Peruvian Travel & Getting Around

Minibus (Peru)

"La combi" is Peru's iconic minibus — the packed, informal public transit vehicles that crisscross Lima and other cities, with a driver's assistant (cobrador) shouting the route out the door. Cheap, chaotic, and a genuine part of daily Peruvian life.

How much is it? (Peru)

"¿Cuánto cuesta?" is the essential shopping and taxi question across Peru. In markets, following up with "¿me lo deja más barato?" (can you give it to me cheaper?) opens the door to friendly bargaining.

To take a taxi (Peru — a cultural false friend)

A genuinely useful regional heads-up: the verb "coger" (to take/grab) is completely neutral and normal in Peru — "coger un taxi", "coger el bus" are everyday phrases. In Mexico and a few other countries, "coger" is crude slang and best avoided entirely. In Peru, there's nothing to worry about.

Where is...? (Peru)

"¿Dónde queda...?" is the natural way to ask where something is located in Peru — "¿dónde queda la plaza?" (where's the square?). More idiomatic in everyday speech than the textbook "¿dónde está?".

Bus stop (Peru)

"El paradero" is the Peruvian word for bus stop — used constantly for both formal stops and the informal spots where combis pick up passengers. Other countries often say "la parada"; in Peru, "paradero" is the natural, everyday term.