Making friends in a new country is undoubtedly hard. When you’re sat alone in a new apartment with no idea where to go for dunner, all of those travel blogs that say “you’ll meet people naturally” seem like a cruel joke. It’s not like you can just walk up to strangers on the street in Peru and start chatting to them (not unless you’re extremely extroverted, anyway). I’ve always found that I have to put special effort in to make friends when I move to a new city, but making friends as an expat in Peru has got to be specifically hard.
There are a few first steps you have to take: firstly, decide who you want to make friends with. Locals, or other expats and immigrants? If you want to make friends with locals in Peru, how much Spanish do you speak and how much are you willing to learn? If you want to make friends with expats, immigrants or digital nomads in Peru, then do you want to make friends with permanent immigrants, or digital nomads who are just staying for a month or two?
The answers to these questions will be different for every person, and different based on how long you’ll be an expat in Peru, whether you’re planning to spend all of your time in one place or move around, and of course the type of work you do.
Language Exchange Groups to Make Friends
If you want to meet locals and learn Spanish, language exchange groups are going to become your new best friend. I was terrified to go to my first one (I literally walked around the block three times before working up the courage to go in!), but it turned out to be the best decision I made.
The great thing about language exchanges in Peru (and in many places, to be honest) is that they’re much more casual and social than you’ll be expecting if you’ve never been to one before.
Language exchanges is that they attract Peruvians who are interested in meeting foreigners and learning other languages (usually English), so you’re not trying to awkwardly insert yourself into existing friend groups.
My best tip is not to just go once and then give up! Commit to going every week, no matter how awkward you feel, and you’ll soon start to find familiar faces.
Some events to try in Lima:
- Urban Language Exchange, hosted in various hostels in Lima
- Mundo Lingo Lima, Invictus Taproom, Lima
🇵🇪 Read More: A 7-Day Itinerary for Travelling in Peru
Expat Facebook Groups
There are loads of active Facebook groups for expats in Peru, which not only can be useful for making friends, but can be a lifeline when you’re navigating visas, entry requirements, finding accommodation and where to find western items like peanut butter or marmite.
Beyond practical advice, people will often advertise meet up groups on there, events, or even just random posts saying “hey, does anyone want to go to X with me?”
By joining these groups you’ll get to know the expat scene in Peru, and you’ll surely be surprised by how many expats and digital nomads there are in Peru, especially in Lima! The mix of ages and backgrounds actually makes for much more interesting conversations than just hanging out with other travellers that you’ll meet if you’re staying in hostels at the beginning of your stay.
That said, while expat groups are brilliant for meeting other foreigners, they won’t help much if your goal is to meet locals. For that, you’ll need to take a different approach.
Most common Facebook Groups:
Join Classes and Clubs
If you want to meet locals, classes and clubs are your best bet! Taking classes of hobbies you already have or things that you’re really interested will help you to push through the initial language barrier.
If you’re finding yourself a bit shy you could always invite someone to go along with you, but I always find that it’s easier to make friends if you go by yourself because you’re kind of forced to approach people (and you’re much more approachable as an individual, too).
As always, the key with all of these is consistency! By going to the same class every week, people will start to recognise you and it won’t be long before you’re getting invited to go for coffee afterwards with your classmates.
A few options to consider:
- Salsa classes
- Hiking groups
- Yoga studios
- Volunteering
🇵🇪 Read More: A Guide to the Peru Backpacking Route
Coworking Spaces: Digital Nomading in Peru
If you working remotely like me, coworking spaces can be goldmines for connections, and they’ll be full of other people in the same position as you. They often organise weekly social events for members, happy hours, or skill-sharing workshops where you can learn new skills and meet new people at the same time.
The mix of local Peruvian professionals and international remote workers often creates a really interesting dynamic, but what I love about friendships formed in coworking spaces is that they understand the digital nomad lifestyle. When you need to disappear for a week to catch up on a project, they get it!
