julies

I'm considering a trip to Peru and have read a lot of guidebooks and done quite a bit of research. Today I decided to look at the State Dept comments about the country. I'm an experienced enough traveler to know that the US State Dept. advisories often err on the side of being overly cautious. But, their description does make it look as though it is a scary place to visit. Is it? Thanks.

yestravel

I was in Lima, Cusco, SV, Arequipa and Colca Valley -- never felt unsafe the entire 2 weeks.

P_M

I don't believe any place is as dangerous as the State Dept says. I've traveled all around the Middle East including Israel, Jordan, Egypt, Turkey and even the Palestinian West Bank. I never for a minute felt unsafe in any of these places. I am so thankful to have visited these great countries and it's a shame so many others are missing out due to fear.

BTW, I'm going to Peru this year and I'm not at all concerned about any State Department warnings.

P_M

Did I mention I am a female who generally travels alone? You'll be fine.

sumi

P_M, I so agree with you.

Between the State Department and CDC, about the only safe place to go is Canada! (lol)

P_M

Hi sumi--Funny you should mention Canada. I've visited about 55 countries world-wide and I've only been a crime victim once. Guess where that happened?? Vancouver, BC!!

The good news is it wasn't a really terrible crime. A thief broke into my car and stole some things but nothing of great value. However it just goes to show that bad things can happen anywhere, even in a country as beautiful and fine as Canada.

julies

I know. I know. We had all our hubcaps stolen in France of all places--a place with no real travel advisories or warnings.

We had some apprehensions before our trip to Turkey last year because of the assorted terrorism-type advisories and felt extremely safe in the country. But, those advisories were more aimed at terrorism than the Peru ones which are definitely at street level crime against people. Really, if you haven't read the State Dept. site, take a look at it. I think you can see why it gave me pause. Thanks for your reactions.

By the way, here is what Australia has to say:
"We advise you to exercise a high degree of caution in Peru because of the high levels of serious crime. Pay close attention to your personal security and monitor the media for information about possible new safety or security risks.

Violent crime including sexual assault, armed robbery, muggings and car-jacking occurs, particularly in the cities of Lima, Cusco and Arequipa. Travellers walking alone after dark, especially when leaving bars or nightclubs, have been targeted by criminals.

There has been a significant increase in reports of serious crimes, including robbery, assault and rape, against travellers using unlicensed taxi operators, particularly in Lima and Cusco. You should arrange transport at taxi counters within the international terminal when arriving at Lima's international airport and seek assistance from staff at hotels, hostels, restaurants or places of entertainment to book a licensed taxi. The name and contact details of the taxi company should be recorded.

'Express kidnappings', where victims are forced to withdraw funds from ATMs to secure their release, have occurred.

Theft on inter-city buses, including buses on the Lima, Ica, Nasca and Cusco routes continues to increase, often when passengers are asleep or distracted. You should avoid placing luggage or other personal belongings on overhead racks.

Assault and armed robbery of hikers travelling on the Inca trail have been reported. Use of an experienced guide may reduce the risk of assault and robbery while hiking.

Travel by road outside of major cities after dark is dangerous due to the risk of criminal activity, which has often involved the use of bogus road blocks or check points."

And, here's Canada's warning:

" The Travel Reports for countries with an asterisk (*) currently contain a Travel Warning, indicating that Canadians should either:

avoid non-essential travel to the country, or specific region(s) of the country, as there is a specific security concern at this time; or
avoid all travel to the country, or specific region(s) of the country, as there is an extreme risk to personal safety at this time.

Peru

Exercise high degree of caution

There have recently been severe demonstrations by unions and non-government organizations in Cuzco in reaction to the approval of a law over foreign and private investments in the tourism industry which is affecting travel in and around the city. Travel to and from the Cuzco airport, railways and the access to the archaeological site of Machu Pichu may be disrupted without notice. Canadians in Cuzco should remain extremely vigilant at all times, monitor the local media to determine whether these activities will affect their travel arrangements, and plan accordingly. They should remain away from large gatherings and demonstrations, as violent incidents could occur without warning.

