What Money Do They Use in Peru?
Peru’s official currency is the Sol (PEN), represented by the symbol S/. The Peruvian sol is subdivided into 100 céntimos and has been the national currency since 1991, when it replaced the inti. Today, the sol is the only legal tender accepted across the country – from Lima’s busy shopping malls to small markets in the Andes.
Quick facts about the Peruvian Sol
- Currency code: PEN
- Symbol: S/
- Subunit: 1 sol = 100 céntimos
- Coins: 5, 10, 20, and 50 céntimos; 1, 2, and 5 soles
- Banknotes: 10, 20, 50, 100, and 200 soles
A brief history of money in Peru
Peru has had several currencies over the past century, largely due to inflation. The current sol was introduced in 1991, replacing the inti at a rate of 1 sol = 1,000,000 intis. The word sol means “sun” in Spanish, linking it to Peru’s heritage and Inca symbolism.
Using money in Peru today
Everyday spending
- Cash is still common, especially in rural areas and for small purchases like market goods or local transport.
- In cities, Visa® and Mastercard® are widely accepted at hotels, restaurants, and shops.
Visa is a registered trademark of Visa International Service Association and used under license.
Mastercard is a registered trademark, and the circles design is a trademark of Mastercard International Incorporated.
ATMs and banking
- ATMs are common in urban centers, dispensing both soles and U.S. dollars.
- Foreign cards are widely accepted, though fees can apply.
U.S. dollars in Peru
- U.S. dollars are also used in some areas, especially for large purchases like hotels or appliances.
- Many exchange houses (casas de cambio) allow you to swap dollars for soles at competitive rates.
Exchange rate and value
The Peruvian sol has been relatively stable compared to other Latin American currencies. Exchange rates can fluctuate, so always check the live rate before exchanging or sending money abroad.
Sending money to Peru
If you need to send support to family or friends in Peru, services like Paysend let you transfer money directly to bank accounts, cards, or even for cash pickup. This makes it easy for recipients to access soles without needing to visit exchange houses or handle extra conversion fees.
Key takeaways
- Peru’s official currency is the sol (S/), code PEN.
- Available in coins (céntimos and soles) and banknotes up to S/200.
- U.S. dollars are accepted in some contexts, but soles are essential for everyday life.
- For the best experience, use a mix of cash and cards, and check live exchange rates before transferring or exchanging.
Planning to send money to Peru? With Paysend, you can move money quickly and securely, helping your loved ones access soles when they need them most.
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Mga Pinakabagong Post
Here's the short answer: yes, you can use a credit card to get money into someone's bank account abroad. "Credit card to bank transfer" means exactly that — you fund the transfer with your credit card, and your recipient receives it in their bank account. Or on their card, in their wallet, or as cash to collect, depending on where they are.
The card and the bank account do different jobs. Your card pays for the transfer. A provider like Paysend then pays the money out through local systems on the other end. It's one flow, and it takes about a minute in the app.
One thing worth knowing before you start: a credit card is usually the most expensive way to fund a transfer. Some issuers treat it as a cash advance, and credit tends to carry higher payment fees than debit. You'll always see the full cost, exchange rate included, before you confirm anything. What follows is: the ways your money can arrive, what each one costs, how fast it gets there, and the cheaper routes worth checking first.
Every month, thousands of people working in the Czech Republic send part of their payday home — many of them Ukrainians supporting family across the border. And the traditional route makes it harder than it should be: bank wires that ask for IBANs and SWIFT codes, fees that only show up after the money's gone, and days of waiting while someone at home is counting on it.
Pavel Štich has spent years helping his readers solve exactly that. He's Co-Founder and Lead Financial Editor at Moneyo.cz, an independent Czech platform that compares money transfer services, stock brokers, and alternative investments — and a Paysend Ambassador, which means he tests what he recommends, explains it plainly, and brings his readers reader-only perks. We asked him how Moneyo started, who reads it, and why he chose Paysend.
