
The Peruvian Sol is the official currency of Peru, and it's essential to understand how it works, especially if you're planning to visit or live in the country.
The Peruvian Sol is subdivided into 100 centimos, which is a convenient unit of measurement for everyday transactions.
You can exchange your money for Peruvian Sol at the airport, banks, or currency exchange offices, but be aware that the exchange rates may vary.
The official exchange rate is set by the Central Reserve Bank of Peru, which also regulates the money supply and inflation in the country.
In Peru, you can use credit cards at many businesses, including restaurants, hotels, and shops, but it's always a good idea to have some cash on hand.
The Peruvian Sol is a relatively stable currency, but it's still a good idea to have some local currency with you, especially when traveling to rural areas.
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History of Peruvian Sol
The Peruvian sol has a rich history, with various currencies used before it became the country's official currency. The Spanish colonial real was used from the 16th to 19th centuries, with 8 reales equal to 1 peso.
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The Peruvian real was introduced in 1822 and initially worth 1⁄8 peso, but reales worth 1⁄10 peso were introduced in 1858 as the country transitioned to a decimal currency system.
Here's a brief overview of the currencies that preceded the sol:
- The Spanish colonial real (16th to 19th centuries)
- The Peruvian real (1822 to 1863)
- The sol or sol de oro (1863 to 1985)
- The inti (1985 to 1991)
The inti was eventually abandoned due to economic issues and hyperinflation in the late 1980s, leading to the introduction of the sol as the new currency in 1991.
History
The Peruvian sol has a rich history that dates back to the 16th century when the Spanish colonial real was used. This currency was used for over a century, with 8 reales equal to 1 peso.
The Peruvian real was introduced in 1822 and was initially worth 1/8 peso, but later in 1858, reales worth 1/10 peso were introduced as part of the transition to a decimal currency system.
The sol or sol de oro was used from 1863 to 1985, with 1 sol equal to 10 reales. The inti was introduced in 1985, with 1 inti equal to 1,000 soles de oro.
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The government was forced to abandon the inti due to the country's bad economy and hyperinflation in the late 1980s. This led to the introduction of the sol as the country's new currency in 1991.
The new currency was put into use on July 1, 1991, with a rate of 1 sol to 1,000,000 intis, or one inti millón. Coins denominated in the new unit were introduced on October 1, 1991, and the first banknotes on November 13, 1991.
Since the introduction of the sol, the country has maintained an inflation rate of 1.5%, the lowest ever in South America or Latin America as a whole. The exchange rate has also remained relatively stable, between S/2.2 and S/4.13 per US dollar.
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The Nation Saved
In the late 1980s, Peru was facing a severe economic crisis due to massive hyperinflation. The introduction of the new Peruvian sol helped to bring stability to the economy.
Hyperinflation was causing a huge strain on the Peruvian people, making everyday transactions a challenge. The Peruvian sol was introduced to address this issue.
The new currency helped usher in an era of lower inflation and a more stable exchange rate compared to the U.S. dollar. This was a significant improvement for the nation.
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Peruvian Sol Currency
The Peruvian sol is the official currency of Peru, and you'll find it everywhere in the country, from Lima to Machu Picchu to the Amazon basin. Its currency code is simply SOL.
You can write out values and prices using the symbol S/ for example, if something costs 550 soles, you would write S/550.
Peru's historic currency and economy are quite fascinating. Long before Peru declared its independence from Spain in 1821, the city of Cusco was the seat of the Inca Empire.
The Inca Empire used an accounting system called quipu to keep track of trades and inventory, making it possible for the Inca to trade up and down the coast of South America.
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After the global economic downfall of 1929, Peru struggled with hyperinflation, as did many other nations. This led to the creation of the Central Reserve Bank of Peru to help control inflation and restore economic prosperity.
The Peruvian sol has undergone changes over the years. In 1963, the government replaced the real with a form of money called the sol, which went out of circulation in the 1980s when the country introduced the inti currency.
Today, the Peruvian sol is more commonly referred to as the nuevo sol or Peruvian sol. This new currency was introduced in the 1990s by President Alberto Fujimori to help control the country's hyperinflation.
The monetary system replacement was so successful in stabilizing the country's economy that ever since the country has experienced normal inflation growth and better economic stability compared to many other countries in South America.
To change money like US dollars into soles, research the exchange rate ahead of time. Different exchange offices, banks, and transfer apps will offer varying rates.
You can secure the most favorable exchange rate possible by shopping around.
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Using Peruvian Sol
The Peruvian sol is the official currency of Peru, and you'll find it everywhere in the country.
Its currency code is simply SOL, which is a convenient and easy-to-remember code.
You'll often see prices and values written out with the symbol S/, which is what you'd use to write out a price like 550 soles.
