Because of our links to and love for the country, this is not an easy post for us to write. International media has correctly described the situation in Peru as chaotic, with massive demonstrations shutting down huge parts of the country.
First, our minds and hearts are with those suffering, especially those who have been affected by the well-documented, violent government response. This is not a sustainable situation and we worry about the future of the country.
But we also know many travelers are asking, is it safe to travel to Peru right now? To help you make the most informed decision, here are the best summary and recommendations we can provide at the moment.
What is Happening in Peru?
Here’s what’s gotten Peru to where it is today:
On December 7, 2022, President Pedro Castillo attempted to dissolve Congress. Instead, on that same day he was removed by that very same Congress. Castillo’s removal resulted in protests, mostly in the Peruvian south where he is popular. The national police responded to the protests with violence, and then the protests swelled in numbers.
The protestors are calling for the current president, Dina Boluarte, to step down and for snap federal elections. Boluarte and the Congress have not addressed the protestors’ demands enough to lower the tension.
As of February 26, over 60 people have been killed by the national police. None of the victims held a firearm. This is well documented by multiple human rights organizations and not an opinion.
This article on Wikipedia correctly cites multiple organizations (such as Human Rights Watch) who have condemned the government’s reaction to the situation.
How Has this Affected Tourists?
The Peruvian South, where protests have been largest, is also the most popular part of the country for tourists. Travelers have been directly affected by the situation.
Initially, 418 people were stranded in Machu Picchu after the train tracks were sabotaged. All of those affected were eventually brought home safely.
Machu Picchu was closed until February 15th. Major airports have closed at some point, including in Cusco and Juliaca.
Juliaca (Puno/Titicaca) airport remains closed today, Tuesday February 28th.
This is a dynamic situation that can change. The Peruvian government, and Peruvian people in general, are open to tourism and generally go out of their way to make your stay as amazing as possible. But there is no guarantee that popular sites or nearby airports will stay open.
What Should You do if You Already Have Travel Plans?
Do you already have plans to visit Peru? Then confirm your reservation with any hotel, tour operator, and train service that you are going to use. Also consider delaying your trip, especially if you bought travel insurance.
What if You don’t Have Travel Plans?
First and foremost, be aware the situation can change- including road blocks, train schedule cancellations, airport closures, and police violence in areas of protest. Your safest bet is to wait 4-6 weeks to see if the areas you want to visit have calmed down.
And definitely buy travel insurance.
For All Travelers to Peru
We have general tips for staying safe when visiting Peru, which are especially relevant now:
- Buy travel insurance! Yes, this is the third time we’re mentioning it.
- Keep up to date with what is going on in the country. Solid news sources include Reuters, BBC, and the US embassy website //pe.usembassy.gov/news/. You can sign up for news feeds and embassy updates to monitor the security situation.
- Regularly check the status of airports, especially in Arequipa, Cusco, and Juliaca (Puno/Titicaca).
- Avoid at all costs any potential site of protest- these can vary so keep up to date on the protests. The situation is tense and violence has been an unfortunate, common theme.
- Get registered on iPeru. This will help tourism authorities locate you if the situation worsens while you are in country.
Conclusion
Protests in Peru usually flare up and down fairly quickly. However this looks like an exception because there are specific demands which are not being met by the government.
We sincerely hope the next post on safety in Peru is more positive.
So, is it safe to travel to Peru right now? Honestly, not as safe as it was a year ago. But you could have a safe trip if you stay up to date on the situation and are both cautious and flexible. If you are thinking of visiting and have questions, please write us at GringoInca@gmail.com.
-Brad & Janina
