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 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 all the pieces I believed it will be!

Nonetheless, I additionally typically 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.

Immediately, I need to reply their questions:

Is it protected to go to Peru? What do it is advisable look out for? What precautions do it is advisable take?

On this publish, I’ll share all the pieces it is advisable know to soundly go to Peru.

11 Security Ideas for Peru

Basically, 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 quite a 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 – Maintain 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-after-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 quite a lot of priceless 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 individuals with telephones and such out, it’s most likely protected however in the event 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 “by accident” bumping into you, or a bunch of youngsters enjoying or preventing close to you) is commonly used in order that an confederate can rob you whilst you’re not being attentive 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, bear in mind that thieves might be seeking to actually choose your pocket or slash your bag. Maintain some small payments in a separate pocket, in order that whenever you’re paying for issues, you don’t must put your complete pockets or purse on show.

4. Maintain your valuables separate – While you’re going out for the day, depart some bank cards and money locked in your lodging. That approach, in the event 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. Maintain 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 have the ability to observe it and remotely flip in your digicam to {photograph} the thief (you can even 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, akin to Tingo María, northwest of Lima, on the entrance to the Tingo María Nationwide Park. Attempt to journey with buddies 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 sizzling mattress for thieves.

7. Select a good bus operator – Typically the most cost effective choice isn’t the very best one. Among the low-cost bus firms have essentially the most reckless drivers and plenty of breakdowns, and since Peru has a few of the world’s worst 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, 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 unbelievable drivers, and has no theft drawback.

8. Don’t use medicine – Since Peru produces quite a lot of cocaine, vacationers (particularly younger backpackers) are inclined to do quite a lot of it right here. It’s not definitely worth the threat, nevertheless, 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 good and skip the medicine.

9. Study some Spanish – With the ability to communicate some primary Spanish will make it easier to in lots of conditions, however in the event you get in bother and need assistance, then you definately’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’ll be able to translate offline).

10. Purchase journey insurance coverage – Issues can go mistaken 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 gives 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 the only 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 suggestions, you’ll have the ability to keep protected whilst 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 standard vacationer vacation spot that you just’ll most definitely be safer right here than every other a part of Peru. Likelihood is you’ll be mountain climbing with a bunch or in a crowd, so pickpockets and different petty thieves are unlikely to be round. It’s rather more vital to be vigilant in cities like Lima or Cusco.

The extra vital security subject in case you are mountain climbing to Machu Picchu is to care for 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 generally is a drawback; it is advisable take it significantly in the event you 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, in the event you use a information, which is advisable when mountain climbing, make certain they’re a licensed operator, as you generally hear of unlicensed guides taking you the mistaken route and preserving your mountain climbing allow fee for themselves.
 

Is Peru protected to journey alone?

Solo journey is fairly widespread 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 bunch, however on the whole, solo journey in Peru isn’t any extra harmful than touring with buddies or a associate.

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 in the event you get misplaced, don’t stand there watching 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 youngsters?

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

Watch out with significantly young children, although, as a result of they’re extra prone to getting sick from unfiltered water, for instance. It’s additionally not advisable to take youngsters underneath three to excessive altitudes akin to 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, largely 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 would possibly get some additional consideration. However there’s quite a 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’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 effective to brush your enamel 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 ensure you solely use licensed taxis and that you already know 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. 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 in the event you’re not paying consideration. That mentioned, Uber is in all places within the nation now and you’ll name an Uber in the event 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 should be cautious about your private security, nevertheless. The most typical points vacationers face there are petty theft and pickpocketing, however by exercising a bit of additional vigilance and customary sense, you’ll be able to reduce your threat. You’ll want to just be sure you’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 wonderful sights will certainly make your journey worthwhile! Peru is a tremendous place and with some widespread sense you received’t have any points! I didn’t.