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 Traces, 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 part I assumed it might be!

Nevertheless, I additionally usually hear and examine vacationers getting mugged or their issues being stolen. I get apprehensive emails from vacationers questioning if Peru is protected to go to as a result of current political unrest.

At present, I need to reply their questions:

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

On this submit, I’ll share every part you should know to soundly go to Peru.

11 Security Suggestions for Peru

Generally, 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 can assist 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 cellphone, as cellphone theft is rampant (over 4,000 telephones are reported stolen every single day). Don’t even put on AirPods on the road. In brief: all the time control your stuff. Minimizing the goal in your again that claims, “I’m carrying lots of beneficial stuff” is essential.

That is particularly strive in main cities like Lima and Cusco the place petty theft is extra frequent. In case 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 arms and drive off.

2. Pay attention to thieves or muggers working in pairs or small teams – The trick of distracting you (for instance, somebody “unintentionally” bumping into you, or a bunch of children enjoying or combating close to you) is usually used in order that an confederate can rob you whilst you’re not taking note of your belongings. Don’t fall for distractions and hold your guard up.

3. Keep watch over your belongings always – In crowded locations or on public transit, remember that thieves could possibly be seeking to actually choose your pocket or slash your bag. Hold some small payments in a separate pocket, in order that if 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 manner, 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 cellphone and laptop computer – If both machine will get stolen, you’ll have the ability to monitor it and remotely flip in your digicam to {photograph} the thief (you may as well 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, 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 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 choice isn’t the perfect one. A number of the low cost bus firms have probably the most reckless drivers and many breakdowns, and since Peru has a number of the world’s worst visitors accident charges, you’re often safer utilizing a barely pricier bus firm. A number of the most respected bus operators embrace Cruz del Sur, Oltursa, Civa, and Movil Excursions. Moreover, take into account PeruHop, which is a hop on/hop off bus tour operator catering to travels (and generally locals) that could be very protected, makes use of unimaginable drivers, and has no theft drawback.

8. Don’t use medicine – 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 medicine, you may be detained for as much as 15 days. Shopping for medicine right here helps organized crime, so be good and skip the medicine.

9. Study some Spanish – With the ability to communicate some primary Spanish will assist you to in lots of conditions, however in case you get in bother and need assistance, you then’ll actually respect it. Begin with an app like Duolingo to grasp some primary vocabulary. Google Translate app can be a must have app (obtain the Spanish language to your cellphone 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 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 (usually much less) and offers 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.

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

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

With these journey suggestions, you’ll have the ability to keep protected whilst 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 standard vacationer vacation spot that you simply’ll most certainly be safer right here than some other a part of Peru. Likelihood is you’ll be climbing with a bunch or in a crowd, so pickpockets and different petty thieves are unlikely to be round. It’s rather more essential to be vigilant in cities like Lima or Cusco.

The extra essential security situation if you’re climbing to Machu Picchu is to maintain your well being. Be sure to have loads of water, and use sunscreen and hats to cope with the warmth. In case you’re not acclimatized to the altitude, then altitude illness is usually a drawback; you should 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 beneficial when climbing, be sure they’re a licensed operator, as you generally hear of unlicensed guides taking you the flawed route and protecting your climbing allow fee for themselves.
 

Is Peru protected to journey alone?

Solo journey is fairly frequent 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 wherever is safer in a bunch, however on the whole, solo journey in Peru is not any extra harmful than touring with buddies or a accomplice.

Simply keep 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. 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 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 can 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 beneficial to take youngsters beneath 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 may 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 if you’re a women-only group in a bar, you may get some additional 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 wherever else.

Are you able to drink the faucet water in Peru?

No, don’t drink the faucet water in Peru (although it’s fantastic to brush your tooth 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 the speed prematurely. In case you want a taxi, have your hostel or resort name one for you and discover out what the speed is prematurely. Be sure to agree on the fare with the driving force prematurely, as taxis don’t use meters so it’s simple to get overcharged in case you’re not paying consideration. That mentioned, Uber is in all places within the nation now and you may name an Uber in case you 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 individuals, stunning 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 may decrease your danger. Make sure you just be sure you’re not carrying valuables in an apparent manner 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.