1.- INTRODUCTION
When you ask yourself, Is it safe to travel to Peru? it reminds me first that Peru is one of the most incredible destinations you can find in South America besides being recognized worldwide for containing one of the most diverse cultures and millenary heritages in the world, it offers special and unique options such as the Inca citadel of Machu Picchu, Lake Titicaca, the deep Colca Canyon or the serene urban life of Lima and Cusco, however this is not all its attraction as it also contains an incredible biodiversity from the Amazon which is the opportunity for nature lovers to immerse themselves in its mysteries and attractions. Yet despite this you are probably wondering, Is it safe to travel to Peru? or How safe is it to travel in Peru? well the reality is Peru is ranked as one of the best tourist destinations in the world and one that you should not miss in 2025.
Of course there are always concerns about social problems and during the last years we have seen how many news have been related to protests, urban crimes and of course health conditions that can worry travelers, however this happens in certain parts of the country that indirectly affect the activity but does not diminish it because it seeks to act quickly and efficiently to these events. Fortunately most of the tourist experiences in Peru are carried out without incidents since for this it is extremely important to have the support of a formal travel agency to help you with the security as well as the organization can be adequate from the beginning.
2.- General Safety Overview
Still many people today wonder, Is it safe to travel to Peru?, to answer this question we must also understand what is the current security situation in Peru, in recent years has experienced an increase in crime in urban areas such as Lima and Callao, in fact in 2024 there was an increase of people directly affected by this problem by 36.4% compared to the previous year, however despite what is a high amount still remains well below other countries such as Colombia or Brazil. In general, Peru faces challenges that are directly related to organized crime, extortion and even kidnapping cases, however this mainly occurs in urban areas that are far from the historical centers where security reinforcement is much greater, which is why in these areas the Peruvian government has declared actions such as the State of Emergency, which increases the presence of armed and security forces to help combat these crimes.
3.- How the world views Peru
3.1.- United States
According to the information issued by the U.S. immigration agency, when a traveler asks, Is it safe to travel to Peru?, information is automatically issued classifying Peru in level two, which means that great caution should be taken due to social problems such as crime and riots, so they recommend all their citizens to avoid visiting places that have been classified as potentially dangerous.
3.2.- Canada
In the same way many travelers from this country have the question, How safe is it to travel in Peru?. They have also recommended that their citizens take a high degree of precaution in general regardless of the region visited and that they should avoid at all costs visiting the VRAEM region or places bordering Colombia and Ecuador.
3.3.- Australia
For Australian citizens who are planning their trip and may have the question, Is it safe to travel to Peru? their government warns of the potential risk of Express kidnapping, which could directly violate their safety. Of course, this alert is issued mainly for the capital city of Lima, so it promotes security measures encouraging travelers to avoid isolated areas and to always maintain communication with their families.
4.- SAFETY TRENDS IN RECENT YEARS
During the last years it has been sought to answer in a safer way the doubt that thousands of thousands of travelers in the world have, Is it safe to travel to Peru? in fact for this it is important that you know that Peru has experienced diverse and notorious changes within its security parameters. Of course it is like a see that in some regions there is still the presence of crime at least in those that have large urban areas such as Lima or Callao, on the other hand the sectors where tourism activities have implemented and added more drastic measures regarding the safety of visitors this can be seen in cities such as Cusco, Arequipa and Machu Picchu where surveillance through high definition cameras allows the area to be safer for tourists even getting to use other equipment such as drones and more security personnel.
4.1.- Impact of tourism
The tourist activity is very important within the Peruvian economy, in fact it is considered the second source of income for many Peruvians, which is why the government through various initiatives managed to found the “Safe Tourism” program with the intention of increasing security within the 25 regions through a formalization that seeks to improve tourism structures. This is directly related to the tourist corridors that are made from the airports to the historic center which is one of the most important places within the cities as is the case of Cusco and Arequipa, in this way seeks to promote adequate information to answer the question of travelers, Is Peru a safe country?
5.- REGIONAL SAFETY GUIDE
5.1.- Lima Safety
The city of Lima is popularly known as the Peruvian capital since it contains many of the most important urban attractions of the country, however this is precisely what has caused it to have constant security challenges, so it is very important to know that the city is structured by zones.
- The first zone is considered the safe one, within these are the traditional neighborhoods of Miraflores, San Isidro, Barranco and La Molina where the police presence is frequent and where there is a tourist infrastructure.
- The second zone is considered as points to avoid, among these are Callao essentially during the late hours of the night, San Juan de Lurigancho, Villa El Salvador and some sectors that are in the northern zone where the crime rate and percentage is higher.
Recommendations
- As a security measure you should always take into consideration using authorized transports that are directly linked to applications such as Uber, avoid at all times using unknown street transports or local buses as it is the main place where criminal activities occur.
