Laundry in Peru
Whether you’re a budget backpacker or top-end tourist, you’ll probably need to wash your clothes while you’re in Peru. There are three standard options available:
- Do it yourself: A hotel or hostel sink is more than sufficient for washing socks and t-shirts, but with some caveats. Many such establishments have a strict ban on DIY laundry, so check beforehand (or run the risk of upsetting the owners). Plugs are also rare, especially in budget hotels and hostels, so consider packing a universal sink plug.
- Use your hostel or hotel laundry service: Many hostels and hotels offer a laundry service. It’s certainly handy, but you’ll often pay more than you would in your local launderette and the quality of service may not be as good. Expect to wait 24 hours for your clothes.
- Go to the launderette: There are launderettes (lavanderías) all over Peru’s major cities, and you’ll normally find at least one in most small cities and towns. Self-service machines are rare; you typically hand over your bag of dirty clothes, which a member of staff then weighs to determine the price. Expect to pay about US$2 to $4 per kilo (some places charge per item, but this is not so common). If you hand over your clothes in the morning, they’ll often be ready for collection -- clean, dry and folded -- by the late afternoon. Otherwise, they’ll be ready the next day (unless it’s a Sunday and the lavandería is closed).