Is Peru Protected to Go to? (Up to date 2025)

Peru, the third-largest nation in South America, and earlier than the pandemic, was receiving over 4 million guests annually.

Whether or not it’s to go to Machu Picchu, the floating islands of Lake Titicaca, the Nazca Strains, or the colourful capital metropolis of Lima and its blossoming meals scene, Peru lives as much as the hype. I completely liked my go to right here. It was every little thing I believed it could be!

Nevertheless, I additionally typically hear and examine vacationers getting mugged or their issues being stolen. I get nervous emails from vacationers questioning if Peru is protected to go to because of latest political unrest.

Right this moment, I wish to reply their questions:

Is it protected to go to Peru? What do you could look out for? What precautions do you could take?

On this submit, I’ll share every little thing you could know to soundly go to Peru.

11 Security Ideas for Peru

On the whole, Peru is a protected place to go to. You’re not going to get kidnapped or murdered there so don’t fear about any violent crime as a traveler. However Peru does require you to be a bit extra vigilant than different locations as a result of there may be lots of petty crime.

Listed below are some suggestions that will help you plan and put together for a protected go to to Peru:

1. Keep away from displaying any costly belongings – Preserve your jewellery out of sight (and even depart it at dwelling). Don’t flaunt valuables. Be particularly conscious of taking out your cellphone, as cellphone theft is rampant (over 4,000 telephones are reported stolen day by day). Don’t even put on AirPods on the road. In brief: all the time keep watch over your stuff. Minimizing the goal in your again that claims, “I’m carrying lots of precious stuff” is essential.

That is particularly strive in main cities like Lima and Cusco the place petty theft is extra frequent. If you happen to’re out within the day and also you see individuals with telephones and such out, it’s in all probability protected however when you’re alone, watch out. Thieves will come by on scooters and take stuff out of your palms and drive off.

2. Concentrate on thieves or muggers working in pairs or small teams – The trick of distracting you (for instance, somebody “by accident” bumping into you, or a bunch of children enjoying or preventing close to you) is commonly used in order that an confederate can rob you when you’re not listening to your belongings. Don’t fall for distractions and preserve your guard up.

3. Keep watch over your belongings always – In crowded locations or on public transit, remember that thieves might be seeking to actually decide your pocket or slash your bag. Preserve some small payments in a separate pocket, in order that while you’re paying for issues, you don’t have to put your complete pockets or purse on show.

4. Preserve your valuables separate – Once you’re going out for the day, depart some bank cards and money locked in your lodging. That approach, when you lose your pockets, you’ll nonetheless have money and playing cards again at your hostel. On the whole, it’s a good suggestion to make photocopies of your passport to take with you and lock up your passport in your hostel locker. Preserve digital copies of your passport in your e-mail inbox too simply in case.

5. Obtain the Prey app to your cellphone and laptop computer – If both gadget will get stolen, you’ll be capable of observe it and remotely flip in your digital camera to {photograph} the thief (it’s also possible to wipe the info and message the thief too). It prices simply $1.10/month.

6. Keep away from touring alone at night time – There have been incidents of individuals being mugged as they depart a taxi at night time within the cities, and repeated experiences of bandit exercise after darkish in some areas, reminiscent of Tingo María, northwest of Lima, on the entrance to the Tingo María Nationwide Park. Attempt to journey with associates or different vacationers at night time as there may be security in numbers.

And that is very true in cities at night time too. In some areas of Lima like Miraflores and Barranco, there’s lots of people out at night time so it’s much less of an issue however this additionally the 2 nicest and most touristy areas of Lima so it’s a scorching mattress for thieves.

7. Select a good bus operator – Generally the most affordable possibility isn’t one of the best one. A few of the low cost bus corporations have probably the most reckless drivers and many breakdowns, and since Peru has among the world’s worst site visitors accident charges, you’re normally safer utilizing a barely pricier bus firm. A few of the most respected bus operators embrace Cruz del Sur, Oltursa, Civa, and Movil Excursions. Moreover, think about PeruHop, which is a hop on/hop off bus tour operator catering to travels (and generally locals) that may be very protected, makes use of unimaginable drivers, and has no theft drawback.

8. Don’t use medication – Since Peru produces lots of cocaine, vacationers (particularly younger backpackers) are likely to do lots of it right here. It’s not definitely worth the danger, nonetheless, since if authorities even suspect you of utilizing medication, you will be detained for as much as 15 days. Shopping for medication right here helps organized crime, so be sensible and skip the medication.

9. Be taught some Spanish – With the ability to communicate some primary Spanish will aid you in lots of conditions, however when you get in bother and need assistance, then you definately’ll actually admire it. Begin with an app like Duolingo to grasp some primary vocabulary. Google Translate app can also be essential app (obtain the Spanish language to your cellphone so you’ll be able to translate offline).

