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Is Peru safe for tourists in 2026? Yes—Peru is a friendly country, and most travelers have a smooth trip. The key is planning like you would in any popular destination: protect your phone in busy areas, be selective with taxis, use indoor ATMs, and don’t accept random “help” when you’re tired or distracted.

That’s the whole vibe. Peru isn’t a place where you need to feel paranoid. It’s a place where you’ll have your best days wandering Barranco murals, eating ceviche by the coast, and waking up early for Machu Picchu… as long as you avoid a few common tourist pitfalls.

Quick summary

  • Peru feels friendly and welcoming in the main tourist areas—especially when you base yourself in the right neighborhoods and move smart.
  • Like in most tourist hotspots, the biggest risk is small stuff—especially phones—so staying alert in busy areas and transit moments goes a long way.
  • The most avoidable hassle is transport: unlicensed taxis, unclear prices, and getting flustered at airports or terminals.
  • Money rule: use indoor bank ATMs, don’t exchange money informally on the street, and keep backup cards separate.

How we made this guide

This guide is based on what consistently causes problems for visitors in Peru (petty theft patterns, taxi/terminal friction, money habits), plus practical city-by-city tips for the route most travelers take. We also include official support resources you can use if plans change or you need help on the ground.

Is Peru safe for tourists? The honest vibe

Most travelers experience Peru as safe, social, and easy to enjoy—especially in the classic route cities where tourism is a daily part of life.

What “safe” looks like day to day

  • You’ll see lots of travelers walking around Miraflores and Barranco, families in Cusco’s plazas, and packed tours in the Sacred Valley.
  • The things you’re “protecting yourself from” are usually opportunistic, low-effort crimes—someone grabbing an unattended phone, a taxi quoting a silly price, a distraction near an ATM.
  • When you plan for those moments, Peru tends to feel straightforward and fun.

The safety issues tourists actually run into

Phone snatching and pickpocketing

Phone snatching is the classic one—sometimes by someone on foot, sometimes by someone moving fast past the curb. This can happen even in tourist districts, which is why the best habit is simple: don’t use your phone right at the roadside. Step inside a shop, pause in a doorway, or stand away from the curb first.

What works:

  • Use a crossbody bag with zippers and wear it in front in crowds.
  • Don’t leave your phone on café tables (especially outside seating).

Taxi traps and “helpful” strangers

The sketchiest tourist moments tend to be when you’ve just arrived (airport/terminal), you’re tired, and you’re clearly not local.

What works:

  • Use official taxi desks/transport counters when available, or have your hotel arrange a pickup.
  • If you take a street taxi, agree the price before you get in.
  • Be cautious of overly pushy “helpers” who approach you with luggage, directions, or “better” ticket options. A calm “No, gracias” and continuing to walk is usually enough.

ATMs, money exchange, and card issues

This is where tourists lose money without realizing it—bad rates, skimming risk, or “distraction” situations.

What works:

  • Use ATMs inside banks or malls (daytime is best).
  • Avoid changing money on the street; use banks or reputable exchange houses.
  • Split your cash/cards: keep one card accessible, keep backups in a separate spot.

Tour and ticket scams

Peru has incredible tours—also a few operators who cut corners.

What works:

  • Book through reputable companies with clear meeting points and written confirmations.
  • Be suspicious of “too-good-to-be-true” deals offered on the street right outside major attractions.
  • For big-ticket items (like Machu Picchu logistics), book early and keep digital + offline copies of confirmations.

Safety by destination

Lima

Lima is a big city, so it’s where tourists are most likely to encounter petty theft or taxi price games.

  • Miraflores: easiest base for first-timers—walkable, good lighting, lots of hotels and restaurants. The malecón at sunset is a must.
  • Barranco: artsy and fun (Puente de los Suspiros, street art). At night, it’s smarter to taxi between nightlife spots than to do long walks on quiet streets.
  • Historic center: beautiful in daylight. For first-time visitors, going with a guide is an easy way to avoid wrong turns and make the area feel smoother.

Lima-specific habit that helps: don’t plan transfers like you’re in a small city. Traffic can turn “20 minutes away” into “an hour away,” which is when people rush, panic, and get sloppy with valuables.

