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 every part I assumed 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 because of latest political unrest.

At this time, I need to reply their questions:

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

On this submit, I’ll share every part that you must know to soundly go to Peru.

11 Security Ideas 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 plenty of petty crime.

Listed here 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 – Maintain 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 day-after-day). Don’t even put on AirPods on the road. In brief: all the time control your stuff. Minimizing the goal in your again that claims, “I’m carrying plenty of worthwhile stuff” is essential.

That is particularly attempt in main cities like Lima and Cusco the place petty theft is extra widespread. In case you’re out within the day and also you see folks with telephones and such out, it’s in all probability secure however in case 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 bunch of children taking part in or combating close to you) is commonly used in order that an confederate can rob you whilst you’re not taking note of your belongings. Don’t fall for distractions and hold your guard up.

3. Control your belongings always – In crowded locations or on public transit, remember that thieves might be seeking to actually decide 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 – While you’re going out for the day, go away some bank cards and money locked in your lodging. That method, in case 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 e mail inbox too simply in case.

5. Obtain the Prey app to your telephone and laptop computer – If both system will get stolen, you’ll be capable to monitor it and remotely flip in your digicam to {photograph} the thief (you too can wipe the information 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 reviews of bandit exercise after darkish in some areas, equivalent to Tingo María, northwest of Lima, on the entrance to the Tingo María Nationwide Park. Attempt to journey with mates 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 scorching mattress for thieves.

7. Select a good bus operator – Typically the most cost effective choice isn’t one of the best one. A number of the low cost bus corporations 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 normally safer utilizing a barely pricier bus firm. A number of the most respected bus operators embrace 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 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 danger, nevertheless, since if authorities even suspect you of utilizing medication, you will be detained for as much as 15 days. Shopping for medication right here helps organized crime, so be sensible and skip the medication.

9. Study some Spanish – Having the ability to converse some primary Spanish will show you how to in lots of conditions, however in case you get in hassle and need assistance, you then’ll actually respect it. Begin with an app like Duolingo to grasp some primary vocabulary. Google Translate app can be essential app (obtain the Spanish language to your telephone so you may 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 offers peace of thoughts. Don’t journey right here with out it!

I like to recommend SafetyWing for vacationers below 70, whereas Insure My Journey 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, take a look at these posts:

With these journey ideas, you’ll be capable to keep secure whilst you go to or backpack round Peru! Moreover, listed below are solutions to some ceaselessly requested questions we get.
 

Is Machu Picchu secure?

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

The extra necessary security problem in case you are mountaineering to Machu Picchu is to maintain your well being. Ensure you have loads of water, and use sunscreen and hats to take care of the warmth. In case you’re not acclimatized to the altitude, then altitude illness generally is a downside; that you must take it critically in case you begin to really feel sick. Keep away from this by staying in Cusco for no less than a few days earlier than visiting Machu Picchu.

Lastly, in case you use a information, which is beneficial when mountaineering, make certain they’re a licensed operator, as you generally hear of unlicensed guides taking you the incorrect route and retaining your mountaineering allow cost 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 bunch, however basically, solo journey in Peru is not any extra harmful than touring with mates or a companion.

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 in case you get misplaced, don’t stand there gazing a map. Mainly, keep away from protruding like a sore thumb, and also you’ll cut 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 youngsters are crucial within the Peruvian tradition, so that you and your children will likely 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 children below three to excessive altitudes equivalent to Machu Picchu.
 

Is Peru secure for feminine vacationers?

It’s not unsafe to be a solo feminine traveler in Peru, although you could be the sufferer of some undesirable consideration, principally 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 high quality 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 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 understand the speed prematurely. In case you want a taxi, have your hostel or lodge 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 straightforward to get overcharged in case you’re not paying consideration. That stated, Uber is in every single place within the nation now and you’ll name an Uber in case you don’t need to flag a random taxi down.

Peru is a tremendous vacation spot it doesn’t matter what your pursuits, with a wealthy tradition, welcoming folks, stunning landscapes, and interesting 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 may reduce your danger. Make 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 sights will certainly make your journey worthwhile! Peru is a tremendous place and with some widespread sense you received’t have any points! I didn’t.