Want to know what I wish someone had handed me before my internship abroad in Peru? Going abroad feels huge until you break it into a list, so here is the whole thing, in the order I would actually do it.
I am a bilingual San Diego State University student who spent eight weeks interning in Cusco, and this is the straight talking version: the real costs, the rookie mistakes, and the stuff nobody tells you before you get on the plane.
FIRST - DECIDE & LOCK IN
✅ Confirm exactly what your program requires. Hours, dates, what’s included, what’s not. I owed 250 internship hours, know your number before you commit a dollar.
✅ Buy your Machu Picchu tickets the day you know your dates. This is the mistake that wrecks trips. Do not gamble on grabbing them once you’re in Aguas Calientes, the line is brutal and tickets sell for two days out.
✅ Run the real budget. My benchmark for 8 weeks: ~$1,691 round trip flights, ~$4,760 all in, and about $400/ month once I stopped living like a tourist.
NEXT - THE PAPERWORK WEEK
✅ Check your passport validity. It needs to be good for 60 days past your return date. Staying under 90 days in Peru? No visa required.
✅ Enroll in STEP. The free U.S. government traveler program sends you safety alerts for your area and flags your emergency contacts. Ten minutes, real peace of mind.
✅ Sort travel insurance before you fly. Cheap relative to the trip, and some programs require proof of it.
MONEY - SET UP BEFORE WHEELS UP
✅ Bring a Visa or Mastercard with no foreign transaction fees. But know that in Cusco, cash (soles) is king, and most everyday spending happens in cash.
✅ Plan your cash strategy. Change money at a Casa de Cambio on Avenida El Sol for the best rates, and download Yape, the payment app everyone in Cusco uses.
PHONE & PACKING
✅ Decide your phone plan. Options: a U.S. international plan (daily or monthly), or just buy a local SIM on arrival: they’re everywhere, from the airport to corner shops.
✅ Pack for the climate and a laundry rhythm. Warm layers (jacket, thermals, hat, warm socks), real walking shoes, sunglasses, a reusable water bottle. Two weeks of clothes + a laundromat run every ~2 weeks (~$20) beats hauling everything.
ON ARRIVAL
✅ Respect the altitude for 48 hours. Cusco sits at 11,150 ft. Walk slow, hydrate, and don’t plan a hike on day one, even long sentences will leave you out of breath. You’ll feel normal by day three.
✅ Nail your first day logistics. Know how you’re getting from the airport to your housing, and have your neighborhood and address written down, service can be spotty when you land.
3 things I’d tell my past self
- Don’t splurge week one. I blew through money living like a tourist before I found my rhythm. Save your souvenir budget for the end.
- Buy the Machu Picchu tickets early. Worth saying twice.
- Don’t underestimate the altitude. Two slow days up front saved my whole trip.
You’ve got this! Have an incredible trip. Going abroad is one of the best things you’ll do in college, and the nerves fade fast once you’re on the ground. If this checklist helped, I’m putting together more free resources for students heading to Latin America over at The Cusco Playbook.
About the author. David Esquer is an International Business student at San Diego State University who spent the summer interning in Cusco, Peru through IVHQ. He shares free guides and trip planning help for students headed to Latin America at The Cusco Playbook.
FAQs
For most travelers, including U.S. citizens, no visa is required to complete a short-term internship in Peru. You can legally enter as a tourist for programs lasting under 90 days. However, immigration authorities strictly require that your passport be valid for at least 60 days after your planned return flight. Always double-check entry requirements based on your specific nationality before booking your Intern Abroad HQ program.
Based on recent intern experiences, a realistic, all-inclusive budget for an 8-week internship in Cusco is approximately US$4,700 to US$4,800. While your individual spending may vary, your budget breakdown should account for flights, daily living (approx. US$400 per month for local food, transport, and laundry once you settle into a local routine, avoiding ‘tourist trap’ spending), Intern Abroad HQ program fees (which covers your internship placement, accommodation, meals, orientation, airport pickup, and ongoing support).
You should book your Machu Picchu tickets the exact day you confirm your internship dates. Because visitor numbers to the site are strictly capped by the Peruvian government, tickets often sell out weeks or months in advance. Do not wait until you arrive, or leave it to the last minute, as you will run the risk of missing out.
To safely prepare for Cusco’s elevation, take care to dedicate time after you’ve arrived to resting and acclimatizing. Because altitude sickness can affect anyone regardless of fitness level, make sure you take it slow. Drink lots of water and pace your first week. Start your internship tasks gradually; so you have time to settle in. Interns may speak with their doctor in advance of travel, to discuss any personal health needs.
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