Cusco, Sacred Valley, and Machu Picchu

Cusco is one of the easiest places in Peru for tourists—just remember:

  • Crowds around markets and plazas = prime pickpocket conditions.
  • Altitude can make you tired and scattered (which is when people forget bags on chairs or flash phones).

Slow down, keep your daypack zipped, and don’t leave your phone on restaurant tables.

Arequipa

Arequipa generally feels calm and walkable around the historic center. Treat it like any tourist city:

  • Stick to well-lit areas at night.
  • Taxi back to your hotel if you’re far or it’s late.

Paracas and Huacachina (Ica)

These are tourism-driven stops and usually feel relaxed.

  • In Huacachina, keep valuables secured during buggy/sandboarding stops.
  • Choose an operator that drops you in Huacachina, not Ica—so you can skip the Ica–Huacachina taxi ride
  • Choose licensed operators for adventure activities.

Puno and Lake Titicaca

Puno is more “local city” than Cusco. Most issues are still petty theft and nighttime navigation.

  • Arrange tours with reputable operators.
  • Avoid isolated streets late at night.

Amazon trips

Amazon safety is more about planning and operators than street crime:

  • Choose reputable lodges and follow guide instructions.
  • Take insects, water, and weather seriously (especially on multi-day trips).

Transport moments where people get careless

Airport arrivals

Arrivals are when you’re carrying everything and your attention is split.

  • Have a plan before you land (pickup, official taxi, or the official bus airport).
  • Ignore aggressive solicitations outside.

Bus terminals and long-distance buses

Long-distance buses are common in Peru, but terminals can be chaotic.

  • Keep valuables on your body, not in exterior pockets.
  • Don’t put your passport/wallet/phone in an overhead rack bag.
  • If you arrive late at night, pre-plan the next leg (taxi/hotel) so you’re not negotiating while tired.
  • If you’re traveling between cities, choose an option that picks you up at your accommodation.

Health and nature basics

Altitude, sun, and food

Some of the worst “safety stories” in Peru aren’t crime—they’re travelers who underestimate altitude in Cusco or the sun on the coast.

  • Take altitude days seriously, hydrate, and sleep early on arrival in Cusco.
  • Use sunscreen (the sun can feel intense even when it’s cool).
  • Eat where it’s busy and freshly prepared; wash hands often.

Earthquakes and rainy-season disruptions

Peru is seismically active, and rainy season can affect roads in some regions. This usually means delays, not danger—just build a buffer day before big flights or fixed commitments.

If something goes wrong

Save these emergency numbers:

  • Police: 105
  • Ambulance (SAMU): 106
  • Fire: 116

Practical tip: if you’re dealing with theft, your hotel/host can often help you file a police report (“denuncia”) and explain what you need for insurance.

Final verdict

Peru is a friendly, visitor-ready country—and for most tourists it feels as safe as other major travel destinations when you do the basics well. Plan your airport/terminal moments, treat your phone like it’s valuable (because it is), use indoor ATMs, and choose reputable transport and tours. Do that, and your trip will be about the views, the food, and the people—not about headaches.

FAQs

Is Peru safe for tourists in 2026?
Yes. Peru is friendly and heavily visited, and most tourists have a smooth trip. The main issues are petty theft (especially phones) and transport-related scams like overpriced taxis. If you plan your airport/terminal transfers, use indoor ATMs, and keep valuables secured in crowds, Peru typically feels as safe as other popular travel destinations.

Is Lima safe for tourists?
Lima is usually fine for tourists, especially in Miraflores, Barranco, and San Isidro. The most common issue is phone snatching or opportunistic theft in busy areas. Avoid using your phone right at the roadside, be cautious with street taxis at night, and keep your bag zipped and close to your body in crowds.

Is Cusco safe at night?
Cusco is one of the easiest destinations for tourists. Stick to well-lit streets near the center, keep valuables zipped, and take a taxi if you’re going far at night. Altitude fatigue can also make travelers less alert, so slow down and stay organized.

What emergency numbers should I save in Peru?
Save Police (105), Ambulance/SAMU (106), and Fire (116). If something happens, your hotel can often help with translation and logistics, including filing a police report.