What’s it like in Peru? Is Peru safe to travel around? These are all valid questions travellers all think about before heading to this diverse South American nation.
Whilst it’s important to make sure you have properly planned out your itinerary and have all of your must-do tours booked in advance, it’s also vital to know the current safety situation here. This way you can relax properly in Peru knowing what safety practices are best, as well as how to avoid any unwanted scenarios.
In this guide we’ll explore whether Peru is safe to travel, as well as how different regions can vary. We’ll also cover our six biggest safety tips you can follow, as well as answering your most frequently asked questions in our FAQ section.
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Overall Peru is safe to travel around, although you’ll want to follow basic precautions and also know which areas are best for tourists to head to.
For example Lima is home to many incredible attractions, and the areas of Miraflores, the Historic Centre as well as the incredible district of Barranco are all safe to explore during the day. At night the historic centre can get a bit sketchy in areas, so if staying here then it’s best to use taxis and Uber to get around in the evenings.
Throughout the country we’ll also find other destinations like Cusco and Arequipa which are also safe, although you’ll want to use common sense like you would anywhere else on the planet. This is even more the case when visiting the Amazon Jungle, where local animals and wildlife must be treated with caution as you follow your local guide’s advice.
Generally speaking yes – tens of thousands of female tourists (whether travelling solo or in groups) visit Peru each year with no problems whatsoever. However this is because they follow standard practices daily and avoid putting themselves in precarious situations.
For example, the biggest risk for both female tourists and others in Peru is pickpocketing, which can be an issue in crowded markets as well as on public transportation. To minimise your risk of being a victim, it’s best to first not take anything out with you that is valuable – and instead leave it back in your accommodation. It’s also wise to dress-down and use taxis to get around, and especially so when heading out at night.
In less-developed areas of Lima (outside the tourist zones) and in other regions of Peru, assault can also be a risk. However usually this is opportunistic and targeted at women who are drunk and alone, or have wandered into an unknown area at night. Simply avoid doing these, and you’ll have no issues. If you are still unsure, then you can head on one of our local tours where a knowledgeable guide will show you around the different destinations.
It can sometimes be easier to get a feel for the safety situation by using our past experiences, and especially so if you have already been travelling or living in Latin America before.
Peru ranks as a moderately safe country, which is similar to those of Bolivia, Chile and Mexico. We can further back this up with online statistics, which overall show that Peru is still very safe in many areas around the country. Other countries such as Colombia, Brazil and Honduras are more dangerous than Peru – so if you have already been to these then Peru will feel like a breath of fresh air!
As part of a bigger picture, safety in Peru can also be compared with other countries around the globe for a more familiar perspective. For example the areas of Miraflores and Barranco in Lima are often compared with Madrid from a safety perspective, and numerous of our past clients have said that they felt safer here than in some cities in the USA.
Again it all depends on your experience, however overall Peru is safe in many parts as long as you follow our standard safety tips which we have outlined below. You can also get in touch with us for more information, as well as help planning your own custom Peru tour.
Below we will now explore some of our very best safety tips for Peru. We also recommend doing extra research on different destinations that you will visit, given each will be different (and as things can often change).
By far the most important part of your trip will be deciding where you will stay. In the majority of areas we recommend basing yourself around the Plaza de Armas, which is usually very touristy, safe and has lots of restaurants and attractions nearby. The only exception here is in Lima, where we instead suggest basing yourself in Miraflores around the Parque Kennedy or by Larcomar Avenue.
Depending on where you are from, you may be used to drinking tap water or not having any issues if you do it. However here in Peru the public water systems are not treated, so it’s vital to not drink any tap water whatsoever. We instead suggest buying sealed bottles of water and drinking from these, and also avoiding getting ice in your drinks (as you can never be 100% sure of the source of the water).
As soon as you arrive in a new exotic destination in Peru you’ll be excited to get going as soon as possible, and especially so given the amount to see and do here! However make sure to leave things like your passport and credit cards safely back in your room, as unfortunately pickpocketing and theft can be an issue in different areas. Be aware, though, that in some cases you will need your documents on you like when entering Machu Picchu and when hiking the Inca Trail.
Whilst using taxis (or mototaxis) are generally safe in most regions, you’ll want to make sure they are registered in order to avoid any problems. This is why we instead highly recommend using Uber or InDriver to book taxis in advance given they are both safer, and also as you will know exactly what you should be charged (and will avoid being overcharged).
As already mentioned, all of the advice above is a great start – however different regions will need more investigation about how to stay safe (for example staying safe around wildlife in the Amazon Jungle, or when hiking in the Andes). When planning a custom Peru trip with us we will share everything you need to know in order to have the most safe and enjoyable trip possible.
Although this seems like common sense, sometimes it can be easier said than done whilst out exploring and enjoying yourself. It’s a good idea to use GoogleMaps on your phone if you are unsure of where you are, and also to get local advice on where is safe to visit before leaving your accommodation. Even better is to join one of our tours where our local expert guides know the ins and outs of every area here, so you’ll always be in safe hands.
In this section we’ll now explore the most frequent questions we get about whether Peru is safe, as well as what you need to know to stay safe during your trip here. It’s important to mention that these serve as a solid introduction to the question of “is Peru safe?”, and as such you’ll also want to do some independent research on specific areas before you head here.
Like with any big city, things can sometimes be a bit daunting come the evening. However, areas like Miraflores, Barranco and San Isidro are very safe at night, and especially when you keep to the busy central areas. Other areas like the Historic Centre and Chorrillos should be treated with caution, and we recommend using taxis to get to and from these areas.
One of the New Seven Wonders of the World, Machu Picchu is a must on any itinerary around Peru. It’s also a very safe site to visit, with park rangers constantly monitoring the site and are there for assistance or any other queries you may have. It’s important to follow the rules when in Machu Picchu to keep you safe, such as not passing the safety ropes and following the labelled circuits.
Cusco is one of the safest cities you can visit in Peru, mostly owing to its culture and familiar values. The Historic Centre in Cusco is a very safe area to walk around, and even so at night. Of course you’ll still want to make sure you don’t wander off into unknown neighbourhoods alone, and also to be wary when crossing busy roads in the evening as driving is not always the best here. If you’ll be drinking, then it’s wise to take an Uber to get back to your apartment or hotel.
And that’s all for this guide on whether Peru is safe to travel right now.
Many tourists will have lots of questions before heading to this South American nation, namely how to organise their own trip as well as working out what destinations are best to see. Asking “is Peru safe?” is also another, and in this guide we have shown that by using common sense and following our advice, any tourist can have both a memorable and safe time exploring Peru.
Booking a Peru tour is by far one of the safest ways to explore everything this country has to offer, where a local guide who knows the area will show you around all of the best highlights. Check out our 100% Customisable Peru Tours now, where you can design your trip exactly as you want it to be.
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