Exercise Increased Caution
“Exercise increased cautionin Peru due to crime, civil unrest, and the risk of kidnapping. Some areas have increased risk.”
Updated Fri, 16 May 2025
Full advisory →Make this report personalWho's travelling? A family, a woman alone, a business trip — the score and the key findings are re-weighted for your group, not the average traveller.8 districts
Is Lima safe? 🇵🇪
Peru · Safety report last updated
As of August 2026, Lima scores 54/100 on the IsMyTripSafe composite safety index — verdict: mostly — take normal precautions. Yes — Lima is generally safe for travelers who stay in recommended districts and exercise standard big-city precautions. The main risks for visitors are pickpocketing (high risk) and robbery (moderate risk). The U.S. State Department rates it Level 2 (Exercise Increased Caution).
Safety Report
IsMyTripSafe.com
Lima 🇵🇪
Peru · Assessed 25 August 2026
54
/ 100
Mostly — take normal precautions
Safer than ~47% of countries
What drives this score
Crime51/100CautionHomicide 8.6 / 100k
Sentiment61/100FairMostly positive
Advisories50Caution
Stability57Fair
Health77Good
01 · Official Guidance
Advisories
Caution
Advises against all-but-essential travel to parts
“Your travel insurance could be invalidated if you travel against advice from the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO). Areas where FCDO advises against all but essential travel Within 20km south of the Peru-Colombia border FCDO advises against all but essential travel to areas within 20km south of the Putumayo River and the border between Peru and Colombia (Loreto region) except for: the Amazon River the area of the triple border with Brazil and Colombia from and including the towns of Caballococha in Peru up to the actual triple border at Santa Rosa de Yavari town Valley of the Apurímac, Ene, and Mantaro Rivers (VRAEM) FCDO advises against all but essential travel to the Valley of the Apurímac, Ene, and Mantaro Rivers, also known as the VRAEM region.”
Updated 2026-06-22T22:35:12Z
Full advisory →Exercise a high degree of caution (with regional advisories)
“Canada's official risk level for Peru: exercise a high degree of caution (with regional advisories).”
Updated 2026-08-20T10:46:08.2586804-04:00
Full advisory →02 · Evidence Signals
Crime
Caution
Urban scale factor
7.7M residents
56
City SignalCity Geocoding
Homicide rate
8.6 / 100kHomicide rate · per 100kJapan0.2Switzerland0.6World avg5.2United States5.8Peru8.6Brazil19.3South Africa43.7
50
Robbery / mugging
ModerateExpress kidnappings and muggings targeting tourists occur occasionally, particularly near ATMs and in less touristy areas after dark.
Pickpocketing
HighPickpocketing and bag-snatching are common in crowded tourist zones like Miraflores’ Parque Kennedy, Barranco’s main streets, and the Historic Center.
03 · Environment
Health & Air
Good
04 · Institutions
Stability
Fair
05 · Field Research
Current Situation
Moderate
Traveller sentiment score
Mostly positive
61/100
Reported feel61Mostly positive
Robbery risk62Moderate risk
Pickpocket risk58High risk
Recent traveler reports indicate most visitors feel safe in Lima when staying in recommended districts and following basic precautions, though petty crime remains a frequent concern.
Yes — Lima is generally safe for travelers who stay in recommended districts and exercise standard big-city precautions.
Lima presents moderate overall crime risks, with petty theft and scams being the primary concerns for visitors, while violent crime against tourists remains relatively uncommon. The city's safety varies significantly by neighborhood, with Miraflores, Barranco, and San Isidro offering the safest environments for tourists due to strong security presence and tourism infrastructure. Travelers should remain vigilant in crowded areas, avoid displaying valuables, and use pre-booked transport, especially from the airport.
Recent developments
- Jul 2026Protests in Lima following the inauguration of President Keiko Fujimori led to demonstrations and heightened security presence in the city center.— France 24
- Jul 2026Peru’s new president announced military-led crime operations in emergencies, signaling a tougher stance on urban crime amid rising extortion and illegal mining concerns.— BBC
- Jun 2026InSight Crime reported that Peru’s incoming president faces challenges from extortion rings and illegal mining, which contribute to urban insecurity.— InSight Crime
- Mar 2026Travel guides noted that express kidnappings and ATM-related muggings remain documented risks for tourists in specific contexts across Lima.— theonlyperuguide.com
Common scams
- Fake taxi drivers overcharging or taking tourists to unsafe areas
- Fake police officers demanding to see passports and wallets
- Street distraction scams where accomplices steal belongings while tourists are engaged
- Overpriced tours or fake Machu Picchu ticket agencies
- Restaurant scams involving inflated bills or false claims about payment methods
Full briefing
Lima is generally safe for travelers who exercise standard precautions and stick to well-established tourist districts like Miraflores, Barranco, and San Isidro. These areas benefit from a visible police presence, private security, and tourism-focused infrastructure, making them comfortable for walking during the day and evening. However, as a large and economically unequal city, Lima does experience persistent petty crime, particularly pickpocketing and bag-snatching in crowded areas such as Parque Kennedy in Miraflores, the main streets of Barranco, and the Historic Center. Violent crime against tourists is less common but does occur, including express kidnappings where victims are briefly detained to withdraw cash from ATMs, typically in less touristy areas or after dark.
