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 all the pieces I believed it will be!

Nonetheless, I additionally usually 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 as a consequence of current political unrest.

Right now, I need to reply their questions:

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

On this put up, I’ll share all the pieces you have to know to securely 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 a whole lot of petty crime.

Listed here 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 – Hold your jewellery out of sight (and even go away 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-after-day). Don’t even put on AirPods on the road. Briefly: at all times regulate your stuff. Minimizing the goal in your again that claims, “I’m carrying a whole lot of invaluable stuff” is essential.

That is particularly strive in main cities like Lima and Cusco the place petty theft is extra widespread. When you’re out within the day and also you see folks with telephones and such out, it’s in all probability protected however for those who’re alone, watch out. Thieves will come by on scooters and take stuff out of your fingers 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 accident” bumping into you, or a bunch of children taking part in or preventing 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 preserve your guard up.

3. Regulate your belongings always – In crowded locations or on public transit, remember that thieves may very well be seeking to actually decide your pocket or slash your bag. Hold 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. Hold your valuables separate – If you’re going out for the day, go away some bank cards and money locked in your lodging. That means, for those who 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. 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 gadget will get stolen, you’ll be capable to observe it and remotely flip in your digital camera to {photograph} the thief (you can too 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 go away 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 pals 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 – Typically the most affordable possibility isn’t the very best one. Among 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. Among 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 typically locals) that may be very protected, makes use of unbelievable drivers, and has no theft drawback.

8. Don’t use medication – Since Peru produces a whole lot of cocaine, vacationers (particularly younger backpackers) are inclined to do a whole lot of 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 sensible and skip the medication.

9. Study some Spanish – Having the ability to converse some fundamental Spanish will assist you to in lots of conditions, however for those who get in hassle and need assistance, then you definitely’ll actually recognize it. Begin with an app like Duolingo to grasp some fundamental vocabulary. Google Translate app can be essential app (obtain the Spanish language to your telephone so you may translate offline).

10. Purchase journey insurance coverage – Issues can go flawed on the street. 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 (usually much less) and supplies 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 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, take a look at these posts:

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

Is Machu Picchu protected?

Machu Picchu is such a typical vacationer vacation spot that you just’ll most definitely be safer right here than another 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 situation in case you are climbing to Machu Picchu is to deal with your well being. Be sure you have loads of water, and use sunscreen and hats to take care of the warmth. When you’re not acclimatized to the altitude, then altitude illness is usually a drawback; you have to take it severely for those who 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, for those who use a information, which is really useful when climbing, ensure that they’re a licensed operator, as you typically hear of unlicensed guides taking you the flawed route and maintaining your climbing allow cost for themselves.
 

Is Peru protected to journey alone?

Solo journey is fairly widespread in Peru, and also you’ll usually 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 normally, solo journey in Peru is not any extra harmful than touring with pals or a associate.

Simply keep 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 for those who get misplaced, don’t stand there watching 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 protected to journey to Peru with youngsters?

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

Watch out with notably babies, although, as a result of they’re extra prone to getting sick from unfiltered water, for instance. It’s additionally not really useful to take youngsters beneath 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 is likely to be the sufferer of some undesirable consideration, principally within the type of catcalling. Native ladies in Peru hardly ever 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 a whole lot 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 effective 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 inbuilt water filter within the bottle however helps you keep away from single-use plastic.
 

Are taxis protected in Peru?

Taxis are comparatively protected, however ensure you solely use approved taxis and that you realize the speed upfront. When you want a taxi, have your hostel or lodge 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 for those who’re not paying consideration. That mentioned, Uber is in every single place within the nation now and you’ll name an Uber for those who don’t need to flag a random taxi down.

Peru is a tremendous vacation spot it doesn’t matter what your pursuits, with a wealthy tradition, welcoming folks, 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 threat. Remember to just be sure you’re not carrying valuables in an apparent means 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 wonderful 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.