Peru captivates travelers with its ancient Incan heritage, including the iconic Machu Picchu, diverse landscapes from Amazon rainforest to Andean peaks, and vibrant culinary scene. This South American gem offers world-class hiking, rich indigenous cultures, and colonial architecture in cities like Cusco and Lima.
Peru is generally safe for tourists who take standard precautions. Lima's tourist districts of Miraflores, Barranco, and San Isidro are relatively safe, while Cusco's historic center is secure with good tourist police presence. The main risks are petty theft, taxi scams, and rare but serious drink spiking in nightlife areas.
Current safety advisory
Moderate
Exercise increased caution in Peru due to crime and civil unrest. Petty theft is common in crowded tourist areas. Political protests and roadblocks (paros) can disrupt travel, particularly in highland regions. Drug-facilitated crime has been reported in Lima nightlife areas.
Last updated: 2025-01
Official advisories
Guidance from national travel-advisory services.
Level 2: Exercise Increased Caution
Crime and civil unrest. Be alert to petty crime in Lima, Cusco, and tourist areas. Protests may block roads and disrupt travel plans.
Yellow (normal precautions)
General precautions advised. Be vigilant in Lima, especially at night and in non-tourist areas. Use registered taxis only.
Essential safety tips
Practical advice that applies everywhere.
Register with your embassy on arrival — the US STEP program and UK FCDO offer alerts for Peru
Use only registered taxis (apps like Uber, Cabify, or InDriver) — never hail street taxis in Lima
Keep valuables hidden and use anti-theft bags or money belts in crowded markets and buses
Altitude sickness (soroche) is real — acclimatize for 1-2 days in Cusco (3,400m) before hiking
Drink bottled or filtered water only; avoid ice in local restaurants unless confirmed purified
Beware fake police officers — real police never ask for your passport or money on the street
Watch out for distraction scams (spilled sauce, bird droppings) in tourist areas; keep walking
Book Machu Picchu tickets and Inca Trail permits far in advance — quotas fill months ahead
Do not accept food or drinks from strangers; scopolamine (burundanga) drugging does occur
Photograph protests, roadblocks, or military personnel cautiously — avoid confrontations
Use ATMs inside banks or malls during daylight; cover keypad and check for skimming devices
Travel insurance covering emergency evacuation is essential, especially for remote trekking areas
Carry a photocopy of your passport at all times; leave the original in your hotel safe
Dress conservatively when entering churches and indigenous community sites as a sign of respect
Common scams to avoid
Recognise and sidestep tourist-targeted scams.
Fake Police Officers
Con artists pose as plain-clothes police officers and ask to inspect your wallet or passport for counterfeit bills or drugs. Real police never ask for this.
How to avoid: Refuse politely, do not hand over documents or wallet; if concerned, insist on going to the nearest police station; never get in their car
Spilled Sauce / Bird Droppings
An accomplice squirts mustard or fake bird droppings on you; a 'helpful stranger' offers to clean it while a third person pickpockets your bag. Common in Lima historic center and Cusco markets.
How to avoid: Decline help from strangers, clean up yourself at the next shop; keep hand on bag immediately if anything is spilled on you
Taxi Overcharging
Unlicensed street taxis in Lima charge 3-5x the fair rate, and in worst cases partner with thieves to rob passengers. Serious safety risk especially late at night.
How to avoid: Only use Uber, InDrive, or Beat apps in Lima; never hail street taxis; in Cusco negotiate rate before getting in official taxis
Scopolamine (Burundanga) Drugging
Victims are given food, drink, or even inhaled powder containing scopolamine (devil's breath) that induces compliance and memory loss. Reported in Lima nightlife and on buses.
How to avoid: Never accept food, drinks, or items from strangers; cover your drink at bars; use official transport rather than accepting rides from strangers
ATM Card Skimming
Card skimming devices installed on ATMs especially in tourist areas capture card data. Fake ATM keypads read PIN numbers.
How to avoid: Use ATMs inside banks or major malls during daylight hours; cover the keypad with your hand when entering PIN; check for loose keypad or odd attachments before inserting card
Health considerations
Staying healthy on your trip.
- Vaccinations
- Hepatitis A, Hepatitis B, Typhoid, Rabies (if visiting rural/jungle areas), Yellow Fever (required if entering Amazon region), routine vaccines including Tetanus. Consult travel clinic 4-6 weeks before departure.
- Water
- Not safe to drink tap water anywhere in Peru; use bottled or filtered water only; avoid ice in local restaurants unless confirmed purified from filtered water
- Food
- Street food from busy stalls with high turnover is generally safe. Avoid pre-cut fruit, uncooked vegetables, and raw shellfish from market stalls. Altitude can upset digestion in Cusco first 1-2 days.
- Facilities
- Clínica Anglo Americana (Lima, San Isidro) and Clínica Internacional (Lima, Miraflores) are the best hospitals for foreigners. Inkafarma and Mifarma pharmacy chains widely available in cities. Travel insurance with emergency evacuation essential for remote trekking.
Safety for specific travellers
Tailored advice for different groups.
Solo travellers
Generally manageable for solo travelers who stick to tourist areas. Lima (Miraflores/Barranco), Cusco, and Arequipa are well-trodden solo travel routes with excellent hostels and tour infrastructure. Join group tours for remote areas like Rainbow Mountain. Register with your embassy (US STEP program), share itineraries with someone at home, and use hotel safes for passports.
Female travellers
Safe with normal precautions in tourist areas. Street harassment (piropo) does occur but rarely escalates. Travel in groups at night; use Uber rather than street taxis; avoid isolated areas after dark. Cusco is generally very safe. Arequipa's center is excellent for solo female travelers. The solo female traveler community is active in Peru with Facebook groups for advice.
Families
Family-friendly destination with welcoming culture toward children. Main concerns are altitude (acclimatize children gradually), food/water hygiene, and sun at altitude. Peruvians are very warm toward children and families receive attentive restaurant service. Book family-friendly Amazon lodges which have age-appropriate activities. Strollers impractical on cobblestone streets.
LGBTQ+ travellers
Same-sex relationships are legal in Peru but not officially recognized. Social acceptance varies significantly with Lima (especially Miraflores and Barranco) being relatively open, while rural and highland communities remain conservative. Public displays of affection may attract attention outside major cities. Lima has an active LGBTQ+ scene centered on Miraflores with several gay-friendly bars and clubs.
Emergency contacts
Numbers to know before you go.
- Police
- 105
- Medical
- 106
- Embassy
- US Embassy Lima: +51 1 618-2000; UK Embassy Lima: +51 1 617-3000; Australian Embassy Lima: +51 1 630-0500
- Tourist Police
- +51 1 574-8000 (Lima); +51 84 235123 (Cusco). Tourist Police (iPeru) booths at major sites speak English.