What should I do in the first week after arriving in Peru?

Priority order: (1) Get a local SIM (Claro or Movistar at Lima airport), (2) Set up Yape for local mobile payments, (3) Join Lima Expats Facebook group for recommendations, (4) Register with your embassy (US STEP or UK FCDO), (5) Activate health insurance, (6) Start exploring neighborhoods before committing to long-term housing.

Can I ship my belongings to Peru duty-free?

Duty-free import of household goods (menaje de casa) is available under specific residency visa conditions. Tourist and short-term visa holders typically cannot import duty-free. Check with SUNAT Aduanas for current rules. Most expats simply buy furniture and appliances locally — they're affordable at Saga Falabella, Ripley, and MercadoLibre Peru.

How do I get a Peruvian SIM card?

Buy one at Jorge Chávez airport upon arrival. Claro, Movistar, and Entel all have kiosks. A prepaid SIM costs PEN 10–25 ($2.70–7). Activate with your passport. Claro has the best national coverage. Monthly plans with data start at PEN 40 ($11). Set up WhatsApp with your Peruvian number immediately — it's essential for daily life.

Is it easy to bring pets to Peru?

Reasonably straightforward. Dogs and cats need: a health certificate from an accredited vet, rabies vaccination (at least 30 days before travel), and SENASA approval. There's no quarantine period for most nationalities. Bring original paperwork — SENASA officers at Lima airport will check it. LATAM Peru allows small pets in-cabin on many domestic and international routes.

What are the best Facebook groups for new expats in Peru?

The most active and useful groups are: 'Lima Expats' (largest general expat group), 'Peru Expat Forum', 'Digital Nomads Lima', 'Miraflores Apartments for Rent', 'Cusco Expat Community', and 'Expat Women in Peru'. These groups provide real-time answers on housing, visa questions, restaurant recommendations, and meetup events faster than any other resource.

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🇵🇪 Peru

Moving Guide

Moving to Peru is logistically straightforward for most Western nationalities — arrive visa-free, settle into a furnished apartment in Miraflores, then apply for long-term status. The key is getting the first 90 days right..

Up to 183 days

Visa-Free Tourist Entry

Most Western nationalities

PEN 10–25

SIM Card Cost

Claro/Movistar prepaid, airport kiosks

$3,000–6,000

Container Shipping (20ft, US)

Varies by origin port and season

$100–200/mo

Spanish Classes (Intensive)

Group classes; private from $10–20/hr

Required

Health Insurance (Day 1)

Private or international policy

Last updated: March 2026

Overview🍽️Lima 🏔️Cusco

🛂Visa 🏥Healthcare 💰Finance 🏠Housing 💼Working 🌆Daily Life ✈️Moving 📚Education 🌅Lifestyle 📈Investing

Overview

Key Takeaways

Health insurance: arrange international health coverage before departure — SafetyWing ($45/mo), Cigna Global, or local Rímac/Pacífico policy
Airport arrival: Jorge Chávez (LIM) — get a local SIM at the airport (Claro or Movistar kiosks from PEN 10); use Uber or official airport taxi to accommodation
Luggage-only move: the most common strategy — buy furniture and appliances locally (very affordable in Lima)
SIM card: Claro has the best national coverage; Movistar and Entel are strong in cities; prepaid SIMs from PEN 10 ($2.70), monthly plans from PEN 40 ($11)
International schools: Newton College, Markham College, Franklin Roosevelt School — enroll 3–6 months in advance; $8,000–20,000/yr

Pre-Arrival Checklist

The most important preparation happens before you board the plane. Getting these items sorted in advance saves significant stress during the first weeks.

Health insurance: arrange international health coverage before departure — SafetyWing ($45/mo), Cigna Global, or local Rímac/Pacífico policy
Finances: activate a Wise card and/or Schwab debit card for fee-free ATM withdrawals — don't rely on your home bank card
Accommodation: book a furnished apartment for the first 4–6 weeks via Airbnb in Miraflores or Barranco — don't sign long-term leases sight unseen
Spanish basics: complete Duolingo Spanish through the first 3 sections — 'survival Spanish' makes arrival dramatically smoother
Medications: bring a 3-month supply of any prescription medications — some may not be available locally or require Peruvian prescription
Phone plan: check if your current provider has a Peru data plan, or plan to buy a local SIM on arrival at Lima airport
Research neighborhoods: spend time on Nomadlist, expat Facebook groups, and Reddit r/peru before deciding where to stay

The First 90 Days: Arriving & Settling In

The first three months are about exploration, building your local network, and laying the groundwork for long-term life — visa, banking, housing, and community.

