This advice has been reviewed and reissued with amendments to the Summary and Crime section (inter city bus travel) and Local Travel (Road Travel) section (CIAL bus company).  The overall level of the advice has not changed.

Terrorism

There is an underlying threat from terrorism.  Attacks could be indiscriminate, including in places frequented by expatriates and foreign travellers.  The internal terrorism of the 1980s and 1990s in Peru has largely ended, but not completely disappeared.  The last urban terrorist incident was a car bombing near the US Embassy in Lima in March 2002.  Remnants of the Shining Path terrorist movement are still active in the remote coca growing areas in central Peru (UpperHuallagaBasin, AguaytiaBasin, Apurimac-EneBasin).

For further information read the Security and General Tips and Risk of Terrorism when Travelling Overseas.

Crime

Street crime, including muggings and thefts, is a significant problem in Lima, Cusco and other major cities.  You should take care when using web-cafes and similar services as thieves operate in places where people are easily distracted.

 

You should remain vigilant at all times and avoid walking alone in quiet areas or at night.  It is not recommended that you travel alone to areas outside Cusco at night.  Provincial and Inter-city buses are occasionally held up and the passengers robbed.

 

You should be particularly careful when arriving at Lima’s JorgeChavezInternationalAirport.  Unwary passengers are often approached by thieves masquerading as tour operators, people who pretend to know them or bogus taxi drivers.  There have been frequent cases of rogue taxis being used to perpetrate robberies.  You are advised to arrange taxis at the taxi counters at the information kiosk between the baggage retrieval/customs area and the exit to the public area.

 

Tourists have also been targeted and robbed by bogus taxi drivers elsewhere, especially at night and in the main tourist areas such as Cusco and Arequipa.  You should always book a taxi from a reputable company, if possible in advance.  If you cannot avoid taking a taxi from the street, be sure to take a conspicuous note of the registration number before getting into the vehicle.  If you have luggage, you should not take a station wagon cab where your luggage can be seen, as it attracts robbers, who use mobile phones to advise cohorts to hold up the cab and rob you further along the road.  And never leave your luggage in the cab with the driver behind the wheel.  There have been incidents where passengers have got out with their luggage still either in the cab or boot and the driver has driven off.  Wait for the driver to stop the engine and get out first.

 

You should also be aware of the risk of so called "express kidnappings" - short-term, opportunistic abductions, aimed at extracting cash from the victim- which are occurring in the main tourist areas in Peru, including Lima and Cusco.  Victims are normally selected at random and held while criminals empty their bank accounts with their stolen cash cards.  Once the cards have been used the victim is usually quickly released. 

Police report that most of the crimes against bus passengers happen between the hours of 2200 and 0500. You should keep your valuables (passports, money, credit cards etc) in a safe place before bedding down for the night on an inter-provincial bus.

There have been a number of cases in the past few years of female tourists being raped.  Most have taken place in isolated areas and mainly in the Cusco and Arequipa regions, but cases have occurred elsewhere too, in places such as Mancora and Pucullpa.  Women should therefore take particular care avoiding isolated areas where possible.  Some assaults on inter-provincial buses in rural areas have included the rape of female passengers and crew.

 

There have been incidents of tourists having had money taken from their accounts after using ATM machines, particularly in the Cusco area.  You should take the same precautions when using these machines in Peru as you would in the UK.

 

You should be aware that, unlike in the UK and elsewhere, ATM machines in Peru do not automatically release your credit or debit card at the time you receive your money.  You have to request its return by pushing a button.  Please remember to do so.  Many ATMs in main towns have instructions in English.

 

For more general advice see: Victims of Crime Abroad

Political Situation

 

Peru Country Profile.

 

Street protests, occasionally violent, are commonplace in Peru.  It is difficult to predict where and when protests will take place.  Most are concentrated in Lima, but protests in mining areas are also common. You should avoid all political protests, demonstrations and any area in which large crowds are gathering.

 

LOCAL TRAVEL

 

You are encouraged to seek advice from the local Tourist Protection Service, whose operators can handle calls and enquiries in English.  They can be contacted on +51 1 424 2053 (24 hours a day).

 

States of Emergency

 

A State of Emergency declared for security reasons gives the armed forces responsibility for law and order.  A State of Emergency declared for natural disasters or health alerts means that the standard service providers in the region cannot guarantee to provide normal services and frequently require assistance from central government.  However, in these cases the armed forces do not take responsibility for law and order.

 

A State of Emergency has been declared in the Province of Ica following the earthquake on 15 August 2007. See the Natural Disasters section of this travel advice for more details.

