The main language is Spanish, but there is an Indigenous language spoken here called Quechua. This language has been around for many centuries and was the primary language of the Inca Empire. Today, it is still widely spoken throughout the Andes. It is spoken in certain regions of Peru, mostly in the Ancash region where I live. Most of the time, it is spoken in the Sierra (mountain) regions of Peru. It is also spoken in Cusco, where Machu Picchu is located. In fact, Quechua is one of Peru’s official languages and is spoken by millions of people across the country, especially in rural communities.
The currency used in Peru is the Peruvian sol (S/.), which is the country’s official form of money. It is used for everything from buying food at local markets to paying for transportation and daily expenses. The exchange rate changes slightly each day, but currently one U.S. dollar is worth a little over three Peruvian soles. In larger cities and tourist areas, U.S. dollars are sometimes accepted, but in small towns like mine, soles are almost always required. While I am at site, I rarely buy much because each month I pay my host family for food and rent—which means my breakfast, lunch and dinner are cooked by my host mother. I usually only spend money on fruits, vegetables and the occasional chocolate bar on days when I need a little pick-me-up!
