Safety in Peru: Is Traveling to Peru Dangerous?

Is Vacation in Peru Dangerous?

No, in general, a vacation in Peru is not dangerous. But you do need to keep a few things in mind and adjust your behavior so you can travel safely and without worry.

The popular tourist spots are generally safe — otherwise they wouldn’t be tourist destinations. The truly dangerous areas are places you simply won’t end up visiting as a tourist.

Petty crime such as pickpocketing and nighttime robberies does occur. But if you avoid walking around on foot after dark and keep a close eye on your valuables, you should be absolutely fine.

The roads in Peru are quite dangerous — and that’s something travelers often underestimate. Traffic accidents caused by landslides, poor road conditions, and overtired bus drivers are not uncommon. But here too, you can protect yourself pretty well. We’ll walk you through all of that right now.

Safety at Tourist Destinations in Peru

Safety in Peru varies by region and location. Here’s a rundown of the situation at some of the most popular spots and attractions in Peru.

Safety in Lima

Whether Lima is dangerous depends a lot on the neighborhood. Some parts of Lima are very safe, while others are best avoided entirely.

Most tourist neighborhoods in Lima are safe — just steer clear of the sketchy corners, which don’t have much to see anyway, so there’s really no reason to go.

The one exception is the airport, which sits in a rougher part of the city — but if you take an Uber directly to your hotel, that’s not a big deal at all.

In general, Lima is a city where you’ll want to avoid walking around after dark. This goes especially for the city center and deserted streets.

Also read about the best things to see in Lima
Find out more about the safest neighborhoods in Lima

Safety in Cusco & at Machu Picchu

We found the areas around the highlights of Cusco to be very safe. With so many tourists around, you can even walk around in the evenings without feeling uneasy.

That said, do watch out for pickpockets. Cusco gets seriously busy in places, and things can easily be lifted from your bag without you noticing.

Beyond that, landslides and severe weather in the Andean region around Cusco are a real risk — including on the journey to Machu Picchu, especially during the rainy season.

Protests also happen regularly in Cusco and the surrounding area, which can mean blocked roads and an unexpected extra night in town. When we were there, demonstrations ran for two days and we couldn’t leave — though honestly, we barely noticed anything from the protests themselves.

Find out more about Machu Picchu

Safety in Arequipa

In Arequipa we felt very safe — and it doesn’t surprise us that the city is considered one of the safest in Peru. Still, avoid deserted areas at night and stay alert for pickpockets.

There are several volcanoes around Arequipa, and some are active. But the chance of witnessing an eruption serious enough to require evacuation is really very low.

All our tips for Arequipa

Safety in Puno and at Lake Titicaca

In Puno we didn’t feel quite as comfortable as in Cusco and Arequipa. Going out at night here didn’t appeal to us much. During the day, though, the center is fine.

The popular islands on Lake Titicaca can be visited without any issues.

Protests also occur frequently around Puno, so keep an eye out for road blockades.

What Does Crime in Peru Look Like?

For tourists, petty crime is the most common issue. Pickpocketing in particular is frequent. You need to stay alert not just in large crowds, but also on buses, at the beach, and even at your accommodation.

Muggings targeting tourists are relatively rare — the risk goes up at night. As a tourist, you generally won’t run into organized crime.

Important Rules of Conduct for Traveling in Peru

To make your trip through Peru as safe as possible, here are our top tips.

#1 Keep Valuables Close to Your Body

Keeping a close eye on your valuables is good advice anywhere in the world — but in South America it’s especially important. We’d strongly recommend bringing a money belt and keeping your most important items in it.

Things can easily be stolen from pants pockets or backpacks without you ever noticing.

#2 Leave Some of Your Valuables at Your Accommodation

On every trip, we bring two credit cards — one comes out sightseeing with us, and the other stays at the hotel. That way we always have a backup.

The same goes for your passport. We generally carry a national ID and a photocopy of our passport, while the actual passport stays safely at the hotel whenever possible.

#3 Dress as Inconspicuously as Possible

We recommend keeping it simple with your wardrobe in Peru. Leave jewelry and expensive accessories at home.

If you walk around in designer clothes and flashy gear, you’re more likely to become a target — criminals can immediately see that you have something worth taking.

Blend in as much as you can. It really does make a difference.

#4 Don’t Walk Around on Foot at Night

After dark, get around by Uber or taxi. Robberies increase at night and it’s not worth the risk.

Only in lively bar districts and some tourist areas is it generally safe to walk between spots on foot. Otherwise, we’d recommend staying off the streets late at night.

#5 Ask Your Accommodation About the Surrounding Area

We can give you a solid general overview of safety in Peru, but local advice is often invaluable.

Always ask at your hotel how safe the surrounding area is and whether they’d recommend walking around the neighborhood.

You’ll also pick up on any recent changes to the security situation once you’re on the ground.

Protests in Peru

Protests in Peru frequently lead to road blockades and violent clashes. Demonstrations take place across the country from time to time. Avoid protest actions as much as possible to stay out of harm’s way.

