Peru Travel Safety

Road safety

Poor road conditions, aggressive driving practices, a lack of respect for driving laws and a lack of traffic signs are common road hazards in Peru. Mountainous roads can be particularly dangerous, especially at night. Accidents are frequent and result in many deaths every year. Regular police spot checks can cause traffic delays. When renting a vehicle, always purchase insurance. Most drivers in Peru have only the minimum required car insurance, which may not adequately cover accidents.

Identification

Foreigners are required to carry photo identification at all times. A photocopy of your passport specifically of the information, visa and entry-stamp pages is generally acceptable. However, police may require that you produce the original. Failure to show identification could result in detention.

Adventure tourism

If you plan to partake in adventure travel in Peru, review the security arrangements with your travel agent, tour operator or tour guide prior to travelling. The Ministry of Tourism of Peru recommends using the services of tour companies and agencies associated with one of the following associations for your travels in Peru (websites in Spanish only): APOTUR (Asociación Peruana de Operadores de Turismo Receptivo e Interno),APAVIT (Asociación Peruana de Agencias de Viaje y Turismo) or APTAE (Asociación Peruana de Turismo de Aventura, Ecoturismo y Turismo Espacializado). Remote areas of Peru, where popular jungle excursions operate, may not have cell phone coverage or internet access. Always leave the contact information of tour operator with your family and friends. Each year, several hikers and climbers are victims of serious, sometimes fatal, accidents in the Andes, including at the Huayna Picchu peak near Machu Picchu. Trails, such as those found in Ollantaytambo, may be poorly marked. Hikers have become lost. Before visiting mountainous areas in Ancash, contact the Peruvian national police's High Mountain Rescue Unit (USAM) by telephone: +51 1 575 1555 or fax: +51 1 575 3036 or email: ceopol_diravpol@hotmail. com.

Public transportation

Public transportation in Lima consists of a chaotic system of privately owned and operated buses, microbuses (micros), small vans (combis) and moto-taxis. Many of the buses and combis in Lima are old, poorly maintained and overcrowded. Drivers of these vehicles tend to dominate the roads and disregard other drivers or pedestrians. Intercity bus travel can be dangerous due to the risk of bus accidents, which are usually caused by excessive speed, poor vehicle maintenance and driver fatigue. Only use reputable transportation companies. Contact your travel agency for a list of recommended intercity bus companies. The Peruvian Ministry of Transportation publishes a list of those bus companies with the highest rates of involvement in fatal or serious injury traffic accidents, in Spanish only.

Taxis

Do not hail taxis on the street. Reserve a taxi by calling a reputable taxi company or use taxi services associated with major hotels. Licensed taxis are not metered, so agree to a fare prior to departure and do not pay until you have reached your destination.

Women's safety

Based on the crime situation of the Peru, women should be vigilant all the time and aware of the surroundings. Avoid dark or non-tourist areas at night. Instead try to be around larger crowds, whether they are fellow tourists or local citizens. Females should be cautious while dealing with strangers and acquaintances. Women may be subject to unpleasant male attention, sexual harassment and verbal abuse. Avoid flash of money or valuables in public. Exercise a high degree of caution during travel.

Fraud

Avoid moneychangers on the street, as they may carry counterfeit currency or work with pickpockets. Counterfeit currency in both nuevo sol and U.S. dollars is a growing and serious problem. Counterfeit bills are widely distributed, including by banks, casinos and local stores. Credit card skimming is also a concern. You should keep your credit cards within sight while making transactions. Thieves pose as police officers to gain the confidence and cooperation of their potential victims. If you are stopped by local authorities, ask to see official identification and record the officer's name, badge number and district. For traffic violations, request that the officer issue you a fine in writing, which is payable at a later date. You should also note the location of the arrest. Legitimate police officers have also extorted money in exchange for not charging for minor offences or traffic violations, or have stolen money and valuables during searches.

