11 Incredible Cheap Ways to Study Abroad in Peru

11 Incredible Cheap Ways to Study Abroad in Peru

11 Incredible Cheap Ways to Study Abroad in Peru|

All your fellow students are going abroad for a semester to learn Spanish. But you think that you can´t afford to do the same. How sad!

All of them will come back with great experiences, fluent in Spanish, with amazing new friends, having explored Peru… but not you. ):

Don’t they say that intercultural experiences while studying abroad are priceless? But to you, the price of a Spanish Immersion Program Abroad seems too high…

The truth is, there are some easy tricks for avoiding a fortune while still traveling to Peru to learn Spanish!

Here are 11 Cheap Ways to Study Abroad in Peru and Learn Spanish in Cusco, even if you think you cannot afford it…

Keep on reading and discover these 11 Incredible Cheap Ways to Study Abroad in Peru.

1. Study Abroad: Pick the right location

Choosing the right location for your study abroad program is the most important first step. There are many excellent places to study Spanish in Latin America and Spain.

However, you should consider the cost of living in the chosen city, the currency, and the activities available in the chosen location.

A Spanish Immersion Program in Cusco, Peru, for example, offers various ways to save money.  Here you can get a good deal for your study abroad program.

Cusco, Peru offers

• High-quality Spanish courses
• low costs of living (host families or other housing options)
• endless opportunities for improving your Spanish through
  • varied activities,
  • volunteer work in Peru
  • accessible, friendly, open-minded local people
  • nice host families
• a small city center to explore and to feel at home quickly
• an amazing ancient culture,
• a unique natural setting with many adventure tours and opportunities for trekking in Cusco

Would you like to take Spanish lessons in Cusco? Contact us or learn more here.

Compared to Northern Europe or North America, in Cusco you can live on roughly a third of the money you would spend back home.

Of course there are other countries in Latin America that offer great value for money too.

The most affordable locations besides Peru are Ecuador, Bolivia and Guatemala.

But if you are lucky, you can get a great deal for Colombia, Costa Rica or Mexico too. Generally speaking, Uruguay, Argentina and Chile are the more expensive countries for learning Spanish.

 

> read more about the Six Unmissable Locations to Learn Spanish in Latin America.

 

2. Choose a good Spanish school

Once you have picked your destination, make sure you opt for a good Spanish School.

Compare prices, consider quality and reputation, read online reviews, and check the Facebook page! All of this will give you an idea of what school you are dealing with.

And, last but not least, take a look at the included services in the prices of the Spanish Program Fee!

For instance, at AMAUTA Spanish School, Spanish courses in Cusco include:

• a free pickup from Cusco airport (save between $7 and $25 US!)
• study materials, placement test, certificate
• free WIFI
• free daily cultural activities (salsa, dance, Peruvian cooking…)
• a student discount card for tours and activities in Cusco
• special deals at the travel agency Dos Manos Peru Travel

as well as

• an in-house doctor who offers a free medical consult to our students.
• A free walking city tour and a welcome briefing.
• A generous Discount Policy!

• Tip # 1:

Check the discount options at AMAUTA.
For instance, the Spanish Group Course in Peru offers a 10% discount for courses lasting eight weeks or longer.

There are also discounts for couples, students, families, and early-bird registrations.

Just contact us to request a personalized price quote!

 

• Tip #2:

During the low season, there are even discounts on housing. The low season in Peru runs from November to March.

Lastly, if our school has been recommended to you by a friend, don’t forget to mention this, as you will be entitled to the ‘Friends’ discount.

Check here for more discounts on Spanish classes!

Other Spanish schools in other Latin American countries might offer similar options to help us save money on our reservations.

 

3. Research options for financial aid

There are many options for financial support for a study abroad program. Make sure you check all the possibilities for study abroad scholarships in your country, as well as other funding options (including loans).

Inform yourself at your university and ask the foreign exchange office for information about financial aid, scholarships, and loans.

Some of our students set up an online crowdfunding campaign to help them gather money for their Spanish Course in Peru or

Volunteer work in Cusco. Any of those options can help you to make come true your dream of an international study abroad

adventure and learning the Spanish language.

