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 every year.

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 assumed it might be!

Nonetheless, I additionally typically 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 because of latest political unrest.

At the moment, I wish to reply their questions:

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

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

11 Security Ideas for Peru

On the whole, 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 suggestions 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 depart it at house). 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. In brief: at all times control your stuff. Minimizing the goal in your again that claims, “I’m carrying a whole lot of beneficial stuff” is essential.

That is particularly attempt 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 individuals 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 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 gaggle of children taking part in or combating close to you) is usually used in order that an confederate can rob you when you’re not listening to your belongings. Don’t fall for distractions and maintain your guard up.

3. Regulate your belongings always – In crowded locations or on public transit, remember that thieves may very well be trying to actually choose 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 entire pockets or purse on show.

4. Preserve your valuables separate – Whenever you’re going out for the day, depart some bank cards and money locked in your lodging. That manner, in case you lose your pockets, you’ll nonetheless have money and playing cards again at your hostel. On the whole, 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 system will get stolen, you’ll be capable of observe it and remotely flip in your digicam 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 night time – There have been incidents of individuals being mugged as they depart a taxi at night time within the cities, and repeated reviews of bandit exercise after darkish in some areas, resembling 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 may be 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 sizzling mattress for thieves.

7. Select a good bus operator – Generally the most cost effective possibility 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 among the world’s worst site visitors accident charges, you’re normally safer utilizing a barely pricier bus firm. Among 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 typically locals) that may be very secure, makes use of unbelievable drivers, and has no theft drawback.

8. Don’t use medicine – Since Peru produces a whole lot of cocaine, vacationers (particularly younger backpackers) are inclined to do a whole lot of it right here. It’s not well worth the threat, nevertheless, since if authorities even suspect you of utilizing medicine, you will be detained for as much as 15 days. Shopping for medicine right here helps organized crime, so be sensible and skip the medicine.

9. Study some Spanish – Having the ability to converse some primary Spanish will make it easier to in lots of conditions, however in case you get in hassle and need assistance, then you definately’ll actually recognize it. Begin with an app like Duolingo to grasp some primary vocabulary. Google Translate app can be a must have app (obtain the Spanish language to your telephone so you may translate offline).

10. Purchase journey insurance coverage – Issues can go fallacious 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 Journey is your best option for vacationers over 70.

You need to 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 of keep secure when you go to or backpack round Peru! Moreover, listed below are solutions to some regularly 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 every other a part of Peru. Chances are high you’ll be climbing with a gaggle or in a crowd, so pickpockets and different petty thieves are unlikely to be round. It’s way more vital to be vigilant in cities like Lima or Cusco.

The extra vital security difficulty in case you are climbing to Machu Picchu is to handle your well being. Ensure you have loads of water, and use sunscreen and hats to take care of the warmth. When you’re not acclimatized to the altitude, then altitude illness generally is a drawback; you’ll want to take it significantly 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 climbing, be certain they’re a licensed operator, as you typically hear of unlicensed guides taking you the fallacious route and maintaining your climbing 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 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 accomplice.

Simply bear in mind to keep away from standing out and searching like a vacationer. Don’t gown in fancy garments, don’t wave your costly devices round, and in case you get misplaced, don’t stand there gazing 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 youngsters?

On the entire, it’s not particularly unsafe to take your youngsters to Peru. Household and youngsters 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 prone to getting sick from unfiltered water, for instance. It’s additionally not beneficial to take youngsters beneath three to excessive altitudes resembling 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 not often exit to bars with out males, so in case you are a women-only group in a bar, you may get some further 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 high-quality 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 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 be sure you solely use licensed taxis and that the speed prematurely. When 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 mentioned, Uber is in every single place within the nation now and you’ll name an Uber in case you don’t wish 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, stunning landscapes, and engaging historic sights.

You do should 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 threat. Make sure you just be sure you’re not carrying valuables in an apparent manner 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 superb sights 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.