Peru Travel Risk

Exercise increased caution in Peru due to risk of crime, unrest, kidnapping, and terrorism. Some areas have increased risk. Read the entire Travel Advisory.

• U.S. government employees working in Peru need special authorization to travel to the Colombia-Peru border area in the Loreto Region due to safety risks.
• U.S. government employees working in Peru need special authorization to travel to the Valley of the Apurímac, Ene, and Mantaro Rivers (VRAEM), due to safety risks.
• U.S. government employees working in Peru need special authorization to travel to the VRAEM’s boundary cities of Abancay, Ayacucho, Huancavelica, and Huancayo due to safety risks.
• Review our information on Travel to High-Risk Areas.

Crime

Crime is common in Peru.

• Petty theft, carjackings, muggings, assaults, and other violent crime often happen even in daylight hours and with many witnesses around.
• Although rare, “express kidnappings,” where the victim is taken to a banking institution and forced to remove funds from their own accounts, may occur.
• The risk of crime increases at night.
• Criminal groups sometimes set up roadblocks to rob people in areas outside of Lima.

Do Not Travel to the Colombia-Peru border area in the Loreto Region due to crime.

Do Not Travel to the Valley of the Apurímac, Ene, and Mantaro Rivers (VRAEM), which includes Vilcabamba, due to crime and threats of terrorism.

Do Not Travel to Abancay, Ayacucho, Huancavelica, and Huancayo within the regions of Ayacucho, Cusco, Huancavelica, and Junín, due to crime and threats of terrorism.

Your travel insurance could be invalidated if you travel against advice from the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO).

Areas where FCDO advises against all but essential travel

Within 20km south of the Peru-Colombia border

FCDO advises against all but essential travel to areas within 20km south of the Putumayo River and the border between Peru and Colombia (Loreto region) except for:

• the Amazon River
• the area of the triple border with Brazil and Colombia from and including the towns of Caballococha in Peru up to the actual triple border at Santa Rosa de Yavari town

Valley of the Apurímac, Ene, and Mantaro Rivers (VRAEM)

FCDO advises against all but essential travel to the Valley of the Apurímac, Ene, and Mantaro Rivers, also known as the VRAEM region.

We advise against all but essential travel to these two areas for safety and security reasons.

Find out more about why FCDO advises against travel.

Before you travel

No travel can be guaranteed safe. Read all the advice in this guide. If you have onward travel plans within the region, check travel advice for all destinations you plan to travel through. You may also find it helpful to:

• see general advice for women travellers
• read our guide on disability and travel abroad
• see general advice for LGBT+ travellers
• read about safety for solo and independent travel
• see advice on volunteering and adventure travel abroad

Travel insurance

If you choose to travel, research your destinations and get appropriate travel insurance. Insurance should cover your itinerary, planned activities and expenses in an emergency.

This guide also has safety advice for regions of Peru.

Terrorism

There is a high threat of terrorist attack globally affecting UK interests and British nationals, including from groups and individuals who view the UK and British nationals as targets. Stay aware of your surroundings at all times.

UK Counter Terrorism Policing has information and advice on staying safe and what to do in the event of a terrorist attack. Find out how to reduce your risk from terrorism while abroad.

Terrorism in Peru

Terrorist attacks in Peru cannot be ruled out.

Attacks could be indiscriminate, including in places visited by foreign nationals. Stay aware of your surroundings, keep up to date with local media reports and follow the advice of local authorities.

Political situation

Political protests in Peru are unpredictable and can escalate quickly. Demonstrations can become violent and lead to roadblocks, travel disruption, including trains, and suspension of immigration services at land borders. This is often without notice or notification of estimated re-opening timelines.

Local groups can announce strike action, with little or no notice, particularly in areas connected to mining. These may quickly spill over from one region to another.

It’s illegal for foreigners in Peru to participate in political activities, including demonstrations against the government. You may face detention or deportation if you take part in a demonstration. To reduce any risk:

• avoid large gatherings and protests
• stay in a safe place
• follow the instructions of army or police officers
• take the advice of local authorities or tour operators
• monitor local media, including social media channels
• be wary of unverified, unofficial information
• make sure you travel with enough food, water, local currency and personal medication
• allow extra time to reach your destination

Protests in Lima often happen in the historic centre, where access can be restricted, but they can also spread to other areas. Other regions that have seen recent protests include Arequipa, Ayacucho, Cusco, La Libertad, Madre de Dios and Puno.

Some train services in the south, including those to and from Machu Picchu, are occasionally suspended or disrupted because of protests. Contact your travel provider for further advice on disruptions, and check if changes need to be made to your journey.

Contact the iPeru information service for help with issues travelling to different regions of Peru.

The British Embassy’s ability to provide help will be very limited where protests or criminal activity disrupt travel or damage infrastructure.

Help from local authorities, including police and emergency services, will also be very limited, especially if airports, roads and railroads are affected.

This section has safety advice for regions of Peru. It only covers regions where the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) has specific advice.

You should also read FCDO’s overall travel advice and safety and security advice.

Peru-Colombia border

FCDO advises against all but essential travel to areas within 20km south of the Putumayo River and the border between Peru and Colombia (Loreto region) except for:

• the Amazon River
• the area of the triple border with Brazil and Colombia from and including the towns of Caballococha in Peru up to the actual triple border at Santa Rosa de Yavari town

This is due to a high level of violence from organised criminal gangs who produce and traffic illegal drugs.