 

4. Invest time in looking for a cheap flight

Take some time and search for a cheap flight to Peru. Flying in from anywhere in the world outside South America, your first stop in Peru will most likely be Lima airport. From there, you will get a connection to Cusco.

If you choose to travel during the low season in Peru (November to March) and outside international vacation time (June – September), you are very likely to save money.

Would you like to take Spanish lessons in Cusco? Contact us or learn more here.

• Tip # 1

We recommend you book two independent flights: one to Lima and one from Lima to Cusco. This option ends up being cheaper than buying one ticket directly to Cusco.
This is because if you buy a separate domestic flight from Lima to Cusco, you can choose more affordable Peruvian providers, whereas most international carriers only work with the most expensive providers (such as LAN or Avianca). Affordable domestic airlines offering flights from Lima to Cusco include Peruvian Airlines, Viva Air, and LCPeru.

 

• Tip # 2

You might assume it’s worth checking affordable flights to another South American destination, like La Paz or Quito, and that from there you can take another (cheap) flight to Lima or Cusco. Just to see if this is cheaper.

However, this will NOT be the case. South America is vast, and flights within the continent are quite expensive. In other words, you are most likely to do better if you book a direct flight to Lima and then on to Cusco.

 

• Tip #3

It is an option to take the BUS from Lima to Cusco! It will save you approx. USD $ 30 or more (depending on the exact bus fare and the available airfare on that particular day). It will cost you about 24 hours to travel overland. One of the most recommended bus companies is Cruz del Sur, but there are also a few other (slightly cheaper) ones

Read more about  Finding Cheap Flights to Peru.

 

5. Take advantage of Student discounts in Peru

In Peru, you can save money with the International Student Identity Card (ISIC).

The card offers various discounts to students worldwide, including in Peru. It costs 20$ per year, and you receive discounts on travel, accommodation, food, and so on in your travel country.

In Peru as well, you will save money with your ISIC! For example, you receive USD $20 on the entrance to Machu Picchu and another $20 on the Boleto Turistico in Cusco, the entrance fee ticket that includes many different sites, museums, and ruins in Cusco and the Sacred Valley (see below under #11 for more info on the Boleto Turistico in Cusco).

 

• Tip # 1

When booking your flight, ask for a student discount with your ISIC – you are very likely to get a lower price if you are a student and holder of the ISIC!

 

6. Share your Travel Experience: make money

Have you ever thought about sharing your travel experience and earning some money from it?

There are many options: you can publish your blog posts about your journey, photographs, or travel tips and make some money from them!

7. Money issues in Peru: save on Exchange Fees

Check with your bank before you travel to Peru about the best options for withdrawing money there. In Cusco, ATMs offer the option to withdraw money in Peruvian Soles or US Dollars. However, it depends on your bank which option is less expensive. Does your bank charge a lot to exchange your local currency for Peruvian Soles? Then you should withdraw in US dollars and exchange them for Soles in Cusco. If not, just withdraw Peruvian Soles.

• Tip # 1

Avoid paying with a credit card; many local businesses in Cusco charge administration fees as they themselves have to pay rather high fees to the credit card providers.

It is advisable to bring some cash to Peru and then exchange it at the local “Casas de Cambio”. You can find many places to exchange money at a good rate in Cusco on Avenida del Sol, close to the main square, Plaza de Armas.

 

• Tip #2

Make sure you bring brand new dollar bills and not old ones that are (a bit) torn or with folds. The banks in Cusco will pay you less for old, damaged dollar bills.

 

• Tip #3

Read more: How to Handle your Money in Peru.

8. Avoid expensive touristic services: live like a local

 

There are various simple ways to adapt to Peruvian life that will help you save money quickly.

• Pack smart for your trip to Peru: even though you can buy almost anything in Cusco and the cost of living is low, some items might be cheaper there than in your home country. For example, you can get equipment in Cusco at good prices, such as hiking shoes, raincoats, sunblock, hats, sunglasses, mosquito repellent, scarves, gloves, and sweaters.
• Buy local: Don´t go to the most expensive supermarket in Cusco where they offer all the important goods from Europe or the US. There are comparable, way cheaper products made in Peru or neighboring countries that offer good quality!
  For example: don´t buy the imported Kellogg’s for cereal but go for the brand “Angel” made in Peru.