 

A State of Emergency was declared on 22 April 2006, covering the areas immediately surrounding the active volcano Ubinas in the Department of Moquegua in the south of the country.  The areas included in the State of Emergency are Ubinas, Matalaque, Chojata, Lloque, Yunga, Ichuna, Coalaque, La Capilla, Omate, Puquina and Quinistilla in the province of Sanchez Cerro, Department of Moquegua and the district of San Juan de Taracuni in the Department of Arequipa.

 

A State of Emergency also remains in force since 27 May 2003 in the following areas: Huanta and La Mar provinces in the Department of Ayacucho; Kimbiri, Pichari and Vilcabamba districts in La Convencion province in the Department of Cusco (Cusco city and MachuPicchu are not affected); Tayacaja province in the Department of Huancavelica; Satipo province, Andamarca and Comas districts, Concepcion province; and Santo Domingo de Acobamba and Pariahuanca districts (Huancayo province) in the Department of Junin. 

 

A State of Emergency was declared on 21 December 2005 and remains in force in the following areas: Maranom, Huacaybamba, LeoncioPrado and Huamalies districts in the Department of Huanaco, Tocache district in the Department of San Martin, and Padre Abad district in the Department of Ucayali.

 

Road Travel

You can drive for up to one month in Peru on a UK driving licence and up to one year on an international driving licence.  In either case, you should carry your passport with you to prove how long you have been in the country.

 

Travel by private vehicle outside major cities is not recommended after dark.  Driving standards in Peru (particularly in Lima) are poor, with stop signs and traffic lights often ignored.  Drivers overtake on either side, with little concern for pedestrians or oncoming traffic.  Crashes resulting in death and injury occur frequently.

The activities of the Peruvian bus company CIAL have been suspended by the Ministry of Transport and Communications on the route Lima-Cusco-La Paz following a bus crash on 4 December 2007, in which there were fatalities and serious injuries.

Bus crashes are commonplace, especially at night.  Inter-city bus crashes have resulted in the loss of life and serious injury.  You are encouraged to use only reputable transport companies, which travel between the major tourist centres.  You should avoid overnight travel, especially in mountainous and remote regions, whenever possible.  Cruz delSur, Ormeno and Linea all operate with two crews, but accidents still occur.  You should always wear a seat belt when travelling by inter-city bus.

 

For more general information Driving Abroad

Sand Buggies

 

There have been cases of injury to tourists from recreational sand buggies, particularly in the sand dunes around Ica and Lake Huacachina.  These buggies are unregulated and the drivers take no responsibility for the welfare of their passengers.  You ride in them at your own risk.

 

Air Travel

 

There is a departure tax of US$30.25 (per person) for international flights from Peru.  There is also an airport tax for internal flights.  This varies according to the airport but internal departures from Lima cost US$6.05 per person.  The equivalent sum in Peruvian soles is accepted.

Drug trafficking is a serious crime in Peru and drug smugglers face severe penalties, usually receiving long terms of imprisonment.  Conditions in Peruvian prisons are unpleasant.  Pack your luggage yourself and keep it with you at all times.  Do not carry anything through customs for anybody else.  You are advised not to take coca leaves/coca tea out of the country.  It is illegal to import these items into the UK.

You are not allowed to take any valuable artefacts from the country without the proper authority.

Homosexuality is legal in Peru but social attitudes generally are fairly conservative.  Any outward display of homosexual behaviour is likely to be frowned upon.  Same-sex partnerships are not formally recognised.

You should avoid taking photographs of anything of a military nature anywhere in Peru.

 

For more general advice for different types of travellers see Travel Checklists

Upon arrival visitors are normally given permission to stay for up to a maximum of 90 days.  Extensions for a further 60 days can be obtained.  Overstaying without the proper authority is a serious matter and fines are imposed.  It is therefore recommended that you double check the period of time you have been granted, as you will be refused permission to leave and can be held in detention until the fine for overstay is paid.  If in doubt, you are advised to check entry clearance requirements with:  Peruvian Representation in the UK.

You should keep the immigration paper given to you on arrival in a safe place as you will need to show this upon departure.  We recommend that your passport should have a remaining validity of at least six months.

 

We are aware that some British nationals have experienced difficulties when dealing with Peruvian immigration and customs.  You should familiarise yourself with Peruvian immigration or customs procedures before you enter the country as we cannot intervene if you are refused entry or have problems with importing or exporting personal items.  For further details please contact Peruvian Representation in the UK..

 

Business visitors entering Peru on a business visa are required to complete on departure a form from SUNAT, the Peruvian tax authority.  The form can be acquired from the Peruvian Embassy in London before travelling or at Lima airport on arrival.

