Is Peru Safe to Visit?

If you’ve been longing to experience the famous Inca ruins of Machu Picchu but wondering whether Peru is safe to visit, this article is for you.

I had the good fortune to return to Peru, one of my favorite countries in South America, in August 2022.

It was my girlfriend’s first time, while I’ve been visiting every other year since 2011, at least until the pandemic hit.

In previous trips, I’ve backpacked through Peru’s northern, central, and southern cities, from the Pacific coast to the snow-capped Andes mountains and lush Amazon jungle.

Of the countries I’ve visited in South America, including Colombia (where I lived), Ecuador, Bolivia, Chile, Argentina, Uruguay, and Brazil, I consider Peru one of the safest.

I base that on my travel experience and the stories I hear from friends, readers, and other bloggers.

That said, there are always risks involved when you travel. The best way to protect yourself when planning a trip to a new country is to read the advice of travelers like you who’ve recently been.

Below are steps you can take to experience Peru safely.

How To Stay Safe in Peru

Check government travel advisories.

As part of my pre-trip research, I quickly look at the U.S. Department of State website for the country I’m visiting. However, I long ago learned to take what I see there with a grain of salt.

Often, the warnings are hyperlocal and related to specific towns, border areas, or regions of conflict far from the places most travelers visit.

It can also be helpful to do a quick web search to see if any news from the country is worth keeping in mind.

For example, Peru has been experiencing political turmoil at the presidential level for the last few years (okay, more like 30 years).

But, for the most part, these problems don’t impact tourism, which is an important sector of their economy.

Peruvian authorities provide beefed-up security and police presence in popular tourist areas, including the Miraflores, San Isidro, and Barranco neighborhoods in Lima, the historic center of Cusco, and Aguas Calientes (the town closest to Machu Picchu).

Know where you’re going.

Latin American capital cities aren’t good places for getting lost and wandering around aimlessly, and such behavior makes you an easier…