Several political and labour-related strikes have also been occurring across the country and may lead to violent demonstrations at any time, especially in the departments of Apurímac, Ayacucho, Arequipa, Cuzco, Huancavelica, Huanuco, Ica, Junin, Lambayeque, Loreto, Piura, Puno, San Martín and Ucayali. The armed forces and the national police were recently deployed nationwide in an effort to control civil unrest. Roadblocks may occur on main roads and cause traffic disruptions. Canadians should not attempt to cross blockades, even if they appear unattended. Curfews may also be in effect and airports may be closed in response to further unrest.

Violent crimes such as carjacking, assault, and armed robbery are frequent. Incidents of rape have been reported in the cities of Lima, Cuzco, Puno, Pucallpa and Arequipa, and in many isolated areas elsewhere in the country. Female travellers should exercise caution at all times.

There have been incidents of drugs being used (including scopolamine) to incapacitate travellers in order to rob or attack them.
Street crime is prevalent in Lima and other cities. Purse snatching, pickpocketing, theft, and break-ins occur, even during daylight hours, in crowded public areas, on micro-buses, and while hailing taxis. Travellers should not show signs of affluence. Resisting a robbery can lead to further violence.

Criminals have been known to throw objects in front of oncoming traffic in the hopes that cars will stop. If this occurs and drivers need to stop, they should only do so in a safe location, such as gas stations.

Travellers are reminded to remain vigilant about the threat of express kidnappings, in which victims are usually abducted for a few hours and forced to withdraw money from Automated Banking Machines (ABMs)."

Reading these warnings has helped me put the US warnings in perspective, and I don't know that this many warnings can be ignored. I am not saying I would necessarily stop me thinking about a destination altogether, but I will certainly think about it and suggest that everyone else do the same.

Jeff_Costa_Rica

Like you, julies, I always read the State Dept. advisories, but then look at the equivalent sites for Canada, the U.K., Australia and New Zealand just for some added perspective. I know the U.S. site tends to be overly cautious. When they all express concern, as in this case, it causes me concern too.

I have never had any problems during my several trips to Peru, and yet I know of people who have. (I don't think I take these things lightly after being the victim of a violent mugging in Venezuela a few years ago.) I have tried to exercise caution during my travels in Peru without being paranoid about it. All the standard advice applies that applies no matter where you travel: Don't carry around huge amounts of cash. Passports, credit cards, things of value should be either locked away in a hotel safe or concealed well if they're on your person.

Take taxis if you're out at night. Have your hotel or restaurant call one for you. That's always better at night than you flagging one down on the street. The statement about travelers being targeted walking alone after dark when they leave bars is true.

The statement about being sure to use a guide on the Inca Trail to reduce the risk of assault makes it sound like you can set out on your own. You can't. These days you HAVE to use a guide, and one of the reasons that requirement was implemented years ago was precisely this. So I think that statement needs a bit of updating.

Demonstrations and the disruptions they cause are taking place these days. The disruptions mostly take the form of traffic jams. If you stumble upon such a protest, avoid it. That's good advice for any country. Just don't get caught up in these situations.

Peru is one of the world's great destinations, and it would be a shame to miss it. Only you can decide, obviously, but exercising a good degree of cuation with plently of street smarts, it can be just fine.

julies

I think it is just wise that people go into adventures with their eyes wide open. I know that statistically crime can happen anywhere and that we'd all remain barricaded in our homes if we were totally risk averse. But, these are pretty strong warnings across the board. Right now, especially with the high cost of plane tickets to Lima, I am throwing some other possible destinations into our vacation pot. I also know my husband who is more cautious than I will research all of this data on his own and might come to the conclusion that he doesn't want to take the risks involved in traveling in Peru when there are lots of great destinations worldwide.

caligirl56

julies
I've had the same concerns as you. But, what has made me feel better is that obviously lots and lots of people are traveling to Peru. If it were as dangerous as it sounds, very few people would be going there.

Here's something to check out. My daughter was going to Venezuela last summer. I wrote a question about the currency to the forum in July. If you go check the Venezuela forum right now, you will still see my post--it is only 6 from the top. Almost no one has been accessing the forum.In other words--right now, people are really NOT going to Venezuela. This is not to say anything bad about Venezuela--and she had a wonderful time (although we were a bit worried . . .).

My husband and I are planning to go to Peru next year--sounds like if you're reasonably careful, you'll be safe!