A question we often get from Chilean patients in the prior online consultation: «How do I pay for the treatment? Does my card work? How much does it cost to convert Chilean pesos to soles?». These are practical questions, and the answer determines what the treatment really costs once currency conversion is included. In this 2026 guide we cover accepted payment methods, reference exchange rates, real fees from Chilean banks, and when Wise/Revolut beat the traditional bank.
If you haven't decided to travel yet, complement this read with our main medical tourism from Chile page and the Lima vs Santiago price comparison. Here we focus on payment mechanics once you've decided to travel.
Chilean cards in Lima: what works
The short answer: all Visa, Mastercard, and American Express cards issued in Chile work without issue in Lima — at established medical clinics, 4 and 5 star hotels, restaurants in Miraflores and Barranco, supermarkets, app-based taxis (Uber, Cabify, InDrive), shops, and almost all formal commerce. The Peruvian POS charges in Peruvian soles (PEN); your Chilean bank automatically converts to Chilean pesos (CLP) at the day's exchange rate and applies an international transaction fee.
What matters is the fees, which vary by issuing bank:
| Chilean bank | International transaction fee | Exchange rate margin | Estimated total |
|---|---|---|---|
| Santander Chile | ~2.5% | ~1% | ~3.5% |
| BCI | ~2.5% | ~1% | ~3.5% |
| Banco de Chile | ~2.5-3% | ~1% | ~3.5-4% |
| Itaú Chile | ~2.5% | ~1% | ~3.5% |
| Banco Estado | ~2-2.5% | ~1% | ~3-3.5% |
| Premium cards (Black, Infinite, Platinum) | 0-1.5% | ~0.5-1% | ~0.5-2% |
| Wise (multi-currency) | ~0.4-0.7% | 0% (interbank) | ~0.4-0.7% |
| Revolut (multi-currency) | 0% up to L1,000/month | 0% (interbank) | 0% up to limit |
Percentages are referential and vary by product and current promotions of each bank. Before traveling, call your bank or review your card terms to confirm international usage fees.
Wise and Revolut: when the savings are worth it
For a large purchase like an aesthetic treatment (say S/2,000 = ~CLP$543,000 for a Morpheus8 facial session), the difference between 3.5% from the traditional bank and 0.7% from Wise is approximately CLP$15,000 saved on that single transaction alone. Combined with travel expenses (hotel, meals, taxis, multi-treatment package), the cumulative savings on a 5-7 day visit can easily reach CLP$30,000-60,000.
Wise (formerly TransferWise)
- How it works: open a free multi-currency account online, transfer CLP, convert to USD or PEN within the app at interbank rate, and use the Wise Visa physical or virtual card to pay at POS or withdraw at ATMs in Lima.
- Fee: 0.4-0.7% on conversions; first monthly ATM withdrawal up to a certain amount is free, then a smaller fee.
- Setup time: 1-3 business days for ID verification and physical card delivery in Chile (or use the virtual card immediately with Apple Pay/Google Pay).
Revolut
- How it works: similar to Wise. Multi-currency account, conversion at interbank rate, physical or virtual Visa/Mastercard.
- Fee: on Standard plans, conversion is free up to L1,000/month (~USD 1,250); above that 0.5%. Premium or Metal plans have higher limits.
- Setup time: similar to Wise, 1-3 business days.
For a patient traveling for an S/2,000-S/4,000 treatment plus travel expenses, opening Wise or Revolut BEFORE the trip pays off the time spent on setup. For small expenses or a one-off trip, the traditional card works perfectly.
ATMs in Miraflores: where, how much, fees
If you prefer to have cash on hand, ATMs from BCP, BBVA Continental, Interbank, and Scotiabank in Miraflores accept Chilean cards with Visa/Mastercard/Plus/Cirrus networks. The most practical locations for patients staying near the clinic at Av. Angamos Oeste 715:
- BCP - Av. Larco at Av. Schell: 24/7 ATMs, typical fee S/18-22 per withdrawal.
- BBVA Continental - Av. Larco at Bolognesi: ATMs in air-conditioned lobby.
- Interbank - Av. Pardo (multiple branches): withdrawal limit usually S/700-1,000.
- Scotiabank - Av. Larco: Cirrus network accepted; similar fees.
- BCP - inside Larcomar: convenient if combining tourism with cash withdrawal.
Each withdrawal adds ~S/18-25 (~CLP$5,000-7,000) Peruvian ATM fee + 1-3% from your Chilean bank + exchange rate margin. That's why it's better to withdraw the amount you need in a few large transactions rather than many small ones. For a 5-7 day stay, two S/700 withdrawals are usually enough for cash expenses.
Exchange houses: when cash exchange is worth it
Exchange houses in Miraflores (formal cambistas) offer the best rate for converting US dollars to Peruvian soles. The biggest concentration is at:
- Av. Larco between Bolognesi and Schell: several formal locations with competitive rates. Compare 2-3 before exchanging large amounts.
- Av. Pardo: houses with visible boards showing the day's buy/sell rate.
- Av. Petit Thouars (Patio Petit): additional options.
The relevant detail for Chileans: the direct CLP-PEN exchange rate is unfavorable. Cambistas in Lima primarily handle USD-PEN and EUR-PEN; CLP is a secondary currency with a wide margin. If you bring cash, it's better to bring US dollars from Chile (exchanged in advance with your Chilean bank or at an exchange house in Santiago) and then exchange USD to PEN in Miraflores. Or skip cash entirely and use a Wise/Revolut/bank card.
How much cash to actually bring
The practical question: how much cash should I bring for 5-7 days in Lima?
A reasonable estimate for a patient staying at a 4-5 star hotel in Miraflores near the clinic:
- Meals and coffee: ~USD 30-60/day (covers hotel breakfast + lunch + dinner at Miraflores/Barranco restaurants). 5-day total: USD 150-300.