- Regarding the use of local currency, it is recommended that you use exchange houses that can be registered and generally avoid money changers on the street.
- Check well the money you are given as change, there are people who use counterfeit bills so it is better to be careful.
- Always ask for identification to people who are in your environment such as tour guides and police, in case you are approached by someone with these characteristics but do not have identification it is better to go to a checkpoint by the police.
COMMON MISTAKES
“Due to the increased use of social networks and broadcasting applications, the information in many aspects is distorted to the point that there is a misperception that Peru is a dangerous place, however it is quite the opposite. When you ask yourself, Is Peru a safe country?, you should remember that special and beautiful places like Cusco, Arequipa and even the Sacred Valley are considered safe zones for world travelers since precautions are taken from the very beginning.”
5.2.- Cusco and Machu Picchu
The city of Cusco has long promoted the improvement in security aspects not only for travelers who come here and seek to continue their way to the Inca citadel of Machu Picchu, but also for local people and thus has seen the increase of supervision by authorities in search of having a safer place for everyone. However, it is the responsibility of each traveler to make sure that the company hired is legal and certified so that they can assist you if any incident occurs.
Recommendations
- It is important to know that there are thousands of tourist agencies in the city, of different prices and quality options, before taking a service it is ideal that you can look for information about the company within the registry issued by MINCETUR.
- The tourist police is always at your disposal at any point of visit, if you have any problem you can go to them. You will be able to see them even when you arrive at the airport and while you walk through the city to the historical center.
- The language nowadays is no longer a problem, many of the authorities and people in the city know the basics to be able to communicate in English if necessary, this allows them to assist travelers in a more appropriate
- If you go out to tour the city it is best not to carry a lot of money or valuables, on the other hand if you carry a backpack or fanny pack try to make sure it is always visible to you.
- It is also a big concern in altitude sickness, however there are ways to remedy it quickly. The best thing to do is always to keep your body hydrated in order to keep your organism constantly oxygenated.
5.3.- Amazon Region
In this region cities like Iquitos or Puerto Maldonado stand out and it is because they are the main access points to the Amazon jungle where many companies carry out excursion and internment activities within nature, however it also represents a great risk because there are thousands of companies that do not have the necessary experience so they improvise the activities and in this way cause the river routes that compose it to become dangerous, for this reason there are several considerations that you should take into account.
Recommendations
- During your boat trips, always carry a life jacket with you, as it is unlikely but possible that you will need it at some point in case of a problem with the boat.
- This region is one of the places with the highest sanitary concern, due to the presence of insects is like having the spread of diseases so it is recommended that you always carry the necessary vaccinations, here highlights the vaccine against yellow fever and malaria.
- Using insect repellent helps but always take into consideration that they contain high doses of DEET, this will prevent mosquitoes from biting you.
- In spite of the situation you should always drink only bottled water or purified water, water sources can often contain microorganisms that can cause discomfort.
- Wildlife is in its habitat, it is important and recommended that you avoid touching wild animals at all costs even though they may seem harmless.
- It is vital that you follow the recommendations of the guides, remember that the biodiversity that exists in the Peruvian Amazon is almost unlimited so many of the species become poisonous and even aggressive.
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6.- FAQs ABOUT SAFETY IN PERU
- Is Peru safe for solo female travelers?
Yes, the percentage of women who travel alone to Peru each year is high and have had no problems, of course it is always recommended to take the necessary precautions such as staying in safe areas that are frequently visited by travelers, avoid walking alone and even worse if it is at night, use transport directly related to applications such as Uber and others.
- What are the most dangerous areas to avoid in Peru?
Depending on the region you visit there are several places listed as risky, some of the most representative are undoubtedly Callao, San Juan de Lurigancho, Villa El Salvador, VRAEM and are some bordering neighboring countries such as Brazil and Colombia.
- Do I need special vaccinations before traveling to Peru?
The only conditional vaccine that is mandatory to visit Peru is if you arrive to the Peruvian Amazon, for which it is necessary and mandatory to have the vaccine against yellow fever and malaria.
- Is it safe to drink tap water in Peru?
No, many places do not have the purifying pipeline that exists in other parts of the world. For this reason the water that comes out of the tap in Peru is not safe to drink, it is recommended to drink only bottled water or water that may have been purified and that you have been previously informed.
- How common is pickpocketing in tourist areas of Peru?
Yes, this mainly occurs in crowded urban areas such as bus terminals, local markets and even squares. For this reason it is always advisable to carry your personal belongings in a small backpack that can be permanently in your care.
If you still have the question, Is it safe to travel to Peru? The answer will be 1000 times yes, like other countries there is a certain degree of risk but work is constantly being done to minimize it so that travelers can enjoy a unique and adequate experience. Auri Peru is one of the few responsible companies that prioritizes the safety of travelers from the first moment and creates unforgettable travel experiences. Contact us now to take the first step in your next adventure.
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