Major safety risks in Peru? (page 1 of 5)

Hi everyone, Since the safety reports on Peru are sometimes a bit outdated, I got curious and checked the Ministry of Foreign Affairs website for travel advice. It’s honestly pretty worrying!! Here’s the link: https://www.diplomatie.gouv.fr/fr/conseils-aux-voyageurs/conseils-par-pays/perou/

Among other things, they don’t just mention fake taxis that rob you or express kidnappings (especially in Arequipa), but also drugs that can be slipped into your drink if left unattended, "with the risk of scopolamine being added."

They’ve marked the Cuzco region as a red zone (formally avoid!!) and central Lima as an orange zone, "to avoid after dark."

What do those who’ve been there recently think?

Hi there,

Well, I don’t know Peru, but...

The foreign ministry website gives the same kind of alarming info about pretty much every country in the world once you leave Western Europe... Scams and assaults exist, but listing them like that makes it seem like they’re super common, which isn’t the case. "Oh my God, all this is happening?"... It *can* happen, and it *has* happened, but when, to whom, how...

If you want to take a taxi safely, you can download the Tappsi app on your smartphone. The drivers who respond are "registered" and "traceable."

As for drinks being spiked with drugs, I’m guessing—and no offense meant—that you probably won’t be hitting up nightclubs or similar places.

If I had to give *one* safety tip, it’d be this: in the city, "watch out when crossing the road"... People drive pretty "rock ‘n’ roll" (I’d even use a harsher term, but oh well), and it can really catch you off guard.

The only really dangerous areas are where tourists don’t go—certain suburbs, the VRAEM, ...

Hello,

The red zone is further north compared to Cusco and the Sacred Valley of the Incas, so no need to worry about those places.

For the rest, just like anywhere in Latin America, you should follow a few safety rules (avoid showing valuables, don’t take just any taxi in certain cities like Arequipa, avoid walking around in some neighborhoods, especially at night, etc.). By following these simple rules, there’s really very little chance anything will happen to you. As mentioned earlier, the government’s travel advisories are always a bit alarmist (but at least they keep people from going in too "gung-ho").

Thanks for your reply, but before sharing the link to the Foreign Affairs website, I took a look at the map of Cusco—it’s pretty shocking. Feels like you’re just as much at risk there as in the Sahel!!! Weird, right?

Thanks for the info about the app. We're not exactly paranoid, but this thing about the tourist police who can check if taxis aren’t fake kind of surprises us.

Thanks for your reply, but before sharing the link to the Foreign Affairs website, I took a look at the map of Cusco—it’s pretty impressive.

Don’t fall into paranoia in Cusco—I’ve been there three times and never had any issues. Back when I visited Peru, the country wasn’t as developed and was just coming out of a rough period (especially due to the Shining Path). The thing is, it’s best to stick around Plaza de Armas in the evening—otherwise, the city is very tourist-friendly and doesn’t pose any real risks. As for Lima, though, yeah, avoid Plaza San Martín at night. You *can* stroll along Jirón de la Unión, but it’s not really recommended. Again, Miraflores is the place to stay.

If we follow the Foreign Affairs recommendations to the letter, we’d never leave our beds. That said, by using common-sense precautions, we can minimize risks—there are neighborhoods everywhere that are best avoided.

Missed it! We booked in Barranco!!

Hi there, Barranco is a great area in Lima, really close to Miraflores. As for that taxi story in Lima, it happened about fifteen years ago. So I can confidently say that the ministry’s page isn’t really up to date. There *is* a so-called "tourist police" in the main tourist areas, meant to help visitors, but their effectiveness is pretty hit-or-miss!!!

It’s a good idea to read this page to stay cautious. However, don’t fall into paranoia—nothing happens to 80% of tourists traveling in Peru. You just need common sense and to be careful in big cities like Lima and Arequipa.

Peruvians are generally attentive to tourists' safety. If you’re in a neighborhood where you shouldn’t be, they’ll warn you.

Stories about fake taxis and kidnappings mostly concern Lima and Arequipa. Just stick to formal taxis (clearly marked as taxis and with a radio for Aqp) and it’s best to use an app in Lima (like Uber), more to avoid getting ripped off on the price than anything else.

As for the "red zone," which is mainly limited to the VRAEM, it’s outside tourist circuits—you won’t accidentally cross it. Plus, the extent of the zone is a bit exaggerated, even if the ministry halved it in the last update.

"drugs that can be slipped into your drink if left unattended, "at the risk of scopolamine being added" This warning isn’t useless for young Europeans who go clubbing thinking they’re still in Europe. In Peru, you NEVER leave your drink unattended. No issues elsewhere—it’s only in nightclubs ;-)

Have a great trip!

Thomas

So there's a 1 in 5 chance of running into problems as a tourist? This country really isn't safe....🙁

When the Chinese return to China, if one of them had their wallet stolen, they probably don’t go around advertising France either!

I read that the State Department recommends American tourists avoid France and Great Britain (because of terrorist attacks).

I’d rather be warned about potential risks in certain areas, follow advice from others, but that won’t stop me from going (though right now, Mali is giving me pause... some countries and situations just feel scarier than others).

I’ve been living here for 5 years, getting around, hosting family and friends—statistically, my risk rate is 100% certain. But that doesn’t mean anything; it only takes one time!!!

Most of the time, tourists are victims of scams or theft—they don’t usually get killed either :D

The recurring issue is definitely scams—like being charged S/.10 for something that’s only worth S/.5, which adds up to a little over 1 €. Some people get really worked up about this kind of rip-off, but it’s pretty obvious that flaunting your purchasing power in a country where the legal minimum wage (which is rarely actually paid...) is just over 200 € can make it tempting for others.

hi there,

Regarding the "red zone" that is mainly limited to the VRAEM,

what is the VRAEM? I’ve never heard of this thing in Lima

So there's a 1 in 5 chance of having problems as a tourist? This country really isn't safe....🙁

We did say you shouldn’t fall into paranoia and just avoid certain areas at night—it’s like any big city. But Lima isn’t Rio, for example, where I had safety issues.

At night, just carry the essentials, no flashy watch on your wrist, no jewelry, and Lima locals are usually pretty welcoming.

The VRAEM, the acronym for the "Valley of the Apurímac, Ene, and Mantaro Rivers." This area is the heart of terrorist activity and drug trafficking in Peru, linked to what remains of the Shining Path.

ah thanks Dominic and there’s also a Wikipedia page https://es.wikipedia.org/wiki/Valle_de_los_r%C3%ADos_Apur%C3%ADmac,_Ene_y_Mantaro