Is it safe to visit Peru? (Updated 2026)

Peru, South America’s third-largest country, welcomed more than 4 million visitors annually before the pandemic.

There is so much to see and do in Peru, including Machu Picchu, the floating islands of Lake Titicaca, the Nazca Lines, the vibrant capital Lima and its blossoming food scene.

And it lives up to the hype. I really enjoyed my visit here. It was everything I thought it would be!

But I also often hear and read stories of tourists being robbed or having their belongings stolen. Due to recent political unrest, we are receiving concerned emails from travelers wondering if Peru is safe to visit.

Today I want to answer their questions.

Is it safe to visit Peru? What should I look out for? What precautions should I take?

In this post, I will share everything you need to know to visit Peru safely.

10 Safety Tips for Peru

In general, Peru is a safe place to visit. You won’t be kidnapped or murdered there, so don’t worry about violent crimes as a traveler. However, Peru requires a bit more caution than other travel destinations. bantam crime.

Here are some tips to help you safely plan and prepare for your visit to Peru.

1. Do not display expensive belongings. – Keep your jewelry out of sight (or you can leave it at home). Don’t flaunt your valuables. Be especially careful when taking your phone out, as cell phone theft is rampant (more than 4,000 phones are reported stolen every day). Don’t wear AirPods on the street. In other words, always inspect your items carefully. It is very important to keep goals to a minimum, such as “I have a lot of valuable items.”

This is especially attempted in major cities such as Lima or Cusco, where petty theft is more common. If you go out during the day and see people holding cell phones, etc., it may be safe, but be careful if you are alone. The thief will come on a scooter, snatch the item from your hand and run away.

2. Beware of thieves and robbers operating in pairs or small groups. – Distractions (such as someone “accidentally” bumping into you or a group of children playing or fighting nearby) are often used to allow an accomplice to rob you while you are not paying attention to your belongings. Avoid distractions and stay alert.

3. Always take care of your belongings – Be aware that in crowded places or on public transport, thieves may literally try to pick your pockets or rip your bag. Keep a few small bills in a separate pocket so you don’t have to have your entire wallet on display when paying for something.

4. Keep valuables separate. – When going out for a day, keep your credit cards and cash safe at your accommodation. This way, if you lose your wallet, you can get your cash and cards back to the hostel. In general, it is a good idea to make a copy of your passport with you and keep it in your hostel locker. Also keep a digital copy of your passport in your email inbox, just in case.

5. Download the Prey app on your phone and laptop. – If either device is stolen, you can track it and remotely turn on the camera to take pictures of the thief (you can even erase the data and send a message to the thief). It costs just $1.10 per month.

6. Avoid traveling alone at night – There have been incidents of people being robbed while getting out of taxis in the city at night, and there have been repeated reports of thieves being active after dark in some areas, such as at the entrance to Tingo Maria National Park northwest of Lima. There is safety in numbers, so consider traveling with a friend or other traveler at night.

And this is especially true in the city at night. Some areas of Lima, such as Miraflores and Barranco, are crowded at night so this isn’t a problem, but these are also some of the coolest and most touristy areas in Lima, making them a hotbed for thieves.

7. Choose a reputable bus company – Sometimes the cheapest option is not the best option. Some of the cheaper bus companies have some of the most reckless drivers and breakdowns, and Peru’s road accident rate is among the worst in the world, so it’s usually safer to go with a slightly more expensive bus company. Some of the most reputable bus operators include Cruz del Sur, Oltursa, Civa and Movil Tours. Also consider PeruHop, a hop-on hop-off bus tour operator that is very safe, employs good drivers and has no problems with theft, targeting tours (sometimes locals).

8. Don’t use drugs – Peru produces a lot of cocaine, so tourists (especially young backpackers) tend to do a lot of it here. But it’s not worth the risk. That’s because if authorities suspect you’ve used drugs, you could be detained for up to 15 days. Buying drugs here promotes organized crime, so be smart and skip the drugs.

