Is Peru Safe To Visit? – Definitive Safety Guide 2024

Exploring Cusco

1.- CURRENT TRAVEL ADVISORIES AND SAFETY WARNINGS

We know you are asking yourself the same question as many travelers, is Peru safe to visit? the first thing you should know is that many governments around the world recommend our country as one of the most beautiful and touristic places to visit. Peru is safe to visit, however there are cities where you should be more careful during your visit.

If you are an American citizen and you are wondering, is Peru safe to visit? We told you that the US government categorizes Peru as a destination where great care must be taken, but not throughout the country. It is directly mentioned that the main precaution to take is in the Loreto region due to the high percentage of drug trafficking and the Apurímac Valley (VRAEM) where there is still a presence of terrorism..

On the other hand, if you are a UK citizen and you also have the same question, is Peru safe to visit? Please note that the British government still maintains the country on the red list and recommends avoiding visiting Peru until the political situation stabilizes, due to the frequent social problems, a situation that will materialize during 2023.

Of course, much of this information is not 100% updated, because when a traveler wants to check on the web, is Peru safe to visit? The first thing that comes out is past news about problems, but the reality is that currently the situation in the country is much more stable, more oriented to provide an unforgettable service and providing the assurance that every traveler can enjoy the trip without complications, also if you wonder, is Lima Peru safe? The answer is yes, it is as long as you plan your visit with a formal and responsible company like Auri Peru.

2.- CRIME RATES AND COMMON CONCERNS

In this article we seek to answer the question of many travelers, is Peru safe to visit? We want your trip to be comfortable and as pleasant as possible, but at the same time we also want your trip to be safe, for that reason we provide you with current data on crime in Peru and some of the most common concerns:

• Organized Crime: This problem is one of the most common worldwide, however in Peru it is more concentrated in the border areas and is almost always linked to terrorist movements. We locate the greatest presence of this problem in Tumbes, Loreto, Apurimac Valley (VRAEM). Of these, the most dangerous and still active for years is the “Sendero Luminoso” (Shining Path)
• Street Delinquency: When you arrive in Peru, the first place you will be in is the capital city, so you are probably wondering, is Lima Peru safe? Being one of the most popular cities and high in tourism levels like Cusco, Arequipa, Puno, Iquitos and more, it is common to see how many robberies happen to travelers who carelessly toured the city, public and crowded places are favorites for criminals because it is easier for them to hide. Some of the best recommendations to avoid this are:
• If you want to withdraw money, use the ATMs near the main square (in all cities), but remember that you should only withdraw what you need for the activities you have in mind.
• Do not walk alone at night and do not go far from your hotel.
• Even if you are inside the historical center it is possible that you may suffer an incident, so it is best to avoid walking in public places with valuables such as jewelry and other valuables.
• Try to use your phone inside buildings, many times criminals use motorcycles to take it out of your hands if you are on the street.
• There are police posts in various parts of the city, if something happens, report it to the police as soon as possible.
• If you are in a transport, always remember to close the doors, at traffic lights is when some criminals attack.

Even in spite of this, is Peru safe to visit?, well the truth is that yes, although we have problems with crime it is mainly in the city and tourist destinations that you can find in Peru almost mostly are away from the city however there is also something you should take into account. On the roads some criminals can plan a robbery to the transport, that is why it is important that you take into account a formal company that has a policy of no stops along the way to reach the destination, Auri Peru can help you with this, contact us for more information.

It is not only a question, is Peru safe to visit?. You should also take into account other problems that occur in the country such as scams. When planning your trip you should consider that due to technology digital scams have increased a lot and it is common to see how some travelers are affected by this, some actions you should do to avoid this are:

• 
When communicating with a Peruvian company, make sure that it has the necessary permits by the entities to provide you with a service.
• Before making a payment, make sure that the bank account is linked to the company’s name.
• Ask for the legal representative’s information as a security measure.
• Look for references from previous travelers that mention the company to see the quality of the service.

Another common concern for both travelers and people from Peru are the transportation service, cabs are the most common to move from one place to another but beware! You could have a bad time with this service, some of the drivers of these services can be accomplices of other thieves and seek to make a profit at the expense of a risk to travelers. Some of the actions you can do to avoid this bad service are:

Uber

• Avoid using street services, there are apps like UBER or InDRIVER that can ensure you arrive at your destination without worries.
• The hotel where you are also has cab services, you can use them but you coordinate in advance.
• If you are arriving at the airport in the capital and you are wondering, is Lima Peru safe? You can rely on the airport staff who will recommend the official airport company to take you to your destination.
• Hiring in advance a transport with your travel agency, although it costs a little more, ensures 100% that you will not have any problems.

