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 the whole lot I assumed it will be!

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

As we speak, I wish to reply their questions:

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

On this put up, I’ll share the whole lot you might want to know to soundly go to Peru.

11 Security Ideas for Peru

Usually, 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 loads of petty crime.

Listed below are some ideas that can assist you plan and put together for a protected go to to Peru:

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

That is particularly strive in main cities like Lima and Cusco the place petty theft is extra widespread. In the event you’re out within the day and also you see individuals with telephones and such out, it’s most likely protected however in case you’re alone, watch out. Thieves will come by on scooters and take stuff out of your palms and drive off.

2. Pay attention to thieves or muggers working in pairs or small teams – The trick of distracting you (for instance, somebody “by chance” bumping into you, or a gaggle of children enjoying or combating 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 maintain your guard up.

3. Regulate your belongings always – In crowded locations or on public transit, bear in mind that thieves could possibly be seeking to actually decide your pocket or slash your bag. Maintain some small payments in a separate pocket, in order that while you’re paying for issues, you don’t have to put your entire pockets or purse on show.

4. Maintain your valuables separate – Once 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. Usually, it’s a good suggestion to make photocopies of your passport to take with you and lock up your passport in your hostel locker. Maintain digital copies of your passport in your e-mail inbox too simply in case.

5. Obtain the Prey app to your telephone and laptop computer – If both gadget will get stolen, you’ll have the ability to observe it and remotely flip in your digicam to {photograph} the thief (you may as well wipe the information 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, similar to Tingo María, northwest of Lima, on the entrance to the Tingo María Nationwide Park. Attempt to journey with buddies or different vacationers at evening as there may be 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 scorching mattress for thieves.

7. Select a good bus operator – Generally the most cost effective possibility isn’t the very best one. Among the low-cost bus corporations have probably the most reckless drivers and plenty of breakdowns, and since Peru has a few of the world’s worst site visitors accident charges, you’re often safer utilizing a barely pricier bus firm. Among the most respected bus operators embrace 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 may be very protected, makes use of unbelievable drivers, and has no theft downside.

8. Don’t use medication – Since Peru produces loads of cocaine, vacationers (particularly younger backpackers) are inclined to do loads of it right here. It’s not well worth the danger, nonetheless, since if authorities even suspect you of utilizing medication, you might 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 aid you in lots of conditions, however in case you get in hassle and need assistance, then you definitely’ll actually recognize it. Begin with an app like Duolingo to grasp some primary vocabulary. Google Translate app can also be a must have app (obtain the Spanish language to your telephone so you may translate offline).

10. Purchase journey insurance coverage – Issues can go incorrect on the street. That’s why I by no means go wherever 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 underneath 70, whereas Insure My Journey is the only option for vacationers over 70.

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

With these journey ideas, you’ll have the ability to keep protected when you go to or backpack round Peru! Moreover, listed below are solutions to some regularly requested questions we get.
 

Is Machu Picchu protected?

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

The extra vital security difficulty in case you are climbing to Machu Picchu is to maintain your well being. Be sure you have loads of water, and use sunscreen and hats to take care of the warmth. In the event you’re not acclimatized to the altitude, then altitude illness is usually a downside; you might want to take it significantly in case you begin to really feel sick. Keep away from this by staying in Cusco for at the very least a few days earlier than visiting Machu Picchu.

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

Is Peru protected 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 wherever is safer in a gaggle, however basically, solo journey in Peru is not any extra harmful than touring with buddies or a associate.

Simply bear in mind to keep away from standing out and searching 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 observing a map. Principally, 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 kids are crucial within the Peruvian tradition, so that you and your children will probably be made to really feel very welcome.

Watch out with significantly young children, although, as a result of they’re extra prone to getting sick from unfiltered water, for instance. It’s additionally not beneficial to take children underneath three to excessive altitudes similar to Machu Picchu.
 

Is Peru protected 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, principally 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 would possibly get some additional consideration. However there’s loads 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’d take wherever else.

Are you able to drink the faucet water in Peru?

No, don’t drink the faucet water in Peru (although it’s nice to brush your tooth with). Use a Lifestraw, which not solely ensures that your water is at all times 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 to solely use licensed taxis and that the speed upfront. In the event 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 straightforward to get overcharged in case you’re not paying consideration. That mentioned, Uber is in all places within the nation now and you’ll name an Uber in case 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, lovely landscapes, and interesting historic sights.

You do must 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 may decrease your danger. Remember to just be sure you’re not carrying valuables in an apparent method and don’t have giant 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 widespread sense you gained’t have any points! I didn’t.