Born in peru. Raised in USA. When I go in to buy something at the stores they charge me in soles. But when they see my blonde blue eyed American wife, they change the tune to dollars. What a joke!? So, we go in and look at the shirt she wants one day and leave. I come back (without my wife) and with a Peruvian family member like a Tia, and get the items at an even lower rate.
I had something similar happen to me in the San Pedro Market in Cuzco. I saw so many people buying steamed corn (choclo) and so I wait in line. When my time is up, the lady selling the corn stops for a moment and asks for 5 dollars 😭 Just for one choclo
Hello Nicki Travels I’m so sorry Nicki. Peru is a beautiful country. Don’t get discouraged by the poachers and the opportunistic individuals. I have also seen some “cholitas” in Lima selling their products from a básquet. I loved their colorful dresses. So I asked for a picture and I got one after each wanted a sol. Then, they kept pushing me for more. And I said no and walked away. They seemed upset but I didn’t understand why they were SO offended.
The same for me. Im irish german american. And my wife is peruvian. When i go to peru i love going out but as far as markets i have to stay home usually. Or they prices get bumped up. I can got to tottus or a wong though. And the actual prices are posted. But still love my wifes family. Enjoy being their. My wife says k ellos cobran por cara 😂
They also do that when they hear you speak English too. I'm Peruvian-American and the last time I went I was charged double the price for chips just because the vendor lady heard me speak to my brother in English
A year and a half after you published this video, I got to see it. Most tourist destinations in the world have visitors (tourists), people who serve them, and scammers - it's inevitable. You will find scammers, even it Switzerland. Everything you said in your video is absolutely true. I was born in Peru and live in the United States since the early 90s. I travel to my country almost every year, and everytime I take time off to relax at favorite tourist destinations. So, I actually have double the information you provide in the video about scammers. Here are some examples: 1. Gold and Silver ornaments that are not made of these precious metals - instead Au and Ag, you get cheap shinny metals. 2. You order one of Peru's National Dishes - the "Lomo Saltado" but you don't get 'Lomo' (Sirloin), you get some very cheap meat instead. 3. You run into a street vendor who offers a 'Tour' of the city and shows you pictures of a beautiful and spacious bus. When the time comes, you get a much smaller uncomfortable van. 4. You hand someone a good bill, the scammer quickly swaps the bill (without you noticing this) for a 'fake' one and complains you gave them a fake bill so you give them another bill. Maybe other people who read this comment can add a few more. It would be a good 'Manual' on how to avoid getting scammed in Peru or anywhere else since most of these scams happen in every country.
It's totally true, I went with my Belgian boyfriend to Aguas Calientes and the food was terrible. also I had to go alone to ask the price otherwise they charged us excessive prices :(
@theocean C I'm peruvian, Therefore, nobody can lie to me or scam me with the food and when I went with my boyfriend to a restaurant in Aguas Calientes the quality was terrible, the Lomo saltado meat seemed expired. It saddens me that some restaurants are of poor quality because if a person who does not know the test will think that the quality is not good.
It happens everywhere. In Paris, in New York, etc. In Miami, if you dont know city, taxi drivers will give a ride across town, before you get to your destination. It happens everywhere.
I think this just might be the first "Top anything" video I've seen that started listing things off right away. I'm glad there's videos like these, I can't tell how many tourists and would-be visitors I've tipped off over the years.
I love your tone of voice. It's very soft, unlucky a lot of youtubers that sound like they are screaming and overjoyed all the time. Thanks for the tips!
gracias por alertar a los turistas por estos atropellos de algunos peruanos inescrupulosos felicitaciones,soy peruano y me avergüenzo de personas que se aprovechan de los turistas.saludos.
TOTALLY TRUE! And is that a foreigner has to become a Peruvian more so that they do not cheat him, 40 soles (PEN) to Larco Mar? It is a robbery and before the taxi drivers were not like that, my typical phrase to take a taxi is: Well, buddy, I also have a car, I pay you just 18 soles (PEN), which is half a minimum daily salary! Unfortunately, now you have to be careful because exconvicts charge that amount scamming abroad with change of fake ticket, or take you to unknown roads and threaten you even with a screwdriver tool, so always write down the car license plate number before climbing, with that the taxi driver will be warned, and if a foreigner is enforced, the Peruvian taxi driver will change his abusive way of charging too much. On the other hand, in Cuzco, many restaurant scammers are from foreign owners of the southern country and their food is not made by real Peruvian chefs, on the road you can find bunkers with real native people and eat very rich and cheap, with saying that a dish of more than $ 100 in that restaurant scam, in the native bunker of the city you can get it at only $ 5 rich and fresh. To take pictures with babys alpacas it is always good to ask how much it costs, because the liveliness of those who offer are learning bad habits. That is why in Peru it is sometimes better to pay in advance. Greetings my dear Hello Nicki Travels, I follow you because you make videos with a lot of value and help, any help from me can help you.
