How Does Crime & Safety Work in Peru?
Last verified: 2025-06 · Americas
1The Quick Answer
Miraflores and San Isidro in Lima are relatively safe for tourists, but express kidnapping via street taxis, petty theft, and some neighbourhood-specific crime require consistent vigilance.
2What You Need to Know
Lima's safer tourist zones are Miraflores and San Isidro; El Callao (port area) and parts of central Lima at night are higher-risk and best avoided. In Cusco, the main tourist areas are generally safe during the day but late-night risks increase; stay alert in and around the Plaza de Armas. Express kidnapping (secuestro al paso) remains Lima's most serious tourist threat and is directly linked to unofficial taxis. Petty theft (bag-snatching, pickpocketing) occurs at Machu Picchu and in crowded markets; use a money belt and keep valuables out of sight.
3Practical Tips
Practical Tips
- 1Use a slim money belt under your clothing for passports and large amounts of cash, and carry only what you need for the day in a front pocket.
- 2Photograph your passport, travel insurance card, and key documents and store copies in a cloud service — replacing them from a safe digital copy is far faster if stolen.
- 3In Lima, walk with purpose and keep your phone put away when not in use; phone-snatching by motorbike riders is common in busy streets.
Important Warning
Express kidnapping via unofficial street taxis in Lima is a genuine and well-documented danger — never hail a cab off the street and always use a tracked app-based ride.
How does this compare?
Crime & Safety rules in nearby and similar countries:
Major tourist zones are generally safe, but several states including Sinaloa, Zacatecas, and parts of Guerrero and Michoacán carry US government Do Not Travel advisories.
Brazil has real and serious crime in major cities — stay alert, avoid favelas without organized tours, and take specific precautions on Rio's beaches and in city centers after dark.
Canada is very safe by international standards — violent crime affecting tourists is rare, though some downtown areas and wildlife encounters require awareness.
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More About Peru
Tip around 10% at tourist restaurants and tip guides generously (50–100 PEN per day), but always check whether service is already included on your bill.
Updated 2025-06
Lima has the Metropolitano BRT and Uber/InDriver for safer city travel, while intercity travel relies on reputable bus companies and pre-booked trains to Machu Picchu.
Updated 2025-06
Lima has good private clinics, but outside the capital medical facilities are limited and altitude sickness is a serious risk at Cusco (3,400 m) and Lake Titicaca (3,800 m).
Updated 2025-06
Drug laws are extremely strict — cocaine possession carries severe penalties — and Machu Picchu has rigorous rules including no drones and mandatory time-slot entry.
Updated 2025-06
Call 105 for police, 117 for ambulance, 116 for fire, and the free iPeru tourist helpline on 0800-11-0000 for tourist-specific assistance.
Updated 2025-06
Dress modestly at churches, pack warm layers for the highlands where temperatures swing dramatically, and bring rain gear for jungle and wet-season travel.
Updated 2025-06
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