Peru is safe to visit for the vast majority of travelers, especially in the places most visitors actually go: Cusco, the Sacred Valley, the Inca Trail, and Machu Picchu. According to the U.S. State Department's official travel advisory, Peru overall sits at Level 2, "Exercise Increased Caution," the same level as popular destinations like France or the United Kingdom. The real risk most travelers face is petty theft and scams, not violent crime. A small number of specific regions carry a Level 4 "Do Not Travel" warning, and none of them include the areas covered by our tours. Here's what the advisory actually says, region by region, plus the practical precautions worth taking.
What the Official Travel Advisory Says
The U.S. State Department's Peru Travel Advisory rates the country Level 2 overall, "Exercise Increased Caution," due to crime, civil unrest, and rare kidnapping incidents. Three specific areas carry the higher Level 4, "Do Not Travel" rating: the Colombia-Peru border area in the Loreto region. The VRAEM (Valley of the Apurimac, Ene, and Mantaro Rivers, spanning parts of Ayacucho, Cusco, Huancavelica, and Junin), and select other areas within those same four regions, all due to drug trafficking, crime, and remnants of the Shining Path terrorist group.
The advisory explicitly excludes Cusco city, the Sacred Valley, the Inca Trail, and Machu Picchu from these high-risk zones. In other words, the areas covered by almost every standard Peru itinerary. Including every tour we run, sit outside the country's highest-risk designations. Advisories are updated periodically, so it's worth checking the live page before you travel rather than relying on any single snapshot, including this one.
Is Cusco Safe?
Yes. Cusco is one of Peru's most-visited cities and is not among the areas flagged by the State Department's Level 4 warnings. The historic center and main tourist areas are well-patrolled and heavily used to visitors. The same common-sense precautions that apply in any tourist city apply here. Keep valuables secured, use registered taxis or arranged transport at night, and stay aware in crowded markets where pickpocketing is the most common issue.
Is Machu Picchu and the Inca Trail Safe?
Yes. Machu Picchu and the Inca Trail are explicitly named as outside the country's high-risk zones. The Inca Trail is also a permitted, guide-required route with a capped number of daily visitors, which means a controlled environment with guides trained in altitude and emergency response. The main real risks here are altitude sickness and trail conditions, not crime; see the health section below for how to prepare.
Is Lima Peru Safe?
Lima is generally safe for tourists who stick to the well-established visitor districts. Miraflores and Barranco, where most hotels and restaurants for travelers are located, are considered among the safer areas of the city, with visible police presence and a strong tourism infrastructure. Some outer districts of Lima carry more risk and are not typical tourist areas to begin with. As in any large capital city. Petty theft is the main concern in Lima specifically, so the same precautions (secure bags, registered taxis, awareness in crowds) matter more here than in smaller towns like Cusco.
The Real Risk: Petty Theft and Scams
For the overwhelming majority of visitors, petty theft, not violent crime, is the actual safety concern in Peru. Common scenarios include pickpocketing in crowded markets and bus terminals, phone snatching, and overcharging scams targeting obviously new arrivals. Basic precautions cut this risk significantly: keep phones and cameras secured rather than in open pockets, use a money belt or front-worn bag for cash and documents, avoid displaying expensive jewelry or electronics, and agree on taxi fares before getting in (or better, use an app-based or hotel-arranged ride).
Transportation Safety
Use registered taxis or transport arranged through your hotel or tour operator rather than hailing a random cab off the street, especially at night or from airports. For longer distances between cities, reputable bus companies with assigned seating are a safer choice than unmarked shared vans. If you're joining a guided tour, transportation is arranged and vetted as part of the package, which removes most of this risk entirely.
Health and Altitude Safety
Altitude, not crime, is the safety issue most travelers actually encounter in the Cusco region, since the city itself sits at roughly 3,400 meters (11,150 feet) and popular hikes go higher still. Spend at least a day or two acclimatizing in Cusco before any strenuous activity, stay hydrated, and know the symptoms of altitude sickness before you go. For a full breakdown of prevention and what to do if symptoms appear, see our Cusco altitude sickness guide. Standard travel health precautions also apply: check that routine vaccinations are current before departure, and consider a consultation with a travel clinic 4 to 6 weeks ahead if you plan to visit the Amazon region, where additional precautions like yellow fever vaccination are often recommended.
