How to Send Money to Peru from the US: 2026 Guide
In this article
If you're Peruvian in Los Angeles and you send money to family in Peru, you know that the difference between services can be $20-50 per transfer. This guide compares the most-used 2026 options by fee, exchange rate, and delivery speed.
What to look at before choosing a service
- Fixed fee — what the service charges to process the transfer. Ranges from $0 (Wise on some methods) to $15.
- Exchange rate — the gap between the "real" mid-market rate and what they actually give you. This is where Western Union and MoneyGram make hidden margin.
- Delivery time — instant, same-day, or 1-3 business days.
Quick comparison (2026)
Remitly — the most popular among LA's Peruvian community. To a Peruvian bank account in 1-3 hours. Fee $3.99-7.99 depending on amount. Exchange rate ~1.5% over mid-market. First-transfer bonus up to $20.
Wise (formerly TransferWise) — best exchange rate on the market (real mid-market + ~0.5% fee). Delivery in 1-2 business days to bank account. No cash pickup in Peru, which is a limitation if your family doesn't have an account.
Xoom (PayPal) — good if you already use PayPal with balance. Fast delivery (minutes to hours). Fee higher than Remitly. Exchange rate ~2% over mid-market.
Western Union — the option for cash pickup at any Peruvian agency (Tambo, Western Union agents in banks). Variable fee. Worst exchange rate on the list (3-4% over mid-market). Useful if family has no bank account.
MoneyGram — similar to Western Union, also for cash pickup. Slightly lower fee but the exchange rate is still unfavorable.
Which works for your case
Transfers of $200-$500 to a bank account → Remitly. Good balance of reasonable fee and decent exchange rate, app is in Spanish.
Transfers of $1,000+ to a bank account → Wise. The exchange-rate savings beat the extra waiting days.
Cash pickup (family without an account) → Western Union, despite the exchange rate. No reliable alternative for instant cash pickup at agencies.
Urgent transfers (family needs the money today) → Xoom or Remitly Express. You pay more but it arrives in minutes.
Common mistakes that cost money
- Looking only at the fee. A $0 fee with a 4% worse exchange rate costs more than $7 with a good rate on a $300 transfer.
- Skipping the first-transfer bonus. Remitly and Xoom give $10-20 on your first transfer. Take it.
- Sending small amounts many times. Each transfer has a fixed fee. Better to consolidate into transfers of $200+.
- Converting USD to PEN yourself in Peru. Lima's casas de cambio give better rates than your bank — but only if you bring USD cash.
How to check live exchange rates
Before every transfer, open Google and search "USD to PEN". That's the mid-market rate. Any service giving you more than 3% worse than that number is charging hidden margin. Compare it to the rate Remitly or Wise quotes you in the transfer simulator.
A note on crypto
Some services promise "USDT transfers to Peru" with near-zero fees. If the family on the receiving end doesn't handle crypto, the service ends up converting to soles at a rate worse than Remitly. Only worth it if both sides are crypto-fluent and run their own wallets.
This guide updates every 6 months. If you spot a different fee than what's published, let us know.