• Go where the locals go! Use public transport systems like buses and buy at the local markets, such as the San Pedro Market. Don´t forget to negotiate – you can usually get at least 10% off the original price they tell you in the first place!

 

9. Food and eating out in Cusco

When it comes to food in Cusco, there are various ways to save money while enjoying the amazing Peruvian cuisine. Cusco offers high-class gourmet restaurants, usually located around the main square, Plaza de Armas. Here, you can expect prices similar to those in your home country – if not more expensive!

But if you avoid these expensive restaurants and you head a little off the Plaza de Armas – already two blocks away you will find smaller, more traditional restaurants that offer good food for very affordable prices.

• Tip # 1

Cusco also offers nice street food, and you can eat amazing dishes at the Peruvian market. However, when it comes to testing out food in Peru, be a bit cautious. If you have a sensitive stomach, you should consider investing more here and saving at the other end.

 

• Tip # 2

Another great option is to cook at school! If you are a student at AMAUTA and you live in the Student Residence, you have breakfast and lunch for free.

The food at AMAUTA is safe and delicious. So, eat whenever there is cooked for you at the school, don´t waste your money on tons of snacks. You can use the kitchen at the AMAUTA Residence and cook something simple (with your fellow students) for the night!

10. Choose the right tours and activities

There are so many things to see in Cusco that you should not miss, at least the ruins near Cusco! Even if you can´t afford to take a round-trip to visit all of Peru – there are some good options to explore the nearby areas and Inca ruins.

Instead of booking a tour, take the local bus and explore the ruins on your own.

As Cusco is very close to many ancient Inca sites (for example, Sacsayhuaman, Tipón, Tambomachay, Pisac, Ollantaytambo, Urubamba, Chincheros…), you can easily use local public transport to get to the ruins!

However:
Don´t try to save on a cheap guided tour! If you do decide to invest in a tour in Cusco, don´t go for the cheapest option.

Cheap agencies may lack a license, maintain no equipment, and have no professional guides, and thus can offer the lowest prices. This is especially true for adventure tours such as hiking, zip-lining, or rock climbing. Here are some tips for avoiding tourist traps in Cusco.

 

• Tip #1

There are many incredible hikes in the Cusco area that you can do on your own (or with a few friends). Or take part in the free activities as an AMAUTA student! At AMAUTA, you can take part in free Peruvian cooking, dance, and cocktail classes to get the full cultural experience!

 

11. Think smart: Plan ahead

If you plan ahead and buy the Boleto Turistico for Cusco, you can save money on entrance fees to tourist attractions, ruins, and museums, as this ticket grants you entrance to many sites in and around Cusco and you don´t have to pay for every single site!

However, the ticket is only valid for 10 days, so you have to plan a little and think smart. The Boleto Turistico may seem rather expensive; however, if you are interested in visiting those sites, you will end up paying more for all the different entrance fees. You can read more about the Boleto Turistico here.

We hope you found inspiration in these 11 Incredible Cheap Ways to Study Abroad in Peru, and that you can start preparing your study abroad program soon! And maybe we’ll see you in Cusco!

 

Bonus Tip!

12. Find Comfortable and cheap housing!

Save money by choosing the right accommodation for your stay in Peru!

Housing can take up a large part of your budget, so it’s important to look for the best option by comparing prices, location, and services provided. If you want to make the most of your Spanish course in Peru and practice your Spanish with locals, living with a host family is a good option. Remember, a homestay includes two (Peruvian) meals a day.

Another great option for our students in Cusco is the AMAUTA student residence downtown Cusco, where two meals are prepared daily by the AMAUTA cook. Since you live in the city center of Cusco, no money will be spent on transport, as you are within walking distance of the main square, the market area, the Avenida del Sol, and the San Blas quarter.

Would you like to take Spanish lessons in Cusco? Contact us or learn more here.

 

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