Is Peru Safe to Visit?
Is Peru Safe to Visit?
Hey there, adventurer! Peru, that big ol' South American gem (it's the third - largest country down there), was welcoming over four million visitors every year before the pandemic chaos hit.
Whether you're itching to check out Machu Picchu, those super cool floating islands on Lake Titicaca, the mysterious Nazca Lines, or soak up the vibrant vibes of Lima with its booming food scene, Peru's got a boatload of awesome stuff to see and do. And let me tell you, it lives up to all the hype! I had an absolute blast during my visit. It was everything I'd dreamed of!
But here's the deal. I keep hearing and reading about tourists getting their stuff snatched or even getting mugged. And I get worried emails from travelers asking if Peru's still a safe bet, especially with all the recent political unrest.
Well, today, I'm here to answer all those burning questions: Is Peru safe to visit? What should you watch out for? And what precautions do you need to take? In this post, I'll spill all the beans you need to know for a safe trip to Peru.
Table of Contents
10 Safety Tips for Peru
Generally speaking, Peru's a pretty safe place to visit. You're not gonna get kidnapped or meet any super - scary violent crime as a traveler. But it does need you to be a bit more on your toes than some other places because, well, there's a fair bit of petty crime.
Here are some handy tips to help you plan and prep for a worry - free Peru adventure:
Hide Your Shiny Stuff: Keep your jewelry out of sight (or just leave it at home, why not?). Don't go flaunting your valuables around. And be extra careful when taking out your phone. Phone theft is like, everywhere (over 4,000 phones get reported stolen daily, yikes!). And please, don't wear your AirPods on the street. Just keep an eye on your stuff at all times. You don't want to be that walking target that screams, "I'm loaded with expensive goodies!" This is especially true in big cities like Lima and Cusco where petty theft is more common. If you're out during the day and see others with phones out, you're probably okay. But if you're alone, watch your back. Thieves on scooters might just zoom by and grab your stuff and speed off.
Beware of Team Thieves: Watch out for thieves or muggers working in pairs or small groups. They'll try to distract you, like someone "accidentally" bumping into you or a group of kids causing a ruckus nearby. While you're distracted, their accomplice will swoop in and rob you. Don't fall for it! Keep your guard up.
Stuff - Watch 24/7: In crowded places or on public transit, thieves might be looking to pick your pocket or slash your bag. Keep some small bills in a separate pocket so you don't have to flash your whole wallet or purse when paying.
Divide and Conquer Your Valuables: When you head out for the day, leave some credit cards and cash locked up in your accommodation. That way, if you lose your wallet, you've still got backup at your hostel. It's also a good idea to make photocopies of your passport to carry around and lock the real one in your hostel locker. And keep digital copies in your email inbox, just in case.
Get the Prey App: Download the Prey app on your phone and laptop. If either gets stolen, you can track it, remotely turn on the camera to snap a pic of the thief (you can even wipe the data and send them a message!). It's only $1.10 a month.
Nighttime Buddy System: Avoid traveling alone at night. There have been some not - so - nice incidents of people getting mugged when getting out of a taxi at night in the cities. And there are reports of bandit activity after dark in some areas, like Tingo María near Lima. Travel with friends or other travelers at night. There's safety in numbers! Even in Lima, in areas like Miraflores and Barranco, there are lots of people out at night, but they're also touristy areas, so thieves love 'em.
Choose Your Bus Wisely: Sometimes the cheapest bus isn't the best. Some of those cheap bus companies have crazy drivers and lots of breakdowns. Since Peru has some of the world's worst traffic accident rates, it's safer to go with a slightly pricier bus company. Some good ones are Cruz del Sur, Oltursa, Civa, and Movil Tours. And there's also PeruHop, a hop - on/hop - off bus tour operator that's really safe, has great drivers, and no theft issues.
Steer Clear of Drugs: Peru makes a lot of cocaine, and some tourists (especially young backpackers) think it's a good idea to try it. But it's so not worth the risk! If the authorities even suspect you of using drugs, you could be detained for up to 15 days. And buying drugs here supports bad guys, so just say no.
Learn Some Spanish: Knowing a bit of basic Spanish can be a real lifesaver. If you get in trouble and need help, you'll be glad you did. Start with an app like Duolingo to learn some basic words. And don't forget the Google Translate app. Download the Spanish language so you can translate offline.
Travel Insurance is a Must: Things can go wrong on the road. That's why I never travel without travel insurance. From theft to injuries to delayed flights, it's there to save your wallet. It's only a couple of bucks a day (or less) and gives you peace of mind. I recommend SafetyWing for travelers under 70, and Insure My Trip for those over 70.
