Is Peru safe? 🇵🇪

Peru rewards ordinary urban street-smarts and punishes carelessness, the same as most large countries. Tens of millions of tourist-days pass each year without incident on the well-worn Lima–Cusco–Machu Picchu circuit. However, the U.S. State Department and UK FCDO both advise increased caution due to crime, unrest, kidnapping, and terrorism risks, with specific warnings against travel within 20km of the Peru-Colombia border and in the VRAEM region. Civil unrest in the Puno region, 388 kilometres southeast of Lima, continues to affect overland travel between Peru and Bolivia, occasionally triggering road blockades that strand travelers.

In Lima, petty theft remains the most common threat to visitors, especially in crowded tourist zones like the Historic Center, Miraflores, Barranco, and on public buses. Armed robberies have risen 23% in the Miraflores and San Isidro districts compared to 2025 figures, according to Peru's National Police statistics cited in February 2026 reports. Taxi scams are widespread, with drivers often taking unnecessarily long routes and demanding triple the agreed fare; using app-based services or registered operators is strongly advised. While violent crime against tourists on standard routes remains rare, kidnappings and drug-related crime have been reported in urban centers, prompting extradition cases such as two Orange County residents returned from Peru in October 2026 to face identity theft and drug charges.

Weather-related disruptions continue to impact highland routes, particularly after severe rainfall and landslides in February 2026 that damaged the Huacachina-Ica highway and suspended the Cusco-Ollantaytambo rail service. Although no active disaster alerts are present as of October 2026, the region experiences frequent seismic activity, with 26 earthquakes of magnitude 4.5 or higher recorded in the past year. Travelers should acclimatize slowly to avoid altitude sickness in the Andes and monitor local advisories for demonstrations or transport changes, especially during election periods or in socially tense regions like Puno. By staying alert, avoiding displays of wealth, and using trusted transport, visitors can safely experience Peru's cultural and natural highlights.