Cash is still the main driver of Peru's economy, so be prepared to use banknotes during your trip.
In fact, you can expect to need banknotes to pay for things, especially when you're traveling to places like Lima, Machu Picchu, and the Amazon basin.
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Banknotes and Coins
The Peruvian sol has a wide range of banknotes and coins in circulation. Banknotes for S/10, S/20, S/50, and S/100 were introduced in 1990, with the S/200 note following in August 1995.
The S/10 banknote features a portrait of José Quiñones Gonzales on the obverse, with a Caproni Ca.113 flying upside-down on the reverse. In 2021, a new series of banknotes was issued, featuring a new design for the S/10 note with María Isabel Granda y Larco on the obverse and a Vicuña and Ismene amancaes on the reverse.
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The S/20 banknote features a portrait of Raúl Porras Barrenechea on the obverse, with an interior of Torre Tagle Palace on the reverse. In 2022, a new design for the S/20 note was introduced, featuring José María Arguedas Altamirano on the obverse and an Andean condor and Cantua buxifolia on the reverse.
Coins were introduced in 1991 in denominations of 1, 5, 10, 20, and 50 céntimos and S/1. The one- and five-céntimo coins fell out of use, with the one-céntimo removed from circulation on May 1, 2011, and the five-céntimos on January 1, 2019.
Here are the current denominations of Peruvian coins and banknotes:
Peruvian banknotes have security features to prevent counterfeiting, including three watermarks, a security stripe, and black strips with raised ink.
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Exchange Rates and Comparison
The Peruvian sol currency is less volatile than it once was, but exchange rates still vary based on global trade, national elections, and interest rates.
To get the best exchange rate, research the rates ahead of time and shop around, comparing different exchange offices, banks, and transfer apps.
If you're traveling to Peru, it's essential to compare currency suppliers to maximize your chances of getting a good deal. This will help you find the best Peruvian sol exchange rate.
Over the past 30 days, the Peruvian sol rate has increased by 0.23%, making one pound worth more Peruvian soles today than it would have a month ago.
Timing is key when it comes to buying Peruvian soles, and the best time to buy will depend on the current market conditions and your personal travel plans.
If you have a fixed travel date, start monitoring the Peruvian sol rates as soon as possible to buy when the rate is favourable. For example, if the rate has been steadily increasing over several weeks or months, it could be a good time to buy.
Some people prefer to buy half of their Peruvian soles as soon as they've booked their holiday and the remaining half just before they depart. This can help maximize your holiday money if the exchange rate continues to rise after you've bought.
Compare before you buy, as some of the best travel money deals are only available when you buy online. This will give you access to better currency deals and lower operating costs.
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Interesting Facts and Examples
The Peruvian sol is a fascinating currency, and here are some interesting facts about it.
The Peruvian sol is subdivided into 100 céntimos, and coins circulate in denominations of S/5, S/2, and S/1, and 10, 20, and 50 céntimos.
Peru's top trading partners are China, the United States, Canada, Korea, and Switzerland, which is likely why the currency is quite stable.
According to World Bank data, Peru registered -11.14% GDP growth in 2020, which is a significant drop.
Here's a breakdown of the Peruvian sol's trading partners and their corresponding export values:
As of August 2021, one U.S. dollar bought approximately 4.07 PEN.
5 Fascinating Facts
The Peruvian sol is a unique currency in its own right. Nuevos soles are the official currency of Peru, and they have some fascinating features.
The Nuevos soles are the only currency in the world that uses the "S" symbol to represent its value.
The Peruvian sol has a long history, with the first currency introduced in 1823.
Only in Peru can you find coins with the image of the national hero José de San Martín.
Real-World Example of a Pen

The Peruvian sol is a great example of a currency in action. It's issued by the Central Reserve Bank of Peru and comes in denominations of 10, 20, 50, 100, and 200 soles.
The Peruvian sol is subdivided into 100 céntimos, with coins circulating in denominations of S/5, S/2, and S/1, and 10, 20, and 50 céntimos. This makes everyday transactions a breeze.
Peru's economy is largely driven by exports, with its top trading partners being China, the United States, Canada, Korea, and Switzerland. Copper, gold, oil, and zinc are among its largest exports.
Here's a breakdown of Peru's top trading partners:
As of August 2021, one U.S. dollar was equivalent to approximately 4.07 Peruvian soles. This exchange rate can fluctuate over time, but it gives you an idea of the current value of the Peruvian sol.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is sol the same as PEN?
The currency code "PEN" is the official code for the Peruvian Sol, also known as Nuevos Soles.
How much is $1 dollar to 1 sol?
1 USD is equivalent to 0.0052 SOL. Convert your dollars to Solana (SOL) with our up-to-date exchange rates
How do you write sol currency?
The official currency of Peru is denoted as "S/
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