Is Peru Safe to Visit? (Updated 2025)

Peru, the third-largest nation in South America, and before the pandemic, was receiving over four million visitors each 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 cherished my go to right here. It was every thing I assumed it might be!

Nonetheless, I additionally usually 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 resulting from current political unrest.

At present, I wish to reply their questions:

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

On this submit, I’ll share every thing you could know to securely 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’s numerous petty crime.

Listed here 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 – Hold your jewellery out of sight (and even depart it at dwelling). Don’t flaunt valuables. Be particularly conscious of taking out your cellphone, as cellphone theft is rampant (over 4,000 phones are reported stolen every day). Don’t even put on AirPods on the road. Briefly: 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. In case you’re out within the day and also you see folks with telephones and such out, it’s in all probability protected however if you happen to’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 bunch of children taking part in or preventing close to you) is commonly used in order that an confederate can rob you whilst you’re not listening to your belongings. Don’t fall for distractions and hold your guard up.

3. Control 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 once you’re paying for issues, you don’t have to 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 approach, if you happen to 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. 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 system will get stolen, you’ll be capable of observe it and remotely flip in your digicam to {photograph} the thief (you too can 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 stories of bandit exercise after darkish in some areas, comparable to Tingo María, northwest of Lima, on the entrance to the Tingo María Nationwide Park. Attempt to journey with pals 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 – Typically the most cost effective choice isn’t the very best one. A number of the low-cost bus firms have essentially the most reckless drivers and plenty of 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 typically locals) that may be very protected, makes use of unbelievable drivers, and has no theft drawback.

8. Don’t use medicine – Since Peru produces numerous cocaine, vacationers (particularly younger backpackers) are inclined to do numerous it right here. It’s not well worth the threat, nonetheless, since if authorities even suspect you of utilizing medicine, you might be detained for as much as 15 days. Shopping for medicine right here helps organized crime, so be sensible and skip the medicine.

9. Study some Spanish – Having the ability to communicate some primary Spanish will enable you in lots of conditions, however if you happen to get in hassle and need assistance, then you definitely’ll actually admire it. Begin with an app like Duolingo to master some basic vocabulary. Google Translate app can also be essential app (obtain the Spanish language to your cellphone so you possibly can translate offline).

10. Buy travel insurance – Issues can go incorrect 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 Trip is your best option for vacationers over 70.

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

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

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

Is Machu Picchu protected?

Machu Picchu is such a typical vacationer vacation spot that you just’ll most probably be safer right here than every other a part of Peru. Likelihood is you’ll be hiking with a group 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 subject if you’re hiking to Machu Picchu is to deal with your well being. Be sure you 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 generally is a drawback; you could take it severely if you happen to begin to really feel sick. Keep away from this by staying in Cusco for no less than a few days earlier than visiting Machu Picchu.

Lastly, if you happen to use a information, which is really helpful when mountaineering, be sure that they’re a licensed operator, as you typically hear of unlicensed guides taking you the incorrect route and preserving your mountaineering allow cost 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 basically, solo journey in Peru isn’t any extra harmful than touring with pals 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 if you happen to 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 prospect 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 might be made to really feel very welcome.

Watch out with notably young children, although, as a result of they’re extra vulnerable to getting sick from unfiltered water, for instance. It’s additionally not really helpful to take youngsters below three to excessive altitudes comparable to Machu Picchu.
 

Is Peru protected for feminine vacationers?

It’s not unsafe to be a solo female traveler in Peru, although you is perhaps the sufferer of some undesirable consideration, largely within the type of catcalling. Native girls in Peru not often exit to bars with out males, so if you’re a women-only group in a bar, you would possibly get some further 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’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 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 be sure you solely use approved taxis and that you understand 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 you agree on the fare with the driving force prematurely, as taxis don’t use meters so it’s straightforward to get overcharged if you happen to’re not paying consideration. That stated, Uber is all over the place within the nation now and you’ll name an Uber if you happen to 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 folks, lovely landscapes, and engaging 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 possibly can reduce your threat. You’ll want to just remember to’re not carrying valuables in an apparent approach 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 sights will certainly make your journey worthwhile! Peru is a tremendous place and with some frequent sense you gained’t have any points! I didn’t.