How I stopped giving away 30 soles every time I went to the ATM
The spark It all started with a feeling many travellers in Peru know well: the frustration in front of an ATM screen. The first time I withdrew money in Lima, I watched them charge me 30 soles in fees in one go. It felt like robbery. Then I started digging, changed card, changed bank and, almost like magic, those 30 soles turned into just 5.
That was when I understood that the difference between a smart withdrawal and an expensive one isn't luck — it's information.
Who's behind CostoCajero.pe I'm a Sardinian developer (from Sardinia, Italy), but Peru has become my second home. I'm married to a Peruvian woman and this country won over my heart (and my stomach!). Living between Italy and Peru, I realised there was no clear guide explaining to European tourists how to manage their money without being “fleeced” by local bank fees.
My commitment to this project goes beyond the code. I've had the honour of speaking at the WordPress Meetup Cusco, where I shared my technical experience with the local community. I'm not just an outside developer; I live and breathe this country's tech challenges from the inside.
So I decided to combine my job as a programmer with my love for this land. I built CostoCajero.pe the way I would for a friend coming to visit: with fresh, transparent, no-nonsense data.
What we do (and what we don't) CostoCajero isn't a bank, and it isn't the typical travel blog crammed with annoying ads. It's a clean, straight-to-the-point tool.
- Real data: We tell you what it really costs to withdraw soles with your European card (Visa, Mastercard, Revolut, etc.).
- ATM comparison: We put BCP, BBVA, Scotiabank, Interbank and the rest head to head, showing you where it pays to insert your card today.
- Independence: We don't work for the banks. Our only goal is for those 25 soles you save to end up in a good Ceviche or a Pisco Sour, and not in an ATM's coffers.
Connect with me Beyond the lines of code behind CostoCajero.pe, I keep exploring my passions. You can find out more about my professional background on my official website or connect with me on LinkedIn.
Also, if you're a lover of the good life, I invite you to take a look at my personal project on wine tastings, which I currently also use as a testbed for integrating ad spaces into my platforms.