Welcome to the Gringo Taxis FAQ Page
Have questions about traveling to Lima, Cusco, or about using our Gringo Taxis services? We’ve got you covered! Below we’ll cover the following topics safety, payment options, money exchange or the best ways to get around, our FAQ page provides practical, firsthand answers to help make your journey smoother and more enjoyable. Browse through the sections below to find the information you need to prepare for your trip with Gringo Taxis. Don’t see your question here? Reach out to us directly for further assistance!
Safety In And Around Peru
Living in Lima for over 9 years, I’ve never felt “unsafe.” While petty theft can occur, violent crime rates are relatively low compared to many major cities worldwide. According to the most recent data, Lima’s murder rate is not among the top 50 most dangerous cities globally. Despite what you might hear, Lima isn’t significantly more dangerous than many cities in the U.S. and Europe.
Terrorism warnings from the U.S. can be very misleading. The January 6th attacks in the U.S. show that no country is immune from violence. Don’t let fear-mongering scare you away. Gringo Taxis provides real-time insights from living and operating here, not just sensational headlines.
For perspective, in 2021, Peru had a national murder rate of approximately 7.2 per 100,000 people, compared to the U.S., which had around 6.5 per 100,000 people in 2019. Not a significant difference from the U.S.
Peru can be a safe destination for solo female travelers, but it’s important to take precautions. Just like any major city, petty theft can happen, especially in crowded tourist areas.
Light colored hair will absolutley draw attention to you. Most of the Peruvian women have very dark hair and light colored hair is strange to the locals.
No one knows yo are traveling “alone” except you, unless you tell them. When out on your own and find yourself confronted by a peruvian that is pushing his luck, look directly behind them, at any building and yell “Thomas I’ll be right there”. Thomas is a male Peruvian name as well and they know that, so the image you have just filled their head with is you have a male friend just behind them.
Avoiding displays of valuables, sticking to well-lit areas at night, and using reputable transportation options like Gringo Taxis can help ensure a safer experience. Many solo female travelers have had positive experiences in Peru, enjoying its rich culture and friendly locals, but it’s always wise to stay vigilant and take basic safety measures.
Cusco, compared to Lima is remarkably safe. Peru understands that tourism is a major industry and goes to great lengths to protect tourists in the region. However, you should still keep an eye on your belongings at all times. An item like a laptop or a camera could represent more than a few months’ wages for most people.
According to the “Organized Crime Report at the national level and regions with the highest crime rate” from March 2023, prepared by Prosegur, robberies and aggravated thefts accounted for 81% of incidents nationwide. While crime rates are higher in certain regions like Lima, Piura, La Libertad, Lambayeque, Arequipa, Ica, Callao, and Ancash, popular tourist areas such as Cusco remain safe for visitors.
Lima itself, with its large population of 8-12 million residents, experiences the majority of its crime in its outer districts like Comas, Independencia, and La Victoria, which are not typically where tourists frequent.
Petty crime can be an issue throughout Lima, including in tourist areas like Miraflores. Theft can happen anywhere—whether it’s leaving valuables unattended at a cash register, carrying a purse or wallet in an unsecured manner, or using electronic devices like smartphones. However, these issues are manageable with basic precautions, similar to those faced in many other major cities around the world.
Use ATMs in secure, well-lit locations: Choose ATMs that are located within banks, hotels, or shopping centers, especially those that are well-lit and monitored by security cameras. Avoid using ATMs in secluded or poorly lit areas.
Opt for bank ATMs over stand-alone ATMs: Bank ATMs are generally safer because they are regularly maintained, monitored, and protected by bank security. Stand-alone ATMs, especially those found in gas stations or outside smaller shops, may be less secure and can sometimes be targeted for tampering or skimming devices. This is a regular practice here in Peru, so pay attention.
Monitor your surroundings: Always be aware of your environment when using an ATM. Make sure no one is standing too close to you or seems to be watching you while you’re withdrawing cash. Stand with your back to the wall, if possible, to avoid being approached from behind. Best to withdraw cash during the day, the Peruvian Nation Police are not present regularly and what we call Serenazgo here are equally as useless in stopping or preventing a crime.
