last edited Mar 8, 2026
Health and Safety in Peru
Official Recommendations
In France, both for individuals and professionals, the "travel advice" from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs regarding precautions for each country has legal value. A similar online travel advice system exists in several countries:
Health
Diseases
While not enormous, there are some disease risks in Peru, primarily on the coast and in the Amazonian part of the country. Unlike the Andean highlands, these two regions pose the most health problems, although a minimum of precautions and common sense is usually enough to avoid any issues.
In practice, as in many countries, mosquitoes are the main concern, so bring repellents and appropriate clothing, especially in the evening. Below 1,500 meters in altitude, malaria may be present. Additionally, dengue, chikungunya, leishmaniasis, and Zika are also present in certain areas or at certain times. All these diseases are transmitted by mosquito bites.
Beyond that, there are also very occasional cases of yellow fever. While various sources recommend vaccination against it for the Amazon, officially no vaccine is mandatory for the country, except if arriving directly from a region where the disease is endemic for yellow fever. That said, it’s always best to be up to date with your "basic travel vaccines."
In a slightly different area, there is a hallucinogenic plant in the Amazon called ayahuasca that sometimes tempts travelers. Used by shamans, its effects can be deadly if misused.
Hygiene
As often, good personal and especially food hygiene is necessary if you’re not used to "eating local." So, avoid tap water, which isn’t potable, and dishes or foods that don’t seem fresh—if only to avoid *turista*, the well-known traveler’s diarrhea that occasionally strikes.
Healthcare Facilities on Site
The best medical facilities are primarily found in the capital Lima or in Arequipa, while elsewhere they are much more limited. Additionally, if treated in the private sector, some care can be expensive. This makes good travel insurance highly recommended.
Safety
Crime and Delinquency
Safety for visitors has greatly improved in the country in recent years, not least because tourism is a significant sector of the Peruvian economy. Police are well-presented in tourist areas, and harsher penalties for those targeting visitors act as a deterrent.
That said, crime and delinquency still exist, particularly in cities like Lima or Arequipa, as well as in bus terminals, certain urban markets, or deserted coastal beaches. However, by taking basic travel precautions—such as not flaunting wealth, avoiding walking alone at night in isolated areas or certain neighborhoods, opting for official taxis, and being cautious in transport—the risks are minimal. In case of aggression, it’s best not to resist and to always have "something" to give to attackers. Finally, if you have a vehicle, it’s strongly recommended to use guarded parking and not leave anything inside.
In another area, while drugs circulate widely in the country and its neighbors, possession and even more so trafficking are severely punished by law, with penalties of several years in prison. Also, exporting archaeological heritage and antiques is strictly prohibited and punished by law.
Sociopolitical Risks and Terrorism
For a long time, Peru’s image in terms of sociopolitical unrest was associated with the Maoist movement Shining Path. However, things have changed since then. Today, it has almost disappeared from the landscape, replaced by gangs and drug traffickers. In short, some central regions of the country (though not including tourist sites) should be avoided, as well as the border with Colombia in the Amazon.
Otherwise, like other countries in the region, Peru experiences social movements more or less regularly, which can sometimes escalate. Even if visitors are not directly affected, this can lead to strikes with roadblocks or transport disruptions. As always, it’s best to stay away from demonstrations and stay informed.
Climate and Nature
Altitude Sickness
In a way, far more than health risks or insecurity, *"soroche"* remains the main discomfort travelers will encounter during a trip to Peru.
As in the rest of the Andean massif, altitude sickness is a problem affecting most visitors, if only for some at Lake Titicaca and its 3,812 meters in altitude.
Headaches, insomnia, nausea, loss of appetite, and breathing difficulties are symptoms that, for most people in good health, will disappear or lessen with acclimatization, by not ascending too quickly or beyond a certain altitude (4,000 meters and above). In short, it’s always essential to adapt your pace and moderate your efforts when in the Andean part of Peru.
Other Issues
Peru is in a seismic zone, and in coastal regions, tsunamis caused by earthquakes can sometimes occur. During the rainy season (November to May), it’s not uncommon for roads in the Andes or elsewhere to be cut off due to flooding or landslides. And of course, when hiking in nature, in the mountains, or in the Amazon, avoid going alone to prevent getting lost or, incidentally, being attacked.
Animals
The country has exceptional biodiversity with varied wildlife, not always friendly, as in the Amazon. That said, risks are low and always result from accidental encounters, whether with snakes, caimans, spiders, scorpions, or disease-carrying creatures like mosquitoes. In fact, stray dogs, which can sometimes be aggressive, are more of a concern.
Foreign Consulates in Peru
If you encounter problems while traveling abroad, your country’s consular services can assist you. Also, if you’re a citizen of the European Union and your country isn’t represented, you can contact any other EU member state’s representation.
France
Consulate General: Avenida Arequipa 3415, San Isidro, Lima. Tel.: (511) 215 8400. There are also four French honorary consulates in Arequipa, Cusco, Iquitos, and Piura.
Other Countries
- Belgium:
- Canada: Consulate General, Calle Bolognesi 228, Miraflores, Lima 18. Tel.: (511) 319 3200.
- Switzerland: