Hi,

My husband and I are traveling to Peru for 2 weeks in mid-January 2005. We plan on visiting Arequipa/Colca Canyon, Lake Titicaca, and Cuzco/Machu Picchu. In researching these places, I've seen numerous references from other travelers about safety concerns, especially in the larger cities of Arequipa and Cuzco. It appears increasingly many travelers have been robbed and advise against walking at night. For example, I've read it's better to take a cab at night in Arequipa, even just for a few blocks walk back to your hotel. People also say to wear your daypack on the front, rather than on your back.

I've traveled throughout Central and South America without incident, but all these stories and precautions are making me nervous. In my travels, I've never had to take a cab for a few blocks distance -- and I really don't want to.

I also didn't want to make advance hotel reservations, but now I feel it's necessary because I'm worried about wandering around with my big pack and making myself a perfect target.

How safe are these areas in Peru? I'd really appreciate any advice or feedback, particularly from recent travelers.

Thanks,
LY

Hi Linday,

You can read the web sites from the English speaking countries that offer travelers advisories and reports. I read them before any trip to gain some background information, to develop a sense of the areas to avoid, and somewhat of a better understanding of the country's political climate. I find this extremely helpful. These sites provide good basic information as to neighborhoods to avoid, political stability, etc. And, by reading through all of them, I end up with a more balanced viewpoint.

Here are some sites to check for Traveler's Advisories. If you read all of them, you will be well-informed.

US - http://www.travel.state.gov/

Canada - http://www.dfait-maeci.gc.ca/menu-en.asp

UK - http://www.fco.gov.uk/servlet/Front?...=1007029390554

Australia - http://www.dfat.gov.au/

You can also contact the South American Explorer's club for information. They keep a clubhouse in Cusco. Their web site is http://www.samexplo.org/. And they publish a phenomenal quarterly magazine.

Ray and I travelled to Peru in 1999 and although we were careful about areas mentioned on the traveler's advisories at the time, like the area around Cusco's bus station, we did not have any problem. We are doing another trip in February and I'm not overly concerned about safety issues.

-Sharon

Linday,

You should practice common sense when it comes to security while traveling anywhere, not only in Peru. You'll be visiting major cities as I see (Cuzco and Arequipa), and eventhough I have not experience any crime towards me or anyone that I know of, there are some incidents like any major city. Please don't let this ruin your trip to a beautiful country!

Enjoy it!

C

Cusco certainly didn't seem any less safe to me than other major cities; there are some spots in any US city I wouldn't walk in at night, to be honest. The normal city precautions worked just fine for me; I use a purse slung bandolier style (and under my arm) anywhere I go.

Peru is certainly lovely; have a wonderful trip, and don't be too worried!

http://community.webshots.com/user/missalg

Lindy:

Your trip sounds great. I travelled to these places solo this year. Walk at night, dance at night, enjoy the night!
Take a cab if it is late and you feel like it is wise to do so. You would do the same evaluation at home too I suppose?

Do you really need to carry this daypack all the time? Give yourself a break. I was fine with my purse or tote while dining or touring etc.

Just be aware that the poverty is severe which may cause you to feel less safe.

Happy travels!

well said!!

Hello,
I just got back from Lima, Cuzco and Machu Pichu this week. I felt perfectly safe in Cuzco and Machu Pichu, and we walked around till about 10 at night. The only place we were warned about by locals was the areas around the train station (locals market). The areas around the main plaza and a 5-10 blocks around that area was fine. I felt fine in Aguas Calientes too (I am a woman traveling with my boyfriend). We had hiking gear on and were clearly pegged as foreigners, but the only bother we had were many people trying to sell us things. I was expecting more problems based on what I head read here, but I felt pretty comfortable. Lima was a different story. We had a day layover, and spent it in Mira Flores area which felt safe due to heightened security. Our official taxi driver was very nice and helpful said the walking around downtown Lima near the plaza and Cathedral was OK, but said to avoid walking it at night. It wasn't safe for locals or visitors. We met one couple who had their camera stolen in Lima from there bag, but they were older and traveling with a tour group. It seemed to us that these American tours groups of older individuals who wore their backpack in front of them with cameras around their neck seemed to draw more attention to themselves then those individuals who looked like "trekkers", like us with our big backpacks, and were generally left alone. In general, take the same precautions you would in Cuzco and Machu Pichu as you would anywhere, don't linger around the train station, and take warnings of certain areas in Lima seriously. We took a cab from the airport to town in Cuzco- 10 soles (about $3). Well worth the ride, and got lots of info from the driver who recommended a couple of good hostels that weren't located over a disco, were a block from the main square, and were a good value. We also got good advice from our cab driver in Lima for the $10 dollar ride from the airport to Mira Flores (about a half hour ride). We normally don't do taxi's either, but since they were reasonable in cost, and we saved money on hostels we stayed at because of their suggestions, it was a good call. Let me know if I can offer other advice based on our trip. Cheers, Sandy

Hello Linday

My name is Mauricio J. Zorrilla I am from Arequipa, Peru. Right now I am in USA working at MasterCard. I can give you some tips you can use when you arrive in Peru, First of all, remember this, in all the cities, you can find the good and the bad, most of the times the good. In Lima, you have to be careful when you go out at night alone and try not to take a lot of money. Always take a taxi from a legitimate company, which are listed at the airport. Remember to request this info at the hotel as soon as you arrive to the city.
Write down the name and number of the hotel and taxi company and always try to take a taxi of that company. It is safer this way. if you need help just ask somebody on the street. They will help you.
Since I am from Arequipa I can tell you everything about this city, First of all, remember this it is a small city but nice. The most trustworthy taxi company you can take is TAXITEL. these taxis are small, they have the sign on the roof, and you can find them all over the city . as soon as you will arrive to Arequipa, get the phone number of the company TAXITEL. remember the taxi fare in the city is going to be approximately 5 soles which will be like 1.6 US$. A taxi from the Airport to the city is expensive it’s about 15 to 20 soles or 4.5 to 6 US$. The tourist police station in Arequipa is on Jerusalen Street about 3 blocks from the main square. there you can ask for directions.. Also since you are going to be in Arequipa you should try the food there. if you are interested I will be glad to give you a list and directions of some good restaurants and dishes. Regarding your backpack, always wear it in front of you, if you can put a lock on the bag that would be better. remember to visit always the cities during the day time before 04:00 PM.I can tell you many hotels and hostels in this city where you can stay, just let me know, try not to go far from the main streets at night, all this information you can get it at the tourist police station, and for Cuzco you can get this info too at the tourist police station in Cuzco.

Anything else just send me an email
[email protected]