Home to one of the New Seven Wonders of the WorldPeru is an exotic South American destination that is on the bucket lists of all experienced travelers.
As of today, the country is under the ‘Level 2: Take extra caution’ warning, which means travel to Peru is relatively safe.
However, the country is experiencing a major health emergency. (More on this below).
After nationwide riots sparked by the arrest of the country’s ex-president Pedro Castillo, peace has returned, but it does not yet feel completely stable.
Let’s take a look at some of the most important aspects to consider before booking your tickets to this majestic destination.
LATEST NEWS from Peru:
April 9 – 82 people died from dengue fever in Peru in the first three months of 2024
Deaths of dengue have risen from 29 in the first months of 2023 to 82 in the same time frame in 2024. This represents a worrying increase of 262%, the Ministry of Health said on Thursday.
More than 233.77 people per 100,000 inhabitants become infected with the virus, especially on the north coast of the country.
On Sunday, the minister authorized the hiring of additional emergency medical personnel to help combat the outbreak.
Please note that there is currently no drug that can treat dengue and vaccination is limited to those who have already had the infection.
March 26 – The U.S. Embassy in Peru provides an update on the dengue outbreak in Peru
According to the Peruvian Center for Disease Control (CDC), more than 79,741 people have contracted the dengue virus and 82 are patients have lost their lives to the disease This year, this is the deadliest death rate in South America, says the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO).
Travelers may think this is a rainforest problem, but it happens even in big cities like Lima.
Wear loose-fitting clothes, put on insect repellent, and empty all water bowls in your home to avoid getting bitten by the mosquito.
Areas to avoid
Avoid the northern coasts due to the enormous spread of dengue.
US government employees are not allowed to travel to the US Border between Peru and Colombia without permission.
And they are forbidden to travel there the valley of the Apurímac, Ene and Mantaro rivers, including zones in the states of Ayacucho, Cusco, Huancavelica and Junin.
This means that if you run into trouble in those areas, the U.S. government will have little to no ability to help you.
Crime statistics
Of 79.38 points, crime in Peru is considered high. According to the database, these are other statistics worth checking out before planning your trip to Peru Numbeo.
| Crime level | 79.38 | High |
| Increase in crime in the last three years | 82.99 | Very high |
| Worried about your home being robbed | 57.10 | Moderate |
| Worries about robberies or robberies | 74.42 | High |
| Getting your car stolen | 63.35 | High |
| Having your belongings stolen from your car | 67.06 | High |
| Afraid of being attacked | 59.71 | Moderate |
| Afraid of being offended | 48.90 | Moderate |
| Concerns about physical attacks because of skin color, ethnicity, gender, or religion | 30.27 | Low |
| Problems with drug addicts or drug dealers | 61.71 | High |
| Vandalism and theft | 72.03 | High |
| Assault and armed robbery | 75.99 | High |
Official travel advice
US travel advice
Peru is ranked as “Level 2: Be extra careful”, meaning that the country is safe if common sense precautions are taken.
The US government informs travelers that violent crimes can occur even in touristy and busy areas.
Watch the media for demonstrations. They are quite common across the country and when they happen they disrupt traffic, including air traffic.
There are reports of Americans being robbed or sexually assaulted while under the influence of Ayahuasca and Kambo during traditional ceremonies.
Travel advice for Canada
Visitors to Peru must “exercises a great deal of caution‘because of crime, according to the Canadian government.
Avoid all non-essential travel to non-tourist areas due to terrorism, drug trafficking and kidnappings.
Also avoid visiting the Peru-Colombia border because of drug trafficking and the Peru-Ecuador border because of landmines.
Safety tips for Peru
Millions of travelers travel to Peru every year and almost all of them do not feel insecure at all. However, Peru suffers from some political instability and crime that may impact your travel plans. Follow these recommendations to ensure a safer trip.
- Stay informed of unexpected riots that may occur in metropolitan areas and may restrict your freedom of movement or visiting tourist sites.
- Petty crime is experiencing a peak. So keep your valuables out of sight.
- Peru is struggling with a massive outbreak of dengue. Wear loose-fitting clothes and cover your entire body to avoid being bitten by the dengue mosquito.
- Taking taxis on the street can lead to robberies and rapes.
- Do not open the windows of your car while driving. Street robberies are common.
- Participating in Ayahuasca ceremonies can make you a target for thieves and rapists.
- Altitude sickness can be a problem in some parts of Peru. Consult local healthcare providers about medication to reduce symptoms. It is easy to find in local pharmacies.
- Get vaccinated against yellow fever before departure.
- Avoid tap water or undercooked food.
- Refrain from participating in drug trafficking. Authorities have advanced technology to detect it at all ports of entry and prison sentences are long.
- Always ask before taking photos of military personnel or facilities.
- Always take your ID with you.
- Travelers have been arrested for disrespecting Peru’s cultural, historical or sacred sites.
- Children of two nationalities must carry both passports.
