{"id":4248,"date":"2025-01-19T01:54:34","date_gmt":"2025-01-19T01:54:34","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/blog.theblyde.com\/?p=4248"},"modified":"2025-01-19T01:54:34","modified_gmt":"2025-01-19T01:54:34","slug":"is-peru-safe-to-visit-updated-2025","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/blog.theblyde.com\/?p=4248","title":{"rendered":"Is Peru Safe to Visit? (Updated 2025)"},"content":{"rendered":"
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Peru, the third-largest country in South America, and before the pandemic, was receiving over four million visitors each year.<\/p>\n

Whether it\u2019s to visit Machu Picchu, the floating islands of Lake Titicaca, the Nazca Lines, or the vibrant capital city of Lima and its blossoming food scene, Peru lives up to the hype. I absolutely loved my visit here. It was everything I thought it would be! <\/p>\n

However, I also often hear and read about tourists getting mugged or their things being stolen. I get worried emails from travelers wondering if Peru is safe to visit due to recent political unrest. <\/p>\n

Today, I want to answer their questions: <\/p>\n

Is it safe to visit Peru? What do you need to look out for? What precautions do you need to take?<\/p>\n

In this post, I\u2019ll share everything you need to know to safely visit Peru.<\/p>\n

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11 Safety Tips for Peru<\/h3>\n

In general, Peru is a safe place to visit. You\u2019re not going to get kidnapped or murdered there so don\u2019t worry about any violent crime as a traveler. But Peru does require you to be a bit more vigilant than other destinations because there is a lot of petty<\/em> crime.<\/p>\n

Here are some tips to help you plan and prepare for a safe visit to Peru:<\/p>\n

1. Avoid displaying any expensive belongings<\/strong> \u2013 Keep your jewelry out of sight (or even leave it at home). Don\u2019t flaunt valuables. Be especially aware of taking out your phone, as phone theft is rampant (over 4,000 phones are reported stolen every day). Don\u2019t even wear AirPods on the street. In short: always keep an eye on your stuff. Minimizing the target on your back that says, \u201cI\u2019m carrying a lot of valuable stuff\u201d is very important. <\/p>\n

This is especially try in major cities like Lima and Cusco where petty theft is more common. If you\u2019re out in the day and you see people with phones and such out, it\u2019s probably safe but if you\u2019re alone, be careful. Thieves will come by on scooters and take stuff from your hands and drive off. <\/p>\n

2. Be aware of thieves or muggers working in pairs or small groups<\/strong> \u2013 The trick of distracting you (for example, someone \u201caccidentally\u201d bumping into you, or a group of kids playing or fighting near you) is often used so that an accomplice can rob you while you\u2019re not paying attention to your belongings. Don\u2019t fall for distractions and keep your guard up.<\/p>\n

3. Keep an eye on your belongings at all times<\/strong> \u2013 In crowded places or on public transit, be aware that thieves could be looking to literally pick your pocket or slash your bag. Keep some small bills in a separate pocket, so that when you\u2019re paying for things, you don\u2019t need to put your whole wallet or purse on display.<\/p>\n

4. Keep your valuables separate<\/strong> \u2013 When you\u2019re going out for the day, leave some credit cards and cash locked in your accommodation. That way, if you lose your wallet, you\u2019ll still have cash and cards back at your hostel. In general, it\u2019s a good idea to make photocopies of your passport to take with you and lock up your passport in your hostel locker. Keep digital copies of your passport in your email inbox too just in case.<\/p>\n

5. Download the Prey app to your phone and laptop<\/strong> \u2013 If either device gets stolen, you\u2019ll be able to track it and remotely turn on your camera to photograph the thief (you can also wipe the data and message the thief too). It costs just $1.10\/month. <\/p>\n

6. Avoid traveling alone at night<\/strong> \u2013 There have been incidents of people being mugged as they leave a taxi at night in the cities, and repeated reports of bandit activity after dark in some areas, such as Tingo Mar\u00eda, northwest of Lima, at the entrance to the Tingo Mar\u00eda National Park. Try to travel with friends or other travelers at night as there is safety in numbers.<\/p>\n

And this is especially true in cities at night too. In some areas of Lima like Miraflores and Barranco, there\u2019s a lot of people out at night so it\u2019s less of a problem but this also the two nicest and most touristy areas of Lima so it\u2019s a hot bed for thieves. <\/p>\n

