Is it Safe to Travel to Peru Right Now?

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

Transportation in Peru: How to Get Around

red and white bus- transportation in peru

“Transportation in Peru” is one of the most-Googled phrases by visitors to the country, and this is for a good reason. Traffic in the city is INSANE, and roads in the interior are generally not safe for foreign drivers.

Fortunately there are safe, sometimes even comfortable, public transportation options. These depend on your specific location in Peru, so I broke this down into two categories: transportation between cities, and transportation within cities.

How to Get Around in Peru

City-to-City Transportation

Bus

Buses are by far the most popular way to travel in Peru. The great thing is, most companies offer a 180-degree reclining option, or “buscama“. And the food and drink options (included) tend to be decent.

The obvious downside is trip length. For example, if you only have 2 weeks you probably won’t want to spend a full day to get to Cusco. And those long trips can cost almost as much as a plane ticket.

Safety is another issue. Narrow roads with no guardrail and bandits at night are common dangers, so use a reputable bus provider. Well-known companies for safety are Cruz del Sur, Movil and Peru Hop.

Your options narrow dramatically when off the tourist trail. Be prepared to travel in a small bus with no amenities (like the one pictured at the beginning of this article). This doesn’t mean the trip is dangerous or scary; ask locals for tips if you’re worried about a particular means of transportation.

Plane

This is the most-used form of transportation in Peru by tourists. Peru is like anywhere- plane rides are shorter, more expensive, and safer than other options. Most domestic plane rides are under 3 hours.

The good news is that you can find round-trip tickets for under $100. These prices are offered by cut-rate airlines, but Avianca and Latam offer good rates at times.

Train

There are not many trains in Peru but they provide cool, unique options:

  • Arica to Chile: Ride this for the experience! Arica isn’t very touristy, so this train is a quirky addition to any trip.
  • Cusco (or Sacred Valley) to Machu Picchu: Inca Rail and Peru Rail offer the most popular (and fastest) way to arrive to Machu Picchu. Peruvians can take the inexpensive local train. Peru Rail also offers a first-class service to Puno.
  • Huancavelica-Huancayo: The amazingly-named “Tren Macho” is an affordable option that Peruvians take through the Central Andes. Get a ticket that includes a lunch buffet!
  • Lima-Huancayo: This is a daylong ride to the Central Andes and one of the highest passenger train services in the world. It’s beautiful, and the ride is the attraction more than the destination. However the train only goes once a month and is pretty pricey.

Boat

Multi-day boat trip schedules depend on the weather and logistics, and are only for transportation in the jungle. The most popular is any variation of the trip to Iquitos.

Moving in the City

How you get around Peruvian cities depends greatly on the city. But these are the most common forms:

  • App: Uber, DiDi and Cabify are considered the best. Since the apps track where you are, it’s safer than hailing a random taxi from the street.
  • Bus: This is the cheapest way to get around. I always check with hotel staff or someone knowledgeable to make sure I get on the right bus beforehand. Also ask how long the trip will take (it can take a LOT longer than a taxi). If the bus is crowded be aware of your belongings. Lima and other cities have introduced electric buses, making this a cleaner form of travel.
  • “Moto”: Oh man. My favorite way to travel in town is by moto-taxi! These resemble the tuk-tuks of Southeast Asia. They are generally cheaper than a taxi but more expensive (and faster) than a bus.
  • Taxi: Of course, you can always just hail a taxi from the street. Make sure it and the driver pass the “eye test” for safety and be ready to haggle.

Transportation in Peru: Conclusion

Hopefully this article answered your questions on getting around in Peru. Please write any questions below!

If you’re ready to go to Peru check out a sample itinerary to get started :)