Kidnapping

Express kidnappings involving tourists have occurred in Peru. Victims are usually abducted for a few hours and forced to withdraw money from ATMs for their release. Most express kidnappings take place at night, but incidents also occur during daylight hours. Incidents often involve criminals posing as taxi drivers, or taxi drivers working for organized gangs. Be suspicious of strangers approaching you on the street.

Crime

Crime is a problem throughout the country. Petty theft, assault and armed robbery occur frequently. Maintain a high level of vigilance and personal security awareness, especially at night. Avoid walking in deserted or under-populated areas. Travel in groups whenever possible. Criminals posing as taxi drivers often rob tourists along the route to and from Lima's Jorge Chávez International Airport. Use a secure taxi service when arriving at and leaving the airport. Exercise caution en route to and from your hotel. Find information on registered taxi companies from the Lima Airport Partners website. While travelling by car or by taxi, keep your doors locked and windows shut at all times. Keep your personal belongings in the trunk of the vehicle, as criminals have been known to shatter windows to "smash and grab" and to attempt entry when they see travel bags or merchandise. Criminals have thrown objects in front of oncoming traffic in the hope that cars will stop. If this occurs and you need to stop, do so only in a safe location, such as a gas station. Avoid travelling by road outside of major cities after dark, when there is a higher risk of robbery. Armed robberies are on the rise. While most victims are not physically injured, criminals will not hesitate to use force when opposed. If you are robbed, hand over your cash, electronic devices and valuables without resistance. Be particularly vigilant after visiting a bank, automated teller machine (ATM) or change bureau, as thieves may follow and rob victims. Use ATMs inside banks and during regular hours of service, when guards are on duty. Petty crime is prevalent in Lima, other cities and even in crowded, public areas, and occurs at any time of day. Theft occurs frequently in hotels, restaurants, bus stations and airports, on intercity buses and microbuses and while hailing taxis. Avoid wearing expensive watches and jewelry, or showing signs of affluence. Ensure that your personal belongings, passports and other travel documents are secure at all times. Never leave bags unattended. Pickpockets and bag snatchers may work in pairs or groups and employ a variety of ruses to divert their victim's attention. A common scam involves spraying a substance on victims and then robbing them while pretending to help clean the stain, or distracting the victim by asking questions while another person perpetrates the theft. In some cases, thieves on motorcycles will snatch purses, backpacks or cellular phones. Thefts on boats by river pirates occur along rivers in the Amazon jungle. Armed gangs have been known to stop buses to rob travellers, especially at night. Incidents of assaults on buses have also been reported. Assaults have occurred along the Inca Trail and in the Huaraz region of the Cordillera Blanca mountains. Hiking in these regions should be done in groups.

Spiked food and drinks

Never leave food or drinks unattended or in the care of strangers. Be wary of accepting snacks, beverages, gum or cigarettes from new acquaintances, as the items may contain drugs that could put you at risk of sexual assault and robbery.

Terrorism

Domestic terrorism is largely restricted to the remote jungle areas of Peru where the Shining Path guerrilla group is present. This includes the region where the Apurímac, Ayacucho, Cusco and Junín departments meet, parts of Huancavelica and Ucayali departments, and the Upper Huallaga river valley in the Huánuco and San Martín departments. Overland travel in these regions is unsafe.

LGBT

Although the laws of Peru do not prohibit sexual acts between individuals of the same sex, same-sex partnerships are not formally recognized. Homosexuality is increasingly socially accepted, but much of Peruvian society remains conservative. Crimes against the LGBT community are not included in recently adopted hate crime legislation and same-sex partnerships are not formally recognised. Public displays of affection between same-sex couples are likely to be frowned upon.

Illegal drugs

Penalties for possession, use or trafficking of illegal drugs are strict. Convicted offenders can expect lengthy jail sentences, regardless of the amount of narcotics seized at arrest. Pack your luggage yourself and keep it with you at all times, as there have been cases of airport smuggling. Do not carry anything through customs for anybody else.

Driving

A foreign driver's licence can be used only in Lima and only for 30 days after arrival. To drive outside of Lima or for an extended period, an International Driving Permit is mandatory. Carry identification and vehicle registration at all times.