7. Choose a reputable bus operator<\/strong> \u2013 Sometimes the cheapest option isn\u2019t the best one. Some of the cheap bus companies have the most reckless drivers and lots of breakdowns, and since Peru has some of the world\u2019s worst traffic accident rates, you\u2019re usually safer using a slightly pricier bus company. Some of the most reputable bus operators include Cruz del Sur, Oltursa, Civa, and Movil Tours. Additionally, consider PeruHop, which is a hop on\/hop off bus tour operator catering to travels (and sometimes locals) that is very safe, uses incredible drivers, and has no theft problem. <\/p>\n

8. Don\u2019t use drugs<\/strong> \u2013 Since Peru produces a lot of cocaine, tourists (especially young backpackers) tend to do a lot of it here. It\u2019s not worth the risk, however, since if authorities even suspect you of using drugs, you can be detained for up to 15 days. Buying drugs here supports organized crime, so be smart and skip the drugs. <\/p>\n

9. Learn some Spanish<\/strong> \u2013 Being able to speak some basic Spanish will help you in many situations, but if you get in trouble and need help, then you\u2019ll really appreciate it. Start with an app like Duolingo to master some basic vocabulary. Google Translate app is also a must-have app (download the Spanish language to your phone so you can translate offline).<\/p>\n

10. Buy travel insurance<\/strong> \u2013 Things can go wrong on the road. That\u2019s why I never go anywhere without travel insurance. From theft to injuries to delayed flights, travel insurance is there to ensure you don\u2019t go broke. It\u2019s just a couple bucks a day (often less) and provides peace of mind. Don\u2019t travel here without it!<\/p>\n

I recommend SafetyWing for travelers under 70, while Insure My Trip is the best choice for travelers over 70. <\/p>\n

You can use this widget to get a quote for SafetyWing: <\/p>\n

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For more information on travel insurance, check out these posts:<\/p>\n

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Planning a trip to South America?<\/h5>\n

Get all my best travel tips along with these guides:<\/p>\n

    \n
  • My Favorite Companies to Use<\/li>\n
  • 61 Savvy Travel Tips<\/li>\n
  • 16 Steps for Planning a Trip<\/li>\n
  • How to Get Free Flights<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n
    \n

    Just fill in your details below and I’ll send everything to you right now:<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

    With these travel tips, you\u2019ll be able to stay safe while you visit or backpack around Peru! Furthermore, here are answers to some frequently asked questions we get.
    \u00a0<\/p>\n

    Is Machu Picchu safe?<\/h3>\n

    Machu Picchu is such a common tourist destination that you\u2019ll most likely be safer here than any other part of Peru. Chances are you\u2019ll be hiking with a group or in a crowd, so pickpockets and other petty thieves are unlikely to be around. It\u2019s much more important to be vigilant in cities like Lima or Cusco.<\/p>\n

    The more important safety issue if you are hiking to Machu Picchu is to take care of your health. Make sure you have plenty of water, and use sunscreen and hats to deal with the heat. If you\u2019re not acclimatized to the altitude, then altitude sickness can be a problem; you need to take it seriously if you start to feel sick. Avoid this by staying in Cusco for at least a couple of days before visiting Machu Picchu.<\/p>\n

    Finally, if you use a guide, which is recommended when hiking, make sure they are a licensed operator, as you sometimes hear of unlicensed guides taking you the wrong route and keeping your hiking permit payment for themselves.
    \u00a0<\/p>\n

    Is Peru safe to travel alone?<\/h3>\n

    Solo travel is pretty common in Peru, and you\u2019ll often find plenty of other solo backpackers to spend time with, so it\u2019s unlikely you\u2019ll be alone that much. <\/p>\n

    Bus travel and being out after dark anywhere is safer in a group, but in general, solo travel in Peru is no more dangerous than traveling with friends or a partner. <\/p>\n

    Just remember to avoid standing out and looking like a tourist. Don\u2019t dress in fancy clothes, don\u2019t wave your expensive gadgets around, and if you get lost, don\u2019t stand there staring at a map. Basically, avoid sticking out like a sore thumb, and you\u2019ll reduce the chance of a petty thief deciding you\u2019re their next victim.
    \u00a0<\/p>\n

    Is it safe to travel to Peru with kids?<\/h3>\n

    On the whole, it\u2019s not especially unsafe to take your kids to Peru. Family and children are very important in the Peruvian culture, so you and your kids will be made to feel very welcome. <\/p>\n

