Peru has become an increasingly popular destination for digital nomads seeking adventure, good weather, and a (generally) reliable internet connections. From the colonial streets of Lima to the ancient wonders of Cusco, one of the things I loved about Peru is that it has a little bit of everything, from natural wonders to ancient architecture to stunning deserts and beaches.
Lima, although often said to be one of the more boring Latin American capitals, is also the culinary capital of South America and one of the best spots for surfing in the whole country. Whilst it may not be as exciting for tourists and backpackers, it can be the idyllic spot for a digital nomad who wants to get really stuck into the local culture.
This guide to Peru for digital nomads is designed to help you figure out firstly, if you’re like to be a digital nomad in Peru, and secondly, how to do it, where to base yourself, and everything you need to know before you go.
Peru Digital Nomad Visa and Entry Requirements
Peru doesn’t yet offer a specific digital nomad visa, but the country is relatively accommodating to remote workers. Most visitors, including those from the UK, EU, US, Canada, and Australia, can enter Peru without applying for a visa in advance and receive a tourist permit upon arrival which allows them to stay for up to six months within any calendar year.
When you enter the country, it’s important to ask for the full 183 days, as immigration officers sometimes issue shorter periods if not specifically asked.
Working for Peruvian companies or clients while on a tourist permit is technically not allowed, but working remotely for foreign employers or clients generally falls into a grey area that authorities rarely investigate.
If you plan to stay longer than 183 days, you’ll need to leave the country and re-enter, although there’s no guaranteed minimum time you must spend outside before returning. Some digital nomads take short trips to neighbouring countries like Ecuador, Bolivia, or Chile before returning to Peru, but there is no guarantee that you will be granted another 183 days.
In November 2023, Peru made a promising step forward for digital nomads with the publication of Decreto Legislativo 1582, which announced the development of a specific visa category for digital nomads, remote workers, and freelancers for the first time, however nothing has been enacted yet.
If you want to stay in Peru for longer, Peru does offer more permanent visa options like the rentista visa for passive foreign income and investor visas, although these require more paperwork and usually assistance from a lawyer, too.
Always check the most recent immigration policies before planning your trip, as regulations can change without warning!
🇵🇪 How to plan the perfect Peru itinerary
The Best Cities for Digital Nomads in Peru
Each of Peru’s cities has a completely different vibe, and each one has advantages and disadvantages for digital nomads:
Lima
Lima is the capital city of Peru, and is the most developed city with the best digital infrastructure for digital nomads. The Miraflores and Barranco districts are particularly popular for immigrants and digital nomads because they’re the most safe, they have a lot of cafes with reliable wifi and coworking spaces, and as I mentioned earlier it has great access to ocean waves for surfing and a great food scene. The main downside of Lima is that it’s quite a dangerous city.
Cusco
Cusco is the ancient Incan capital, and attracts digital nomads that are interested in natural wonders, like Rainbow Mountain, and historical sites like Machu Picchu. The internet can be less reliable than in Lima, but again, there are a lot of cafes and accommodations that cater to digital nomads. The biggest downside to Cusco is the altitude. At more than 3,400 metres above sea level, if you’re not born in Cusco you will have to re-acclimatise every time you arrive there.
Arequipa
Arequipa was my favourite city in Peru. It’s known as the “White City” because most of the buildings are made of white sillar (volcanic stone). Because it is a porous rock, it makes buildings more resistant to the earthquakes that this area is susceptible to. Arequipa has a fairly reliable internet connection and good weather year-round, but it is further away from a lot of the main attractions in Peru.
Internet and Connectivity in Peru
Internet reliability varies significantly across Peru. Most major cities have a decent connection, but rural areas have inconsistent service and, in some cases, spotty electricity service, too.
In Lima, especially in the upscale districts of Miraflores, Barranco, and San Isidro, you can generally expect download speeds between 30-100 Mbps, which is suitable for most remote work including video calls. Cusco and Arequipa typically offer respectable speeds in the city centers, usually between 15-50 Mbps, but with occasional instability.