@@synthc1786 Thank you for sharing your experience! I've heard about the dangers of street taxis too, it's very scary. So now I only take Uber or licensed yellow taxis like in the video, but sadly they are the ones who overcharge us the most.
@@hellonickitravels187 Why do you think they overcharged then? Cause they're registered drivers, if you want cheap taxi rides just wait in any corner and you can pay even lower than Uber fees, but who knows if you will be safe just for trying to get the cheapest. I came to Peru for vacation with my wife and being in Aguas Calientes we never had to pay for what you just said, sad cause I traveled in a lot of places for example if you're in Vegas they automatically charge you an extra fee which they called resort fee, they even said to me also allows the use of internet. Really in a 4 stars hotel? Anyway I totally agree with few things you said but that happens everywhere in Latinoamerica and doesn't make it right, then don't say the Peru is a beautiful country when your video says otherwise. I'm unsuscribing cause I wasn't expecting such a negative thing in a video or a country is trying to do the things right out there. Just for the records they overcharged anyone who allows it regardless if you're Peruvian or a foreigner, but the difference is local people knows how to ask for lower price and Uber is not as safe as you think. Also in Peru is not normal about people tipping your server cause is not mandatory like in other places like the USA which is where I live servers get minimum wage and they rely on tips, when I have been several times at restaurants I noticed people don't tip for the service who knows if it's true or not about the special fee, whether is true or not I don't think is right but that might be the explanation why. Good luck
I think your initiative is very good and as a Peruvian I apologize for each one of the bad experiences made by my bad countrymen, and I encourage you to continue making this type of videos where you give advice to tourists so they are not scammed or surprised by bad peruvians, I repeat a thousand apologies!
@@cristube72 sorry bro but I call BS I run a menu in villa el salvador 6 days a week and explore Lima via bus, moto, taxi, and train. I am white brown hair blue eyes and don't speak Spanish. This video and your mouth make lies
Excellent pointers. I traveled through South America last fall (their spring) and it was the only place where I was aggressively targeted for scams- and I'm Puerto Rican, a native Spanish speaker. It left a really bad taste in my mouth in what is otherwise a beautiful country with many great and kind people. The predation of tourists is accepted there as something that just happens, and I am ashamed for them that they don't clamp down all these thieves. Overall, I loved it and would go back in a heartbeat, but with a measure of caution that robs somewhat of the pleasure of being in this amazing country. I actually got scammed by a bank, the one time my guard was down, so it's at all levels. Caveat emptor!
@@hellonickitravels187 Absolutely! It's a wonderful place, but a little pride on the part of the authorities could go a long way to keep it a dream destination.
I made the mistake of eating in a restaurant in Aguascalientes without looking the reviews. They told me I have to pay more money because I was using credit card and for the service. That pissed me off so much and I argued with the manager. To make it short the story, she made me a "discount" of 3 dollars. I was like "discount? Really?" 😅 By the way, I found one good inexpensive restaurant that doesn't charge you for service or other things. It's placed in the second main Avenue.
Hey Nicki, found your video from the subreddit. Good points, even locals suffer with the overcharging sometimes. Definitely everyone will want to charge you more when they hear your gringa accent. So everywhere you go you can bargain for a cheaper price. Vendors are used to it
Soy de Lima, Peru has contado lo preciso hahaha. Los taxis son abusivos pero te recomiendo siempre usar uber, cabify o beat. Los de la calle son peligrosos no lo recomiendo.
