Yes, you can plan a trip to Peru, but safety depends on where you go and how you travel. The usual visitor route through Lima, Cusco, the Sacred Valley and Machu Picchu is different from remote regions covered by stronger government warnings. On a typical trip, the most useful precautions involve your belongings, transport, health and possible travel disruptions. No destination is risk-free, and conditions can change quickly.
This guide answers the questions we hear most often from travelers planning a trip in 2027. It was last checked in September 2026, so use it to prepare, then confirm current conditions closer to departure.
Peru travel safety in 2027: five things to know first
- Check the areas on your actual route. Government advisories often distinguish between Peru as a whole and specific regions with stronger warnings. The U.S. Peru advisory identifies the VRAEM and the Colombia–Peru border area in Loreto among places with “Do Not Travel” advice; it specifically says that Cusco city, the Sacred Valley, the Inca Trail and Machu Picchu are outside the affected area it describes. Check every stop rather than assuming one label applies equally to the entire country.
- Expect changes to transport plans. Protests can interrupt roads and trains, including access to Machu Picchu. Heavy rain and landslides can also affect travel. Check with your operator shortly before each transfer and allow extra time for important connections.
- Take theft seriously in cities. Keep your phone, wallet and bags secure in busy places, use trusted transport and avoid isolated streets after dark. Tourist areas still require attention.
- Plan for altitude and the kind of trip you are taking. A gentle first day in Cusco and suitable insurance matter more for a mountain trek than they do for a short stay on the coast. Ask a clinician about altitude or health concerns before travel.
- Use the latest advice, not an old headline. Each government describes risk in its own way, and conditions can change between booking and departure. Check your government’s advice, local updates and the status of your own flights, trains and tours.
How to read a Peru travel advisory
Start with the date of the advisory, then read its regional warnings and the practical reasons behind them. For example, a countrywide recommendation to exercise caution and a stronger warning for one region are different instructions. Advisory systems also use different labels across countries, so compare their descriptions instead of treating their levels as interchangeable. The U.S. advisory, Canadian advice and UK advice offer useful starting points; follow the guidance that applies to your nationality and itinerary.
What should I watch out for in Peru?
Theft and robbery are concerns, including in places tourists visit. Keep your phone and wallet secure in crowded streets, markets and stations. When you sit down to eat, keep your bag where you can see it instead of hanging it on a chair. Carry only the cash you need for the day and avoid displaying expensive jewelry or equipment. If someone threatens you, prioritize your safety and do not resist.
For money, use an ATM inside a bank or another supervised location when possible, shield your PIN and check the amount before accepting a card payment. Exchange money at an established business rather than with someone approaching you on the street.
Be cautious if a stranger creates a distraction, such as spilling something on you while another person comes close to your bag. Step aside, secure your belongings and decide whether you need help. If someone offers to exchange money on the spot or insists that you hand over your card, decline and use an established business instead.
Is it safe to visit Lima, Cusco and Machu Picchu?
These are major tourist destinations, but no city or attraction comes with a guarantee of safety. In Lima, plan your route between the airport and your accommodation in advance. In Cusco, pay attention to your belongings around busy plazas and markets, especially at night. At Machu Picchu, the more practical concerns are often the weather, walking conditions and whether trains or roads are operating normally.
The same basic habits help throughout the trip: know how you will get back to your hotel, avoid isolated streets after dark and check local updates before a long transfer. For mountain trips, leave some flexibility around train journeys and onward flights instead of assuming every connection will run exactly on time.
What is the safest way to get around?
Arrange an airport pickup in advance or use an official airport taxi desk. In cities, ask your hotel to call a trusted taxi or use a reputable app-based service; confirm the vehicle and driver details before getting in. Avoid accepting an unsolicited ride from someone approaching you at the airport or on the street.
For travel between cities, choose an established bus company and check your departure and arrival points. Road journeys through mountain areas can be long, and weather or road closures may cause delays. If you have a choice, avoid overnight road travel on remote mountain routes. Keep important documents, medication and valuables with you rather than in checked luggage.
Can protests affect my trip to Machu Picchu?
They can. Demonstrations or roadblocks may interrupt highways, airport access and train services, sometimes with little notice. A disruption does not necessarily mean that Machu Picchu itself has closed; it may mean that getting there or back has become difficult.
If a protest affects your route, stay away from gatherings and roadblocks. Contact your rail company, airline or tour provider for the status of your booking, and wait for a confirmed alternative before changing your plans. Keep some time between your Machu Picchu visit and an international flight when your itinerary allows it. The UK travel advice tracks transport disruptions and safety issues.
Does rain make travel unsafe?
Rainfall varies across Peru. In the Andes, periods of heavy rain can affect trails, roads and the rail route to Machu Picchu through landslides or flooding. Conditions on a particular day matter more than a broad seasonal label. Check the weather and the status of your route before setting out, follow closures and do not attempt to cross a blocked road or trail.
