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 cherished my go to right here. It was every little thing I assumed it could be!

Nonetheless, I additionally usually 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 the moment, I need to reply their questions:

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

On this put up, I’ll share every little thing you have to know to securely go to Peru.

11 Security Suggestions for Peru

Basically, 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 variety 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 – 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 phones are reported stolen every day). Don’t even put on AirPods on the road. In brief: all the time keep watch over your stuff. Minimizing the goal in your again that claims, “I’m carrying a variety of helpful stuff” is essential.

That is particularly attempt in main cities like Lima and Cusco the place petty theft is extra frequent. Should you’re out within the day and also you see individuals with telephones and such out, it’s most likely secure however should you’re alone, watch out. Thieves will come by on scooters and take stuff out of your fingers 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 enjoying or combating close to you) is commonly 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 could possibly be seeking to actually decide your pocket or slash your bag. Maintain some small payments in a separate pocket, in order that once you’re paying for issues, you don’t have to put your entire pockets or purse on show.

4. Maintain your valuables separate – If you’re going out for the day, depart some bank cards and money locked in your lodging. That manner, should you lose your pockets, you’ll nonetheless have money and playing cards again at your hostel. Basically, 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 to observe it and remotely flip in your digital camera to {photograph} the thief (you too can 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 stories 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 pals 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 choice isn’t the perfect one. Among the low-cost bus corporations have probably the most reckless drivers and many 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. 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 generally locals) that could be very secure, makes use of unbelievable drivers, and has no theft drawback.

8. Don’t use medicine – Since Peru produces a variety of cocaine, vacationers (particularly younger backpackers) are likely to do a variety of it right here. It’s not definitely worth the danger, nonetheless, since if authorities even suspect you of utilizing medicine, you could 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 enable you in lots of conditions, however should you get in bother and need assistance, you then’ll actually recognize it. Begin with an app like Duolingo to master some basic vocabulary. Google Translate app can also 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 improper 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 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 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 suggestions, you’ll be capable to keep secure when you go to or backpack round Peru! Moreover, listed below are solutions to some continuously requested questions we get.
 

Is Machu Picchu secure?

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

The extra vital security concern if you’re hiking to Machu Picchu is to handle your well being. Be sure you have loads of water, and use sunscreen and hats to take care of the warmth. Should you’re not acclimatized to the altitude, then altitude illness generally is a drawback; you have to take it significantly should 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, should you use a information, which is advisable when mountain climbing, be certain that they’re a licensed operator, as you generally hear of unlicensed guides taking you the improper route and retaining your mountain climbing allow cost for themselves.
 

Is Peru secure to journey alone?

Solo journey is fairly frequent 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 bunch, however normally, solo journey in Peru isn’t any extra harmful than touring with pals or a associate.

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 gazing a map. Mainly, 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 kids are crucial within the Peruvian tradition, so that you and your children will likely 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 advisable to take children underneath three to excessive altitudes equivalent 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 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 additional consideration. However there’s a variety 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 tooth 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 approved taxis and that you realize the speed prematurely. Should you want a taxi, have your hostel or resort name one for you and discover out what the speed is prematurely. Be sure you agree on the fare with the driving force prematurely, as taxis don’t use meters so it’s straightforward to get overcharged should you’re not paying consideration. That mentioned, Uber is in all places within the nation now and you’ll 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 individuals, lovely landscapes, and engaging historic sights.

You do must 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 danger. Make sure you just remember to’re not carrying valuables in an apparent manner 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 points of interest will certainly make your journey worthwhile! Peru is a tremendous place and with some frequent sense you received’t have any points! I didn’t.