Soy peruano y es cierto lo que dice la bella gringa pues es sabido que esta modalidad es muy usada en gran parte de los paises por ser parte de una informalidad que aún aqueja a nuestro país, los otros puntos que mencionas tambien son precisos porqué lamentablemente aún se tiene la errónea idea de que los turistas traen muchos dolares y que son todos ricos y esta idea está generalizada desde los años 80 pues nuestro país sufrio depresiones económicas a causa del terrorismo y el narcotráfico y parece que el instinto de supervivencia por conseguir algunas monedas aún se practica en la actualidad de forma deshonestamente y con engaños, pero tampoco vale generalizar porque también hay gente honesta y trabajadora y emprendedora que incluso puedes regatear el precio a tu favor y no solo en un taxi si no en todo lo que te puedas imaginar, lamento que algunos turistas hayan tenido una mala experiencia en mi país pues recomiendo que antes de iniciar un viaje se informen correctamente sobre nuestras costumbres y tradiciones y quizas no tengan este tipo de sorpresas pues muy aparte de pagar unas monedas mas Perú te ofrece un universo unico de experiencias. Suerte y regresen pronto a este mistico y único pais ♥️🇵🇪♥️
La pobreza NO justifica robos y estafas. La comunidad conoce esos estafadores y ladrones. Es la responsibilidad de la COMUNIDAD no solamente estar avergonzanada, pero tambien de combatir esas tendencias de robar y estafar entre los propios miembros de la COMUNIDAD. Si no combate esas tendencias, la comunidad entera va a perder porque nosotros los extranjeros van a rechazar ir a Peru.
Yo creo que me timaron como unas mil quinientas veces pero como venía de España todo me parecía super super barato! Eso sí me di cuenta el penúltimo día cuando a la chica peruana que compraba comida detrás mía le cobraron la mitad
jjaja bueno si pero en Peru es comun pedir rebaja como decimos aqui regateo !!! incluso a los mismos peruanos que visten bien o tienen rasgos europeos les cobran el doble en lo que sea saludos !!!
@Jorge Garcia eso es verdad!!! Al menos la parte de que hay gente MUY buena en Perú, hasta extremos. La gente era mil veces mas agradable que en España, hasta el punto de sorprenderme
Hola Nikky, me gustó el video, que bueno saber que ya conoces como desenvolverte en Perú y que puedas informar a otros turistas sobre la viveza de algunos malos elementos connacionales en contra del que viene a visitarnos. Te felicito. Pero más aún, me gustó la imagen que captaste al final del vídeo, de la llamita, que se quedó mirándote, una imagen que bien vale un meme 😂😂😂. Un fuerte abrazo desde Perú. 🤗🤗🤗
Nicki, you obviously enjoy travelling. You also keep your wits about you. Your videos are excellent and hit the nail tight on the head ! Happy travelling ! ( once this XXXX is over...).
There are obviously tourist traps and scams out there everywhere you go. But I found Peruvians are honest and kind people. I dropped my money in the middle of the crowded square near Kennedy park in Miraflores and like 2-3 minutes later a person approached me to give me back the money. The cab drivers are also nice. I usually have the price agreement and they would honor it. I also ate at a restaurant in Aguascalientes and while the food there is not great, and it’s not a ripoff or terrible. Lima however is the paradise for foodies. Peru is just simply amazing!
That happens not only in PERÙ, but everywhere you take a taxi... Example in L.A, there is no way to negotiate a fare with the taxi, and for 5 mile ride is going to be $30.00 Dollars. Go to Tijuana and a ride in a taxi anywhere in the city . (2-3-4- miles ) is automatically $5.00 dollars... Now go to New York and you are going to be assaulted with the prices...
The Peruvian street is absolutely a negotiation culture. If you don't haggle, you're going to have a bad time. Never be afraid to give a hard "no" if pressed or a softer "no" with a an air of dismissal if offered a terrible deal. If prices are written, you can take them or leave them (and there is always another option), but if they aren't, you need to ask up front.
That happens everywhere, even here in New York City and another states of US the people from Bangladesh and India they don't want to turn on the taxi meters and they prefer to give you a high price than the normal price that is supposed to be, that's why I get uber service everywhere in the world I go, cheers girl I will follow you in Instagram 🤗 hugs from NY.
The way most Peruvians act towards tourists is shameful for Peru. It does not matter how nice any Peruvian might be to whoever else, if the tourist only gets to meet people who want to trick them out of money.