    Be careful with particularly small children, though, because they\u2019re more susceptible to getting sick from unfiltered water, for example. It\u2019s also not recommended to take kids under three to high altitudes such as Machu Picchu.
    \u00a0<\/p>\n

    Is Peru safe for female travelers?<\/h3>\n

    It\u2019s not unsafe to be a solo female traveler in Peru, though you might be the victim of some unwanted attention, mostly in the form of catcalling. Local women in Peru rarely go out to bars without men, so if you are a women-only group in a bar, you might get some extra attention. But there\u2019s a lot of solo female travelers in the country so you\u2019ll meet others to hang out with. Peru doesn\u2019t require any more precautions than you would take anywhere else. <\/p>\n

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    Can you drink the tap water in Peru?<\/h3>\n

    No, don\u2019t drink the tap water in Peru (though it\u2019s fine to brush your teeth with). Use a Lifestraw, which not only ensures that your water is always safe to drink as it has a built in water filter in the bottle but helps you avoid single-use plastic.
    \u00a0<\/p>\n

    Are taxis safe in Peru?<\/h3>\n

    Taxis are relatively safe, but make sure you only use authorized taxis and that you know the rate in advance. If you need a taxi, have your hostel or hotel call one for you and find out what the rate is in advance. Make sure you agree on the fare with the driver in advance, as taxis don\u2019t use meters so it\u2019s easy to get overcharged if you\u2019re not paying attention. That said, Uber is everywhere in the country now and you can call an Uber if you don\u2019t want to flag a random taxi down.<\/p>\n

    ****<\/center><\/p>\n

    Peru is an amazing destination no matter what your interests, with a rich culture, welcoming people, beautiful landscapes, and fascinating historical sights. <\/p>\n

    You do need to be cautious about your personal safety, however. The most common issues travelers face there are petty theft and pickpocketing, but by exercising a bit of extra vigilance and common sense, you can minimize your risk. Be sure to make sure that you\u2019re not carrying valuables in an obvious way and don\u2019t have large sums of cash in one place. <\/p>\n

    Peru is a relatively safe country to visit, so don\u2019t let the stories put you off. The amazing attractions will definitely make your trip worthwhile! Peru is an amazing place and with some common sense you won\u2019t have any issues! I didn\u2019t. <\/p>\n

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    Book Your Trip to Peru: Logistical Tips and Tricks<\/h4>\n

    Book Your Flight<\/strong>
    Use Skyscanner to find a cheap flight. They are my favorite search engine because they search websites and airlines around the globe so you always know no stone is left unturned!<\/p>\n

    Book Your Accommodation<\/strong>
    You can book your hostel with Hostelworld as they have the biggest inventory and best deals. If you want to stay somewhere other than a hostel, use Booking.com as they consistently return the cheapest rates for guesthouses and cheap hotels.<\/p>\n

    Don\u2019t Forget Travel Insurance<\/strong>
    Travel insurance will protect you against illness, injury, theft, and cancellations. It\u2019s comprehensive protection in case anything goes wrong. I never go on a trip without it as I\u2019ve had to use it many times in the past. My favorite companies that offer the best service and value are:<\/p>\n

    Looking for the Best Companies to Save Money With?<\/strong>
    Check out my resource page for the best companies to use when you travel. I list all the ones I use to save money when I\u2019m on the road. They will save you money when you travel too. <\/p>\n

    Want More Information on Peru?<\/strong>
    Be sure to visit my robust destination guide on Peru for even more planning tips!<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

    Source: https:\/\/www.nomadicmatt.com\/travel-blogs\/is-peru-safe-to-visit\/<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

    Peru, the third-largest country in South America, and before the pandemic, was receiving over four million visitors each year. Whether it\u2019s to visit Machu Picchu, the floating islands of Lake Titicaca, the Nazca Lines, or the vibrant capital city of Lima and its blossoming food scene, Peru lives up to the hype. I absolutely loved […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":4247,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[22],"tags":[62,63],"class_list":["post-4248","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-travel","tag-peru","tag-south-america"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/blog.theblyde.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/4248","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/blog.theblyde.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/blog.theblyde.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blog.theblyde.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blog.theblyde.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=4248"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/blog.theblyde.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/4248\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blog.theblyde.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/media\/4247"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/blog.theblyde.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=4248"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blog.theblyde.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=4248"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blog.theblyde.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=4248"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}