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Living in Peru as a foreigner: What is it really like?
Find out what living in Peru is like as a foreigner: quality of life, pros and cons, internet costs, and tips for moving to the country.
Living in Peru is an experience that blends culture, nature, and a surprisingly balanced lifestyle. From vibrant cities like Lima to quieter places like Cusco, Arequipa, and the northern coast, it offers different ways to settle depending on what you are looking for. After some time, you realize it is not just about changing location but about adapting to a different rhythm, embracing strong traditions, enjoying world famous cuisine, and being surrounded by unique natural landscapes.
In this article, we break down what living in Peru is really like if you are planning to stay for a while. We look at everyday life, how easy it is to settle in, how things work in terms of services, and what kind of lifestyle you can expect depending on where you live. We also cover the upsides, like the country’s cultural richness and generally affordable living costs, along with some of the downsides foreigners often run into.
Quality of life in Peru
Before choosing to live in Peru, many foreigners try to understand what day to day life is really like beyond the tourist view. They consider how easy it is to access services, what healthcare and education are like, how far salaries go compared to living costs, and whether the internet is reliable enough for working or studying remotely. Taking all of this into account gives a more realistic sense of what living in Peru involves, highlighting why it suits some people while posing challenges for others.
In the following sections, we go over some of the key factors that help assess quality of life in Peru, drawing as well on data and research from international organizations.
Education and opportunities
If you are planning to live in Peru with children, or thinking about studying there, it helps to look at the overall picture, including the quality of education, the differences between urban and rural areas, and the options for private or international schools in larger cities. Studies from the OECD show that student performance in Peru is generally below average in subjects like math, reading, and science, which is why choosing the right school can make a big difference for foreign families.
Safety and a sense of security
Peru is a country where safety can vary a lot depending on the city and even the neighborhood. To put it in a global perspective, the 2025 Global Peace Index ranks Peru 96th, showing some improvement compared to the previous year.
That said, national rankings only tell part of the story. In 2025, states of emergency were declared in Lima and Callao due to crime concerns. For foreigners, this isn’t a reason to panic, but it is a useful reminder to choose neighborhoods and daily routines wisely.
In practice:
- Decide on the neighborhood or area first (and then your home), not the other way around.
- Ask about nighttime safety, lighting, and safe routes.
Economy: Wages vs. cost of living
If you’re thinking about living in Peru, it helps to have a clear sense of how earnings match up with everyday costs. Basic things like food, transport, and some services can be quite affordable, but local wages are usually lower than in developed countries. How comfortable you feel financially will depend a lot on whether you earn locally or have income in a stronger currency like dollars or euros.
- If you work remotely or earn income in USD or EUR, Peru can be an attractive option due to its relatively low cost of living and high quality of life.
- If you’ll be living on a local salary, make sure your pay matches the lifestyle you want and look at the cost of living in Peru, including rent, transport, groceries, and healthcare.
- Looking at urban living costs for expats, Mercer’s 2024 ranking places Lima at 166, a common reference for international mobility.
Healthcare system
Peru has made significant progress in healthcare coverage, but access and quality can vary depending on the region and type of insurance. The OECD notes the country’s steps toward universal health coverage, while also pointing out ongoing challenges like a fragmented system and uneven access to services.
- If peace of mind is your priority, many expats opt for private insurance or international plans (and use the public system for certain procedures or coverage).
- In large cities, there are usually more private healthcare options; in more remote areas, proximity to clinics and hospitals is the key factor.
Internet and digital life
If you’re planning to live in Peru, especially for remote work or online classes, a reliable internet connection is essential. The good news is that in recent years, service has improved significantly in the main cities. In Lima, Arequipa, and Trujillo, for example, high-speed fiber-optic internet is widely available.
For mobile internet, Peru has several major providers like Claro, Movistar, Entel, and Bitel, covering most of the country. This is worth keeping in mind if you plan to travel around often or work from different locations.
If you’re planning to live in Peru and need the internet for work or study, make sure any place you rent has fiber-optic service. It’s also smart to check mobile coverage in the area if you’ll be using data on the go or working outside your home.
