Money in Nazca in 2026: ATMs, Cards & How Much Cash to Carry

Updated Date: September 28, 2026

Author: Nazca Lines Tour Editorial Team

Quick Summary: Nazca runs on cash more than Lima or Cusco does. The two aerodrome fees for your Nazca Lines flight, about S/30 airport tax and S/47 tourist ticket, are usually paid in cash, and many small hotels, taxis, and restaurants prefer soles. ATMs around the Plaza de Armas work with foreign cards, but most charge around S/18–36 per withdrawal and cap each one at S/400–700. Withdraw what you need in town the day before your flight, and carry roughly S/300–500 per person for a typical one-night stop.

The basics: soles, dollars, and cards in Nazca

Peru’s currency is the sol (S/). Here’s how it works on the ground in Nazca:

Soles are king. Taxis, mototaxis, colectivos, market stalls, small restaurants, and many guesthouses expect soles in cash.
US dollars are sometimes accepted. Flight fares are often quoted in dollars, and some operators accept dollar bills. The exchange rate you get may be poor, and you’ll often receive change in soles.
Cards work in some places. Larger hotels, some restaurants, and flight operators often accept Visa and Mastercard, but many add a surcharge of around 5%. American Express is less widely accepted.
The exchange rate moves. Peru’s central bank listed the interbank rate at around S/3.36 per US dollar in January 2026. Check a current rate before you travel so you can spot a bad deal.

What you’ll actually pay for in Nazca

For most visitors, the Nazca Lines flight is the biggest expense, and it’s also where cash matters most.

Expense	Typical 2026 amount	Usually paid in	Notes
Nazca Lines flight	About US$80–110 per person	Card, USD, or soles	Often prepaid if booked in advance
Airport tax	About S/30 per person	Cash, in soles	Paid at the aerodrome before boarding
Nazca Lines tourist ticket	About S/47 per person	Usually cash	Required for every passenger since January 2025
Taxi to the aerodrome	Around S/10	Cash	Often included if your flight has pickup
Viewing tower entry	A few soles	Cash, small bills	Bring coins or small notes
Budget hotel or hostel	About US$18–40 per night	Cash or card	Small guesthouses may prefer cash
Mid-range hotel	About US$40–95 per night	Usually card	Card surcharges are common
Meals	About S/15–60 per meal	Cash or card	Set lunches (menú) are the cheapest option
Land tours (Chauchilla, Cantalloc, viewpoints)	About US$35–99	Cash or card	Entrance fees may be extra

Hotel price ranges come from our where to stay in Nazca guide.

Flights are the cost that surprises people most. A May 2025 traveler from London felt “the flights are incredibly expensive for a 30 minute flight” (RiSha, TripAdvisor), which is why it helps to budget the fare and the cash fees together from the start.

ATMs in Nazca: fees, limits, and where to find them

You’ll find bank ATMs, including BCP, around the Plaza de Armas and the main streets leading toward the bus terminals. Don’t count on the ATM at the aerodrome: it’s often reported as unreliable, and you may not have time to try another one before boarding.

ATM fees and limits in 2026

Peruvian banks charge foreign cards a fee for each withdrawal, and most machines cap each withdrawal quite low. Figures reported by traveler money guides in 2026:

ATM network	Typical fee for foreign cards	Typical limit per withdrawal
Banco de la Nación (MultiRed)	Often no fee	About S/400
BCP	Varies by card; often S/15–20 or none	About S/700
BanBif	About S/18–20	About S/700
BBVA	About S/18–25	About S/400
Interbank	About S/18–25	About S/400
Scotiabank	About S/18–28	About S/400
GlobalNet standalone machines	About S/19–36	About S/400

Fees and limits change often and can vary by machine and card. The amount shown on the ATM screen before you confirm is what applies.

How to lose less money at ATMs

Decline “conversion.” If the ATM offers to charge you in your home currency, choose soles instead. Dynamic currency conversion usually comes with a worse exchange rate.
Withdraw larger amounts less often. BCP’s higher limit of about S/700 means fewer fees than several S/400 withdrawals.
Use a fee-refunding card. Some banks back home refund foreign ATM fees or partner with Peruvian banks, so check before you travel.
Withdraw in the daytime, inside a branch if possible. Many banks lower limits at night, and indoor machines are safer.
Tell your bank you’re traveling. A blocked card in Nazca can be hard to sort out quickly.

