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 Strains, 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 every thing I believed it will be!

Nevertheless, I additionally usually hear and examine vacationers getting mugged or their issues being stolen. I get fearful emails from vacationers questioning if Peru is secure to go to as a result of current political unrest.

At present, I need to reply their questions:

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

On this submit, I’ll share every thing it’s worthwhile to know to soundly go to Peru.

11 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’s lots of petty crime.

Listed below 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 – 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 each 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 lots of helpful stuff” is essential.

That is particularly strive in main cities like Lima and Cusco the place petty theft is extra widespread. If you happen to’re out within the day and also you see individuals with telephones and such out, it’s in all probability secure however when you’re alone, watch out. Thieves will come by on scooters and take stuff out of your arms and drive off.

2. Concentrate on thieves or muggers working in pairs or small teams – The trick of distracting you (for instance, somebody “by accident” 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 when you’re not taking note of your belongings. Don’t fall for distractions and preserve 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 trying to actually choose your pocket or slash your bag. Maintain 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. Maintain your valuables separate – Whenever you’re going out for the day, depart some bank cards and money locked in your lodging. That method, when 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. Maintain digital copies of your passport in your electronic 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 digicam to {photograph} the thief (you can too wipe the info 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 studies of bandit exercise after darkish in some areas, similar 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 sizzling mattress for thieves.

7. Select a good bus operator – Generally the most cost effective possibility isn’t the perfect one. A number of the low cost bus firms have probably the most reckless drivers and plenty of breakdowns, and since Peru has a few of the world’s worst site 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, contemplate PeruHop, which is a hop on/hop off bus tour operator catering to travels (and generally locals) that may be very secure, makes use of unimaginable drivers, and has no theft drawback.

8. Don’t use medication – Since Peru produces lots of cocaine, vacationers (particularly younger backpackers) are likely to do lots of it right here. It’s not well worth the danger, nonetheless, 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. Study some Spanish – With the ability to communicate some fundamental Spanish will assist you to in lots of conditions, however when you get in hassle and need assistance, then you definately’ll actually admire it. Begin with an app like Duolingo to grasp some fundamental 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 fallacious on the street. 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 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 when you go to or backpack round Peru! Moreover, listed here are solutions to some ceaselessly requested questions we get.
 

Is Machu Picchu secure?

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

The extra essential security subject if you’re mountaineering to Machu Picchu is to handle your well being. Be sure to have loads of water, and use sunscreen and hats to take care of the warmth. If you happen to’re not acclimatized to the altitude, then altitude illness could be a drawback; it’s worthwhile to take it severely when 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, when you use a information, which is really useful when mountaineering, be sure that they’re a licensed operator, as you generally hear of unlicensed guides taking you the fallacious route and maintaining your mountaineering 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 typically, 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 costume in fancy garments, don’t wave your costly devices round, and when you get misplaced, don’t stand there observing 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 secure to journey to Peru with children?

On the entire, it’s not particularly unsafe to take your children to Peru. Household and kids are essential 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 inclined to getting sick from unfiltered water, for instance. It’s additionally not really useful to take children beneath three to excessive altitudes similar 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 not often exit to bars with out males, so if you’re a women-only group in a bar, you would possibly get some further consideration. However there’s lots 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 wherever else.

Are you able to drink the faucet water in Peru?

No, don’t drink the faucet water in Peru (although it’s fantastic to brush your enamel with). Use a Lifestraw, which not solely ensures that your water is all the time secure to drink because it has a in-built water filter within the bottle however helps you keep away from single-use plastic.
 

Are taxis secure in Peru?

Taxis are comparatively secure, however ensure you solely use approved taxis and that you already know the speed upfront. If you happen to want a taxi, have your hostel or lodge name one for you and discover out what the speed is upfront. Be sure to agree on the fare with the motive force upfront, as taxis don’t use meters so it’s simple to get overcharged when you’re not paying consideration. That stated, Uber is in every single place within the nation now and you’ll name an Uber when 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 individuals, lovely landscapes, and interesting historic sights.

You do must be cautious about your private security, nonetheless. 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 decrease your danger. Be sure you just be sure you’re not carrying valuables in an apparent method 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 points of interest will certainly make your journey worthwhile! Peru is an incredible place and with some widespread sense you received’t have any points! I didn’t.