Cover your PIN: Shield the keypad with your hand when entering your PIN to prevent others from seeing it. This simple precaution helps protect you from potential identity theft. This seems very basic but Identity left in Peru is far more common than one might think. Here personal information is often not secured and personal ID #’s like a US SS# are given out all the time for no real reason.
Avoid using ATMs late at night: If you need cash late at night, it’s better to wait until the next morning. Nighttime is when the risk of crime increases, and using an ATM outside normal hours can put you at unnecessary risk.
Use ATMs inside banks during business hours: If you need to use an ATM, opt for those inside bank premises during business hours. The presence of bank staff and security guards provides an added layer of safety.
Be cautious of ATM scams: Inspect the ATM for any unusual devices, like fake card slots, cameras, or keypads. Skimming devices are sometimes attached to ATMs to capture your card details and PIN. If you notice anything suspicious, find another ATM.
Ask the driver to stop. Unfortunately many times the male drivers will make “passes” at the solo females or taxis in general will disregard safety and drive as if their lives and that of the passangers do not mean anything.
Gringo Taxis Questions
Gringo Taxis accepts payments in both USD and what’s known as PEN or the Peruvian Sol.
Those who schedule (recommended) online on any of our booking pages such as our Lima Arrivals page our Lima Departures page or our Cuzco Booking page will pay in US dollars. Those that live or frequent Peru and have used our services in the past often message me and pay in soles.
Gringo Taxis Operates throughout Lima and Cuzco Peru with a strict focus on airport/hotel transfers or trips to the beaches south of Lima.
Our fares are fair! We only charge extra for the type of vehicle you choose, either a sedan, SUV, van or minibus. Otherwise, the fare is determined by district. So pile in with your friends and don’t worry about extra charges. Just keep the number of passengers to no more than the limit allowed in the vehicle. The limits are listed for each vehicle. Keep in mind piling in is still limited to the number of seats available and any additional stops beyond the first will incur additional charges, even in the same district.
Generally No. Gringo Taxis is an airport taxi business focused on providing on time pickups to and from the airports we serve.
The type of taxi we offer is a private hire taxi and we are required by law to have a reservation. Due to the time issues getting around the various cities we operate in, we cannot provide a quality service if we’re stuck in unexpected traffic somewhere far from our regular routes. We work with a very small and trustworthy group of drivers unlike taxi Apps that hire anyone with a car. We care about what you are getting into, about your safety and who is picking you up. Considering 25% of the taxis offering services at the airport are criminals or currently being prosecuted for crimes we choose to stay small.
This may sound odd to you but Peru does not require Car Seats for children. In fact the law allows a person to hold the child in their arms in the rear seats up to the age of 5 after that they are required to use a seat.
Gringo Taxis has car seats available in every area we service, unfortunately because no one uses them we have a limited number available. In Lima just pick the vehicle with the car seat option listed, in Cusco simply add the Car Seat Option.
Unfortunately the “Cost” of a Gringo Taxi Airport Taxi is hard to say. I’m not being vague but rather honest here. Our rates range drastically but as an example only, a trip from the Airport for a sedan can be as low as $22.49 up to over $45 depending on your level of service you order. You may have found “cheaper” places online but they are not running a legal busness and use family cars with no insurance to cover you in an accident. You have to remember 70% of the Peruvian economy is informal, meaning they do whatever they can to avoid accountability and responsibility.
We base our rates on different districts within our operating areas. Our rates are competative with the local Airport Taxis with the added convinence of online scheduling from anywhere and a choice of payment options. Finally no lines! you walk out to the main arrivals hall and our driver’s meet you, escorting you to their vehicle.
Uber
Let me start by saying:
- We’re not in competition with Uber. Our clients seek a more reliable and punctual service.
- If price is your main concern and safety is not, then by all means, use Uber.
- If you have very low expectations, Uber may meet your needs. However, our service goes beyond just the price.
- We don’t “dislike” Uber; what we dislike is their tendency to operate outside of local laws without facing accountability.
