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 Strains, or the colourful capital metropolis of Lima and its blossoming meals scene, Peru lives as much as the hype. I completely beloved my go to right here. It was every little thing I believed it will be!

Nevertheless, 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 as a consequence of latest political unrest.

In the present day, I need to reply their questions:

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

On this publish, I’ll share every little thing it’s good to 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 may be plenty 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 dwelling). Don’t flaunt valuables. Be particularly conscious of taking out your cellphone, as cellphone theft is rampant (over 4,000 phones are reported stolen every day). Don’t even put on AirPods on the road. Briefly: at all times control your stuff. Minimizing the goal in your again that claims, “I’m carrying plenty of useful stuff” is essential.

That is particularly attempt in main cities like Lima and Cusco the place petty theft is extra frequent. In the event you’re out within the day and also you see folks with telephones and such out, it’s most likely secure however if you happen to’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 “by accident” bumping into you, or a bunch of youngsters 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 maintain your guard up.

3. Control your belongings always – In crowded locations or on public transit, remember that thieves might be trying to actually choose 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 – Once you’re going out for the day, go away some bank cards and money locked in your lodging. That means, if you happen to 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 have the ability to observe 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 evening – There have been incidents of individuals being mugged as they go away a taxi at evening within the cities, and repeated stories 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 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 perfect one. Among 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. 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 downside.

8. Don’t use medicine – Since Peru produces plenty of cocaine, vacationers (particularly younger backpackers) are inclined to do plenty of it right here. It’s not well worth the danger, nevertheless, 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 to in lots of conditions, however if you happen to get in hassle and need assistance, you then’ll actually respect it. Begin with an app like Duolingo to master some basic vocabulary. Google Translate app can be essential app (obtain the Spanish language to your cellphone so you may translate offline).

10. Buy travel insurance – Issues can go unsuitable 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 underneath 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 suggestions, you’ll have the ability to keep secure whilst you go to or backpack round Peru! Moreover, listed here are solutions to some regularly requested questions we get.
 

Is Machu Picchu secure?

Machu Picchu is such a typical vacationer vacation spot that you just’ll almost definitely be safer right here than another 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 rather more vital to be vigilant in cities like Lima or Cusco.

The extra vital security problem if you’re hiking to Machu Picchu is to deal with your well being. Ensure you have loads of water, and use sunscreen and hats to cope with the warmth. In the event you’re not acclimatized to the altitude, then altitude illness is usually a downside; it’s good to take it significantly if you happen to 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, if you happen to use a information, which is really useful when mountaineering, make sure that they’re a licensed operator, as you typically hear of unlicensed guides taking you the unsuitable route and retaining your mountaineering allow fee 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 bunch, however usually, 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 searching like a vacationer. Don’t costume in fancy garments, don’t wave your costly devices round, and if you happen to 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 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 might be made to really feel very welcome.

Watch out with notably 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 underneath three to excessive altitudes resembling Machu Picchu.
 

Is Peru secure for feminine vacationers?

It’s not unsafe to be a solo female traveler in Peru, although you is perhaps the sufferer of some undesirable consideration, principally 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 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’d 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 positive to brush your tooth with). Use a Lifestraw, which not solely ensures that your water is at all times 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 licensed taxis and that the speed prematurely. In the event you want a taxi, have your hostel or resort 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 simple to get overcharged if you happen to’re not paying consideration. That stated, Uber is in every single place within the nation now and you’ll name an Uber if you happen to 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 folks, stunning landscapes, and interesting historic sights.

You do have to 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 remember to’re not carrying valuables in an apparent means and don’t have massive 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 frequent sense you gained’t have any points! I didn’t.