Plan Peru around verified rides, official tickets, cash backups and changing conditions
Peru rewards a deliberately mixed digital and offline setup.
Uber, WhatsApp, Google Maps with offline areas, and a delivery app cover the most common urban needs, but no app replaces local verification. Yape and Plin are visible everywhere, yet neither is a sensible arrival download for an ordinary short-term visitor: Yape registration with a passport or foreign-resident card still requires a BCP debit card, while Plin works through participating Peruvian bank apps and a linked local account. Carry soles for small businesses and fragmented public transport, plus two cards kept separately. Lima transit uses several systems and fare cards rather than one universal visitor app.
Buy Machu Picchu admission only through the Ministry of Culture's TuBoleto service and book any train separately with an authorized operator. Road blocks, protests, landslides and floods can alter bus and rail plans, so recheck every long journey. Save passport-linked bookings, insurance details, emergency numbers and accommodation contacts offline. Altitude, mosquito-borne illness and food or water risks vary sharply by itinerary, so obtain route-specific health advice before departure.
The lowest-friction first ride app, with six Peruvian cities in Uber's current official directory.
A fare-offer alternative in seven currently listed Peruvian cities, with driver and vehicle choice before acceptance.
A useful second quote in Lima, Piura and Trujillo, the three cities on Cabify's current Peru list.
A practical comparison app in Arequipa, Cusco and Lima, its three currently documented Peruvian markets.
The most useful first delivery app for broad restaurant, grocery and shop coverage in Peruvian cities.
A strong second choice for restaurant, grocery, pharmacy and convenience delivery in supported urban areas.
A useful Lima-only delivery comparison according to DiDi Food's current official Peru service page.
The main practical channel for accommodation, guides, tours, restaurants, bus companies and drivers in Peru.
The strongest general map for urban places, saved pins, offline areas and sharing exact entrances in Peru.
The best general starting point for Lima routes and stops, though predictions and informal-bus coverage need verification.
The most practical visitor aid for Spanish text, camera and conversation translation, including offline packs.
A useful comparison and booking app for many Peruvian bus routes and operators, but not a complete timetable.
Peru's official Geophysical Institute app for verified earthquake, volcano and other geophysical information.
Reliable mobile internet at better prices than most travel eSIMs, with polished iOS and Android apps and support for making and receiving phone calls.
One of the biggest travel eSIM brands, with a very large destination catalog.
Known for unlimited-data plans in many destinations, at a higher price per gigabyte.
Use an official carrier store and complete registration and activation before leaving the counter.
Best choice for broad coverage, including rural areas.
A solid alternative; compare current prepaid offers before buying.
Strong in major cities, with weaker rural coverage.
The weakest network here; choose it only for a clear price advantage.
Tourist-friendly choice with a straightforward purchase process.
The essential apps for Peru are Uber, PedidosYa, WhatsApp, Google Maps, Google Translate.
We've curated 13 apps across 11 categories for traveling in Peru, including 6 essential apps.
Uber is the top-rated ride hailing app in Peru. The lowest-friction first ride app, with six Peruvian cities in Uber's current official directory.
Cards, peso cash, open transit payments and dependable local apps
Cash backup, QR payments, cable cars and roadblock-aware travel
Use Uber or 99, expect CPF barriers, and carry backup cards and reais
Use Uber, learn the local transit payment, and prepare for long distances
Use dispatched rides, carry small pesos, and learn each city's transit system
The right apps, plus the official and offline backups Costa Rica still requires
