Most travelers’ health problems in Peru are related to drinking contaminated water or issues with altitude. If you will be visiting Cusco or any other high altitude area, read the information about altitude. Always check with your doctor or a travel clinic before traveling to Peru.

Violence & pickpocketing

Peru is a safe country to travel in for foreigners, especially in areas with well known tourist attractions. Violent crime usually targets Peruvians though foreigners are also targets for pickpocketing. Most crime information that you will see on the news and on embassy websites is about Lima. Smaller cities like Cusco, Arequipa and Huaraz are significantly safer.

Protests

That said, political protests happen from time to time, which often impact travel throughout the country. Road blocks are common and airports occasionally close during protests, even in Cusco. The road most often affected is the Pan-American highway south of Lima. Always check for information about protests and road blocks on embassy websites such as the US Embassy in Peru and the UK Embassy in Peru.

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