Is Peru Secure 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 Strains, or the colourful capital metropolis of Lima and its blossoming meals scene, Peru lives as much as the hype. I completely liked my go to right here. It was all the pieces I believed it might be!

Nonetheless, 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 because of latest political unrest.

Right this moment, I wish to reply their questions:

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

On this put up, I’ll share all the pieces you’ll want to know to soundly go to Peru.

11 Security Suggestions for Peru

Normally, 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’s a number of petty crime.

Listed here 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 depart it at dwelling). 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 keep watch over your stuff. Minimizing the goal in your again that claims, “I’m carrying a number of worthwhile 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 most likely protected however when 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 “unintentionally” bumping into you, or a bunch of youngsters enjoying or preventing close to you) is usually used in order that an confederate can rob you when 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 choose 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 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 manner, when you lose your pockets, you’ll nonetheless have money and playing cards again at your hostel. Normally, 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 e 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 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 night time – There have been incidents of individuals being mugged as they depart a taxi at night time 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 buddies or different vacationers at night time as there’s 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 cost effective choice isn’t the perfect one. A few of the low cost bus corporations have essentially the most reckless drivers and many breakdowns, and since Peru has a number of the world’s worst site visitors accident charges, you’re often safer utilizing a barely pricier bus firm. A few 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 may be very protected, makes use of unbelievable drivers, and has no theft downside.

8. Don’t use medication – Since Peru produces a number of cocaine, vacationers (particularly younger backpackers) are likely to do a number of it right here. It’s not definitely worth the danger, nevertheless, 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. Study some Spanish – Having the ability to communicate some primary Spanish will show you how to in lots of conditions, however when you get in bother 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 essential app (obtain the Spanish language to your telephone so you possibly can translate offline).

10. Purchase journey insurance coverage – Issues can go improper on the highway. 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 below 70, whereas Insure My Journey is your best option for vacationers over 70.

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

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

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

Is Machu Picchu protected?

Machu Picchu is such a standard vacationer vacation spot that you simply’ll more than likely be safer right here than some other a part of Peru. Likelihood is you’ll be mountaineering with a bunch or in a crowd, so pickpockets and different petty thieves are unlikely to be round. It’s far more essential to be vigilant in cities like Lima or Cusco.

The extra essential security problem in case you are mountaineering to Machu Picchu is to handle your well being. Ensure you have loads of water, and use sunscreen and hats to cope with the warmth. When you’re not acclimatized to the altitude, then altitude illness is usually a downside; you’ll want to take it significantly when you begin to really feel sick. Keep away from this by staying in Cusco for a minimum of a few days earlier than visiting Machu Picchu.

Lastly, when you use a information, which is really useful when mountaineering, ensure that they’re a licensed operator, as you generally hear of unlicensed guides taking you the improper route and maintaining your mountaineering allow fee 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 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 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 when you get misplaced, don’t stand there looking at a map. Mainly, 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 children?

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

Watch out with notably young children, 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 children below 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 may be the sufferer of some undesirable consideration, principally within the type of catcalling. Native girls 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 further consideration. However there’s a number 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 tremendous 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 ensure you solely use licensed taxis and that the speed prematurely. When you want a taxi, have your hostel or resort name one for you and discover out what the speed is prematurely. Ensure you agree on the fare with the driving force prematurely, as taxis don’t use meters so it’s straightforward to get overcharged when you’re not paying consideration. That mentioned, Uber is all over the place within the nation now and you may name an Uber when 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, stunning landscapes, and engaging historic sights.

You do should be cautious about your private security, nevertheless. 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 danger. You should definitely 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 wonderful sights 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.