This all depends on the community in Peru. The scammers have plenty of friends and family members who know exactly what they do. These friends and family members say nothing when they hear about the scams and they think it's cool when the scammer brings home some extra money. If the communities valued honesty, that would be different. But, they don't. It's important for us travelers to pass the word on to others about overcharging, scams, begging, and even petty crime. If a country and its communities don't clean up their act, they need to lose what they want most, which is TOURIST DOLLARS.
News flash... Not just in Peru!!! Also in the US. I live there for a long time, and guess what?... Same thing. Tourists are an easy target, i live in Europe now... Same thing... Travelers should know that by now, good video though.
It's like the scams about cashmere in India where they give you viscose or synthetic fiber rather than cashmere. Regular alpaca is soft and lovely. I didn't even know that baby alpaca was a thing until this video. The government shops in northern India, if you can find them, are the place to look for real cashmere.
Restaurants in aguas calientes are really bad and expensive. I think The mayor of Aguas calientes does not take care of the tourist that are going to visit this place.
Me gustó que reconozcas que Perú tiene gente amable y empática. Como en todo país del mundo hay muchos "pepe el vivo", gente que abusa y estafa. Tienes razón, el turista no tiene porqué intimidarse, no está obligado a nada que la Ley no indique. Lamento que en Aguas calientes hayas comido mal, eso deberían sancionarlo las autoridades clausurando los restaurantes insalubres. Como dato, en Aguas calientes y en el Cusco hay mercados populares donde el turista puede comer fresco, sano y barato. En Lima, también pueden usar la app de taxi Beat, que es más barata que Uber. Un abrazo y espero esté bien y cuidándose.
I was born in Peru, but left for Australia when I was young. I also have experienced overcharges when they notice you have an accent or are not local, but if I take a family member they would even lower it. Not so sure about Aguas Calientes but no one is expected to tip, only if you enjoy the service do it. I would have left without paying to be honest if the food was terrible. What i noticed last time was the amount of people who surround you while walking on Plaza de Armas, it is a bit intimidating
1. Very true XD if you are white, blonde, with blue or green eyes and dont speak spanish very well, use uber... . 2.a tip from one of my ex-jobs: Our money is made with cotton fibers so it is stronger than regular paper, fake money is only printed paper, if you can notice the difference by touch, you are on the same level as bank cashiers....3. I agree with everything 4. Aguas calientes is a tourist trap, its only activity is to take money from tourists, so be careful 5. I didnt know about those "baby alpacas" photos, but as far as i know baby alpacas are very fragile and can get sick really fast so if someone tells you inside any city that you can take a picture with a baby alpaca, thats probably a scam...6. If you feel you are being scamed just say no, if scammers insist, just say you will call the police, yell Policia!! With all what you got XD
You taking a taxi made my day.!!! and that is true about Machu Picchu restaurants, I made a video on my channel of two places where I ate but this is a good idea.
I have to thank you for all your reviews on all Peruvian dishes that you did, I’m Peruvian and I live abroad and you are all right on all the precautions when going around 🇵🇪 Peru. you got a amazing sense of humor also 😂
You're the very person who has the mentality, "Soy pobre. Voy a ser RICO si me voy a los Estados Unidos." You are the same person with the mentalidad a estafar a las turistas.
I’m Peruvian but I live abroad. I agree with a lot of what you’re saying but it’s also random luck. I had a delicious cheap lunch at a mom & pop restaurant in Aguas Calientes. It felt like the homemade food my grandma used to make. But if you are a tourist and want to avoid risk, eating at the hotel might be your best bet for cleanliness and service.
Larcomar to jockey plaza in public transport is like 3.5 soles ≈ 1dollar, In aguascalientes try to eat where locals eat, usually not to great like the restaurants for tourists but it is a lot more cheaper, and you don't need to tip or give extra money.(maybe they try to scam you anyway whit the price because you are tourist, but try to ask for other person first near for the price maybe? )
Hi Benjamin! Thanks for the tip! And yes, those authentic local restaurants are soooo good, and they serve a lot of food for cheap. I tried some in Chinchero and Cusco. Sadly, you can't find those very easily in Aguas Calientes, if there are any they'd be on the outskirts of the town, I imagine. And when you're tired back from trekking Machu Picchu, you just want to stay in the central area of the town, close to the train station. If you know of any place where the locals eat in Aguas Calientes, I'd love to know because I might be going back next year!
