Is it safe to go to Peru? (Updated 2025)

Peruthe third largest country in South America, Receives more than four million visitors annually Before the pandemic.

Whether you are here to visit machu picchuthe floating islands of Lake Titicaca, the Nazca Lines, or the vibrant capital city of Lima and its booming food scene, there is so much to see and do in Peru.

It lives up to expectations. I really enjoyed my visit here. That's all I thought about!

However, I also often hear and read about tourists being robbed or having their belongings stolen. I receive concerned emails from travelers wondering if it is safe to travel to Peru due to the recent political unrest.

Today I want to answer their questions:

Is it safe to go to Peru? What do you need to pay attention to? What precautions do you need to take?

In this article, I’ll share everything you need to know to visit Peru safely.

10 Safety Tips for Peru

Overall, Peru is a safe place to travel. You won't be kidnapped or murdered there, so you don't have to worry about any violent crime as a traveler. But Peru does require you to be more vigilant than other destinations as there are many mean crime.

Here are some tips to help you plan and prepare for a safe visit to Peru:

1. Avoid displaying any expensive items – Keep your jewelry out of sight (even leave it at home). Don't show off valuables. Be especially careful to remove your cell phone, as cell phone theft is rampant (More than 4,000 mobile phones are reported stolen every day). Don't even wear AirPods on the street. In short: always keep an eye on your stuff. It is very important to minimize the target on your back, i.e. “I carry a lot of valuable stuff”.

This is especially something to try in big cities like Lima and Cusco, where thieves are more common. This may be safe if you are out and about during the day and see someone carrying items such as cell phones, but be careful if you are alone. A thief will come up on a scooter, snatch your stuff from you, and drive away.

2. Be wary of thieves or robbers who commit crimes in pairs or small groups – Frequent use of tactics to distract you (e.g. someone “accidentally” bumps into you, or a group of children playing or fighting near you) so that an accomplice can rob you while you are not paying attention to your property. Don't be distracted and stay alert.

3. Always take care of your belongings – In crowded places or on public transportation, be aware that thieves may pick your pockets or cut your bag. Keep a few small bills in separate pockets so that when you pay, you don't need to show your entire purse or purse.

4. Store valuables separately – Keep some credit cards and cash locked up in your accommodation when you’re out and about. This way, if you lose your wallet, you can still get your cash and cards back at the hotel. Generally speaking, it's best to make a copy of your passport and keep it with you, and keep your passport locked in a locker in your dormitory. Please keep a digital copy of your passport in your email inbox just in case.

5. Download the Prey app to your phone and laptop – If either device is stolen, you will be able to track it and remotely turn on the camera to take a photo of the thief (you can also wipe the data and send the thief a message). Only $1.10 per month.

6. Avoid traveling alone at night – There have been incidents in the city of people being robbed as they exited taxis at night, and in some areas, such as the entrance to Tingo María National Park northwest of Lima, there have been persistent reports of bandit activity after dark. Try to travel with friends or other travelers at night as it is safer in large numbers.

This is especially true at night in the city. In some areas of Lima, like Miraflores and Barranco, there are a lot of people out at night so it's not a problem, but these are also two of the best and most popular areas in Lima, so it's a hotbed for thieves.

7. Choose a reputable bus operator – Sometimes the cheapest option isn’t the best option. Some of the cheaper bus companies have the most reckless drivers and lots of breakdowns, and since Peru has some of the highest accident rates in the world, it's generally safer to use a slightly pricier bus company. Some of the most well-known bus operators include Cruz del Sur, Oltursa, Civa and Movil Tours. Additionally, consider PeruHop, a hop-on hop-off bus tour operator that caters to tourists (and sometimes locals), is very safe, uses incredible drivers, and has no issues with theft.

8. Don’t use drugs – Since Peru produces a lot of cocaine, tourists (especially young backpackers) tend to buy it in bulk here. However, it is not worth the risk because if the authorities suspect you of taking drugs, you may be detained for up to 15 days. Buying drugs here supports organized crime, so be smart and don't buy drugs.