Prices vary a lot, from around S/30 (7€) for a day pass to S/500 (120€) for a monthly membership with a dedicated desk. Many offer free trial days, so you can check out the vibe before committing.
Sports Teams and Outdoor Activities
Joining a sports team can fast-track your social life more than anything else. Because of the competitive and team nature of sports, you tend to get to know people a lot more quickly.
The other great thing about playing sports is that you don’t need perfect Spanish to participate – the rules are universal and you can communicate more than you think with physical movement and gestures!
And, don’t worry, casual and social sports groups aren’t just for football, there are groups for everything from volleyball to ultimate frisbee. For outdoor enthusiasts, Peru is obviously a paradise. The “Hiking Peru” group organises weekend trips that range from beginner-friendly coastal walks to big hikes for more serious walkers.
Understanding Peruvian Social Culture
Making friends isn’t just about where to meet people – it’s also about understanding the social culture! Here are some things you should know about socialising in Peru:
Peruvians Run on “Hora Peruana”
“Peruvian time” is definitely a thing! If a Peruvian friend says they’ll meet you at 8pm, they might show up at 8:30pm or even 9pm – and this is completely normal. Bring a book or something else portable to do if you’re planning to meet up with Peruvians. The exception is business meetings, which tend to run more punctually.
Friendship Comes With Responsibilities
Friendships in Latin America tend to be more interdependent, and close connections form more quickly than they generally do in Europe. It’s not an expectation, at all, but it’s common that friends help each other out more substantially in many other cultures, even after just a few weeks of knowing each other.
Social Events Are Family Events
In Peru, the line between friend gatherings and family gatherings is much blurrier. Don’t be surprised if your new Peruvian friends invite you to their cousin’s birthday party or their niece’s first communion celebration after knowing you for just a short time. Peruvian families are very warm and welcoming; just make sure you bring a small gift (wine, dessert, or flowers are always appropriate), and prepare for a LOT of food!
Regional Differences
It’s worth noting that the social scene varies dramatically between Peruvian cities. Your experience in Lima could be quite different to the one you’ll have in Cusco. Smaller cities like Arequipa or Trujillo have fewer organised expat activities, but the closer-knit communities can make it easier to integrate with locals once you have a foot in the door.
Safety Considerations When Making Friends
A quick note on safety, because it’s important: Peru is generally a friendly and welcoming country, but normal safety precautions apply when meeting any new people.
For initial meetings with people you’ve met online, stick to public places during daylight hours. Let someone know where you’re going and check in with them afterward. Trust your instincts – if something feels off about a new acquaintance, it probably is.
Frequently Asked Questions About Making Friends in Peru
How long does it typically take to build a social circle in Peru?
Most expats I’ve spoken to say it takes between 2-6 months to build a solid social network, depending on your Spanish level, who you’re hanging around with, and how proactive you are.
Do I need to speak Spanish to make friends in Peru?
You can certainly make friends with other expats and some English-speaking Peruvians without Spanish, but your social options will be much more limited. If you want to integrate with your local community, them at least basic conversational Spanish will be necessary.
Are Peruvians open to friendships with foreigners?
In my experience, yes! Peruvians are generally very welcoming to foreigners and often curious about other cultures. Activities that mix locals and foreigners, like language exchanges, are your best bet for making Peruvian friends initially.
What’s the biggest challenge in making friends as an expat in Peru?
The biggest challenge will completely depend on your situation: it could be the cultural difference between Peru and your home country, it could be the language barrier, if your Spanish isn’t so good, or it could be your location if you move to an area without many other expats or immigrants.
Conclusion
Making friends as an expat in Peru follows the same basic principle as anywhere else: you have to put yourself out there, even when it feels uncomfortable. The first few months can be challenging and sometimes lonely, but with persistence, you’ll build a social circle that makes Peru feel like home. It’s probably a good idea to try and make a mix of local friends and immigrant friends; immigrants provide that crucial “we’re all in this together” support system, but there are clear advantages of having local friends too.