Food and Water Safety
Stick to bottled or filtered water rather than tap water throughout Peru. Including for brushing your teeth if you want to be cautious, since traveler's diarrhea from unfamiliar water and food handling is a far more common trip disruption than any crime concern. Peruvian cuisine is a genuine highlight of the trip, and most restaurants that cater to tourists, along with reputable local spots, handle food safely. A few simple habits reduce risk: choose busy restaurants with high turnover. Be selective with street food from stalls you can't see prepared fresh, and peel fruit yourself rather than eating pre-cut pieces from uncertain sources. Ceviche and other raw-fish dishes are a Peruvian specialty and generally safe from long-established, reputable restaurants.
Political Unrest and Protests
Peru has periodically experienced political demonstrations and civil unrest, which is one of the reasons behind the Level 2 advisory rating. Protests can occasionally disrupt roads or transportation schedules, including in and around Cusco. This is worth being aware of, not worth avoiding Peru over: demonstrations are typically announced or building visibly beforehand, and a reputable tour operator monitors local conditions and adjusts logistics if needed. Before you travel, check the current State Department advisory and, if you're a U.S. citizen, consider enrolling in the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP) for real-time alerts specific to your travel dates.
Solo and Female Traveler Safety
Peru is a well-established destination for solo and female travelers, with a mature tourism infrastructure in the main visitor areas. The precautions are the standard ones for solo travel anywhere: share your itinerary with someone at home. Avoid walking alone late at night in unfamiliar areas, choose accommodations with good reviews specifically from solo or female travelers, and trust your instincts if a situation feels off. Joining a group or guided tour, rather than navigating logistics independently, removes a meaningful share of the risk that comes from unfamiliarity rather than the destination itself.
How to Book a Safe Trip
The single biggest safety decision most travelers make is which tour operator they book with. A reputable operator handles vetted transportation, trained guides, permits, and emergency protocols as standard practice, which covers most of the risk categories above before your trip even starts. Look for an operator with verifiable reviews, clear licensing, and guides certified in wilderness first aid, especially for high-altitude treks.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Peru safe to travel to right now?
Yes, for the areas most visitors go. The U.S. State Department rates Peru Level 2, "Exercise Increased Caution," the same level as many popular European destinations, with only specific limited regions carrying a higher warning. Always check the current advisory before your trip, since ratings are periodically updated.
Is Machu Picchu safe for tourists?
Yes. Machu Picchu and the Inca Trail are specifically named as outside Peru's higher-risk zones. The main practical concerns there are altitude and trail conditions, not crime.
Is it safe to walk around Cusco at night?
The main tourist center is generally fine with normal precautions, but as in any city, arranged or registered transport is the safer choice late at night, particularly outside the central historic area.
What is the most common safety issue travelers face in Peru?
Petty theft, not violent crime: pickpocketing, phone snatching, and overcharging scams. Basic precautions (secured bags, agreed taxi fares, awareness in crowds) address most of it.
Is Peru safe for solo female travelers?
Peru is a well-established solo and female travel destination, and standard solo-travel precautions apply. Joining a guided group tour removes much of the uncertainty that comes with navigating an unfamiliar place alone.
Do I need travel insurance for Peru?
Yes, it's strongly recommended, particularly for high-altitude treks where evacuation costs can be significant if needed. Confirm your policy covers your specific planned activities before you travel.
Is it safe to drink tap water in Peru?
No, stick to bottled or filtered water throughout the trip. This applies in hotels and restaurants too, not just on the trail; most reputable tourist-facing establishments serve bottled or filtered water by default, but it's worth confirming if unsure.
What areas of Peru should tourists avoid?
The State Department's Level 4 "Do Not Travel" zones are specific: the Colombia-Peru border area in Loreto, and the VRAEM region spanning parts of Ayacucho, Cusco, Huancavelica, and Junin. None of these overlap with Cusco city, the Sacred Valley, the Inca Trail, or Machu Picchu, which is where the overwhelming majority of tourism happens.
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Safety information referenced from the U.S. State Department Peru Travel Advisory. Advisories are updated periodically; always check the live page for the current rating before you travel.
Related Guides: Cusco Altitude Sickness Guide · Best Time to Visit Machu Picchu · Machu Picchu Rules & Regulations
