Is Peru Safe to Visit? (Updated 2025)

Peru, the third-largest nation in South America, and before the pandemic, was receiving over four million visitors each year.

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 all the things I assumed it will be!

Nevertheless, I additionally typically 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 as a consequence of latest political unrest.

At the moment, 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 put up, I’ll share all the things it’s worthwhile to know to soundly go to Peru.

11 Security Suggestions for Peru

Generally, 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 whole lot 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 – Hold your jewellery out of sight (and even depart it at residence). Don’t flaunt valuables. Be particularly conscious of taking out your telephone, as telephone theft is rampant (over 4,000 phones are reported stolen every 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 a whole lot of useful stuff” is essential.

That is particularly strive in main cities like Lima and Cusco the place petty theft is extra frequent. 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 should you’re alone, watch out. Thieves will come by on scooters and take stuff out of your arms and drive off.

2. Pay attention to 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 whilst you’re not being attentive to your belongings. Don’t fall for distractions and preserve your guard up.

3. Control your belongings always – In crowded locations or on public transit, remember that thieves may very well be seeking to actually decide your pocket or slash your bag. Hold some small payments in a separate pocket, in order that once you’re paying for issues, you don’t have to put your complete pockets or purse on show.

4. Hold your valuables separate – Whenever you’re going out for the day, depart some bank cards and money locked in your lodging. That method, should you lose your pockets, you’ll nonetheless have money and playing cards again at your hostel. Generally, 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 telephone and laptop computer – If both gadget will get stolen, you’ll have the ability to monitor it and remotely flip in your digital camera to {photograph} the thief (you may also 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 depart 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 associates 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 sizzling mattress for thieves.

7. Select a good bus operator – Generally the most cost effective possibility isn’t the most effective one. A number of 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 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, 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 whole lot of cocaine, vacationers (particularly younger backpackers) are likely to do a whole lot of it right here. It’s not definitely worth the threat, nonetheless, since if authorities even suspect you of utilizing medicine, you may be detained for as much as 15 days. Shopping for medicine right here helps organized crime, so be sensible and skip the medicine.

9. Be taught some Spanish – With the ability to communicate some fundamental Spanish will assist you in lots of conditions, however should you get in hassle and need assistance, then you definitely’ll actually respect it. Begin with an app like Duolingo to master some basic vocabulary. Google Translate app can be vital app (obtain the Spanish language to your telephone so you’ll be able to translate offline).

10. Buy travel insurance – Issues can go flawed 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 (typically 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 Trip is your best option for vacationers over 70.

You should 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 have the ability to keep secure whilst you go to or backpack round Peru! Moreover, listed below are solutions to some incessantly 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. Likelihood is you’ll be hiking with a group or in a crowd, so pickpockets and different petty thieves are unlikely to be round. It’s far more vital to be vigilant in cities like Lima or Cusco.

The extra vital security difficulty if you’re hiking 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. In case you’re not acclimatized to the altitude, then altitude illness is usually a drawback; it’s worthwhile to take it severely should you 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, should you use a information, which is really helpful when mountaineering, be certain they’re a licensed operator, as you typically hear of unlicensed guides taking you the flawed route and maintaining your mountaineering allow cost for themselves.
 

Is Peru secure to journey alone?

Solo journey is fairly frequent 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 wherever is safer in a gaggle, however on the whole, solo journey in Peru is not any extra harmful than touring with associates or a accomplice.

Simply bear 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 should you get misplaced, don’t stand there looking at 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 crucial within the Peruvian tradition, so that you and your children shall be made to really feel very welcome.

Watch out with significantly babies, although, as a result of they’re extra prone to getting sick from unfiltered water, for instance. It’s additionally not really helpful to take children beneath three to excessive altitudes akin to Machu Picchu.
 

Is Peru secure for feminine vacationers?

It’s not unsafe to be a solo female traveler in Peru, although you is likely to be 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 additional consideration. However there’s a whole lot 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 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 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 licensed taxis and that the speed upfront. In case 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 should you’re not paying consideration. That mentioned, Uber is in all places within the nation now and you may name an Uber should 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, lovely landscapes, and interesting historic sights.

You do have to be cautious about your private security, nonetheless. 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 reduce your threat. Remember to 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 frequent sense you gained’t have any points! I didn’t.