Putumayo River

The advice against all but essential travel applies to the Peruvian side of the Putumayo riverbank, though not on the river itself. If you are planning to leave a boat on the Colombian side of the river, check Colombia travel advice.

The Putumayo River forms most of Peru’s border with Colombia. The area is known for intensive cocaine and marijuana production. Drug trafficking and other violent organised crime takes place on and around the river.

Valley of the Apurímac, Ene and Mantaro rivers (VRAEM)

FCDO advises against all but essential travel to the Valley of the Apurímac, Ene and Mantaro Rivers, also known as the VRAEM region.

Remnants of the Shining Path guerrilla group occasionally attack the police, military forces and local authorities in this area. They do not usually target tourists. However, you could be a victim of violence due to mistaken identity or by getting caught up in a security incident involving others.

There is little assistance available in this area from the Peruvian authorities, and any British Embassy assistance is severely limited.

Note that some parts of the Apurimac River in the Departments of Cusco and Arequipa are not within the VRAEM.

Amazon River

Armed criminals operate along the Amazon River and have targeted solo travellers and foreign nationals. These include:

• thieves, known locally as ‘river pirates’
• organised criminal gangs, who transport and smuggle illegal drugs

Travel with a reputable commercial or travel company if you are visiting the Amazon River. Stay on your boat where it passes through areas where FCDO advises against all but essential travel.

There is little assistance available in this area from the Peruvian authorities, and any British Embassy assistance is severely limited.

Partial regional extract; read the full official section.

Risk level

Peru - Exercise a high degree of caution

Exercise a high degree of caution in Peru due to high levels of crime, as well as social conflicts and strikes that may occur across the country.

Regional risks

Valley of the Apurímac, Ene and Mantaro Rivers (VRAEM) - Avoid all travel

Avoid all travel to the Valley of the Apurímac, Ene and Mantaro Rivers (VRAEM) and surroundings due to the risk of terrorism, drug trafficking and associated crime, and limited law enforcement presence.

This area consists of:

• in the Department of Apurímac: Province of Abancay Province of Andahuaylas Province of Chincheros
• in the Department of Ayacucho: Province of Huanta Province of La Mar
• in the Province of Convención in the Department of Cusco: District of Pichari District of Quimbiri District of Vilcabamba
• in the Department of Huancavelica: Province of Churcampa Province of Tayacaja
• in the Department of Junin: Province of Conceptión Province of Satipo

Upper Huallaga River Valley - Avoid non-essential travel

Avoid non-essential travel to the Upper Huallaga River Valley and surroundings due to instances of domestic terrorism and criminal activity such as drug trafficking, robberies, kidnappings, extortion and raids.

This area consists of:

• in the department of Huánuco: District of Marias in the Province of Dos de Mayo Province of Huacaybamba Province of Humalíes District of Chinchao and District of Churubamba in the Province of Huánuco Province of Leoncio Prado Province of Marañón
• in the department of San Martín: Province of Huallaga District of Campanilla in the Province of Mariscal Caceres Province of Tocache
• in the department of Ucayali: Province of Padre Abad

Border area with Colombia - Avoid non-essential travel

Avoid non-essential travel to areas within 20 km of the border with Colombia due to gang-related violence and organized crime linked to drug trafficking and illegal mining.

Border area with Ecuador - Avoid non-essential travel

Avoid non-essential travel to areas within 20 km of the border with Ecuador, except for Tumbes border crossing and the Panamerican Highway, due to the presence of landmines and unmarked minefields.

State of emergency

States of emergency are in effect in Lima, Callao and several other provinces to curb a rise in violent crime.

The Peruvian government frequently declares regional states of emergency and publishes the information in El Peruano. A state of emergency allows the military to assist police forces to respond to security incidents and natural disasters. When a state of emergency is in effect, security forces have increased rights to:

• restrict freedom of movement
• monitor correspondence
• conduct search and seizures
• detain persons of interest

If you are in Peru during a state of emergency:

• monitor local media for the latest information
• follow the instructions of local authorities
• avoid crowds

Useful links

• El Peruano – Official newspaper (Spanish only)
• Official tourist information – Tourist Information and Assistance‎

Valley of the Apurímac, Ene and Mantaro rivers (VRAEM)

Drug trafficking

Cocaine production and trafficking occurs in VRAEM. Travel is particularly dangerous in areas where there is coca cultivation and processing.

Domestic terrorism

Incidents of domestic terrorism have occurred in VRAEM, particularly the region where the Apurímac, Ayacucho, Cuzco and Junín departments meet. Although tourists are rarely involved, you could be in the wrong place at the wrong time.

秘鲁现有橙色（高风险）地区1个，其他地区均为黄色（中风险）（2023年11月更新）。具体如下： 橙色地区：阿普里马克河、埃尼河和曼塔罗河流域。中国外交部提醒中国公民近期谨慎前往秘鲁上述地区，已在当地的人员和机构密切关注局势发展，保持高度警惕，加强安全防范和应急准备，确保人身和财产安全。如遇紧急情况，请及时报警并与中国驻秘鲁使馆取得联系。在其他地区人员也要密切关注当地安全形势，提高警惕，加强防范，注意安全。

秘鲁安全风险评估将在中国领事服务网等平台及时更新，请持续关注相应安全提醒。