Is Peru Safe to Visit? (Updated 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 cherished my go to right here. It was every little thing I believed it might 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 secure to go to on account of latest political unrest.

At present, I wish to reply their questions:

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

On this put up, I’ll share every little thing you should know to securely go to Peru.

 

11 Security Ideas 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 plenty of petty crime.

Listed below are some ideas that will help 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 house). Don’t flaunt valuables. Be particularly conscious of taking out your cellphone, as cellphone theft is rampant (over 4,000 telephones are reported stolen day by day). Don’t even put on AirPods on the road. Briefly: all the time keep watch over your stuff. Minimizing the goal in your again that claims, “I’m carrying plenty of beneficial stuff” is essential.

That is particularly strive in main cities like Lima and Cusco the place petty theft is extra widespread. For those who’re out within the day and also you see folks with telephones and such out, it’s most likely secure however in case you’re alone, watch out. Thieves will come by on scooters and take stuff out of your fingers 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 gaggle of youngsters taking part in or preventing close to you) is usually 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. Keep watch over your belongings always – In crowded locations or on public transit, bear in mind that thieves may very well be seeking to actually choose your pocket or slash your bag. Preserve some small payments in a separate pocket, in order that while you’re paying for issues, you don’t have to put your complete pockets or purse on show.

4. Preserve your valuables separate – Once you’re going out for the day, go away some bank cards and money locked in your lodging. That approach, in case 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 cellphone and laptop computer – If both gadget 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 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 go away a taxi at evening within the cities, and repeated stories 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 associates 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 – Generally the most affordable possibility isn’t one of the best one. A number of the low cost bus corporations 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 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 generally locals) that could be very secure, makes use of unbelievable drivers, and has no theft downside.

8. Don’t use medicine – Since Peru produces plenty of cocaine, vacationers (particularly younger backpackers) are inclined to do plenty of it right here. It’s not definitely worth the danger, nevertheless, since if authorities even suspect you of utilizing medicine, you could 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 communicate some primary Spanish will make it easier to in lots of conditions, however in case you get in bother and need assistance, then you definately’ll actually respect it. Begin with an app like Duolingo to grasp some primary vocabulary. Google Translate app can also be a must have app (obtain the Spanish language to your cellphone so you possibly can translate offline).

10. Purchase journey insurance coverage – Issues can go incorrect 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 beneath 70, whereas Insure My Journey is the only option for vacationers over 70.

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

For extra info on journey insurance coverage, take a look at 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 regularly requested questions we get.
 

Is Machu Picchu secure?

Machu Picchu is such a typical vacationer vacation spot that you just’ll probably be safer right here than some other a part of Peru. Likelihood is you’ll be mountain climbing with a gaggle 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 situation in case you are mountain climbing to Machu Picchu is to deal with your well being. Ensure you have loads of water, and use sunscreen and hats to cope with the warmth. For those who’re not acclimatized to the altitude, then altitude illness could be a downside; you should take it severely in case you begin to really feel sick. Keep away from this by staying in Cusco for at the least a few days earlier than visiting Machu Picchu.

Lastly, in case you use a information, which is beneficial when mountain climbing, be sure they’re a licensed operator, as you generally hear of unlicensed guides taking you the incorrect route and retaining your mountain climbing allow fee for themselves.
 

Is Peru secure 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 gaggle, however usually, solo journey in Peru isn’t any extra harmful than touring with associates or a associate.

Simply keep 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 in case you get misplaced, don’t stand there watching 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 secure to journey to Peru with youngsters?

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

Watch out with notably babies, although, as a result of they’re extra inclined to getting sick from unfiltered water, for instance. It’s additionally not beneficial to take youngsters beneath 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 may be the sufferer of some undesirable consideration, largely 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 would possibly get some additional consideration. However there’s plenty 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 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 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 be sure to solely use licensed taxis and that you realize the speed prematurely. For those who 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 motive force prematurely, as taxis don’t use meters so it’s simple to get overcharged in case you’re not paying consideration. That stated, Uber is in all places within the nation now and you’ll name an Uber in case you don’t wish to flag a random taxi down.

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Peru is an incredible 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, 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 possibly can decrease your danger. You should definitely just be sure you’re not carrying valuables in an apparent approach and don’t have massive 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 wonderful points of interest will certainly make your journey worthwhile! Peru is an incredible place and with some widespread sense you gained’t have any points! I didn’t.