When we were in Cusco, for example, no buses ran for two days due to road blockades. But we didn’t notice anything from the protests ourselves.

Roads and Overnight Buses in Peru

Honestly, the road conditions were what worried us most in Peru. Because the country is so mountainous, you’re constantly navigating tight curves on steep hillsides.

On top of that, roads are often in poor condition. Storms and landslides leave many stretches unpaved, and potholes appear even on main roads.

A lot of the journeys on our travel route through Peru were seriously rough going. Car and bus accidents are genuinely not uncommon.

Are Long-Distance and Overnight Buses in Peru Safe?

We’d be lying if we said yes. Long bus rides in Peru are certainly not the safest way to get around. That said, we’re not telling you to avoid them.

Overnight buses are still, in our opinion, the best option for getting around Peru. Connections are regular and prices are affordable. We took almost all of our routes by long-distance bus.

What matters is that you book with a reputable operator — that won’t protect you from every accident, but the drivers tend to work under better conditions and the risk of robberies is lower.

You’ll pay a little more, but it’s absolutely worth it for the peace of mind.

Accidents can still happen, of course. Our bus from Máncora to Ecuador, for example, collided with a car that had swerved to avoid a cow in the road.

For more tips on getting around, check out our Peru travel tips

Is Peru Dangerous for Solo Female Travelers?

No, I traveled through Peru mostly on my own and felt safe the vast majority of the time.

Most risks like petty crime can of course affect solo female travelers too — but the same applies equally to solo male travelers or anyone traveling as a couple or group.

At night, try not to walk the streets alone, as the likelihood of harassment increases. This goes especially for deserted streets and poorer neighborhoods. On your own, you’re more exposed than when traveling with others.

Other than that, I wasn’t approached by men all that much in Peru — at least compared to Brazil and Colombia.

I did get stared at on the street quite a bit, and heard the occasional comment, but that was about it.

Dangerous Animals in Peru

There are some dangerous animals in Peru — though it’s unlikely you’ll encounter most of them.

Street Dogs

It might not sound like a big deal, but we’ve had bad experiences with street dogs. I, Tina, was actually bitten twice by a dog in Huaraz.

Most street dogs just bark and don’t do anything, but you should still be careful. Keep a good distance and stay calm when dogs approach you.

If a street dog won’t leave you alone, it often helps to mime the motion of bending down, picking up a stone, and throwing it at the dog. Really important: please never actually throw anything at the animals or hurt them.

The idea is only to mime the motion — dogs usually react fearfully to it and back off or stop approaching.

Make sure to get a rabies vaccination before traveling to Peru.

Mosquitoes

Mosquitoes can transmit a range of diseases. Dengue fever rates in particular are quite high in Peru.

The malaria risk is really only significant in the Amazon region — elsewhere, you don’t need to worry too much. The same goes for yellow fever.

Venomous Animals Such as Snakes and Spiders

There are venomous snakes, spiders, and scorpions in Peru. That said, it’s unlikely you’ll come across them. You need to be most careful in the Amazon, but you’ll almost certainly be exploring the jungle with a guide anyway.

Crocodiles & Big Cats

As you’ve probably gathered, the Amazon is home to almost every kind of more dangerous animal. Among others, caimans and jaguars live here.

Crocodiles also appear in the ocean along Peru’s northern coast. The American crocodile, for example, lives in the mangroves on the border with Ecuador.

Spectacled Bears

The spectacled bear is the only bear found in South America. It lives in the Andes and is an endangered species. In general, spectacled bears are not dangerous — they’re very shy animals.

However, if they feel threatened, they can become a risk.

Natural Disasters in Peru

Natural disasters do occur in Peru — keep up with the news regularly so you can best assess the situation on the ground.

Earthquakes & Volcanic Eruptions

Peru sits in a seismically active zone. There are also quite a few volcanoes — though only a handful are active.

The most dangerous are the Sabancaya and the Ubinas. Both are located in southern Peru near Arequipa, which is also home to the highest concentration of volcanoes in Peru.

Earthquakes also occur from time to time, though it’s very unlikely you’ll experience a strong one.

Tsunamis and Flooding Along the Coast

Tsunamis in Peru are rare, but they can happen. Flooding is mainly a concern during the rainy season.

Landslides & Flooding

During Peru’s rainy season, which typically peaks in February, landslides and flooding are not uncommon. That’s why we don’t particularly recommend traveling to Peru in February.

If you are in Peru during the rainy season, stay informed about potential disaster areas and try to avoid being out on the roads during heavy rainfall.

The El Niño Weather Phenomenon

El Niño occurs roughly every four years and is a weather phenomenon that hits Peru particularly hard. It’s caused by weakening trade winds over the Pacific shifting from their usual direction, which causes warm water to build up off the coast of South America — especially around Peru.

El Niño affects the entire world and can lead to extreme heat and drought. In Peru, flooding and heavy rainfall are also common consequences.