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 every year.

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 beloved my go to right here. It was every thing I assumed it could be!

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

At this time, I wish to reply their questions:

Is it secure to go to Peru? What do it’s essential to look out for? What precautions do it’s essential to take?

On this submit, I’ll share every thing it’s essential to know to soundly go to Peru.

11 Security Suggestions for Peru

Generally, Peru is a secure 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’s numerous petty crime.

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

1. Keep away from displaying any costly belongings – Hold your jewellery out of sight (and even depart it at residence). Don’t flaunt valuables. Be particularly conscious of taking out your telephone, as telephone theft is rampant (over 4,000 telephones are reported stolen on daily basis). Don’t even put on AirPods on the road. Briefly: all the time keep watch over your stuff. Minimizing the goal in your again that claims, “I’m carrying numerous useful stuff” is essential.

That is particularly strive in main cities like Lima and Cusco the place petty theft is extra widespread. Should you’re out within the day and also you see folks with telephones and such out, it’s in all probability secure however in case you’re alone, watch out. Thieves will come by on scooters and take stuff out of your fingers 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 taking part in or combating close to you) is commonly used in order that an confederate can rob you when you’re not taking note of your belongings. Don’t fall for distractions and maintain your guard up.

3. Keep watch over your belongings always – In crowded locations or on public transit, remember that thieves could possibly be trying to actually decide your pocket or slash your bag. Hold some small payments in a separate pocket, in order that whenever you’re paying for issues, you don’t must put your entire pockets or purse on show.

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

5. Obtain the Prey app to your telephone and laptop computer – If both system 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 evening – There have been incidents of individuals being mugged as they depart a taxi at evening within the cities, and repeated studies of bandit exercise after darkish in some areas, comparable to Tingo María, northwest of Lima, on the entrance to the Tingo María Nationwide Park. Attempt to journey with pals or different vacationers at evening as there’s security in numbers.

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

7. Select a good bus operator – Typically the most affordable possibility isn’t the perfect one. A few of the low-cost bus firms have essentially 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 embody Cruz del Sur, Oltursa, Civa, and Movil Excursions. Moreover, contemplate PeruHop, which is a hop on/hop off bus tour operator catering to travels (and typically locals) that could be very secure, makes use of unimaginable drivers, and has no theft downside.

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

9. Be taught some Spanish – With the ability to converse some primary Spanish will enable you in lots of conditions, however in case you get in hassle 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 be essential app (obtain the Spanish language to your telephone so you’ll be able to translate offline).

10. Purchase journey insurance coverage – Issues can go mistaken 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 gives peace of thoughts. Don’t journey right here with out it!

I like to recommend SafetyWing for vacationers beneath 70, whereas Insure My Journey is your best option for vacationers over 70.

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For extra info on journey insurance coverage, take a look at these posts:

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

Is Machu Picchu secure?

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

The extra necessary security subject if you’re climbing to Machu Picchu is to maintain your well being. Be sure you have loads of water, and use sunscreen and hats to cope with the warmth. Should you’re not acclimatized to the altitude, then altitude illness generally is a downside; it’s essential to take it severely in case you begin to really feel sick. Keep away from this by staying in Cusco for at the least a few days earlier than visiting Machu Picchu.

Lastly, in case you use a information, which is advisable when climbing, be sure that they’re a licensed operator, as you typically hear of unlicensed guides taking you the mistaken route and conserving your climbing allow fee for themselves.
 

Is Peru secure to journey alone?

Solo journey is fairly widespread 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 usually, solo journey in Peru is not any extra harmful than touring with pals or a accomplice.

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

Is it secure to journey to Peru with youngsters?

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

Watch out with notably babies, although, as a result of they’re extra inclined to getting sick from unfiltered water, for instance. It’s additionally not advisable to take youngsters beneath three to excessive altitudes comparable to Machu Picchu.
 

Is Peru secure for feminine vacationers?

It’s not unsafe to be a solo feminine traveler in Peru, although you is likely to be the sufferer of some undesirable consideration, largely within the type of catcalling. Native girls in Peru hardly ever exit to bars with out males, so if you’re a women-only group in a bar, you would possibly get some additional consideration. However there’s numerous 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’d 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 wonderful to brush your enamel with). Use a Lifestraw, which not solely ensures that your water is all the time secure to drink because it has a inbuilt water filter within the bottle however helps you keep away from single-use plastic.
 

Are taxis secure in Peru?

Taxis are comparatively secure, however be sure you solely use licensed taxis and that you recognize the speed upfront. Should you want a taxi, have your hostel or resort name one for you and discover out what the speed is upfront. Be sure you agree on the fare with the motive force upfront, as taxis don’t use meters so it’s simple to get overcharged in case you’re not paying consideration. That stated, Uber is in every single place within the nation now and you may name an Uber in case you don’t wish to flag a random taxi down.

Peru is an incredible vacation spot it doesn’t matter what your pursuits, with a wealthy tradition, welcoming folks, lovely landscapes, and engaging historic sights.

You do have to be cautious about your private security, nonetheless. The most typical 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 threat. Remember to just remember to’re not carrying valuables in an apparent method and don’t have giant sums of money in a single place.

Peru is a comparatively secure 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 an incredible place and with some widespread sense you received’t have any points! I didn’t.