- More than 50% of our website visitors search about Uber asking, “Is Uber safe?” and whether it operates in Peru. The answer is yes, but if safety is a concern for you, that’s a red flag. Below, we’ll provide more details on why our service might be a better choice.
The simple answer is yes, yes they do. In fact you can use your same account from back in your home country and it will work fine in Peru.
There are 4 that come to mind
1: Didi, which is Ubers strongest competion as of late and they allow you to pay in soles in cash.
2: Cabify, Charges in USD and is more executive level in Peru. Remember, this is Peru we’re talking about not a developed country, so executive here may not mean the same thing.
3: Yango, this the newest of the bunch and I have only had limited experience with them. They refused to answer an email I sent them asking for some information about their services. That seems odd to me, not very transparent in their ads online. In fact so vague I don’t see them growing, even Peruvians seem to question their business model.
4. Indrive often misspelled as Indriver. This is by far the worst of the bunch. While rates are dirt cheap, so is the level of service, high potential for being robbed with the drivers using this app, or so I see in the news. This is more used by Peruvians to move items in a B2B type situation.
Gringo Taxis has nothing against the Uber Platform. The idea is a solid one and has its place. Unfortunately Uber operates in Peru as they do everywhere, outside the law.
Even popular tour buses here in Peru write posts on “Why not to use Uber for airport pickups” Uber in Peru is the same brand but not the same level of service. If you questioned their service back in your country, you would be prudent to question that here as well.
Apps such as Uber are not allowed to operate at the airport or even in the area of Lima called Callao. That doesn’t mean they don’t offer the service, they do. If they get caught they just pay the fine. Problem is, if the driver gets caught he gets the ticket and the points on his license go to him and not Uber. Same infraction in 12 months and they lose their license for 12 month, do it again and lose it for 24 months. Using Uber is putting a drivers ability to feed his family at risk. I’m not saying don’t use them. I’m saying, think before you jump.
Many Expatriates live here and post in the various groups about their “White Knuckle Ride” in their Uber. Often discribed similar to a ride through hell.
Visa's And Peru
Peru welcomes tourists from many countries without requiring a visa for short visits. However, as of May 29, 2023, Peru has updated its entry process:
Digital Entry and Exit Records:
- Peru no longer stamps passports at international airports. Instead, all entries and exits are recorded digitally through the Virtual Andean Migration Card (TAM).
- This new system helps reduce airport congestion and preserves passport pages, benefiting frequent travelers.
Visa-Free Entry:
- Most visitors from North America, Europe, and many other regions can stay in Peru visa-free for up to 183 days within a 365-day period.
- The exact number of days granted will be recorded in the digital TAM. Always verify this upon arrival. Howver Generally Peru allows only 90 day stays at a time with ABSOLUTELY NO OPTION TO EXTEND.
Security Measures:
- Advanced digital systems ensure document authenticity and passenger identity for secure and efficient entry.
Proof of Entry/Exit:
- Since physical stamps are no longer used, travelers should save a copy of their TAM records for any required proof of stay duration.
For more details or to access your Virtual Andean Migration Card, visit the official website of Peru’s National Superintendence of Migrations.
As of January 1, 2024, if you overstay your authorized period in Peru, you will incur a fine of S/ 5.15 per day.
Calculation of the Fine:
The fine is determined as 0.1% of the Unidad Impositiva Tributaria (UIT).
For 2024, the UIT is set at S/ 5,150, making the daily overstay fine S/ 5.15.
The overstay fine in Peru is calculated as 0.1% of the Unidad Impositiva Tributaria (UIT). The UIT value is adjusted annually by the Peruvian government to account for inflation and economic factors.
Here’s a general trend:
- In 2023, the UIT was S/ 4,950, resulting in a daily fine of S/ 4.95.
- In 2024, the UIT increased to S/ 5,150, making the fine S/ 5.15 per day.
This suggests the fine typically increases by approximately S/ 0.10 to S/ 0.20 per day each year, depending on the annual adjustment of the UIT. However, the exact rate of increase depends on the government’s economic policies and inflation.