9. Learn some Spanish – Being able to speak some basic Spanish will help you in many situations, but if you ever get into trouble and need help, you’ll really appreciate it. Start with an app like Duolingo Master some basic vocabulary. The Google Translate app is also a must-have (download Spanish to your phone so you can translate offline).

10. Buy travel insurance – Problems may arise on the road. That’s why I don’t go anywhere without travel insurance. From theft and injury to flight delays, travel insurance can make sure you don't go broke. It only costs a few dollars a day (often less) and can provide you with peace of mind. Don’t travel here without it!

I recommend safe wings For travelers under 70 years old, both Insure my trip It is the best choice for travelers over 70 years old.

You can use this widget to get a quote from SafetyWing:

For more information about travel insurance, check out the following posts:

With these travel tips, you'll be able to stay safe while visiting Peru or backpacking in Peru! Additionally, below are answers to some common questions we receive.

Is Machu Picchu safe?

Machu Picchu is a common tourist destination and is probably safer than anywhere else in Peru. Chances are you will be Hiking with a group Or in a crowd, so pickpockets and other thieves are less likely to be nearby. It is even more important to be vigilant in cities like Lima or Cusco.

A more important security issue is Hike to Machu Picchu It’s about taking care of your health. Make sure you have plenty of water and use sunscreen and a hat to cope with the heat. Altitude sickness can be a problem if you're not acclimated to altitude; if you start to feel sick, you need to take it seriously. To avoid this, stay in Cusco for at least a few days before visiting Machu Picchu.

Finally, if you recommend using a guide when hiking, make sure they are a licensed operator, as you sometimes hear of unlicensed guides taking you on the wrong route and pocketing the cost of your hiking permit.

Is it safe to travel to Peru alone?

Traveling alone is common in Peru, and you'll often find plenty of other solo backpackers to spend time with, so you're less likely to be alone.

Group travel and being out after dark are safer everywhere, but overall, traveling alone in Peru is no more dangerous than traveling with friends or a partner.

Remember to avoid standing out and looking like a tourist. Don't wear fancy clothes, don't wave your expensive gadgets, and if you're lost, don't stand there staring at a map. Basically, by avoiding sticking out like a sore thumb, you'll reduce the chances of a thief thinking you're their next victim.

Is it safe to take children to Peru?

Overall, traveling to Peru with kids isn’t particularly unsafe. Family and children are very important in Peruvian culture, so you and your children will feel very welcome.

Be careful with especially small children, though, as they are more likely to get sick from unfiltered water. It is also not recommended to take children under three years old to high-altitude areas such as Machu Picchu.

Is Peru safe for female travelers?

it is not Not safe for solo female travelers In Peru though you may be the victim of some unwanted attention, mostly in the form of catcalls. Local Peruvian women will rarely go to a bar without men, so if you are part of a female-only group at the bar, you may get some extra attention. But there are a lot of solo female travelers in this country, so you'll meet other people to hang out with. Peru doesn't require any more precautions than elsewhere.

Is the tap water in Peru safe to drink?

No, don’t drink Peruvian tap water (although it can be used to brush your teeth). use a life-saving strawwhich not only ensures your water is always safe to drink thanks to its built-in water filter in the bottle, but also helps you avoid single-use plastic.

Are taxis safe in Peru?

Taxis are relatively safe, but make sure you only use authorized taxis and know the prices in advance. If you need a taxi, ask your hotel or hotel to call one for you and find out the price in advance. Be sure to agree the fare with the driver in advance as taxis don't use meters so it's easy to be overcharged if you're not careful. That said, Uber is now widely available across the country, and if you don't want to hail a random cab, you can call one.

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Peru Whatever your interests, it's a stunning destination with rich culture, welcoming people, beautiful scenery and fascinating historical attractions.

However, you do need to pay attention to your personal safety. The most common problems travelers face locally are petty theft and pickpocketing, but by exercising extra vigilance and common sense, you can minimize the risk. Always make sure you are not carrying valuables in an obvious way or storing large amounts of cash in one place.

Don't let the story put you off. The stunning attractions are sure to make your trip worthwhile! Peru is an amazing place and with some common sense you shouldn't have any problems! I don't.