9. Learn Spanish – Being able to speak basic Spanish will help you in many situations. But if you run into a problem and need some help, I’d really appreciate it. Start with an app like Duolingo to learn some basic vocabulary. The Google Translate app is also a must (download Spanish to your phone so you can translate offline).

10. Sign up for travel insurance – Things can go wrong on the road. So I never go anywhere without travel insurance. From theft to personal injury to flight delays, travel insurance can help you avoid bankruptcy. It only costs a few dollars a day (often less) and provides peace of mind. Don’t travel here without it!

I recommend SafetyWing for travelers under 70, and Insure My Trip is the best choice for travelers over 70.

You can use this widget to get a quote for SafetyWing.

For more information about travel insurance, check out these posts:

These travel tips will help you stay safe while visiting or backpacking Peru! Additionally, here are answers to some frequently asked questions:

Is Machu Picchu safe?

Machu Picchu is a very common tourist destination, so it’s probably safer than anywhere else in Peru. You’ll likely be hiking in groups or in crowds, so pickpockets or other thieves aren’t likely to be around. In cities like Lima or Cusco, being alert is even more important.

A more important safety issue when hiking Machu Picchu is health care. Drink plenty of water, use sunscreen and a hat to combat the heat. If you are not acclimatized to the altitude, altitude sickness can be a problem. If you start feeling sick, you should take it seriously. Avoid this if you stay in Cusco for at least a few days before visiting Machu Picchu.

Lastly, if you use a recommended guide when hiking, make sure he or she is a licensed driver, as we sometimes hear of unlicensed guides leading the wrong way and paying for their own hiking permits.

Is it safe to travel alone to Peru?

Traveling alone is very common in Peru and you’ll find plenty of other solo backpackers to spend time with, so it’s unlikely you’ll be alone.

Although bus travel and going anywhere after dark is safer in a group, solo travel in Peru is generally no more dangerous than traveling with a friend or partner.

Be careful not to stand out or look like a tourist. Don’t wear flashy clothes, don’t rock expensive gear, and don’t stand there looking at a map when you’re lost. Basically, if you avoid sticking out like a sore thumb, you’ll be less likely to have a petty thief decide on you as their next victim.

Is it safe to travel to Peru with children?

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

However, be careful, especially young children, as they are prone to getting sick from unfiltered water. It is also not recommended to take children to places below 3 degrees altitude, such as Machu Picchu.

Is Peru safe for female travelers?

It is not safe to be a solo female traveler in Peru. However, you can also become a victim of unwanted attention, mainly in the form of hecklers. Local Peruvian women rarely go out to bars without men, so if your bar has a women-only group, you might get more attention. However, there are many female travelers traveling alone in the country, so you can meet and mingle with other people. No more precautions are needed in Peru than elsewhere.

Can you drink Peruvian tap water?

No, don’t drink tap water in Peru (but it’s okay for brushing your teeth). Use Lifestraw. The bottle has a built-in water filter, so your water is always safe to drink and you don’t have to use single-use plastic.

Are taxis safe in Peru?

Taxis are relatively safe, but only use approved taxis and know the fare in advance. If you need a taxi, call your hostel or hotel in advance to find out how much it will cost. Taxis do not use meters, so if you are not careful you may end up overcharged, so agree the fare with the driver in advance. That means Uber is now available everywhere in the country, and if you don’t want to flag down a random taxi, you can just call one.

Peru is an amazing destination, whatever your interests, with its rich culture, friendly people, beautiful landscapes, and fascinating historical attractions.

However, care must be taken regarding personal safety. The most common problems travelers face are petty theft and pickpocketing. However, by practicing a little caution and common sense, you can minimize the risks. Avoid carrying valuables in plain sight and avoid storing large amounts of cash in one place.

Don’t let the story get you down. Amazing attractions will make your trip more worthwhile! Peru is an amazing place and if you use common sense you won’t have any problems! I didn’t.