How much cash to carry for a Nazca stop

Most travelers spend one night in Nazca around a morning flight. Here’s a realistic cash budget per person, assuming your flight is prepaid by card and you pay for your hotel by card.

Traveler type	Suggested cash per person	What it covers
Budget, one night	About S/250–350	Airport fees, taxis, tower visit, meals, snacks
Mid-range, one night	About S/350–500	The above, plus a land tour paid locally and nicer meals
Paying for the flight locally in cash	Add about S/270–370	A walk-up fare of about US$80–110 at around S/3.36 per dollar

If you’re paying for your flight in cash at the aerodrome, withdraw in town the day before. Arriving at 8:00 AM needing to find an ATM, pay fees, and board a plane is a stressful way to start the day.

Practical money tips for Nazca

Carry small bills. Taxi drivers and small shops often can’t break S/100 or S/200 notes. Break big notes at supermarkets, pharmacies, or your hotel.
Check your notes. Torn, marked, or heavily worn bills, including US dollars, may be refused. Counterfeit soles circulate in Peru, so check notes you receive as change.
Split your cash. Keep a day’s money in an accessible pocket and the rest in a money belt or your hotel safe.
Watch the “card only” assumption. Card machines in small towns go down more often than in cities. Always have enough cash as a backup.
Agree on taxi prices first. Taxis in Nazca don’t use meters. Settle the fare before you get in.
Keep receipts for prepaid services. If you’ve prepaid a flight, keep the voucher handy so you’re not asked to pay twice at the counter.

Paying for your Nazca Lines flight: options compared

Booking option	How you pay	Cash needed on the day	Best for
Nazca Lines Tour	Fare booked in advance, with total costs explained upfront	About S/77 per person for the aerodrome fees	First-time visitors who want to know the full cost in advance
Walk-up at an airline counter	Cash or card, often with a card surcharge	The fare plus about S/77	Flexible travelers comfortable negotiating
Hotel or agency desk in town	Cash or card	Usually the aerodrome fees	Travelers already checked in
Online marketplace	Card, in advance	About S/77 per person	Travelers who want free cancellation

For timing and logistics around your flight, see our guides on how to get to Nazca and things to do in Nazca in one day.

FAQ

Can I use a credit card in Nazca?

In some places. Larger hotels, some restaurants, and flight operators often accept Visa and Mastercard, but many add a surcharge of around 5%, and card machines can be unreliable. Taxis, colectivos, markets, small restaurants, and many guesthouses expect cash, and the aerodrome fees are usually paid in cash too.

Are there ATMs in Nazca?

Yes. Bank ATMs, including BCP, are located around the Plaza de Armas and the main streets toward the bus terminals. Most charge foreign cards around S/18–36 per withdrawal, and limits usually sit at about S/400–700 per transaction. Don’t rely on the ATM at the aerodrome.

Do I need cash for the Nazca Lines flight?

Yes, for the fees at least. Every passenger pays about S/30 for the airport tax and about S/47 for the Nazca Lines tourist ticket, usually in cash, even if the flight itself is prepaid. Bring about S/77 per person in soles, plus a little extra in case the fees have changed.

Should I bring US dollars to Nazca?

A small amount of clean, undamaged US dollars can be useful as a backup, since flight fares are often quoted in dollars. For day-to-day spending, soles are far more practical, and you’ll usually get a better deal paying in local currency. Most travelers withdraw soles from ATMs rather than exchanging large amounts of dollars.

How much cash should I bring for one night in Nazca?

If your flight and hotel are prepaid, around S/250–350 per person usually covers the aerodrome fees, taxis, the viewing tower, and meals for a one-night budget stop, or S/350–500 for a more comfortable stay with a local land tour. If you plan to pay for your flight in cash, add about S/270–370 per person.

Limitations

ATM fees, withdrawal limits, and card surcharges in Peru change frequently and vary by bank, machine, and the card you use, so treat the figures here as a guide and always check the ATM screen before confirming. Exchange rates fluctuate. Aerodrome fees are set by third parties and may be updated without notice. Prices for flights, hotels, tours, and meals vary by season. Confirm payment methods directly with your hotel and flight operator before you arrive, and carry a little more cash than you think you’ll need.