Is it safe to eat at markets?

Look for stalls with high turnover where locals are eating. If the food is cooked fresh in front of you, the risk is minimal.

Can I visit Machu Picchu on this budget?

It is difficult. You would need to save your $25 daily allowance for 10 days to cover the entrance fee and train, or choose the long, grueling bus-plus-hiking route to cut costs.

How to travel Peru on $25 a day

To survive on $25 USD a day in Peru, you must stick to local 'menu del dia' lunches, sleep in shared hostel dorms, and utilize overnight buses to save on accommodation costs. Focus your travel on the Andean highlands where local markets and bus transport remain significantly cheaper than in the tourist hubs of Cusco or Lima.

Eat the 'Menu del Dia'. Never order from the main menu at dinner. Look for chalkboard signs saying 'Menu del Dia' between 12 PM and 3 PM. You will get a soup, a main dish, and a drink for 8–12 soles ($2–$3).
Master the 'Colectivo'. Avoid private taxis or tourist shuttles. Use 'colectivos' (shared minivans) or public buses for inter-city travel. They are 50% cheaper than tourist-focused bus companies like Cruz del Sur.
Book overnight buses for long hauls. When traveling between distant cities like Lima and Arequipa, take an overnight bus. You pay the transport fare and save the cost of a hostel night simultaneously.
Shop at local 'Mercados'. Buy breakfast ingredients like bread, fruit, and yogurt at municipal markets rather than supermarkets or bakeries. A breakfast of fruit and local bread costs about $1.50.

Is it safe to eat at markets?: Look for stalls with high turnover where locals are eating. If the food is cooked fresh in front of you, the risk is minimal.
Can I visit Machu Picchu on this budget?: It is difficult. You would need to save your $25 daily allowance for 10 days to cover the entrance fee and train, or choose the long, grueling bus-plus-hiking route to cut costs.