Is Peru Safe For Travel In 2026?

Is Peru Safe For Travel?

Overall, Peru is a safe country for travel, and especially when visiting the more touristy destinations in the country. This includes the popular yet safe city of Cusco, Lima (in areas like Miraflores and Barranco) and Arequipa, all of which welcome thousands of tourists each month and have good safety protocols in the main areas such as on pedestrian streets, within central plazas and in and around hotels.

Other areas of the country can be safe, but it depends on where you head and what you plan to do. For example, destinations like Puno and Huaraz are great for tourism, but can be a bit rough around the edges in parts. This is why it’s vital to understand how to keep yourself safe, which includes dressing properly and avoiding certain behaviours – which we’ll now cover in the next section of this article.

Important Safety Preparation Tips When Travelling Around Peru

• Choose The Safest Areas For A Stay – Within each touristy destination, there’s always areas that are built-up for tourism that are safest for a stay. In Lima it’s Miraflores and Barranco, and in Cusco it’s the Historic Center and San Blas. For anywhere else, staying near the Plaza de Armas is a good choice.

• Leave Valuables In Your Hotel When Exploring – This includes things like your Passport, Credit Cards or expensive jewellery and accessories. This is especially important when heading to busy markets, or other areas where poverty or pickpocketing can be big risks when standing out or flashing valuables.

• Be Cautious When Crossing Roads – The driving culture in Peru isn’t the most straightforward and predictable, which means it’s important to be careful when crossing busy roads. Even when there are green lights to walk, be sure to check your surroundings a few times just to be sure it’s safe to cross.

• Take The High Altitudes Seriously – Some destinations like Cusco (3399m), Huaraz (3052m) and Puno (3827m) require proper acclimatisation upon arrival to avoid getting altitude sickness. For your first two days, be sure to keep activities light, and to take altitude sickness medications to avoid getting ill. This isn’t an issue though for the must-visit ruins of Machu Picchu.

• Only Drink Bottled Water – Depending on which country you are from, you may be accustomed to drinking tap water. In Peru this is a strict no-no, as most water sources aren’t purified or cleaned. Only drink from bottled water, and we also suggest this when brushing your teeth.

Frequently Asked Questions About Is Peru Safe For Travel

Below we’ll now answer some of the frequent questions we get about the question of is Peru safe for travel, as well as anything else important that you need to know before visiting.

Are Peruvians Friendly To Tourists? 

Yes, Peruvians are very friendly towards tourists, and are usually curious to learn more about foreign countries and how things are abroad. This is especially true in the more touristic areas such as Cusco, Arequipa and Lima, where many locals are also learning English and would like to practice. Tourists who try to learn some Spanish and use it while in Peru will also find that locals are much warmer, as they appreciate the effort of trying to speak their local language.

Can I Brush My Teeth With Tap Water In Peru?

It’s highly recommended to not brush your teeth with tap water when travelling in Peru. This is because water systems generally aren’t treated, meaning it’s possible to get a stomach infection if drinking the water (although it’s much less likely if just brushing and spitting, it’s still a risk). It’s much better to use bottled water which is completely safe, unless you are staying in a hotel which says it’s safe to use tap water to brush your teeth.

Is Cusco Safer Than Lima?

Overall as a whole, Cusco is safer than Lima for tourists who want to visit both cities. This is because Cusco is smaller and has more safe touristy areas, but also because the culture is more community-focused where locals value safety and familiarity. Lima still has some very safe areas for tourists such as Miraflores, Barranco and San Isidro – just that areas outside of these can really be a hit or miss.

Overview Of Is Peru Safe For Travel

And that’s all for this guide on is Peru safe, and how to plan properly before your trip.

One of the most popular countries for tourism in Latin America, Peru is known for its incredible Andes mountains, ancient ruins and lost cities, the wild Amazon Rainforest as well as many thriving cultures. As a whole Peru is indeed a safe country for travel, and virtually all tourists have both a trouble-free and memorable time here – however it’s still important to follow proper safety advice, which we’ve covered in this guide.

Looking to have one of the most unforgettable experiences here in Peru? The Four Day Inca Trail To Machu Picchu Trek allows us to retrace the same steps the ancient Inca once took to reach this famous site, where you will also enjoy scenic Andes views and learn about the current indigenous communities who still live along this route.