Prices are much cheaper if you know where to shop. Although many people are told markets are dangerous, as long as you blend in, you'll be fine. If you learn to be market-wise, you can save a lot of money and find the same quality goods that you can find in shops. These prices are based on those in 2008. You'll find most of the prices in soles, however, more expensive goods are usually sold in dollars.

Food and Drink

a small soft drink: 1 - 1.5 soles
a 2 liter bottle of Coke: 3.5 soles
a small can of coffee: 2.5 soles
a litre of 100% fruit juice: 3 soles
a litre of milk: 2-3 soles
bottled water for a water cooler: 15 - 30 soles
a large bag of Lays potato chips: 3 soles
a Nestle ice-cream: 2.5 soles
a small yoghurt (150 grams): 1.5 soles
a can of tuna in oil (185 grams): 3 soles
a kilo of oranges: from 1 sol
a 1K bag of rice: 2.5 soles
a 100 gram pack of sandwich bologna: 2-4 soles
15 grade-A eggs: 3 soles
a loaf of French bread: 1 - 2 soles
a nice bottle of wine: 20-100 soles
a large bottle of beer: 3 soles
a bottle of Bailey's: 45 soles

Toiletries

a haircut: 5 - 25 soles
a pack of five cigarettes: 1 sol
a El Comercio Newspaper: 3.5 in Lima/5 in Provinces
a 4-pack of Scott toilet paper: 2 soles
a roll-on deodorant (25ml): from 3 soles
a box of 36 sanitary napkins: from 5 soles
a bottle of shampoo (400ml): from 8 soles
a bottle of lotion (400ml): 10 soles
a bar of soap: 2 soles
a 4-pack of Gillette Mach 3 blades: 25 soles
a 10-pack of Tylenol tablets (500mg): 5 soles
a new pair of prescription glasses including frames and eye-exam: from 200 soles
a doctor/dentist visit: 30-100 soles

Going out

a burger on a bun with everything from a street stall: 3 soles
a ¼ chicken with fries and a salad: 3-8 soles
lunch in street cafe: 5 - 10 soles
lunch in a nicer restaurant: 15-30 soles
lunch set at McDonald's: from 7 soles
dinner in a quality restaurant: 35 - 75 soles
a large super-deluxe pizza at Pizza Hut: 35-45 soles
a pitcher of beer or sangria in a bar: 15 - 20 soles
a ticket to a disco: 5-20 soles
a ticket to a movie theater: 5 - 15 soles (Tuesdays have lower prices)
3 (pirated) DVDs: 10 soles
a one month gym membership: 35-150 soles
1 hour in an internet cafe: 1 - 2 soles

Shopping. Market prices - Shop prices

a new pair of trousers: 40-60 soles
a new long-sleeved button-down shirt: 25-60 soles
a leather pair of shoes: 40-75 soles
a decent pair of earrings: 2-15 soles
a knit sweater: 20-120 soles
a watch: 50-200 soles
a pair of socks: 1-5 soles
undergarments: 5-35 soles
a winter coat: 75-375 soles
a tie: 15 soles

Appliances

a brand new table fan: 35 soles
a brand new rice cooker: 25 soles
a brand new microwave oven: 150 USD
a brand new mini-fridge: from 250 USD
a brand new DVD Player: from 250 USD
a brand new PC / Compaq: from 1000 USD
a used PC (in decent condition): from 500 USD
a brand new notebook computer: from 1500 USD
a brand new mobile phone: from 250 soles
a used mobile phone in decent condition: from 100 soles
a brand new 21" flat screen stereo TV: 500 USD
a brand new CD home stereo: 300 USD
a brand CD portable stereo: 20 USD
a brand new washing machine: 300 USD
a brand new motorbike: from 500 USD

Housing / Hotels

1 month rent (completely unfurnished): 100-300 USD
1 month rent (furnished) 150-350 USD
1 apartment security deposit: two month's rent payable before move-in day
1 month electric bill (for a small apartment): 15-45 soles
1 month home internet (ADSL): 120 - 200 soles
1 month of cable TV: Lima: Premium USD 35.30, Intermediate USD 25.00, (USD 10,00 cheaper in provinces)
1 night in a 5 star hotel: from 80 USD (some are 300 USD)
1 night in a 4 star hotel: from 50 USD
1 night in a 3 star hotel: from 30 USD
1 night in a budget hotel: from 15 soles

Transport

a short mototaxi ride: 1-2 soles
a short taxi ride: from 3 - 5 soles
a single fare journey on city bus: 0.5 - 1.2 soles
a single bus ticket from Piura to Lima: 60-90 soles
a single air ticket from Piura to Lima (not including 15 USD airport tax): 90 USD

Sharon de Hinojosa (naturegirl321) has lived and worked (mainly teaching English) in the US, Scotland, Spain, the Czech Republic, China, Korea, and Peru. As well as teaching short-term in Venezuela and Taiwan.

She has created The LA Job List http://www.thelajoblist.blogspot.com which lists schools, institutes and universities in 19 Latin American countries which offer English teaching positions.

Since living in Peru since August 2006, she wrote The Ultimate Peru List http://www.theultimateperulist.blogspot.com With 60 pages it's a comprehensive guide for those living in or moving to Peru.