Connectivity with Holafly
If you’re spending some time in Peru, a practical way to have internet from day one is Holafly’s Peru eSIM, which avoids the hassle of local setup. Holafly also offers monthly plans for longer stays, perfect if you’ll be in the country for several months or working remotely while traveling. These plans usually include unlimited data, a stable connection, and the ability to share it with other devices.
Important: If you are a frequent traveler and want to stay connected without worrying about expensive roaming or looking for a new SIM at every destination, Holafly’s subscription plans are for you. With a single eSIM, enjoy internet in more than 160 countries for a fixed price and no surprises on your bill. Travel without limits and connect easily and securely! 🚀🌍
Advantages of living in Peru
Beyond its appeal as a tourist destination, Peru offers a compelling mix of culture, world-renowned cuisine, natural diversity, and a cost of living that is often more affordable than in many major cities around the world. Here, we take a look at some of the main advantages of living in Peru that often help people decide whether to make the move.
- World-renowned cuisine: Eating well is a big part of everyday life in Peru. From fine dining restaurants to local markets, the variety and quality of food is something that foreigners often appreciate the most.
- A wide variety of landscapes and climates: In just a few hours, you can go from the Pacific coast to the Andes or even the Amazon. This makes it easy to travel within the country and experience very different landscapes.
- A relatively affordable cost of living: Compared to many cities in Europe or North America, everyday expenses like food, transport, and some services tend to be more affordable.
- A rich culture and active social life: Peru has a rich cultural identity, full of festivals, traditions, and an active social life, making it easy to connect with people and feel part of the community.
- A strategic location for traveling throughout South America: Living in Peru makes it easy to travel to other countries in the region, like Colombia, Chile, Ecuador, or Bolivia.
- A great setting for remote work in major cities: In cities like Lima, Arequipa, or Cusco, it’s becoming increasingly common to find coworking spaces, coffee shops with reliable internet, and communities of digital nomads.
These features make living in Peru appealing to many foreigners who want to enjoy a good quality of life while experiencing a different culture and unique landscapes.
Disadvantages of living in Peru as a foreigner
While living in Peru can be a very rewarding experience, there are also some challenges that certain foreigners may face when adjusting to life in the country. Being aware of them from the start helps set realistic expectations and makes it easier to navigate daily life.
- Administrative procedures: Some processes, such as obtaining residency or opening bank accounts, can take longer and require several steps.
- Traffic in large cities: In places like Lima, commutes can be long due to heavy traffic.
- Uneven infrastructure: The quality of services can vary significantly between large cities and smaller areas.
- Cultural adjustment: Schedules, work pace, and certain social norms may differ from those in other countries.
- Safety varies by area: Some neighborhoods are safer than others, so it’s important to choose your new home carefully.
- Healthcare system: Private healthcare is often faster than public healthcare, which is why many foreigners opt for private insurance.
Frequently asked questions about what it’s like to live in Peru
In larger cities like Lima, Arequipa, or Cusco, there are usually plenty of furnished apartments, short-term rentals, and options like Airbnb or coliving. However, prices can vary widely depending on the neighborhood, proximity to the city center, and what amenities are included.
The main language is Spanish, which is used in cities and most services. Indigenous languages like Quechua and Aymara are also spoken, especially in the Andean regions, but for daily life, knowing Spanish is usually enough for a foreigner.
Transportation varies a lot depending on the city. In Lima, there are buses, taxis, and ride-hailing apps, but traffic can make trips take a long time. In smaller cities, getting around is usually easier and distances are shorter.
Yes. In major cities, it’s fairly easy to find coffee shops with Wi-Fi, coworking spaces, and apartments with fast connections, making online work much more convenient.
For many foreigners, the answer is yes. Peru offers a rich culture, diverse natural landscapes, internationally acclaimed cuisine, and a cost of living that can be appealing depending on your income.
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Hi! I'm a Spanish-English translator working with Holafly, helping bring travel content to life for curious travelers. As a digital nomad with a passion for exploring, I'm always adding new spots to my bucket list. If you love to travel like me, stick around because you're in the right place to find inspiration for your next trip! ✈️🌍
