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 Traces, 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 the whole lot I assumed it might be!

Nonetheless, I additionally usually hear and examine vacationers getting mugged or their issues being stolen. I get frightened emails from vacationers questioning if Peru is secure to go to attributable to current political unrest.

Immediately, I need to reply their questions:

Is it secure to go to Peru? What do it’s good to look out for? What precautions do it’s good to take?

On this put up, I’ll share the whole lot it’s good to 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 here are some ideas that can assist 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 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 every single day). Don’t even put on AirPods on the road. Briefly: at all times keep watch over your stuff. Minimizing the goal in your again that claims, “I’m carrying plenty of precious 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 in all probability secure however in the event you’re alone, watch out. Thieves will come by on scooters and take stuff out of your fingers 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 gaggle of children enjoying 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 maintain your guard up.

3. Keep watch over your belongings always – In crowded locations or on public transit, remember that thieves might be trying to actually decide your pocket or slash your bag. Preserve some small payments in a separate pocket, in order that if you’re paying for issues, you don’t must put your complete pockets or purse on show.

4. Preserve your valuables separate – If you’re going out for the day, go away some bank cards and money locked in your lodging. That means, 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. Preserve 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 gadget will get stolen, you’ll be capable of observe it and remotely flip in your digital camera 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 go away a taxi at evening 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 mates 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 – Generally the most affordable choice isn’t the very best one. Among the low-cost bus firms 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 normally safer utilizing a barely pricier bus firm. Among the most respected bus operators embody Cruz del Sur, Oltursa, Civa, and Movil Excursions. Moreover, contemplate PeruHop, which is a hop on/hop off bus tour operator catering to travels (and typically locals) that may be very secure, makes use of unbelievable drivers, and has no theft downside.

8. Don’t use medication – Since Peru produces plenty of cocaine, vacationers (particularly younger backpackers) are likely to do plenty of it right here. It’s not definitely worth the threat, nevertheless, since if authorities even suspect you of utilizing medication, you could be detained for as much as 15 days. Shopping for medication right here helps organized crime, so be good and skip the medication.

9. Be taught some Spanish – Having the ability to communicate some primary Spanish will enable you in lots of conditions, however in the event you get in bother and need assistance, then you definately’ll actually admire 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 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 supplies 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 your best option for vacationers over 70.

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

For extra data on journey insurance coverage, try 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 steadily requested questions we get.
 

Is Machu Picchu secure?

Machu Picchu is such a typical vacationer vacation spot that you just’ll more than likely be safer right here than some other a part of Peru. Chances are high 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 way more essential to be vigilant in cities like Lima or Cusco.

The extra essential security concern if you’re mountain climbing to Machu Picchu is to deal with your well being. Be sure to 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; it’s good to take it critically in the event 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, in the event you use a information, which is beneficial when mountain climbing, be certain that they’re a licensed operator, as you typically hear of unlicensed guides taking you the incorrect route and holding your mountain climbing allow cost for themselves.
 

Is Peru secure 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 gaggle, however on the whole, solo journey in Peru is not any extra harmful than touring with mates 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 the event 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 prospect of a petty thief deciding you’re their subsequent sufferer.
 

Is it secure to journey to Peru with children?

On the entire, it’s not particularly unsafe to take your children to Peru. Household and youngsters are essential within the Peruvian tradition, so that you and your children can 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 children beneath three to excessive altitudes comparable to Machu Picchu.
 

Is Peru secure 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 ladies in Peru hardly ever exit to bars with out males, so if you’re a women-only group in a bar, you may 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’d 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 enamel with). Use a Lifestraw, which not solely ensures that your water is at all times 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 approved taxis and that you recognize the speed upfront. When you want a taxi, have your hostel or resort name one for you and discover out what the speed is upfront. Be sure to agree on the fare with the driving force upfront, as taxis don’t use meters so it’s simple to get overcharged in the event you’re not paying consideration. That mentioned, Uber is all over the place within the nation now and you may name an Uber in the event you don’t need 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, lovely landscapes, and engaging historic sights.

You do have to 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’ll be able to decrease your threat. Make sure you just remember to’re not carrying valuables in an apparent means and don’t have giant 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 sights 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.