🇵🇪
Essential apps for
Peru
Perú
SpanishPEN7 apps
Lima is the launching point for Machu Picchu. Cabify and Uber both work; Beat is a third option.
🔌
Power & Plug
TypeA / B / C
Voltage220V
Freq60Hz
Mixed — most outlets accept multiple types.
💬
Basic phrases
Spanish
- HelloHolaOH-lah
- Thank youGraciasGRAH-syahss
- Excuse me / SorryPerdón / Disculpepehr-DOHN / dees-KOOL-peh
- YesSísee
- NoNonoh
+10 more below
🎎
Tipping
Tipping is appreciated but modest in Peru; 10% at restaurants is generous if service isn't already included. Round up for taxis (which are unmetered and negotiated) and tip guides and hotel staff a few soles.
🚖Rideshare & Taxi
See all →C
Cabify
Strong in Spain and Latin America. Often more reliable in mid-size cities.
Reliable in Lima.
U
Uber
The most widely available rideshare service globally. Works in 70+ countries.
Wide coverage in Lima and Cusco.
🗺️Navigation & Maps
See all →📱Messaging
See all →🍱Food Delivery
See all →Phrases
All Spanish phrases
Hello
Hola
OH-lah
Thank you
Gracias
GRAH-syahss
Excuse me / Sorry
Perdón / Disculpe
pehr-DOHN / dees-KOOL-peh
Yes
Sí
see
No
No
noh
Please
Por favor
pohr fah-BOHR
Goodbye
Adiós
ah-DYOHSS
How much?
¿Cuánto cuesta?
KWAHN-toh KWEHS-tah
Where is the bathroom?
¿Dónde está el baño?
DOHN-deh ehs-TAH el BAH-nyoh
The check, please
La cuenta, por favor
lah KWEHN-tah, pohr fah-BOHR
I don't understand
No entiendo
noh ehn-TYEHN-doh
Do you speak English?
¿Habla inglés?
AH-blah een-GLEHSS
Help!
¡Ayuda!
ah-YOO-dah
Delicious
Delicioso
deh-lee-SYOH-soh
Cheers
Salud
sah-LOOD
Briefing
What to know before you go
✓ Do
- Greet with a handshake or, among acquaintances, a single cheek kiss for women.
- Use a friendly 'buenos días/tardes' before launching into questions or requests.
- Dress respectfully and modestly when visiting churches, villages, and rural Andean communities.
- Ask permission before photographing people, especially Indigenous people in traditional dress, and expect to tip.
- Be patient and avoid public confrontation; politeness and indirectness are valued over bluntness.
- Respect coca leaves and Andean traditions like offerings to Pachamama (Mother Earth).
✕Don't
- Don't drink tap water; stick to bottled or purified water.
- Don't disrespect Inca and Andean heritage sites by climbing on ruins or removing stones or artifacts.
- Don't flash expensive phones, jewelry, or cameras in crowded or poorer areas.
- Don't assume all Peruvians speak only Spanish; Quechua and Aymara are widely spoken in the highlands.
⚠️ Common scams to know
- Unofficial taxis at the airport or hailed on the street; use authorized stands or apps and agree the fare beforehand.
- Rigged ATMs, card skimming, and 'broken' machines; use ATMs inside banks and shield your PIN.
- Distraction theft where someone spills something on you or creates a commotion while an accomplice grabs your bag.
- Counterfeit banknotes given as change; check soles bills for watermarks and reject torn notes.
Going elsewhere?