore. But as usual here the exception proves the rule. If you can open an account, be aware that banks in Peru charge literally for everything and sometimes their service leaves a lot to be desired. So check with the different banks on what they offer, so you can determine which one meets your needs the best. Bank debit cards and online banking are standard. Compare rates and take care of hidden charges!

Listed below are only a few of the bigger national and international banks with some of their agencies. For more info please check their websites, but unfortunately most of them are only available in Spanish.

Local private banks introduced the first banknotes in Peru around 1864. These Peruvian banknotes (issued between 1864 and 1922) used currency names like Soles, Pesos, Incas and Libras. There was no unified monetary system for the country until 1926, when the Central Reserve Bank of Peru (Banco Central de Reserva del Peru) started issuing paper money.

Peru had since 1897 five main monetary systems. The first one was the Libra Peruana de Oro (Peruvian Gold Pound) that was in circulation as legal tender from 1897. In 1930 followed a new currency called the Sol de Oro (Golden Sun). Because of high inflation, the currency of the era of Republican Peru was abandoned in 1985 and the Inti introduced. The bad economic state of Peru and terrorism in the late 1980s, the Inti lost its value quickly. Hyperinflation struck the country, and the Peruvian government was forced to introduce a new currency in 1991: the Nuevo Sol (New Sun). They introduced the Nuevo Sol at a rate of 1 Nuevo Sol = 1,000,000 Intis. The return to this name was considered appropriate as it could be derived from historical use and divination of the sun as a symbol of power and as a way of connecting the new currency to the old Inti, which was named after Inti, the Sun God of the Incas. On the 15th of December 2015, they changed the name of the Peruvian currency to "Sol" (Sun).

Today you can still buy old Libras, Intis and Sol bills, especially in the small shops behind the main post office in Limas City Center. These bills aren't fake, but keep in mind that they are not legal tender. You can't exchange them or buy anything with them, even if you are told otherwise!

Using official coins in Lima and Peru can be traced back to the year 1566. Since the foundation of Lima by Francisco Pizarro in 1535, it was very difficult to execute commercial transactions with no established monetary system. At that time silver and gold bars were used for large transactions, but these were not efficient for small businesses and operations. A variety of coin shaped objects filled the gap with differences in weight, nomination and metals used that caused very chaotic conditions. The Spanish Crown realized the importance of coinage in the colonies and by request of the viceroy of Peru, Diego López de Zúñiga in 1561 the authorization to establish a mint was granted.

The creation of the National Mint was finally started on the 21st of August 1565 by royal decree of Philip II, but it took until 1568 that the operation started in the "Cajas Reales" a building on the corner of what is today the Government Palace (Main Square in the Lima City Center). The most important role of the Lima Mint was to organize and standardize the previous emission, circulation and use of other unlawful coins guaranteeing the political and economic stability of the newly established Vice-royalty.

Most of the coins in this listing are no legal tender anymore and are considered collector's items.

Delicious Temptations

Lomo Saltado

Lomo Saltado is one of the most popular and iconic Peruvian dishes. It is a comfort food that can be found nearly everywhere in Peru, prepared at home for family and friends, in simple restaurants and up-scale places alike, and…

Peruvian Pisco Sour

Peru’s national drink and most popular cocktail is surely the famous Pisco Sour. It is the welcome drink in Peru and served for literally any occasion.
  • In the original sense, Leche de Tigre (meaning Tiger’s Milk), is the marinating liquid left on the plate after having finished a Ceviche,…
  • Salsa Criolla probably is the most important and most popular side dish in Peru. Prepared with red onions, aji amarillo, the juice of…
  • Tequeños are known in all Latin America. In Peru, they are very popular as starter, light lunch or small snack in the evening at a bar…
  • Peru’s celebrated cuisine is not only about famous chefs, outstanding dishes or the abundance of fresh fruits and vegetables, but as well…
  • Papa rellena, meaning stuffed potato, is a traditional and popular dish full of Peruvian flavors which is eaten as starter, for lunch or…
  • Tamales are a very traditional Latin American dish. In Peru Tamales come in many forms and sizes. Each region, even each town or family has…
  • Chilcano, or also known as Chilcanito, is one of the most popular long drinks in Peru - and my personal favorite. It is based on Peru’s…
  • Creamy, sweet Manjar Blanco embedded in two almost powdery cookies, this is a traditional, absolutely delicious and addicting Peruvian…
  • A Cremolada is something between an ice cream and a flavorful fruit drink; comparable to slush, but made with lots of fresh fruit pulp,…
  • Crema Volteada, literally meaning "upside down cream", is probably better known as the Peruvian version of Crème Caramel. Sweet and rich…

Legal Stuff

Extension of a Migraciones deadline

During the internal evaluation and approval process of your visa application (Cambio de calidad migratoria) or of the application for the extension of your visa, Migraciones may discover that you haven’t uploaded all required…

Subsanacion - Submitting documents

During the internal evaluation and approval process of any application on the Agencia Digital, Migraciones may discover that you haven’t uploaded all required documents, that an uploaded document isn’t to their liking or they…

Peruvian Visa Types

Business Visa for Peru

Foreigners who travel temporary to Peru for business related reasons that do not include actual labor or gainful employment have to apply for a business visa at a Peruvian consulate before entering the country or, if they can…

Peruvian Digital Nomad Visa

On November 14, 2023, a modification of the Foreigner Law, Decreto Legislativo 1582, was published introducing a resident visa for digital nomads, remote workers and freelancers in Peru for the first time.
  • Some family members of Peruvian nationals and foreigners with a resident status in Peru have the right to a family union and can apply for…
  • Priests, nuns, and missionaries, who want to stay in Peru to perform religious or missionary activities, can apply for a religious visa,…
  • Foreign nationals, who want to apply for a residence visa in Peru (for example because they are married to a Peruvian, found work in Peru,…
  • Foreigners, who receive a state or private pension including social security pension, government pension, employment related pension, union…
  • Foreigners planning to study at a Peruvian educational institution or to do an internship / apprenticeship (without payment!) at a Peruvian…
  • When planning a trip to Peru, eventually bureaucratic and visa related matters come to mind. As finding detailed and up-to-date information…
  • While Peru has a volunteer visa, the so-called “visa cooperante” (cooperation visa), getting one is such a bureaucratic mess and in most…
  • Foreigners who have a valid and legally signed work contract with a Peruvian company that was approved by the Peruvian Labor Ministry or…

The History of Peru

President Pedro Castillo from 2021 to 2022

The 2021 presidential election saw far-left Pedro Castillo, a political greenhorn in Lima, and hard-right Keiko Fujimori, who is not only the daughter of former president Alberto Fujimori, but as well an old-timer on the…

Pedro Castillo (1969 - )

José Pedro Castillo Terrones is a former member of the Rondas campesinas, elementary school teacher and union leader. He was the President of Peru from July 28, 2021 until he was removed from office on December 7, 2022.

Peruvian Money Guide

Current Peruvian Coins

Like the current Peruvian banknotes, the Peruvian coins in circulation reflect the country's rich historical and cultural past, but additionally as well Peru’s abundance of natural wealth. Their high-quality and beautiful…

The Woman in the Process of Independence Coin Series

In commemoration of the bicentenary of Peru's independence from Spain, the Peruvian Central Reserve Bank (BCRP) issued the numismatic series “La Mujer en el proceso de la Independencia” (The Woman in the Process of Independence).…

Peru Newsflash

Peru Event Calendar

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Maria Reiche - Memories

Maria Reiche - Memories

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