Essential Apps for Travelers in Peru
From cashless payments to navigating chaotic city streets, these apps will help you move, eat, and communicate more easily across Peru.
Before You Arrive in Peru
- Download offline maps of Lima, Cusco, and Arequipa in your preferred maps app, since mobile data can be spotty in mountainous areas.
- Set up a payment method that works with Peruvian platforms like Yape or Plin, or carry a backup card that supports contactless payments.
Top Apps for Travelers in Peru
Yape
Language: Spanish
Peru's most widely used mobile wallet, linked to a local bank account or prepaid card. Use it to pay small businesses, market stalls, taxis, and even street vendors by scanning a QR code.
Plin
Language: Spanish
Interbank mobile payment app that lets users send and receive money instantly using just a phone number. Accepted at many restaurants, shops, and informal vendors throughout Peru.
Uber
Language: English
Reliable ride-hailing service available in Lima, Arequipa, Cusco, and other major cities. Offers cash and card payment options, with safety features like trip sharing.
Cabify
Language: English
Ride-hailing alternative to Uber with strong coverage in Lima and other Peruvian cities. Allows you to book private cars or taxis with upfront pricing and multiple payment methods.
Google Maps
Language: English
Essential for navigation and public transit directions in Lima, Cusco, and beyond. Download offline maps for areas with weak signal, especially in the Sacred Valley or Colca Canyon.
PedidosYa
Language: Spanish
Leading food and grocery delivery app in Peru. Order from local restaurants, supermarkets, and pharmacies, with cash or card payment and real-time order tracking.
Rappi
Language: Spanish
On-demand delivery app for restaurant meals, groceries, and convenience items. Also offers courier services and cash withdrawal delivery in some Peruvian cities.
Google Translate
Language: English
Useful for translating menus, signs, and conversations in Spanish or Quechua. Download the offline Spanish language pack before traveling to remote areas without data.
Mercado Libre
Language: Spanish
The largest e-commerce marketplace in Latin America, widely used in Peru for buying electronics, outdoor gear, and travel accessories with local delivery options.
Booking.com
Language: English
Popular for reserving hotels, hostels, and apartments across Peru. Offers flexible cancellation policies and guest reviews that help you choose safe, well-located stays.
Tips for Using Apps in Peru
- Many small vendors and taxi drivers prefer Yape or Plin over cash, so having at least one local payment app can make everyday transactions much easier.
- Mobile data coverage is generally good in cities but can disappear quickly in mountainous or jungle areas, so download offline maps and translation packs in advance.
- Some delivery and ride-hail apps require a Peruvian phone number for full functionality, so consider buying a local SIM card upon arrival.
Conclusion
With the right apps installed, you can pay like a local, navigate with confidence, and order food or transport without friction. Prepare your phone before you land and you will spend less time worrying about logistics and more time enjoying Peru.