Lima Capital City

When you ask yourself, is Peru safe to visit?, It is important that you know all the details that could occur if you plan to visit without a security measure. Many travelers who decide to make the tour personally without a companion and without a travel agency become exposed and victims of the popular “express kidnapping” in which they are taken hostage by a group of criminals who force them to withdraw large amounts of money from ATMs in exchange for letting them go, this happens mainly at night and in places that are not very crowded. In some cases this is also linked to fake cab drivers who as previously mentioned are accomplices, if this happens, we recommend you to do the following:

• Do not resist, they could use brute force and cause you some serious injury.
• Always think first of your integrity, the material can be recovered (It is important that before your trip you contract a travel insurance for these cases).
• When you are free, go immediately to a police officer to file a complaint.
• Ask for help from someone to block your phone, they could use it to get more profit.

It is important to know that although crime is a problem throughout the country, in Cusco the situation is much more controlled and it is easy to move in its streets. If there is a destination that we can recommend is definitely the city of Cusco so you can continue your trip to the Modern Wonder of Machu Picchu.

Mchupicchu

3.- A SAFE TRIP IS THE BEST TRIP

“If you are still wondering, is Peru safe to visit? Recently National Geographic named Peru as the best international destination for 2024, that is the most objective proof for you to know what Peru represents as a tourist destination and that for you it will be an unforgettable trip.”

Click here to learn more

4.- NATURAL DISASTERS AND ENVIRONMENTAL RISKS

When you ask yourself, is Peru safe to visit? You should not only consider social problems, you should also take into account natural aspects. At various times in history we have seen natural disasters occur that can affect the integrity of Peruvian people and travelers for this reason we give you an idea of what can happen and what are the recommended actions you should do to protect yourself.

• Earthquake: It is possible that during your trip an earthquake or tremor may occur, so no matter where you are, the best recommendations to follow are:
• If you are inside a building, place yourself under a table, keeping your knees and hands against the floor.
• You can also place yourself under a column, which is resistant to these events.
• In Peru the tremors do not last long, always stay calm.
• Stay away from windows at all times.
• If you get trapped, hit something with an object. This generates noise so that you can be found.
• If you are outside a building, try to get to an open place to avoid something falling from the buildings.
• Landslides: This occurs mainly on highways, especially during the rainy season (November – April). In case there is an alarm or it happens you can do the following:
• Avoid crossing the area of the impact, it can increase very quickly.
• If you are in a building, go up to the top level, it will be the safest place.
• It is not a show, do not record or take pictures.
• May be accompanied by a thunderstorm, avoid using your phone or metal objects.
• Storms and rains: It is more frequent in the Andean areas, for this reason when planning your trip to Cusco or Puno you should take into account the following:
• If there is rain, avoid using your phone, it could attract lightning.
• Take extra clothes, you could get wet and catch a cold that could spoil the experience.
• If the storm is very strong it is better to turn back, it is not worth continuing if you risk your integrity.

Flood Machupicchu

There are other natural disasters that can also occur, but the above are the most frequent. Even knowing this, you may still hesitate with the same question, is Peru safe to visit? Yes, most of the problem occurs during the rainy season, but the rest of the year it is an incredible place to visit.

5.- HEALTH AND MEDICAL CONSIDERATIONS

In terms of health and rest there is also a doubt, is Peru safe to visit? Well the truth is that Peru has a lot of climates and altitudes that can benefit and also complicate your health so it is important that you know all the important details before choosing it as your next destination.

• Asthma: When you arrive in the capital the first thing you feel is the humid climate due to the proximity to the sea so you wonder, is Lima Peru safe? The truth is that Lima is used as a transit destination, only a couple of days will be enough for you to continue your trip. Anyway if you have respiratory problems it is best to always carry your inhaler.
• Altitude sickness: After the question, is Peru safe to visit? Then comes the most frequent doubt for travelers looking to visit the country or to reach the world wonder of Machu Picchu. For this you should take into account the following recommendations:
• Always stay hydrated, a hydrated body allows the oxygen to be more fluid in the body.
• Drinking coca tea helps you to have energy.
• Avoid self-medication, the best will always be prescriptions from your personal physician.

Alttitude Sickness

• Food: Consider that the food in Peru has much more condiments than in other countries so eating something with a lot of fat can represent a problem for you, it is better that the first days you eat very light things like a chicken diet.
• Water: Unlike other places in the world, the water of the river is not intended for consumption. You must first boil it before you can drink it, but you can also buy bottled water for as little as s/2.00 soles.

Bottle of Water

• Medical assistance: In all cities there are clinics that you can access, either directly or if you have travel insurance this will be a great way to ensure that your trip is comfortable and carefree.

With this information it is time to answer your question, is Peru safe to visit?. Yes absolutely, Peru has social and natural problems like many other places in the world but that does not diminish in any way the beauty of its landscapes and the magical moments you will experience. So if you are planning your trip for this 2024, Auri Peru will be your best choice.

“”Once a year, go somewhere you’ve never been.”