Recent developments underscore the importance of staying informed and cautious. In July 2026, protests erupted in Lima following the inauguration of President Keiko Fujimori, leading to demonstrations and a heightened security presence in the city center, as reported by France 24. Around the same time, the BBC noted that the new president pledged to lead military-backed crime operations in emergencies, reflecting growing concerns over urban insecurity. InSight Crime highlighted in June 2026 that extortion rings and illegal mining activities continue to fuel crime trends, which can indirectly affect urban safety. These align with earlier reports from March 2026 that express kidnappings and ATM-related scams remain documented risks for visitors, reinforcing the need for vigilance around financial transactions.
To stay safe, travelers should use only registered taxis or ride-hailing apps like Uber, especially for airport transfers, as street-hailed cabs have been linked to overcharging and unsafe routing. Keep valuables concealed and consider using anti-theft bags or money belts in crowded tourist zones. Avoid displaying passports, wallets, or expensive electronics openly. It’s also wise to carry a copy of your passport and leave the original in a hotel safe. Stay in well-lit, populated areas, particularly after dark, and avoid quiet or unfamiliar streets. While the overall risk is moderate and most visits are incident-free, situational awareness and standard big-city safety habits go a long way in ensuring a smooth and enjoyable trip to Lima.
06 · Neighbourhoods
Safest areas and areas to avoid
Our field research rated 8 Lima districts for visitors: 3 safer, 2 needing caution and 3 best avoided. See them plotted on the Lima safety map.
CallaoavoidPort area with elevated crime including muggings and express kidnappings; avoid non-essential visits
San Juan de LuriganchoavoidHigh population density district with elevated assault and robbery rates; avoid unless necessary
RímacavoidHistoric area with significant crime risks, particularly after dark; avoid for tourists
Historic Centre (Cercado de Lima)cautionSafe during daylight with tour groups; avoid walking alone after dark due to higher crime
La VictoriacautionIndustrial area with moderate crime; exercise caution, especially at night
MirafloressaferUpscale, well-lit, strong police and private security presence; petty theft possible in crowds
BarrancosaferBohemian core safe day and evening; quieter streets need caution after midnight
San IsidrosaferAffluent business district with excellent security and minimal crime rates
07 · After Dark
Is Lima safe at night?
43% of people in Peru say they feel safe walking alone at night in their area (UN SDG survey, 2024).
Express kidnappings and muggings targeting tourists occur occasionally, particularly near ATMs and in less touristy areas after dark.
After dark, be most careful around Callao, San Juan de Lurigancho, Rímac, Historic Centre (Cercado de Lima). Stick to busy, well-lit streets and licensed taxis or ride-hail late at night.
08 · Questions
Lima safety FAQ
Is Lima safe for tourists right now?
Yes — Lima is generally safe for travelers who stay in recommended districts and exercise standard big-city precautions. Lima presents moderate overall crime risks, with petty theft and scams being the primary concerns for visitors, while violent crime against tourists remains relatively uncommon. The city's safety varies significantly by neighborhood, with Miraflores, Barranco, and San Isidro offering the safest environments for tourists due to strong security presence and tourism infrastructure. Travelers should remain vigilant in crowded areas, avoid displaying valuables, and use pre-booked transport, especially from the airport. (Assessed 25 August 2026.)
Which areas of Lima should tourists avoid?
Field research flags Callao, San Juan de Lurigancho, Rímac as best avoided. See the district-by-district safety map.
What are the most common scams in Lima?
- Fake taxi drivers overcharging or taking tourists to unsafe areas
- Fake police officers demanding to see passports and wallets
- Street distraction scams where accomplices steal belongings while tourists are engaged
- Overpriced tours or fake Machu Picchu ticket agencies
How does Lima compare with other places in Peru?
Lima ranks #9 of 9 Peru destinations we've assessed, scoring 54/100. See the Peru safety overview for the full list.
How is this Lima safety score calculated?
The score blends 13+ public data sources — government advisories, UNODC/World Bank crime statistics, WHO health data, live air quality and disaster alerts — with AI field research over current local reporting. The databases carry 82% of the weight; the traveller-sentiment score from field research carries 18%. Full methodology.
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4 reportsBrowse the Peru safety overview or all destinations. Raw data: lima.json (CC BY 4.0).