Is It Safe to Travel to Peru in 2026?
Peru - Level 2: Exercise Increased Caution
Last updated: · Source: U.S. Department of State
Peru, officially the Republic of Peru, is a country in western South America. It is bordered to the north by Ecuador and Colombia, to the east by Brazil, to the southeast by Bolivia, to the south by Chile, and to the south and west by the Pacific Ocean.
Is It Safe to Travel to Peru in 2026?
Peru is currently rated Level 2 — Exercise Increased Caution by the U.S. Department of State. Exercise increased caution due to crime, civil unrest, and the risk of kidnapping. Crime is common in Peru, including petty theft, carjackings, and assaults, often occurring even in daylight hours. Demonstrations occur regularly and can disrupt travel, including local roads and major highways.
Key concerns cited in the advisory:
- crime
- civil_unrest
- kidnapping
The overall security situation has been worsening recently. Contributing factors: Crime is common in Peru, including petty theft, carjackings, and assaults, often occurring even in daylight hours., Demonstrations occur regularly and can disrupt travel, including local roads and major highways..
Active restrictions in Peru:
- Security escort may be required
Must obtain special authorization to travel within 20 kilometers of the Peru-Colombia border in the Loreto region.
Traveler Impact
Solo travelers face significant risks from petty theft and violent crime, especially in urban areas like Lima, where muggings can occur even in daylight.
Business travelers may encounter disruptions due to civil unrest and unreliable infrastructure, particularly in regions like Ayacucho and Cusco, which are popular for business but also prone to protests.
Families with children should be cautious due to limited healthcare access in rural areas and the risk of crime, particularly in urban settings where petty theft is common.
Remote workers can find reliable WiFi in major cities, but should avoid rural areas where connectivity is intermittent and health risks like malaria are prevalent.
Data on this page comes from the U.S. Department of State, the CDC, the World Bank Worldwide Governance Indicators, and Freedom House. All sources are updated regularly and cross-referenced to provide a composite safety picture for Peru.
Regional Safety Breakdown
Do Not Travel Zones
The U.S. State Department advises against all travel to the following areas due to extreme risk:
- Colombia-Peru border area in the Loreto Region
- Valley of the Apurímac, Ene, and Mantaro Rivers (VRAEM)
▶Level 4 — Do Not Travel2 regions
▶Colombia-Peru border area in the Loreto Region
Do not travel to this area due to drug trafficking and crime.
▶Valley of the Apurímac, Ene, and Mantaro Rivers (VRAEM)
Do not travel to this area due to drug trafficking, crime, and the presence of the Shining Path terrorist group.
▶Level 3 — Reconsider Travel4 regions
▶Ayacucho
▶Cusco
▶Huancavelica
▶Junín
Peru has 6 distinct regions with varying advisory levels. Risk conditions differ significantly by area.
▶Safety and Stability Ratings
Threat Severity (0-10 scale)
Peru has an overall threat severity of 4.5 out of 10. Crime risk is rated 6.0/10, terrorism risk 5.0/10, and kidnapping risk 2.0/10.
Governance Indicators (World Bank, percentile)
Political Stability▶
Measures the likelihood that the government will be destabilized or overthrown by unconstitutional or violent means, including politically-motivated violence and terrorism. Higher percentile means greater stability.
Rule of Law▶
Captures perceptions of the extent to which agents have confidence in and abide by the rules of society, including the quality of contract enforcement, property rights, the police, and the courts, as well as the likelihood of crime and violence.
Control of Corruption▶
Captures perceptions of the extent to which public power is exercised for private gain, including both petty and grand forms of corruption, as well as capture of the state by elites and private interests.
Government Effectiveness▶
Captures perceptions of the quality of public services, the quality of the civil service and the degree of its independence from political pressures, the quality of policy formulation and implementation, and the credibility of the government's commitment to such policies.
Regulatory Quality▶
Captures perceptions of the ability of the government to formulate and implement sound policies and regulations that permit and promote private sector development.
Voice & Accountability▶
Captures perceptions of the extent to which a country's citizens are able to participate in selecting their government, as well as freedom of expression, freedom of association, and a free media.
Data from World Bank Worldwide Governance Indicators (2023).
Freedom Status: Partly Free — scored 66/100 by Freedom House (2024). View full freedom profile →
▶Entry Requirements and Health
Entry Information
Visa
Check embassy for details
Currency
Sol (PEN)
Language
Spanish
Notable restrictions:
- drug possession illegal including medical marijuana
- e-cigarettes prohibited
Vaccinations
Recommended:
⚠ Malaria Risk: high
Recommended medications: Atovaquone-proguanil, doxycycline, mefloquine, tafenoquine
Active health notices:
- watchOropouche in the Americas: Areas in several countries are reporting a low number of cases of Oropouche, which is spread primarily through the bites of infected midges and mosquitoes.
- watchGlobal Measles: Measles cases are rising in many countries around the world. All international travelers should be fully vaccinated against measles with the measles-mumps-rubella (MMR) vaccine.
Vaccination data sourced from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Consult a travel health professional before your trip.
Common Questions About Traveling to Peru
▶What is the current travel advisory level for Peru?
▶Is it safe to travel to Peru right now?
▶Do I need a visa to visit Peru?
▶What vaccines do I need for Peru?
▶Is Peru safe for solo travelers?
▶How bad is crime in Peru?
More Peru Data
Partly Free — 66/100 on the Freedom House index.
Governance indicators including rule of law, corruption control, and regulatory quality.
View all 195 countries color-coded by advisory level.
Read the full advisory on travel.state.gov.
Access this data programmatically. Free tier available.
On-demand country risk PDFs from 6 government sources.