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Is Peru Safe to Visit in 2026?

Higher Risk – Plan Carefully

Higher Risk – Plan Carefully. Machu Picchu and Sacred Valley draw visitors. Lima has petty crime. Altitude sickness is a serious concern at elevation. Warnely's safety assessment for Peru is High Risk (47/100). Last updated 10 May 2026

47 / 100

High Risk
Reviewed Apr 2026 · how we score

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What Warnely Is Tracking

Real-time incidents pulled from the Warnely pipeline. The dashboard renders a richer feed.

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Official Travel Advisories

UK FCDO

See travel advice

No advisory against travel to main tourist areas. Notes protests can disrupt travel.

View full advisory →

US State Department

Level 2 - Exercise Increased Caution

Exercise increased caution due to crime and civil unrest.

View full advisory →

Risk Breakdown

This is the static baseline rating across six dimensions. The Warnely dashboard adds a live 30-day signal alongside.

Crime3/5

Petty theft and bag snatching in Lima. Express kidnapping rare. Tourist areas well-policed.

Natural Disasters3/5

Earthquake zone. El Nino flooding. Landslides in Andes during rainy season.

Health3/5

Altitude sickness serious above 3,000m (Cusco is 3,400m). Yellow fever in Amazon. Good clinics in Lima.

Terrorism1/5

Shining Path remnants in very remote areas. No threat to tourist destinations.

Civil Unrest3/5

Road blockades and strikes disrupt travel periodically. Check current situation.

Infrastructure3/5

Domestic flights to Cusco unreliable due to weather. Roads in Andes challenging. Long-distance buses vary.

Quick Facts

Plug type	A/B/C
Voltage	220V/60Hz
Time zone	UTC-5
Driving side	Right
Tap water	Unsafe

Essential Phrases Spanish

Hello	Hola OH-lah
Thank you	Gracias GRAH-thyas (Spain) / GRAH-syas (LatAm)
Yes / No	Sí / No SEE / NOH
Sorry / Excuse me	Perdón pehr-DOHN
Help!	¡Ayuda! ah-YOO-dah

Visa & Entry

Type	Visa-free
Length	90 days
Cost	Free

Visa-free up to 183 days (granted at officer discretion) for US/UK/EU/Canada/Australia/NZ.

Verify on IATA Travel Centre →

Summary: Most nationalities get 90-day visa-free entry.

Passport: Valid 6+ months.

Customs: 200 cigarettes, 3L alcohol.

Prohibited: Antiquities and coca products export restricted. Drug laws strict.

Practical Tips

Take altitude seriously in Cusco – rest on arrival, drink coca tea, stay hydrated
Book Machu Picchu and Inca Trail permits months in advance
Only use registered taxis or apps – avoid street hails in Lima
Carry small bills – change for large notes is scarce
Get travel insurance covering altitude evacuation

Common Scams & Practical Risks

Express kidnapping in fake taxis: Lima especially. Use Cabify, Uber, or Beat – not street taxis. Hotel-arranged taxis safest.
Inca Trail unlicensed operators: Only ~8 operators licensed; many sell "trail" tours that are different routes. Verify TIMS card and licensing.
Counterfeit soles: Lima taxis and street vendors sometimes pass forgeries. Familiarise with security features.

Solo & Women’s Safety

Solo Travellers

Peru's Gringo Trail (Lima-Cusco-Machu Picchu) is one of the world's most popular solo routes. Excellent hostels. Altitude requires careful planning. Spanish helps enormously.

Women’s Safety Exercise Caution

Catcalling common. Exercise caution in Lima at night. Tourist areas and Sacred Valley generally safe. Group treks recommended.

LGBTQ+ Travellers

Legal status	Legal, no recognition
Social climate	Mixed

Legal; no recognition. Lima has scene; Catholic conservatism in interior; PDA inadvisable rurally.

Verify current law on Equaldex →

Drug Laws

Severity	Strict
Cannabis	Decriminalised

Personal use decriminalised (<8g cannabis, <2g cocaine) but enforcement variable. Hard drugs strict.

Verify on UK FCDO →

Emergency Numbers

police

105

ambulance

116

fire

116

tourist

01-574-8000

Data version v2 · Reviewed Apr 2026 · methodology · Found something out of date? Tell us.

Common questions about Peru

Is Peru safe for tourists in 2026?

Machu Picchu and Sacred Valley draw visitors. Lima has petty crime. Altitude sickness is a serious concern at elevation. Warnely's overall safety assessment for Peru is High Risk (47/100), higher risk – plan carefully. Always check the latest UK FCDO and US State Department advisories before booking.

What's the crime risk in Peru?

Petty theft and bag snatching in Lima. Express kidnapping rare. Tourist areas well-policed. Crime category score: 3/5 (moderate).

Are there health risks travelling to Peru?

Altitude sickness serious above 3,000m (Cusco is 3,400m). Yellow fever in Amazon. Good clinics in Lima. Health category score: 3/5. Consult a travel clinic 4-6 weeks before departure for recommended vaccinations.

Is Peru safe for solo female travellers?

Exercise Caution. Catcalling common. Exercise caution in Lima at night. Tourist areas and Sacred Valley generally safe. Group treks recommended.

When is the best time to visit Peru?

Dry Season (Andes) (May-Sep). Best for Machu Picchu, Inca Trail, Colca, Lake Titicaca. Cold at altitude but clear.

What are the drug laws in Peru?

Drug penalties: Strict. Cannabis: Decriminalised. Personal use decriminalised (<8g cannabis, <2g cocaine) but enforcement variable. Hard drugs strict.

Do I need a visa to visit Peru?

Visa-free. Stay length: 90 days. Visa-free up to 183 days (granted at officer discretion) for US/UK/EU/Canada/Australia/NZ.

Which regions of Peru are safest to visit?

Generally safer regions include Lima, Cusco & Sacred Valley, Machu Picchu, Arequipa. See the regional breakdown for current safety guidance on each area.

Is the tap water safe to drink in Peru?

Tap water in Peru is not safe to drink – use bottled or filtered water. Most travellers should stick to bottled or filtered water for cooking, drinking and ice.

What do governments say about travel to Peru?

UK FCDO: See travel advice. US State Dept: Level 2 - Exercise Increased Caution. Read the full advisories on the relevant government sites – links are inside the Official Travel Advisories section above.