Datos para todos los turistas es que en Lima los taxis de la calle si tienes acento extranjero o te ves extranjero siempre van a querer cobrarte de mas. Yo incluso que vivo aqui me manejo con aplicacion de taxis como inDrive, UBER no uso porque incluso ahí es un poco mas caro, recuerda que el promedio de cobro en taxis debe ser a 1 sol por kilometro y unos pocos soles mas por la hora. Los billetes falsos en la actualidad son raros y mas aun ahora que se usa billeteras digitales como YAPE o PLIN, Los lugares artesanales de los centros turisticos siempre cobran mas al turista, existen muchos otros diversos donde consigues lo mejor en precio normal.
These "scam techniques" (in principal) and approaches are also done in other countries not just Peru! Europe, Asia and elsewhere! As long you're a "tourist" and you look gullible you will ALWAYS be target!! Scamming is universal!
Spot on Nicki, Peru is a wonderful place with few bad apples indeed. Researching before going is a must to prepare you from the infamous "s" word. Thank you for the tips, really helpful for those who are yet to traverse this amazing country.
My entire fam (literally) was born and raised in Peru. I was born in the us and when we visited family, my parents told me all abt the scams and to not be fooled , mostly why I let my parents do the talking and bargaining.
Hi Nicki I agree with what you say. You have to be careful. It is best to have a guide where you can take excellent restaurants at a good price, to make a quality experiential tourism and visit museums safely. I loved your Inca Kola polo. Where can I get it too? Good vibes Nicki. Thank you.
@@hellonickitravels187 True, in Polvos Azules you find interesting things. I will go there this weekend. Have you been to the Creperie called Frances Kiss 300 meters from Larco Mar? Super recommended Nicki enjoy your Crepes facing the sea. Good Sunday. Thank you.
Soy peruano, y tengo que decirte que todo lo que has dicho, es verdad, muy buenos consejos a los demas turistas que desean visitar el Peru. Te recomiendo visitar la Selva Peruana, en especial Puerto Maldonado, en el departamento de Madre de Dios.
Thanks for this very useful video as I'll be going to Peru for my 1st time this May. You mentioned using Uber instead of taxis which make sense but I'm wondering if this is possible from both the Lima and Cusco airports when arriving for the first time. I heard that many airports do not allow Ubers to pickup at the airports. What's your recommendation for transits into the city from the airports?
You are right.. That's why when I go back home and if I trust I always call the cab driver. Yes people change prices I would say most in tourists areas. Otherwise people are nice
Thumbs up! Sadly, most of what you said is true, you can always ask to lower the prices since they charge ridiculous amounts of money if you look foreigner. Great video and keep up the good work!
You're right, and sometimes the lower the price immediately after they see you leaving, but not by much so it's still overpriced. Thank you for the comment, Rodrigo!
Tourism has spoiled Aguas Calientes. Some 15 to 20 years ago there were one or two expensive restaurants in Aguas Calientes, one could find a lot of well priced with authentic food restaurants where the locals would eat. Not anymore.
I went to Peru and loved it. The food was great and so was the people. But as you mention, there are a few bad apples. I was scammed in the street by a "young artist" and I bought him a painting of alpacas that they were selling everywhere. lol
Larcomar and Miraflores area is a high end city. They will always charge you more even if you’re Peruvian. Just like if how Manhattan is more expensive than Queens or Brooklyn. Just how south beach Miami or Brickell area is waaay more expensive than Hialeah or the Kendall area.
Me da un poco de vergüenza, pero es cierto todo, los concejos que das son importantes, solo quiero añadir una cosa: no todos los peruanos somos malos, de todas formas Nicki muchas gracias por visitarnos, espero que nuestra hospitalidad mejore y así nos visite más gente linda como tú un abrazo, lindo canal 👏👏👏👏👏❤️❤️❤️❤️🇵🇪🇵🇪🇵🇪🇵🇪
bueno eso no es solo por ser extranjero, es también por el aspecto, ejemplo al ser colorado te suben el precio en muchas cosas por eso es preferible comprar en supermercados con precios fijos, o tener vendedores conocidos sino siempre te venden mas caro que a un peruano promedio(trigueño, moreno)
Cool video!!! I'm starting my travel channel next month ! Does the Rode wireless pick up the voice if I'm talking to someone , I want people to be able to hear the interaction