- App-based taxis (Uber/Cabify/InDrive): ~USD 5-10 per trip Miraflores-clinic or Miraflores-Centro/Barranco. Total: USD 30-60 (the app charges to the card, no cash needed).
- Tips, snacks, small purchases: USD 50-80 in cash is practical.
- The treatment itself: PAID BY CARD at the clinic. You don't need cash for the procedure.
- Reasonable cash total: USD 200-400 for a 5-7 day visit.
The treatment itself is charged by card on the day of the procedure — we don't require prepayment. Paying for the treatment by card has the advantage of traceability and potential formal dispute if there were any issues, which doesn't exist with cash.
Payment at the clinic: what we accept at Elyzea
At the Elyzea clinic (Av. Angamos Oeste 715, Miraflores) we accept:
- Visa, Mastercard, and American Express — Chilean, Peruvian, or any issuing country.
- Peruvian soles (PEN) cash.
- US dollars (USD) cash at the day's exchange rate.
- Local Peruvian bank transfer (interbank, Yape, Plin) if you have a Peruvian account or a family member/friend who can facilitate it.
We don't accept Chilean pesos in cash at the clinic — convert them to PEN or USD beforehand. The invoice is issued in the patient's name with treatment details; it serves as expense backup if you want to record it for personal medical expense tracking.
Prepayment vs payment at clinic: when each makes sense
At Elyzea we don't require prepayment to book the free consultation or the treatment. The prior online consultation is genuinely free and commits you to nothing. The treatment is charged on the day of the procedure, after the in-person confirmatory consultation we conduct at the start of the session.
For some patients who prefer to have payment resolved before traveling — for example to budget travel expenses in CLP — we coordinate international bank transfer at the USD equivalent of the treatment cost. This is optional, not required. We discuss it in the prior online consultation if it suits you.
2026 reference exchange rates
For budget planning:
- 1 USD ≈ 950 CLP ≈ 3.5 PEN
- 1 PEN ≈ 270-285 CLP
- 1,000 CLP ≈ 3.55 PEN
- 10,000 CLP ≈ 35 PEN
These values fluctuate daily; verify on your travel day at xe.com, in your Chilean bank's mobile app, or on Google with «CLP to PEN». CLP equivalences shown in our Lima vs Santiago price comparison are referential to the current exchange rate and don't constitute a price commitment — the final price is always charged in PEN during your visit.
Notify your bank before traveling
An easy-to-forget but critical detail: notify your Chilean bank that you'll be traveling to Peru, either via the app, web portal, or by phone. Without notification, anti-fraud systems may block your first international transactions until you confirm it's you. Arriving at the clinic for the treatment to discover your card is blocked is avoidable with two minutes in your bank app before leaving Chile.
Carry at least 2 payment methods: a primary card and a secondary backup, plus some USD cash. Diversifying reduces the risk of being unable to pay due to a temporary block or technical issue.
Related reading
For a deeper view of trip planning:
- Hotels in Miraflores near the clinic for Chilean aesthetic patients — 4-5 star options walking distance from Av. Angamos Oeste 715.
- How many days to stay in Lima per treatment? — per-procedure table (HIFU, Morpheus8, fillers, etc.).
- Complete medical tourism guide from Chile to Lima — day-by-day itinerary, documents, flights.
- Lima vs Santiago 2026 price comparison — how much you really save.
- Main page: medical tourism from Chile — executive summary of the full process.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does my Chilean Visa or Mastercard work in Lima?
Yes. Visa, Mastercard, and American Express cards issued in Chile work without issue at established clinics, hotels, restaurants, and merchants in Miraflores.
How much do Chilean banks charge for international transactions?
Traditional Chilean banks charge between 1.5% and 3% on international transactions, plus an additional exchange rate margin. Premium cards usually have reduced or zero fees.
Are Wise or Revolut worth using to pay in Lima?
Yes, in many cases. Both offer interbank exchange rates with low fees (0.4%-1%) versus 2%-3% from traditional banks. For large payments like an aesthetic treatment, savings can be several thousand Chilean pesos.
Are there ATMs in Miraflores that accept Chilean cards?
Yes. ATMs from BCP, BBVA, Interbank, and Scotiabank in Miraflores accept Chilean cards with Visa/Mastercard/Plus/Cirrus networks. Withdrawal fees range from S/15 to S/25 (~CLP$4,000-7,000).
Do I pay for the treatment in advance or at the clinic?
At Elyzea we charge for the treatment on the day of the procedure, at the clinic. We don't require prepayment.
Do you accept USD cash?
We accept payment in Peruvian soles (PEN) and US dollars (USD) cash, in addition to cards. The day's USD-PEN exchange rate applies to the amount due.
Where do I exchange CLP to PEN when I arrive in Lima?
Exchange houses on Av. Larco and Av. Pardo in Miraflores offer the best rate for converting dollars to soles. It's better to bring US dollars from Chile.
What CLP-PEN exchange rate should I expect?
In 2026 the reference exchange rate is approximately 1 PEN ≈ 270-285 CLP, equivalent to 1 USD ≈ 950 CLP and 1 USD ≈ 3.5 PEN. The rate fluctuates daily.
Can I finance the treatment in installments with my Chilean card?
Installments with Chilean cards in foreign merchants depend on your issuing bank's rules in Chile. Some Chilean Visa/Mastercard cards allow converting international purchases to installments via the app or by calling the bank.
How much cash should I bring to Lima from Chile?
For 5-7 days in Miraflores, USD 200-400 cash covers meals, tips, non-app taxis, and small expenses. For the treatment itself, paying by card is recommended for traceability.