Hey everyone! So, now that Peru is on your travel bucket list and you’re wondering, “Is Peru safe for travellers?”. Then worry not, as I’ll be briefly walking you through the safety concerns in Peru as well as some tips for better travel.
Peru, the southern American country with a variety of unique things to offer travelers, has been one of the famous spots for all kinds of travellers, be they explorers, family, or solo travelers. Peru, with a rich history, delicious cuisine, and great attractions like Macchu Picchu, Cusco, etc., makes it one of the amazing tourist destinations. It offers many outdoor high-energy adventures like rafting, mountain climbing, and hiking. The answer to the above question varies on various things that need to be considered. So let’s get to the answer.
Is Peru Safe for Travelers
The answer to this question is yes. Definitely, it is a safe country with some unsafe areas. Just like traveling to any other country or city, you have to be aware of pickpocketing, theft, and snatching of valuables. So your safety as a traveler totally depends on how smart traveler you are, how alert you are to your belongings, how you take precautions, and how you handle situations.
Here, the safety in Peru depends on a few things like weather, natural calamities, protests and election campaigns, and minor crimes like theft. Always remember to check the weather in regions, as during rainy times it can rain heavily enough to cause flooding and landslides. So the best time to visit Peru depends on the region you are deciding to visit. But it would be advised to avoid from November to March.
Also be aware of the local news about protests and civil unrest. Be alert to the advisories issued by the government during protests. Also beware of high altitude sickness at Machu Picchu and
Cusco. People with asthma and breathing problems need to be careful.
Here are some unsafe areas you need to be mindful of:
1.Lima
Lima has its own share of safe and unsafe areas. Areas like Miraflores, San Isidro, and Barranco are safe for tourists. If you stick to populated areas, then you are mostly safe. But avoid a few areas in the city like Callao, San Juan de Lurigancho, and La Victoria.
2.Borderline areas
The areas can be dangerous due to gang operations, drug trafficking, and illegal activities.
On bordeine areas, it can also get a little messy. So stick to tourist spots that would be advised.
3.Cusco
The city is a popular tourist destination. So if you end up strolling a little off-beaten path, then you are prone to bag snatching, theft, and assault. It’s unwise to stroll through less crowded areas.
Be alert of your belongings.
At last, the country is safe for tourists to explore it’s rich history, diverse range of cuisine, and wonderful things that it offers to enjoy. If you stick to crowded areas and take precautions, you are safe. So I hope I have eased your worries a little so you can have a great time in Peru.
Tips and Precautions
Here are the few tips to elevate your experience in Peru.
- Do not walk in dimlit areas and alleys. Always walk in crowded areas .
- Don’t flash any expensive accessories , phone or camera . If you are carrying phone that hold it tight .
- Don’t carry large amount of cash with you while travelling through city. Leave it at hotel . Only carry cash enough for travelling and eating.
- Invest in anti theft purse. It’s the best decision.
- Cover up the pin number while cashing out an ATM. More prefered if you can cash out at ATM inside a bank.
- Dressing up like an typical tourist can get you noticed by thiefs . It would be wise to dress simple and modest to Blend in with Peruvian .
- If you are planning on having a drink at bar then at least go along with a guardian . It would not be advised to go alone as you can your drink spiked. Your safety should be your priority.
- Do your own research of the unsafe areas in Peru as the safety circumstances can change during the protests and election campaign.
- Do not wander out in streets at night. No doubt it is unsafe to travel late night.
- Learn few phrase in Spanish as it can be helpful.
- Keep important documents, such as your passport, in a safe place. Leave the documents at hotel and carry the digital copy of the passport while travelling .
- 12.Make sure you have copies of your important documents, such as credit card and debit card details and health and travel insurance, saved in your email or somewhere.
- Remember to note down the number of your embassy so you can contact them in case of emergency.
- Beware of the scams . Stay alert of your surrounding. Scams and pickpocketing mostly happens when you are distracted. Be observant and calm while travelling.
- Don’t be distracted on your phon in metro station. And becoming an easy target for thiefs.