Nuevo Sol vs. USD

Travel Forums Central/South America & The Caribbean Nuevo Sol vs. USD

1. Posted by ta-scha (Budding Member 13 posts) 18y Star this if you like it!

Was wondering how widely accepted dollars are in Peru? Am getting slightly confused by travel guides, which talk about the marvels of US currency and then mention changing it into Peruvian money anyway. Is it a good idea to change dollars into soles as soon as you arrive at the airport (given it's impossible to get them in the UK) or is it possible to survive without them for a while? I don't know which currency taxis like more, for example.

And what about counterfeit notes? I read something somewhere about a lot of sol notes being forged and there being a clever way of checking. Any tips would definitely ease my packing-fuddled brain hugely!

2. Posted by john7buck (Respected Member 458 posts) 18y Star this if you like it!

Dollars are pretty widely accepted in Peru, especially in areas where you'll find tourists. For some things such as booking the Inca Trail, they'll more than likely quote you in $US. I wouldn't worry about flying in from the UK with Soles in hand, though if I were you, I'd either hit a cash machine or a money exchange in the airport. For some reason, I always feel more comfortable paying taxi drivers in the local currency, assuming I am comfortable with the exchange rate.

3. Posted by villavic (Budding Member 19 posts) 18y Star this if you like it!

1 US dollar is 3.44 soles, and it doesn't change a lot. The currency is stable.
And you can get soles or dollars from any atm in Lima and within the country. Dollars are widely accepted.

Don't need to change in the airport, but if you find an atm, it's ok.
Take a taxi from the remisse counters outside customes, don't listen to the people that calls you.

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