Is Peru Secure to Go to? (Up to date 2025)

Peru, the third-largest nation in South America, was receiving over 4 million guests annually earlier than the pandemic.

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 has a ton to see and do.

And it lives as much as the hype. I completely liked my go to right here. It was every thing I assumed it will be!

Nevertheless, I additionally usually hear and examine vacationers getting mugged or their issues being stolen. I get anxious emails from vacationers questioning if Peru is secure to go to resulting from latest political unrest.

At present, I need to reply their questions:

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

On this submit, I’ll share every thing you might want to know to securely go to Peru.

10 Security Suggestions for Peru

Typically, 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 may be a variety of petty crime.

Listed below are some suggestions that will help you plan and put together for a secure 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 cellphone, as cellphone theft is rampant (over 4,000 telephones are reported stolen daily). Don’t even put on AirPods on the road. In brief: all the time keep watch over your stuff. Minimizing the goal in your again that claims, “I’m carrying a variety of invaluable stuff” is essential.

That is particularly strive in main cities like Lima and Cusco the place petty theft is extra frequent. For those who’re out within the day and also you see individuals with telephones and such out, it’s most likely secure however for those who’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 bunch 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 hold your guard up.

3. Keep watch over 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 while 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, go away some bank cards and money locked in your lodging. That method, for those who 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 cellphone and laptop computer – If both system 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 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, akin 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 may be 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 possibility isn’t the most effective one. Among the low cost bus firms have essentially the most reckless drivers and plenty of breakdowns, and since Peru has among the world’s worst site visitors accident charges, you’re often safer utilizing a barely pricier bus firm. Among the most respected bus operators embrace Cruz del Sur, Oltursa, Civa, and Movil Excursions. Moreover, think about 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 unimaginable drivers, and has no theft drawback.

8. Don’t use medicine – Since Peru produces a variety of cocaine, vacationers (particularly younger backpackers) are likely to do a variety of it right here. It’s not well worth the danger, 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. Be taught some Spanish – Having the ability to communicate some primary Spanish will aid you in lots of conditions, however for those who get in hassle and need assistance, you then’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 cellphone so you may translate offline).

10. Purchase journey insurance coverage – Issues can go unsuitable 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 (usually much less) and supplies 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 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 suggestions, you’ll be capable to keep secure whilst you go to or backpack round Peru! Moreover, listed below are solutions to some often requested questions we get.
 

Is Machu Picchu secure?

Machu Picchu is such a typical vacationer vacation spot that you just’ll most definitely be safer right here than some other a part of Peru. Chances are high you’ll be mountaineering with a bunch or in a crowd, so pickpockets and different petty thieves are unlikely to be round. It’s rather more necessary to be vigilant in cities like Lima or Cusco.

The extra necessary security situation if you’re mountaineering to Machu Picchu is to deal with your well being. Be sure you have loads of water, and use sunscreen and hats to take care of the warmth. For those who’re not acclimatized to the altitude, then altitude illness is usually a drawback; you might want to take it critically for those who begin to really feel sick. Keep away from this by staying in Cusco for not less than a few days earlier than visiting Machu Picchu.

Lastly, for those who use a information, which is beneficial when mountaineering, make sure that they’re a licensed operator, as you typically hear of unlicensed guides taking you the unsuitable route and conserving your mountaineering allow fee for themselves.
 

Is Peru secure 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 anyplace is safer in a bunch, however generally, solo journey in Peru is not any extra harmful than touring with pals or a accomplice.

Simply bear in mind to keep away from standing out and looking out like a vacationer. Don’t costume in fancy garments, don’t wave your costly devices round, and for those who 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 kids are crucial within the Peruvian tradition, so that you and your youngsters might be made to really feel very welcome.

Watch out with significantly 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 underneath three to excessive altitudes akin to Machu Picchu.
 

Is Peru secure for feminine vacationers?

It’s not unsafe to be a solo feminine traveler in Peru, although you is perhaps 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 if you’re a women-only group in a bar, you may get some further consideration. However there’s a variety 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 positive 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 you solely use approved taxis and that you understand the speed upfront. For those who want a taxi, have your hostel or resort name one for you and discover out what the speed is upfront. Be sure you agree on the fare with the driving force upfront, as taxis don’t use meters so it’s straightforward to get overcharged for those who’re not paying consideration. That mentioned, Uber is in every single place within the nation now and you’ll name an Uber for those who 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 individuals, lovely landscapes, and engaging historic sights.

You do must 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 may decrease your danger. You should definitely just remember to’re not carrying valuables in an apparent method and don’t have massive sums of money in a single place.

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 frequent sense you received’t have any points! I didn’t.