You can use this widget to get a quote for SafetyWing:
For more info on travel insurance, check out these posts:
What Does Travel Insurance ACTUALLY Cover?
The Best Travel Insurance Companies
How to Buy the Best Travel Insurance
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With these travel tips, you'll be able to explore Peru safely, whether you're just visiting or backpacking around. And here are some answers to common questions:
Is Machu Picchu safe?
Machu Picchu is such a popular tourist spot that you're probably safer there than in other parts of Peru. You'll likely be hiking with a group or in a crowd, so pickpockets and petty thieves are less likely to be around. But you really need to be careful in cities like Lima or Cusco.
The more important safety thing when hiking to Machu Picchu is taking care of your health. Make sure you have plenty of water, use sunscreen and hats to beat the heat. If you're not used to the altitude, altitude sickness can be a problem. Take it seriously if you start feeling sick. Avoid this by staying in Cusco for a couple of days before visiting Machu Picchu.
And if you use a guide (which is a good idea when hiking), make sure they're a licensed operator. Sometimes, unlicensed guides might take you the wrong way and keep your hiking permit money for themselves.
Is Peru safe to travel alone?
Solo travel is pretty common in Peru. You'll often find other solo backpackers to hang out with, so you won't be alone much.
Bus travel and being out after dark are safer in a group, but in general, solo travel in Peru isn't much more dangerous than traveling with friends or a partner. Just don't look like a total tourist. Don't wear fancy clothes, don't wave your expensive gadgets around, and if you get lost, don't stand there gawking at a map. Blend in, and you'll reduce the chance of a petty thief eyeing you up.
Is it safe to travel to Peru with kids?
Overall, it's not super unsafe to take your kids to Peru. Family and kids are really important in Peruvian culture, so you and your little ones will be made to feel welcome. But be careful with really small kids. They're more likely to get sick from unfiltered water, for example. And it's not a good idea to take kids under three to high - altitude places like Machu Picchu.
Is Peru safe for female travelers?
It's not unsafe for solo female travelers in Peru. You might get some unwanted attention, usually in the form of catcalling. Local women in Peru rarely go to bars without men, so if you're a women - only group in a bar, you might get a bit more notice. But there are plenty of solo female travelers in the country, so you'll meet others to hang out with. Peru doesn't need any more special precautions than anywhere else.
Can you drink the tap water in Peru?
Nope, don't drink the tap water in Peru (but it's okay to brush your teeth with it). Use a Lifestraw. It's got a built - in water filter in the bottle, so your water's always safe to drink, and it helps you avoid single - use plastic.
Are taxis safe in Peru?
Taxis are relatively safe, but only use authorized ones and know the rate in advance. If you need a taxi, have your hostel or hotel call one for you and find out the rate. Make sure you agree on the fare with the driver first because taxis don't use meters, and it's easy to get overcharged if you're not paying attention. But hey, Uber's everywhere in Peru now, so you can use that if you don't want to flag down a random taxi.
Peru is an amazing destination, no matter what you're into. It's got a rich culture, friendly people, beautiful landscapes, and super interesting historical sights.
You do need to be a bit careful about your personal safety, though. The most common problems travelers face are petty theft and pickpocketing. But with a little extra caution and common sense, you can keep your risk low. Just don't carry your valuables in an obvious way and don't have all your cash in one place.
Don't let the scary stories stop you! The amazing attractions in Peru will definitely make your trip worth it. It's an awesome place, and as long as you use your common sense, you'll be fine. I was!
Book Your Trip to Peru: Logistical Tips and Tricks
Book Your Flight
Use Skyscanner to find a cheap flight. It's my favorite search engine because it scours websites and airlines all over the world. You know you're getting the best deal!
Book Your Accommodation
Book your hostel with Hostelworld. They've got the biggest selection and the best deals. If you want to stay somewhere other than a hostel, use Booking.com. They usually have the cheapest rates for guesthouses and budget hotels.
Don't Forget Travel Insurance
Travel insurance will protect you from illness, injury, theft, and cancellations. It's like a safety net for your trip. I never travel without it 'cause I've had to use it a bunch of times. My top picks for the best service and value are:
Safety Wing (for everyone under 70)
Insure My Trip (for those over 70)
Medjet (for extra repatriation coverage)
Looking for the Best Companies to Save Money With?
Check out my resource page for the best companies to use when you travel. I list all the ones I use to save money on the road. They'll help you save too!
Want More Information on Peru?
Be sure to visit my super - detailed destination guide on Peru for even more planning tips!