 

Travelling with children

Single parents or other adults travelling alone with children should be aware that some countries require documentary evidence of parental responsibility before allowing lone parents to enter the country or, in some cases, before permitting the children to leave the country.  For further information on exactly what will be required at immigration, please contact:  Peruvian Representation in the UK.

 

There are restrictions on the carriage of liquids, sprays and gels for passengers travelling on international flights from Lima airport.

Medical treatment can be expensive and not always available in some parts of the country.

 

There have been cases of people having contracted HIV from blood transfusions in Peru.  The Ministry of Health has recently declared the blood banks to be in a state of emergency.

 

Yellow fever is endemic to Peru, particularly in mountainous and jungle areas.  If you plan to travel from Peru to Brazil, you will need to show evidence of a valid yellow fever inoculation to the airline at Lima airport. There has been recent press reporting concerning the deaths of three Peruvian nationals following inoculations for Yellow fever administered in the Ica region.  The Health Ministry has launched an investigation to confirm any link between the inoculations and deaths.

 

Dengue Fever is endemic to Latin America and the Caribbean and can occur throughout the year.  In 2007, there has been a marked increase in the number of reported cases of dengue, notably in the area around the province of La Libertad.  Other areas of northern Peru and the jungle areas are also affected. 

 

There is a risk of malaria in northern Peru and the jungle areas. Movement at altitudes over 9,000 feet (3,000 metres) can be debilitating, particularly upon arrival.  If you intend to visit Cusco, Puno, the Colca Canyon or other high altitude areas you are advised to take things easy, eat only light meals, drink plenty of water and drink no alcohol for the first day or two after arrival. 

 

You are advised to seek medical advice before travelling and to ensure that all appropriate vaccinations are up to date.  You should seek medical advice before travelling and ensure that all appropriate vaccinations are up to date.  NHS Direct (0845 46 47) can provide you with advice on the vaccination requirements for Peru.

For further information on endemic diseases, like malaria, health outbreaks and the vaccination requirements for Peru you should check the websites of NaTHNaC and NHS Scotland's Fit For Travel.

 

For more general health information see: Travel Health

NATURAL DISASTERS

Peru is in an active earthquake zone and tremors are frequent.  Peru was struck by an earthquake, measuring 7.9 on the Richter scale, at 18:43 local time on 15 August 2007.  595 people died, mostly in the cities of Ica and Pisco (around 100 miles south of Lima), the area most affected, and 318 are still missing.  The Pan American highway in the department of Ica was damaged and transport in the area severely disrupted.  However, previously suspended bus services have resumed operations.  The infrastructure in the area remains fractured and you are advised to check with your tour operator before travelling to the area.

 

On 27 March 2006, the Volcano Ubinas in Moquegua Department, in the far south of the country, erupted, with two similar emissions in mid-April.  A State of Emergency was declared in the area immediately surrounding the volcano.  The area was evacuated and access continues to be difficult. See Local Travel section for more details.  You should check with your travel agent before visiting the area.

Insurance

 

We strongly recommend you take out comprehensive travel and medical insurance before travelling.  You should check any exclusions, and that your policy covers you for the activities you want to undertake.  Please see Travel Insurance

 

If things do go wrong when you are overseas then this is What We Can Do To Help.

 

Identification

 

You should carry identification with you at all times.  It is permissible to carry photocopies of the relevant pages of passports to avoid losing the original, which should be kept in a safe place.  If you are remaining in Peru for a longer period you should register with the British Embassy in Lima either online or in person.

Money

ATM machines can be found in the main cities. Not all shops, restaurants, bars and hotels accept credit cards and it is worth checking whether they do before ordering anything.  Western Union is represented in Peru, with bureaux in all main cities.  This is a quick, reliable way of receiving money from abroad.  You should be alert to the possibility of being passed counterfeit US dollars or local currency.

In addition to the Embassy in Lima, there are Honorary British Consuls in Cusco, Arequipa and Trujillo (See below for contact details).

British Honorary Consuls in Peru

Arequipa
Honorary Consul: Mr Reynaldo Roberts MBE
Tacna y Arica 156, Arequipa
Tel: (+51) (54) 24 60 6600
Fax: (+ 51) (54) 606 601
Email: gerencia@gruporoberts.com

Cusco
Honorary Consul: Mr Barry Walker MBE
Manu Expeditions, Urbanización Magisterial

G-5 Segunda Etapa, Cusco
Tel: (+ 51) (84) 23 9974 - 22 6671
Fax: (+ 51) (84) 23 6706
Email: bwalker@terra.com.pe

Adventure@ManuExpeditions.com

Trujillo
Honorary Consul: Mr Winston Barber
Jr Alfonso Ugarte 310, Trujillo
Tel/Fax: (+ 51) (44) 24 5935
Email: winstonbarber@terra.com.pe