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 Traces, or the colourful capital metropolis of Lima and its blossoming meals scene, Peru lives as much as the hype. I completely cherished my go to right here. It was all the pieces I assumed it will 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 resulting from latest political unrest.

At the moment, I wish to reply their questions:

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

On this publish, I’ll share all the pieces you have to know to soundly go to Peru.

11 Security Suggestions for Peru

Basically, 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 ideas that can assist you plan and put together for a secure go to to Peru:

1. Keep away from displaying any costly belongings – Preserve your jewellery out of sight (and even go away 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 day by 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 numerous helpful stuff” is essential.

That is particularly attempt 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 most likely secure however should 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 chance” bumping into you, or a gaggle of children taking part in or preventing 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. Regulate your belongings always – In crowded locations or on public transit, remember that thieves might be trying to actually decide your pocket or slash your bag. Preserve some small payments in a separate pocket, in order that once you’re paying for issues, you don’t must put your complete pockets or purse on show.

4. Preserve your valuables separate – Whenever you’re going out for the day, go away some bank cards and money locked in your lodging. That manner, should you lose your pockets, you’ll nonetheless have money and playing cards again at your hostel. Basically, 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 telephone and laptop computer – If both machine will get stolen, you’ll be capable of observe it and remotely flip in your digicam 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 evening – There have been incidents of individuals being mugged as they go away a taxi at evening within the cities, and repeated reviews 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 mates 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 scorching mattress for thieves.

7. Select a good bus operator – Generally the most affordable choice isn’t the most effective one. A number of the low cost bus corporations 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, 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 unbelievable drivers, and has no theft downside.

8. Don’t use medication – Since Peru produces numerous cocaine, vacationers (particularly younger backpackers) are inclined to do numerous it right here. It’s not definitely worth the threat, 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 fundamental Spanish will assist you in lots of conditions, however should you get in hassle and need assistance, then you definitely’ll actually admire it. Begin with an app like Duolingo to grasp some fundamental vocabulary. Google Translate app can be a must have app (obtain the Spanish language to your telephone so you possibly can translate offline).

10. Purchase journey insurance coverage – Issues can go unsuitable 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 (typically much less) and supplies 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 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, try these posts:

With these journey ideas, you’ll be capable of keep secure whilst you go to or backpack round Peru! Moreover, listed here are solutions to some ceaselessly 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 another 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 necessary to be vigilant in cities like Lima or Cusco.

The extra necessary security challenge in case you are climbing to Machu Picchu is to deal with 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 could be a downside; you have to take it severely should you begin to really feel sick. Keep away from this by staying in Cusco for not less than a few days earlier than visiting Machu Picchu.

Lastly, should you use a information, which is advisable when climbing, ensure they’re a licensed operator, as you typically hear of unlicensed guides taking you the unsuitable route and holding your climbing allow cost for themselves.
 

Is Peru secure 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 gaggle, however on the whole, solo journey in Peru is not any extra harmful than touring with mates or a accomplice.

Simply keep 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 should you get misplaced, don’t stand there gazing a map. Principally, keep away from protruding like a sore thumb, and also you’ll scale back the prospect of a petty thief deciding you’re their subsequent sufferer.
 

Is it secure to journey to Peru with children?

On the entire, it’s not particularly unsafe to take your children to Peru. Household and youngsters are essential 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 prone to getting sick from unfiltered water, for instance. It’s additionally not advisable to take children underneath three to excessive altitudes reminiscent of 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, 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 may 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 fantastic to brush your tooth 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 ensure you solely use licensed taxis and that 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 straightforward to get overcharged should you’re not paying consideration. That stated, Uber is in every single place within the nation now and you’ll name an Uber should 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 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 possibly can decrease your threat. Make sure to just remember to’re not carrying valuables in an apparent manner 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 sights will certainly make your journey worthwhile! Peru is an incredible place and with some frequent sense you received’t have any points! I didn’t.