Just found your channel ! We are retired and slow traveling between Mexico and Argentina, in search of our favorite retirement city. We are currently living in Xela, Guatemala. As cool weather lovers we are interested in Cusco and Arequipa. Thanks for the videos ! Scott n Lidia
so awesome to see Cusco again. Visited in 2022 for the Inca trail and just fell in love with the city. really hoping to revisit either this fall or next. thanks for the video
Good question. ATMs offer dollar or local currency (soles) withdrawals. I could easily just take out soles and pay a significant commission for each withdrawal at a not-very-good exchange rate. The commissions (around 5-8%!) add up since there is relatively small limit for each withdrawal, but one bank -- ScotiaBank -- has a relationship with Bank of America so I can withdraw dollars from my BofA account with no fees from either bank. I then go to a casa de cambio and exchange dollars for soles at a very decent exchange rate. This saves me a LOT of money every month because I don't have to worry about any withdrawal fees and I get a good exchange rate.
I forgot to say that I could take out soles with no commission before, but for some reason that ended several years ago. I'm probably getting a better exchange rate since this process takes one quick step -- the casas de cambio are all next to the banks -- which saves me a little money compared to before.
@@jonargotte1589 From the news i know NYC is dangerous too 😅 The point is... Changing the safety of a country or even a small city is very difficult. It's a better idea to move to a place that is already safe. Finland has been the happiest country in the world many years. I love my country (Perú) but i know that i have to move as soon as possible. Besides, Peru also has the problem of earthquakes. Scientists every year remind us that a strong one might happen at any moment because it's been decades since the last strong one, so it's already time for a new strong one.
Love this. Love Cusco.
Just found your channel !
We are retired and slow traveling between Mexico and Argentina, in search of our favorite retirement city. We are currently living in Xela, Guatemala. As cool weather lovers we are interested in Cusco and Arequipa. Thanks for the videos !
Scott n Lidia
so awesome to see Cusco again. Visited in 2022 for the Inca trail and just fell in love with the city. really hoping to revisit either this fall or next. thanks for the video
I'm lucky to live here. It's a wonderful city with great people.
so the ATM gives what that you have to exchange?
Good question.
ATMs offer dollar or local currency (soles) withdrawals. I could easily just take out soles and pay a significant commission for each withdrawal at a not-very-good exchange rate. The commissions (around 5-8%!) add up since there is relatively small limit for each withdrawal, but one bank -- ScotiaBank -- has a relationship with Bank of America so I can withdraw dollars from my BofA account with no fees from either bank.
I then go to a casa de cambio and exchange dollars for soles at a very decent exchange rate. This saves me a LOT of money every month because I don't have to worry about any withdrawal fees and I get a good exchange rate.
I forgot to say that I could take out soles with no commission before, but for some reason that ended several years ago. I'm probably getting a better exchange rate since this process takes one quick step -- the casas de cambio are all next to the banks -- which saves me a little money compared to before.
OMG. Peru is very dangerous. I'm Peruvian, love my country and want to leave.
You need to get out more
@@jonargotte1589 Where are you from?
@@IntelligentAtheism I'm NYC
@@jonargotte1589 From the news i know NYC is dangerous too 😅 The point is... Changing the safety of a country or even a small city is very difficult. It's a better idea to move to a place that is already safe. Finland has been the happiest country in the world many years. I love my country (Perú) but i know that i have to move as soon as possible. Besides, Peru also has the problem of earthquakes. Scientists every year remind us that a strong one might happen at any moment because it's been decades since the last strong one, so it's already time for a new strong one.
I do. I just don't share everything here!