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 Strains, 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 the whole lot I assumed it could be!

Nevertheless, 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 on account of 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 the whole lot you could know to securely go to Peru.

11 Security Ideas for Peru

Typically, 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 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 telephone, as telephone theft is rampant (over 4,000 phones are reported stolen every day). Don’t even put on AirPods on the road. Briefly: at all times control your stuff. Minimizing the goal in your again that claims, “I’m carrying numerous worthwhile stuff” is essential.

That is particularly attempt in main cities like Lima and Cusco the place petty theft is extra frequent. When you’re out within the day and also you see individuals with telephones and such out, it’s in all probability protected however should 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 children taking part in or combating close to you) is usually used in order that an confederate can rob you when you’re not listening to your belongings. Don’t fall for distractions and maintain your guard up.

3. Control your belongings always – In crowded locations or on public transit, bear in mind that thieves could possibly be seeking to actually decide 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 must put your entire pockets or purse on show.

4. Hold your valuables separate – Whenever you’re going out for the day, go away some bank cards and money locked in your lodging. That approach, should you lose your pockets, you’ll nonetheless have money and playing cards again at your hostel. Typically, 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 machine will get stolen, you’ll be capable to observe it and remotely flip in your digicam to {photograph} the thief (you can even 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, comparable 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’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 sizzling mattress for thieves.

7. Select a good bus operator – Typically 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 site visitors accident charges, you’re normally safer utilizing a barely pricier bus firm. A number of the most respected bus operators embody 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 could be very protected, makes use of unimaginable drivers, and has no theft downside.

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 definitely worth the threat, nevertheless, since if authorities even suspect you of utilizing medicine, you will be detained for as much as 15 days. Shopping for medicine right here helps organized crime, so be good and skip the medicine.

9. Be taught some Spanish – Having the ability to converse some fundamental Spanish will provide help to in lots of conditions, however should you get in bother and need assistance, you then’ll actually admire it. Begin with an app like Duolingo to master some basic vocabulary. Google Translate app can be essential app (obtain the Spanish language to your telephone so you may translate offline).

10. Buy travel insurance – Issues can go incorrect on the highway. 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 offers peace of thoughts. Don’t journey right here with out it!

I like to recommend SafetyWing for vacationers underneath 70, whereas Insure My Trip is your best option for vacationers over 70.

You need to 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 be capable to keep protected when you go to or backpack round Peru! Moreover, listed below are solutions to some continuously requested questions we get.
 

Is Machu Picchu protected?

Machu Picchu is such a standard vacationer vacation spot that you simply’ll almost certainly be safer right here than every other a part of Peru. Chances are high you’ll be hiking with a group 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 difficulty in case you are hiking to Machu Picchu is to care for your well being. Be sure to 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 downside; you could take it critically should you begin to really feel sick. Keep away from this by staying in Cusco for at the very least a few days earlier than visiting Machu Picchu.

Lastly, should you use a information, which is really useful when mountaineering, be certain that they’re a licensed operator, as you typically hear of unlicensed guides taking you the incorrect route and conserving your mountaineering allow fee for themselves.
 

Is Peru protected 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 bunch, however typically, solo journey in Peru is not any extra harmful than touring with buddies or a companion.

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 should you get misplaced, don’t stand there watching a map. Principally, 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 youngsters are crucial within the Peruvian tradition, so that you and your children will probably be made to really feel very welcome.

Watch out with significantly young children, although, as a result of they’re extra vulnerable to getting sick from unfiltered water, for instance. It’s additionally not really useful to take children underneath 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 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 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 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 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 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. Be sure to agree on the fare with the driving force prematurely, as taxis don’t use meters so it’s straightforward to get overcharged should you’re not paying consideration. That stated, Uber is all over the place within the nation now and you may name an Uber should you 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 individuals, lovely landscapes, and interesting 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 may reduce your threat. You should definitely 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 wonderful 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.