Mobile data in Peru is affordable and widely available through providers like Claro, Movistar, and Entel. Prepaid packages offering several GB of data cost around S/30-50 (7.28-12.14€) per month, but having enough data to work when the internet is down get expensive quickly.
Despite occasional challenges, I found Peru’s connectivity was generally sufficient for maintaining a productive remote work schedule, although I had very few meetings and hard deadlines so it wasn’t much of an issue for me to change my working schedule based on internet availability.
Coworking Spaces and Cafés
You’ll find the most coworking spaces and cafes in Lima, although there are a few in Cusco too and the digital nomad scene in general in Peru is steadily growing.
Try Comunal Coworking or WeWork Lima as just a couple of examples of the many coworking spaces and networking events in Lima. Arequipa has a smaller but developing scene with spaces like Terminal Coworking.
Daily passes are usually around S/40-70 (10-17€), and monthly memberships are between S/450-700 (110-170€) depending on the amenities and location.
When working from cafés, it is customary and polite to buy something every hour or so (or less frequently if you’re buying something more expensive), and try to avoid occupying tables during mealtimes unless you’re buying a meal. A lot of higher-end hotels and hostels in Peru also have comfortable common areas with decent wifi.
I stayed in Ancestral Hostal which had a coworking area. It was a really nice spot to sit and work, but there wasn’t anywhere to take calls, for example.
Cost of Living for Digital Nomads in Peru
Peru offers an attractive cost of living for digital nomads that earn in stronger currencies, although expenses can vary between major cities and smaller towns.
In Lima’s upscale neighbourhoods like Miraflores or Barranco, a comfortable monthly budget ranges from S/3,000-5,000 (730-1,200€), while in Cusco or Arequipa, you might spend S/2,500-4,000 (600-970€). These estimates include accommodation, food, local transportation, coworking spaces, and some entertainment.
Overall, Peru does have an excellent value proposition for digital nomads, offering a quality lifestyle at a fraction of Western costs. For a full rundown of the cost of living in Peru, click here.
Accommodation Options
For anyone planning stays of a month or longer, renting an apartment gives you the best value for money and working environment; the only downside of this is that it’s more difficult to meet people and makes friends than it is staying in a hostel or coliving space. In Lima, one-bedroom apartments in desirable areas like Miraflores or Barranco typically range from S/1,500-2,500 (365-605€) monthly, while similar accommodation in Cusco might cost S/1,200-2,000 (290-485€).
Coliving spaces are starting to pop up in popular digital nomad spots like Lima and Cusco, which are ideal of you’re looking for a sense of community and to make friends during your time in Peru. The downside is that they are quite a bit more expensive than renting your own apartment. Monthly rates for coworking spaces are around S/2,500-4,000 (600-970€).
Hostels like Selina are also an option, which are specifically designed for digital nomads, although you will generally meet people who are staying for shorter amounts of time which means a higher turnover of friends! You’ll see an even higher turnover of people staying in hostels that aren’t designed for digital nomads like Selinas are.
Transportation in Peru
For intercity travel, Peru has an extensive bus network with companies like Cruz del Sur and Oltursa offering very comfortable and reliable services between major cities. These luxury buses usually have fully reclining seats, onboard entertainment systems, and sometimes meals or snacks too.
For longer journeys, domestic flights connect major cities at really reasonable prices, especially when booked in advance.
Lima has a somewhat chaotic but extensive bus system, with fares typically under S/2-3 (less than a euro). Taxis are abundant but you must order them through apps like Uber or ask your accommodation to order one for you; flagging one down off the street isn’t safe.
For digital nomads, I recommend staying in neighbourhoods like Miraflores or Barranco where all of your daily necessities are within walking distance (but remember to get your errands in before dark because you shouldn’t walk around alone at night time).
