Living in Lima

The Basics of Living in Lima, Peru

Budget:

Airfare	$650 (one time)
Housing	$250 (per month)
Food	$150 (per month)
Transportation	$100 (per month)
Other Expenses	$150 (per month)
Monthly Total	$650

The currency in Peru is the Nuevo Sol, $1.00 is equivalent to about S/. 3.25 (Nuevo Soles). In some stores – particularly large grocery stores - dollars are accepted and change is given at a good exchange rate.

This budget is similar to that stated by the Pontificia Universidad Catolica del Peru for foreign students living in Lima, Peru. The university’s website is http://www.pucp.edu.pe. Housing costs are estimated to be higher as short-term housing generally runs more than long term housing. Transportation costs have also been estimated upwards as the student will not have a valid Peruvian student ID card to take advantage of the half-priced fare.

Housing:

Cost of housing in Lima depends on the type and location of housing. While looking for housing, keep in mind that some neighborhoods are safer than others. The upper scale neighborhoods – with restaurants, bars, and shops and well-lit streets – are Miraflores and San Isidro. Surco is also an upperclass neighborhood, but is not centrally located. Middle class neighborhoods that are considered safe and are a cheap taxi ride away from Miraflores and San Isidro include Barranco (famous for its night life) and Jesus Maria.

In general, foreigners tend to congregate in the upper scale neighborhoods of Miraflores and San Isidro. Most furnished apartments are in these areas. Apartment prices range greatly but expect to spend about $200 in Miraflores though you may find a better deal if living with more people. Apartment listings can be found on craigslist (www.craiglist.com) and in the real estate section of El Comercio (www.elcomercioperu.com.pe). You can find both rooms in apartments and whole apartments.

If you are interested in subletting a room in a house – which is generally a less expensive option – or living with a host family, please contact LimaKids (limakidsvolunteers@gmail.com). We may be able to help you arrange something.

If you are unable to find housing before you arrive in Peru or would prefer to spend some time in a youth hostel, let LimaKids know. We are happy to give you suggestions!

Transportation:

Transportation within Lima consists of taxis and buses. Taxis are the easiest form of transportation for those unfamiliar with the city. They are generally yellow or white station wagons but any driver may turn their car into a taxi by labeling it as such by a sign on the roof or a sticker in the window. In general, taxi rides are cheap in Lima. There are no fare meters in Lima – all prices are decided before getting into the taxi. The shortest rides – where the distance is about five miles – cost about $1 (3 Nuevo Soles). When in doubt, ask a couple of taxi drivers about their fares and barter!

If you are more familiar with Lima – or up for an adventure – take a bus. Buses are everywhere in Lima. Some routes are best known by letters or numbers, others merely by the path they take through the city. Fares range from 1 Nuevo Sol (about $0.30) to 1.50 Nuevo Soles depending on the desire of the ‘cobrador” (the fare charger) to make change. If going only a few blocks, you can ask to pay half the fare before boarding. Buses are often crowded and there are no guarantees on departure or arrivals but there are so many of them that supply is rarely an issue.

Communication:

Telephones in Peru are on the expensive side compared to cost of other amenities in the country. There are pay phones on every corner and local calls to a landline cost 0.50 Nuevo Soles for a few minutes and 1.00 Nuevo Soles to a cell phone for one minute. Cell phones are very popular in Lima and a lot of communication is done via text messaging – which is much cheaper than a phone call. (On an aside, you can text message to the United States.) Calls from a cell phone to a landline or another cell phone hover at about 1 Nuevo Sol per minute. There are currently two cell phone providers in Lima – Telefonica and Claro. The cheapest pre-paid cell phones cost about $30.00 and you can buy phone cards of varying amounts. You can also borrow a cell phone from Puentes for $10.00 and the understanding that you replace it if lost or damaged. Claro functions with SIM cards and you may be able to use your phone if you purchase a chip from them. In general, cell phones are not necessary but do make your life a lot easier in Lima. Keep in mind that you should not flash your cell phone or you risk getting it stolen.

Internet is available on every street corner in Lima and in much of the more remote areas of Peru. High-speed access is the norm in the “cabinas” and cost 1 to 3 Nuevo Soles an hour depending on the location. Some cabinas even provide webcams and headsets allowing for communication via Skype or other programs. Most cabinas also have phone systems available to make overseas phone calls at reasonable rates.

Travel:

Flights to Peru range from $400 upwards depending on the season – and perhaps the price of gas. There is only one major airport in Lima – the Jorge Chavez Airport – so you cannot make a mistake! Please let Puentes know when you arriving – we can help to arrange a secure taxi to pick you up and bring you to wherever you are staying.

Travel within Peru is via air or bus. Almost all in-country flights cost $70 each way and can be booked at travel agencies throughout Lima or prior to arrival. Buses are also very convenient and leave Lima to other cities in Peru all day every day at reasonable prices. There are also first class buses – “bus cama” – which is equivalent to the first class section of an airplane. Students can take weekend trips to Trujillo (8 hours by bus), Huaraz (8 hours by bus), Ica and la Huacachina (3 hours by bus), Nazca (about 5 hours by bus). Trips to Cuzco should allow for at least 5 days to see Machu Picchu, the city, and the surrounding regions. The Lonely Planet is a great guide book and ask around for input and recommendations!

Visas:

Please consult the Peruvian embassy for up to date visa requirements. US citizens do not need to apply for visas and are automatically given a 3 month tourist visa upon arrival in Peru.

Health:

Please refer to the CDC website for immunization and other health recommendations for Peru. Note that the recommendations depend on your travel plans within Peru as some diseases – i.e. malaria and yellowfever – are present only in the jungles.

Stony Brook University provides expatriation insurance at the cost of $5.00/month that may be purchased at the Health Clinic. Students receiving credit for their time abroad are expected to purchase this insurance.

Top