10. Purchase journey insurance coverage – Issues can go improper on the highway. That’s why I by no means go anyplace with out journey insurance coverage. From theft to accidents to delayed flights, journey insurance coverage is there to make sure you don’t go broke. It’s only a couple bucks a day (typically much less) and offers peace of thoughts. Don’t journey right here with out it!

I like to recommend SafetyWing for vacationers below 70, whereas Insure My Journey is the only option for vacationers over 70.

You should utilize this widget to get a quote for SafetyWing:

For extra info on journey insurance coverage, try these posts:

With these journey suggestions, you’ll be capable of keep protected when you go to or backpack round Peru! Moreover, listed here are solutions to some often requested questions we get.
 

Is Machu Picchu protected?

Machu Picchu is such a typical vacationer vacation spot that you just’ll almost certainly be safer right here than some other a part of Peru. Chances are high you’ll be mountain climbing with a bunch or in a crowd, so pickpockets and different petty thieves are unlikely to be round. It’s rather more vital to be vigilant in cities like Lima or Cusco.

The extra vital security situation in case you are mountain climbing to Machu Picchu is to care for your well being. Be sure to have loads of water, and use sunscreen and hats to cope with the warmth. If you happen to’re not acclimatized to the altitude, then altitude illness generally is a drawback; you could take it significantly when you begin to really feel sick. Keep away from this by staying in Cusco for no less than a few days earlier than visiting Machu Picchu.

Lastly, when you use a information, which is really useful when mountain climbing, be sure they’re a licensed operator, as you generally hear of unlicensed guides taking you the improper route and protecting your mountain climbing allow fee for themselves.
 

Is Peru protected to journey alone?

Solo journey is fairly frequent in Peru, and also you’ll typically discover loads of different solo backpackers to spend time with, so it’s unlikely you’ll be alone that a lot.

Bus journey and being out after darkish anyplace is safer in a bunch, however on the whole, solo journey in Peru is not any extra harmful than touring with associates or a associate.

Simply bear in mind to keep away from standing out and looking out like a vacationer. Don’t costume in fancy garments, don’t wave your costly devices round, and when you get misplaced, don’t stand there watching a map. Mainly, keep away from protruding like a sore thumb, and also you’ll cut back the possibility of a petty thief deciding you’re their subsequent sufferer.
 

Is it protected to journey to Peru with children?

On the entire, it’s not particularly unsafe to take your children to Peru. Household and youngsters are crucial within the Peruvian tradition, so that you and your children will likely be made to really feel very welcome.

Watch out with significantly babies, although, as a result of they’re extra vulnerable to getting sick from unfiltered water, for instance. It’s additionally not really useful to take children below three to excessive altitudes reminiscent of Machu Picchu.
 

Is Peru protected for feminine vacationers?

It’s not unsafe to be a solo feminine traveler in Peru, although you may be the sufferer of some undesirable consideration, largely within the type of catcalling. Native ladies in Peru not often exit to bars with out males, so in case you are a women-only group in a bar, you may get some further consideration. However there’s lots of solo feminine vacationers within the nation so that you’ll meet others to hang around with. Peru doesn’t require any extra precautions than you’ll take anyplace else.

Are you able to drink the faucet water in Peru?

No, don’t drink the faucet water in Peru (although it’s positive to brush your enamel with). Use a Lifestraw, which not solely ensures that your water is all the time protected to drink because it has a in-built water filter within the bottle however helps you keep away from single-use plastic.
 

Are taxis protected in Peru?

Taxis are comparatively protected, however be sure you solely use approved taxis and that you already know the speed upfront. If you happen to want a taxi, have your hostel or resort name one for you and discover out what the speed is upfront. Be sure to agree on the fare with the driving force upfront, as taxis don’t use meters so it’s simple to get overcharged when you’re not paying consideration. That mentioned, Uber is all over the place within the nation now and you’ll name an Uber when you don’t wish to flag a random taxi down.

Peru is a tremendous vacation spot it doesn’t matter what your pursuits, with a wealthy tradition, welcoming individuals, stunning landscapes, and interesting historic sights.

You do must be cautious about your private security, nonetheless. The commonest points vacationers face there are petty theft and pickpocketing, however by exercising a bit of additional vigilance and customary sense, you’ll be able to reduce your danger. Be sure you just remember to’re not carrying valuables in an apparent approach and don’t have massive sums of money in a single place.

Peru is a comparatively protected nation to go to, so don’t let the tales put you off. The superb points of interest will certainly make your journey worthwhile! Peru is a tremendous place and with some frequent sense you received’t have any points! I didn’t.