For a trek, pack a waterproof layer and shoes suited to wet ground. If the forecast or route conditions change, follow the instructions of your guide and local authorities. See our Peru Travel Guide for more help planning the wider trip.
What about earthquakes?
Peru is in an earthquake zone. When you arrive at your hotel, notice the marked exits and ask where guests should gather outside. If the ground shakes, follow the instructions of local staff and authorities; do not use an elevator during an evacuation. Along the coast, pay attention to posted tsunami evacuation routes. The UK’s Peru safety advice also covers earthquakes and other natural hazards.
Will the altitude in Cusco make me sick?
It can, even if you are fit. Cusco sits at high elevation, and some visitors develop a headache, nausea or unusual tiredness after arriving. Plan an easier first day, avoid strenuous activity and alcohol at the start of your stay, and ask a clinician before travel if you have a medical condition or want advice about preventive medication. Do not rely on coca tea or any other home remedy as a substitute for medical care.
Do not continue climbing if you develop altitude symptoms. If symptoms worsen, or you have confusion, difficulty walking or shortness of breath at rest, seek urgent medical help and arrange descent. The CDC’s altitude guidance explains the warning signs and prevention steps.
Can I drink tap water and eat street food?
For drinking, choose sealed bottled water or water that has been reliably filtered, boiled or treated. Check that any water supplied during a trek is safe to drink. Pick food that is freshly cooked and served hot, and wash or sanitize your hands before eating. If you have a sensitive stomach, be more selective about uncooked foods and drinks made with water of uncertain origin. The CDC’s Peru health guidance includes advice on food, water and insect protection.
If you are heading into the Amazon, ask a travel health professional about the health precautions relevant to your exact itinerary and use insect repellent as directed.
How do I choose a safe trek or adventure tour?
Ask what is included before booking: the route, guide, transport, equipment, emergency procedures and what happens if weather or access changes. For a trek, tell the operator about relevant medical conditions and confirm the walking difficulty and highest sleeping altitude. Check that your travel insurance covers the activities you plan to do, including trekking at the relevant elevation and evacuation where applicable.
An unusually low price is a reason to ask more questions, especially for activities involving vehicles, boats or specialist gear. A responsible operator should be able to explain who runs the activity and how it handles a problem on the route.
Is Peru suitable for solo travelers and families?
Yes, many solo travelers and families plan visits to Peru, but the itinerary should fit the travelers. If you are traveling alone, arrange late arrivals and share your plans with someone you trust. Avoid isolated walks after dark, use arranged transport to get home and keep an eye on your drink when you go out. If you feel uncomfortable with a driver, guide or another person, leave when you can do so safely and seek help from your hotel, travel provider or police. Families should allow a gentle first day at altitude, plan realistic travel times and keep children’s essential items in a day bag.
Anyone with a health condition, or with questions about a child’s response to altitude, should speak with a clinician before the trip. For travelers with limited mobility, ask in advance about stairs, uneven paths and access at each stop rather than assuming every tour has the same facilities.
Are ayahuasca ceremonies safe for visitors?
Do not assume a ceremony is safe because it is advertised to tourists or described as a wellness experience. The Canadian government travel advice warns of serious illness, assault and deaths associated with ayahuasca ceremonies, which may take place far from medical care. The U.S. advisory also warns travelers about ayahuasca and kambo. Check the advice for your nationality and speak to a healthcare professional about any health concerns; this is not a treatment for altitude sickness.
What should I do if something goes wrong?
Move to a safe place first. For a crime, contact the police and your hotel or tour provider; ask for help making a report, which your insurer may request. If your passport is lost or stolen, contact your embassy or consulate and check the identification needed for your next flight. For a medical problem, seek local medical help and call your insurer as soon as practical.
Save these numbers before you travel: 105 for police and 106 for an ambulance. Emergency services and response times may differ by location; your hotel or guide can help explain where you are and how to reach you. These numbers are listed in the U.S. State Department’s Peru travel information.
A short checklist before you leave
- Check your government’s current advice for every region on your route.
- Book your first airport transfer and save your hotel’s address.
- Buy insurance that covers your planned activities and medical care.
- Keep digital copies of your passport, insurance and bookings in a secure place.
- Ask your tour provider about current weather, roads and train services.
- Allow time to adjust before strenuous activity in Cusco.
- Save local emergency numbers and a contact at home.
Travel with Wayna Trekkers
Travel with a local team that looks after the details and supports you along the way. We want you to feel cared for and welcomed, like part of our family.
Peru offers remarkable journeys, from its cities to the Andes and the Amazon. A good plan leaves room for local conditions to change. If you are planning a trek or a visit to Machu Picchu, contact Wayna Trekkers to discuss the route, timing and practical details of your trip.
