Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
ATMs
Cajeros automáticos
(ATMs) are found in nearly every city and town in Peru, as well as at
major airports, bus terminals and shopping areas. ATMs are linked to the international
Plus (Visa), Cirrus (Maestro/MasterCard) systems, American Express and other networks.
They will accept your bank or credit card as long as you have a four-digit PIN. To avoid
problems, notify your bank that you'll be using your ATM card abroad.
ATMs are a convenient way of obtaining cash, but rates are usually lower than at
casas
de cambio
. Both US dollars and
nuevos soles
are readily available from Peruvian ATMs.
Your home bank may charge an additional fee for each foreign ATM transaction.
ATMs are normally open 24 hours. For safety reasons, use ATMs inside banks with se-
curity guards, preferably during daylight hours.
Cash
The
nuevo sol
('new sun') comes in bills of S10, S20, S50, S100 and (rarely) S200. It is
divided into 100
céntimos,
with copper-colored coins of S0.05, S0.10 and S0.20, and
silver-colored S0.50 and S1 coins. In addition, there are bimetallic S2 and S5 coins with a
copper-colored center inside a silver-colored ring.
US dollars are accepted by many tourist-oriented businesses, though you'll need
nuevos
soles
to pay for local transportation, meals and other incidentals.
FUNNY MONEY
Counterfeiting of both US and local-currency bills has become a serious problem in Peru. Merchants are ex-
tremely careful about accepting large-denomination notes; you should be, too. Everyone has their own technique
for spotting a fake - some can feel the difference in paper quality, while others will sniff out counterfeit ink. You
should look for a combination of signs; new forgeries simulate some security features, but never all of them.
Politely refuse to accept
any
worn, torn or damaged bills, even small-denomination notes, since many businesses
will not accept these.
Watch out for the following issues:
» Check the watermark - most fake bills have these, but real bills will have a section
where the mark is made by discernibly thinner paper.
» The writing along the top of the bill should be embossed - run your finger to see
that it is raised from the paper and test the back for an impression.
» The line underneath this writing is made up of tiny words - if it's a solid line, then
it's a fake.
