Peru Travel Safety — Elevated Risk – Plan Carefully | TouristAlert.com
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Peru

Updated about 2 months ago
mountain under gray clouds
Photo by McKayla Crump on Unsplash
Elevated Risk

Plan Carefully

Peru is an extraordinary destination but has elevated safety risks due to frequent petty theft in tourist areas, occasional violent crime, and periodic political unrest that can disrupt transport. With careful planning—especially around nights out, intercity travel, and high-altitude/remote regions—most travelers complete trips safely, but conditions can change quickly.

Key Risks
  • Petty theft and bag-snatching in Lima (Miraflores/Barranco included), Cusco, bus terminals, markets, and crowded plazas
  • Express kidnappings, armed robbery, and taxi-related crimes (notably in parts of Lima and some cities at night)
  • Political protests/roadblocks that can shut airports, highways, and rail lines with little warning
  • High-altitude illness in Cusco/Colca/Titicaca plus limited emergency care in rural Andes and jungle zones
  • Seasonal hazards: landslides/flooding in the rainy season and earthquakes along the coast
Daily Costs (USD)
Hostel$16
Hotel$70
Apartment$55
Transport$14
Coffee$3
Beer$3.5
Sandwich$6
Dinner (2)$30

Estimates only. Prices vary by season, neighbourhood, and personal spending habits. Always check current prices before travelling.

Safety Scorecard
⚔️Conflict

Armed conflict, military tensions & territorial disputes.

8/10 · Good
🚨Terrorism

Risk based on recent threat levels & incidents.

7/10 · Good
🔪Violent Crime

Murder, assault, robbery & armed attacks.

5/10 · Fair
🎭Petty Crime & Scams

Pickpocketing, bag-snatching & tourist scams.

3/10 · Poor
🏛️Political Stability

Strength & stability of the government.

4/10 · Poor
🏥Health

Disease risk, healthcare quality & availability.

5/10 · Fair
🌪️Natural Disaster

Earthquake, flood, cyclone & volcanic activity risk.

3/10 · Poor
🚌Infrastructure

Transport safety, roads & emergency services.

5/10 · Fair
🤝Social & Cultural

Welcomeness for solo female & LGBTQ+ travellers.

6/10 · Fair
🍽️Food & Water

Food poisoning risk & tap water safety.

4/10 · Poor

Scores 1–10 · 10 = best · 1 = worst

Travel News

No disruptions reported

No recent travel alerts for this destination

Why Visit?

Peru is a greatest-hits anthology of South America: Inca citadels in cloud forest, Andean peaks and high desert, Amazon waterways, and a Pacific coast that feeds one of the world’s most exciting food scenes. From Cusco’s stonework lanes to Lima’s cutting-edge cevicherías, the country rewards travelers who like their history, landscapes, and flavors turned up to eleven.

5 Things To Do
  1. 1
    Machu Picchu (via train or trek)

    See the iconic Inca sanctuary at sunrise, when mist lifts off the ridgelines and the ruins feel almost unreal. Book entry tickets and train times well ahead, and consider adding Huayna Picchu only if you’re comfortable with steep trails.

  2. 2
    Cusco & the Sacred Valley

    Use Cusco as your high-altitude launchpad, then day-trip to Pisac, Moray, Maras salt pans, and Ollantaytambo’s fortress-temple. The Valley’s lower elevation helps acclimatization before heading higher.

  3. 3
    Lima’s food and coastal neighborhoods

    Eat your way through ceviche, tiradito, and Nikkei cuisine in Miraflores and Barranco, then stroll the malecón cliffs above the Pacific. Stick to reputable taxis/ride-hails after dark and keep valuables low-profile.

  4. 4
    Lake Titicaca (Puno & islands)

    Glide across the world’s highest navigable lake to island communities, big-sky viewpoints, and reed-boat traditions. Nights are cold year-round, and the altitude can hit even seasoned hikers.

  5. 5
    Amazon gateway (Puerto Maldonado or Iquitos)

    Swap stone temples for jungle lodges, canopy walks, and wildlife spotting on oxbow lakes. Choose well-reviewed operators with solid safety protocols, and pack strong insect protection.

5-Day Itinerary
1
Lima coastal cool & cuisine

Arrive and base yourself in Miraflores or Barranco for walkability and services. Spend the afternoon on the malecón and parks, then book a well-reviewed ceviche spot for an early dinner and keep the night low-key after travel.

2
Fly to Cusco & acclimatize

Fly to Cusco and take it slow: hydration, light meals, and a gentle wander around Plaza de Armas and nearby museums. Skip heavy drinking and intense activity; altitude symptoms are easiest to manage early.

3
Sacred Valley day trip

Head down into the Sacred Valley for Pisac market/ruins and the Maras-Moray circuit, finishing at Ollantaytambo. Overnight in Ollantaytambo if possible to shorten your Machu Picchu travel day and sleep at a slightly lower altitude.

4
Machu Picchu

Take the early train to Aguas Calientes and bus up to Machu Picchu for timed entry; aim for a morning slot and a circuit that matches your fitness. Return by train and keep a buffer for delays, especially in rainy season.

5
Choose your finale (Rainbow Mountain or relax)

If you’re well-acclimatized, consider a very early start for Vinicunca/Rainbow Mountain (cold, crowded, and high), or choose an easier alternative like Sacsayhuamán and nearby ruins. Fly back to Lima for evening connections or a final meal.

Things To Know
  • Use ride-hailing apps or hotel-arranged taxis at night; avoid hailing random street taxis, especially from airports and nightlife areas.
  • Keep phones and cameras secured in crowds (markets, plazas, bus terminals); bag-snatching from pedestrians and open car windows is common.
  • Plan for disruptions: protests can block roads/rail and trigger cancellations—build buffer days and monitor local news and airport/rail advisories.
  • Altitude is a real medical risk: ascend gradually, rest the first day in Cusco, know warning signs (severe headache, confusion, breathlessness at rest) and seek care if symptoms escalate.
  • Don’t drink tap water; use bottled/filtered water and be cautious with street food hygiene, especially in hot coastal cities.
Kids & Accessibility

Peru can be rewarding for families—wildlife lodges, gentle Sacred Valley touring, and kid-friendly food options in Lima—but long travel days, altitude, and uneven historic streets require pacing and planning. Accessibility is mixed: Lima’s modern districts are more manageable, while Cusco, many ruins, and older transport systems involve stairs, cobblestones, and limited step-free options, so travelers with mobility impairments should pre-book accessible hotels, private transport, and realistic routes.