Green IslandPeru Prices Part 1
August 2nd 2009 20:39
Swine flu art from Cusco art college in Peru
Peru has been the most toursity place we`ve visited so far. With the obvious drawcards of Machu Picchu and the Nazca Lines, the country attracts vast masses of Americans and Europeans. Especially, the fancier backpackers or flashpackers. This has caused us problems finding accommodation. The fucking internet has meant that on several occasions we`ve encountered places full up with reservations, and on a couple of times we`ve been ejected from hostels because our beds have been booked for the following night. Despite these irritations, Peru has been fun. The set menus are cheap, and the people friendly.
We caught the bus from Copacabana in Bolivia to Puno in Peru. The border formalities were a breeze and they didn`t check our baggage. Puno compared to Copacabana wasn`t very appealing, but Peruvians are proud of their bit of Lake Titicaca so diplomacy was necessary when discussing the place with the locals. Cusco is a very cultural city but horrendously expensive. Nazca wasn`t especially interesting, other than having the lines in the desert. Huacachina, which features on the 50 Soles note was a beautiful oasis ruined by party hardy backpackers.
As per usual, our budget is $30 each. We changed $500 traveller cheques in Puno for the rate of 2.8 Nueuvo Soles per $1. This gives a daily budget for the both of us of 168 Soles. All prices are in Soles and at the end of the blog are running totals for how much we`ve spent compared to our budget.
12-07-09
Breakfast - 25 Bolivanos
Lunch - 24 Bolivanos
Popcorn - 2 Bols
Water, fags & toilet paper - 17 Bols
Fags - 12 Bols
We were buying stuff at the border to use up our Bolivian change.
Toilet - 1 Bols
Changed 300 Bols for 125 Soles
Changed 120 Bols for 50 Soles
Inka Rest Hostel in Puno - 25 per person - 50 Soles
Meat - 2
The meat was the toughest lamb I`ve ever had the pleasure of masticating.
Olives - 2
Bread - 1
Vegetables - 2.7
Toothpaste and oil - 4.7
Total - 56 Bolivanos ($8.6) plus 62.4 Soles = 86 Soles (82 under budget)
Peruvian tuk tuk in Puno
13-07-09
Inka Rest - 50
Bus from Puno to Cusco - 20 per person - 40
Eggs - 1.40
Bread - 0.50
Vegetables - 0.50
Changed $500 @ 2.8 per $1 - 1,400 Soles
Chicken breast - 5.40
Bread - 0.50
Vegetables - 3.70
Total - 102 (66 under budget)
14-07-09
CuscoToliet in bus station - 0.50
Bus station tax - 2 per person - 4
1 lunch box - 3.50
Changed 200 Bolivanos for 70 Soles
Some extra Bolivanos I forgot to change at the border.
Taxi - 8
Fags - 7
Loki Backpackers in Cusco - 26 per person - 52
Dinner - 29
Water - 2.5
Beer in hostel - 6
Total - 112.5 (55.5 under budget)
Cusco cathedral
15-07-09
Loki Hostel - 52
Medicine - 90
Waka got a nasty insect bite in Puno on her hand. It swelled up to frightening proportions. The hostel nicely called a doctor for us who inspected Waka`s hand and gave us a free prescription. At the pharmacy they gave her an injection.
Fags - 5
Lunch - 8.5
2 Dinners - 7
We found a great local restaurant with a set menu for 3 soles
Tip - 1
Fruit beer - 3
Total - 166.5 (1.5 under budget)
16-07-09
CuscoLoki hostel - 52
Return train tickets from Ollantaytambo to Aguas Calientes 234 per person - 468
Only 1.5 hour train journey but very expensive and over subscribed. The ticket vendor tried to overcharge us as well.
Lunch - 10
Entry tickets to Machu Picchu - 124 per person - 248
Shopping - 24
Dinner - 6
Beer - 8
Happy hour beers in hostel - 6
Total - 822 (654 over budget)
17-07-09
CuscoLoki hostel - 52
Water - 3
Changed $500 @ 2.96 Soles per $1 - 1480 Soles (new budget 177 Soles)
Fags - 6.5
Lunch - 6
Water - 3
We met a traveller we had befriended in Bolivia and he kindly gave us the remains of his gear because he was catching a flight that day.
Dinner - 6
Fags - 13.8
Total - 90.3 (86.7 under budget)
18-07-09
CuscoLoki hostel - 52
Dictionary - 10
Shop - 37
Dinner - 6
Bar - 8
Total - 113 (64 under budget)
19-07-09
OllantaytamboWater - 6
Minibus from Cusco to Ollantaytambo 10 per person - 20
Lunch - 20
Hostel Chaski Wasi Double room - 30
Coke cola - 2
Dinner - 20
Total - 98 (79 under budget)
Ollantaytambo was a beautiful village built by the Inkas. There`s important Inka fortifications there which are well worth visiting, especially if you get in free. Read how we managed it.
Totals
Actually spent 3,992.8 Argentina $1,079 and Bolivia $1,016 and 1,566.7 Soles ($530)
Total - $2,625
Budget - $3,120
Difference - $495
Ollantaytambo near Cusco in Peru
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Comment by Anonymous
Nice work. How long you in Peru for? I am over there in September. Ships in night etc.
Just spoke to your mom and dad Waka. Your mom was a lot mof fun on the phone. My Japanese was a disgrace.
Nobber