Staying Safe in Peru
During the 1980s and 90s, Peru experienced terrorist problems with insurgency, especially the
Sendero Luminoso, The Shining Path. With economic growth and strong governmental oversight, the guerrillas have been pushed to the fringes of remote Peruvian forests & highlands and the danger of running into these insurgents is very slim unless you are on a hike through the remote wilderness.
Political demonstrations are common, and although these are usually peaceful, they can result in delays to road, air, and rail transportation. Your tour guide will alert you to any demonstrations.
Use common sense while traveling in Peru, just as you would in any other location. We recommend that you leave valuable jewelry & watches at home, as well as expensive electronics. Carry a money belt, use the hotel safe to hold your passport and other important documents, and be aware of your surroundings. If you’re going out at night, stay in a group; better if you can go with a trusted local or tour guide. Be especially careful of your surroundings when withdrawing cash from an ATM.
All our tours include professional tour guides, and we will arrange all transportation, transfers, hotels, and tours that we know personally and recommend highly.
For US Citizens, the State Department recommends bookmarking the
Travel Warnings and Travel Alerts page, following their
Twitter and
Facebook accounts, and/or downloading their free Smart Traveler App through
iTunes to stay up-to-date on travel warnings and news. They also offer
useful tips for traveling safely abroad.
The
UK Foreign and Commonwealth Office has some recommendations on traveling safely in Peru.
