Safety Tips for Peru Travelers
Visitors should always keep a vigilant eye when visiting in Peru. Although tourist spots are generally safe, street crime is rampant, and tourists, with their pricey gear and often cash-loaded purses, are a popular target.
The most important piece of advice is to blend in, and not to wear anything that even remotely suggests you’ve got money on you. If you must bring something valuable with you (travel documents, IDs, and credit cards should be on your person at all times), bring them in a pouch that slips easily inside your shirt. If possible, keep them on your chest—this will ward off pickpockets.
Plan to pay with credit cards for most if not all of your transactions, and bring only a little cash for emergencies. If you need to withdraw money, find an ATM in a bank and do so in broad daylight, preferably with a companion.
Crowded areas are particularly tricky as one can easily hide in the crowd to avoid being caught. Keep an eye open in public markets, train stations, and outdoor shows. Instead of putting your wallet in your pocket, wear a money belt. It’s much harder to access without being noticed.
Cab drivers around the Jorge Chavez International Airport in Lima have been known to rob their fares, targeting Western visitors in particular. If you have to take a taxi straight from the airport, have one of the staff direct you to one endorsed by the airport itself.
The risk is lower in the rural areas, although Cusco and Puno, where the biggest tourist sites are, can still attract the occasional bad guy. Never lower your guard just because you’re heading out of the city—it’s the kind of mindset that gets most visitors in trouble.
If you’re traveling by car, make sure to look up road conditions ahead of time and to lock all doors. Travel with a local you trust if possible. Road bandits have been reported in some areas, particularly the more remote ones. Avoid detours and stay on the main roads as much as possible.
The U.S. government warns visitors, especially women, never to travel alone in Peru. According to them, statistics show that young female tourists seem to be thieves’ favorite targets. Those carrying backpacks (which are easy to steal from unnoticed) and staying in low-cost lodging (where there’s less security) are also more at risk. Finally, travel with a large group if possible—there’s always safety in numbers.