Travel Safety in Peru
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Travel Safety in Peru
Update news and information on security and safety status in Peru can be found at your local embassy website.
Nevertheless, you should trust your common sense and take risks while in Peru. We advise that you leave your jewelry in the safe at home. Also, you should take enough cash with you and leave most of it in a safe provided by the hotel whenever possible. Do have a copy of your passport with you, and store the original in the hotel safe.
Natural Disasters and Safety:
What to do in the event of an earthquake
Peru is located in an earthquake-prone region. Small and medium-sized earthquakes occur regularly in Lima and other parts of the country. The embassy would therefore like to give you some medical, situational and safety advice and recommendations so that you are better prepared in the event of an earthquake.
For Peru, International SOS – the world market leader for medical, safety and security-related travel information – has a medium-high travel risk. In Lima and the tourist hotspots in particular, there is a lot of petty crime and, unfortunately, more often attacks on tour groups. Domestically, social unrest, strikes and demonstrations and the associated roadblocks and violent clashes repeatedly paralyze the country. Because of drug trafficking, the state of emergency is repeatedly declared in different parts of the country.
However, when you book through a tour operator who has local employees on site who knows the place well and can take care of you, you can be sure to travel safely through the country without worrying about your safety.
Questions on Travel and Safety in Peru
What vaccines are needed for travelling in Peru?
For travelling in Peru, vaccinations against hepatitis A are recommended, for long-term stays or special exposure, vaccines against hepatitis B, typhoid and rabies would be required. Vaccination for Malaria prophylaxis is necessary if you are visiting the rainforest region.
As a tour operator, we are not allowed to make any specific vaccination recommendations for legal reasons. We therefore recommend consulting a family doctor or a qualified doctor in good time before the trip.
Will I get altitude sickness (AMS) in Peru?
Altitude sickness is a concern in many places in Peru: Cusco is over 3,400 meters, Lake Titicaca is even higher, at 3,800 meters. Air is thin at these heights and oxygen is low. This can cause headaches, dizziness and shortness of breath in some people. Most visitors will only know if they suffer from AMS once they are there. To ease the problem, you should spend some time during your trip to acclimatize, especially for arduous multi-day trekking tours. In some hotels you can order oxygen to your room as well.
Can I travel in Peru with a bus?
Tourist buses in Peru are considerably safe and comfortable. Peru HOP is a good option and it stops at the main attractions along the way.
Can I travel in Peru with a rental car?
Touring Peru with a rental car is getting more popular and quickly becoming a favourite way for many travelers to explore Peru. However, it is important to note that the distance that one has to drive is quite far, as Peru is almost three times the size of Germany. Our route planner is a great tool for you to plan your rental car tour at ease. Try it out!
Nonetheless, there is good news for those who want to drive in Peru; the roads are usually smooth and fuss free, although the connection to more remote areas might not be ideal and there may be closures due to landslides during the rainy season. Nevertheless, you can visit the cities and highlights in Peru by car or public transportation. This also applies to traveling to the Andes, to Cajamarca, Huaraz (Callejón de Huaylas) Chanchamayo, from Pisco to Ayacucho, from Nazca to Cusco, Puno as well as Arequipa and this also includes Colca-Canyon. If you want to drive from Ecuador to Chile, you will pass by the famous Panamericana – a compulsory transit route – which is quite a pleasure to drive through.