Airport arrival: Jorge Chávez (LIM) — get a local SIM at the airport (Claro or Movistar kiosks from PEN 10); use Uber or official airport taxi to accommodation
Register with your country's embassy (US STEP program, UK FCDO) within the first week — important for emergency assistance
Try to set up Yape (BCP mobile wallet) for local payments — increasingly essential at shops, taxis, and restaurants
Join expat Facebook groups: 'Lima Expats', 'Peru Expat Forum', 'Digital Nomads Lima' — invaluable for real-time recommendations
Explore Miraflores, Barranco, San Isidro, and Surquillo before choosing where to rent long-term — spend time walking each district
Start Spanish classes in week 1 — language schools in Miraflores offer intensive programs with fast enrollment
Visit Migraciones to understand DN or Rentista visa requirements if planning a long-term stay

Shipping Your Belongings

Most expats move to Peru with luggage only or ship a small volume. Peru allows expat household goods import under specific visa conditions, but customs can be complex.

Luggage-only move: the most common strategy — buy furniture and appliances locally (very affordable in Lima)
Air freight: good for small volumes (<50kg) — DHL, FedEx offer door-to-door; budget $5–12/kg
LCL (less-than-container) sea freight: 1–3 CBM (a few boxes) — $1,000–2,500 from North America, $1,500–3,000 from Europe
Full 20ft container from US East Coast: $3,000–6,000 USD plus Peruvian import processing
Duty-free import: available under specific residency visa conditions — check with SUNAT (customs authority) for current rules
Peruvian customs (SUNAT Aduanas) can be complex — use an experienced customs broker (agente de aduanas) for any shipment
Buying locally: Saga Falabella, Ripley, and MercadoLibre Peru are the main retail/online options for furniture and electronics

Administrative Setup: SIM, Banking & Registration

Building your Peruvian administrative foundation — phone, bank access, and registration — takes 2–6 weeks depending on your visa status.

SIM card: Claro has the best national coverage; Movistar and Entel are strong in cities; prepaid SIMs from PEN 10 ($2.70), monthly plans from PEN 40 ($11)
Banking without Carné: limited — Yape (BCP wallet) sometimes works with passport; otherwise use Wise or Revolut until visa is approved
Carné de Extranjería: issued by Migraciones after visa approval — required for bank accounts, signing leases formally, and most administrative tasks
RUC: if you plan to work for Peruvian clients or register a business, you need a RUC (tax ID) from SUNAT — requires Carné
Health insurance: activate your policy within the first 2 weeks and ensure you have your membership card or digital access
Embassy registration: US STEP program (step.state.gov), UK FCDO registration — takes 15 minutes and provides emergency support
WhatsApp: set up with your Peruvian number immediately — all appointments, deliveries, landlords, and services run through WhatsApp

Moving with Family & Pets

Peru is family-friendly with good international schools in Lima and straightforward pet importation rules. Planning ahead for both makes the transition smoother.

International schools: Newton College, Markham College, Franklin Roosevelt School — enroll 3–6 months in advance; $8,000–20,000/yr
Pet import: dogs and cats require a health certificate from an accredited vet, rabies vaccination, and SENASA approval — no quarantine for most nationalities
SENASA (Servicio Nacional de Sanidad Agraria) is Peru's authority for animal imports — check current requirements before flying
Airlines: LATAM Peru allows pets in-cabin on many routes; most US carriers accept pet imports with advance documentation
Peruvian public schools: free, Spanish-medium — excellent for young children's language immersion; quality varies by district
Spouse/partner visa: partners of visa holders should apply for dependent visas simultaneously
Family-friendly neighborhoods: Miraflores, San Borja, and La Molina (Lima) — quieter, suburban, good schools nearby

FAQs