🇵🇪 An Honest Review of Peru Hop Buses
Health and Safety for Digital Nomads
Health considerations for digital nomads in Peru vary a lot by region due to the country’s diverse geography. In highland areas like Cusco (3,400m above sea level), altitude sickness is a concern that shouldn’t be underestimated. I recommend allowing 2-3 days for acclimatisation before you plan to start working, and avoid alcohol during this time. If at all possible, spend a couple of days in a place like Arequipa which is half-way between sea level and Cusco’s altitude.
Comprehensive travel insurance is essential for anyone travelling anywhere, but especially for digital nomads who spend long periods away from home.
I now always use SafetyWing Nomads Insurance because you can pay monthly on an open-ended plan, it covers you if you want to visit home, covers motorbike accidents, and includes cover for trip interruption in case of a family death (which is, unfortunately, something I wish I’d had when I was in Peru).
Private healthcare in Peru is high quality in major cities, with clinics like Clínica Internacional and Clínica Anglo Americana in Lima offering English-speaking staff and modern facilities. A routine doctor’s visit typically costs S/150-300 (37-73€) without insurance.
Digital Nomad Communities in Peru
Finding your community is important for most digital nomads, and will completely transform your time as a digital nomad in Peru, especially if you’re quite social like me. Lima has the highest concentration of remote workers, with regular meetups organised through platforms like Meetup.com and Facebook groups such as “Digital Nomads Peru” and “Expats in Lima“.
Cusco has developed a smaller but vibrant digital nomad scene, with Selina Plaza de Armas Cusco (I wrote the full name as there are actually two Selinas in Cusco) (and – another side note – the whole Selina hostel chain has been bought out, and are currently being rebranded as Societel) as an informal hub where remote workers naturally congregate.
Remote Year and other organised programs sometimes include Peru in their itineraries, which gives you a lot more logistical support and an instant community.
Beyond digital nomad-specific events, you can also meet people and makes friends at language exchanges, volunteering opportunities, and activities based on your hobbies at home.
FAQs for Digital Nomads in Peru
How good is the internet in Peru for remote work?
Internet quality in Peru varies significantly by location. Major cities like Lima offer quite reliable connections, with speeds typically ranging from 30-100 Mbps in upscale areas like Miraflores and Barranco, suitable for video calls and most remote work requirements. In Cusco and other tourist cities, connections are generally adequate, providing 15-50 Mbps.
What’s the best city in Peru for digital nomads?
Lima offers the most developed infrastructure for digital nomads, particularly in the neighbourhoods of Miraflores and Barranco. These areas feature numerous coworking spaces, reliable internet, laptop-friendly cafés, and a growing community of remote workers. Lima also provides the conveniences of a major metropolitan area with excellent restaurants, cultural activities, and international connections.
How much money do I need to live comfortably as a digital nomad in Peru?
A comfortable monthly budget for a digital nomad in Peru ranges from S/2,500-5,000 (600-1,200€), depending on your lifestyle and location. In Lima’s more desirable neighbourhoods, expect to spend toward the higher end of this range, while Cusco, Arequipa, and smaller cities allow for more economic living.
Is Peru safe for digital nomads?
Peru is generally safe for digital nomads who exercise reasonable precautions, especially if you stay in areas that are commonly visited by tourists and expatriates. The main safety concerns are petty theft, pickpocketing, and occasional scams rather than violent crime. Many digital nomads report feeling safer in Peru than expected based on general perceptions of Latin America, but maintaining awareness and respecting local advice about which areas to avoid significantly reduces your risks of running into trouble.
Conclusion
Peru offers digital nomads a remarkable blend of ancient history, stunning landscapes, vibrant culture, and increasingly suitable working infrastructure. The relatively low cost of living, generous tourist allowances, and growing communities of location-independent professionals make Peru an attractive destination for digital nomads seeking both productivity and adventure.
As Peru continues to develop its digital infrastructure and awareness of the digital nomad phenomenon grows, the country is likely to become an even more welcoming destination for remote workers.
