Krista

I will be going to Peru next month and have been reading TONS of horror stories of tourist robberies in Lima, and especially Cuzco. I do not normally avoid places that people consider "scary" and I always research my trips fully. However, I keep hearing about crimes against tourists. If it were just simple purse-snatching and pickpocketing I would be alright, but these reports tell of ARMED robberies! Some even in daylight around tons of people! I have read about all the precautions, but still feel a little uneasy. Can someone enlighten me about the "real" situation. Is it safe or is this all just blown out of proportion?<BR><BR>Thanks

ellen j

Things may have changed in Peru since my visit in Feb/Mar, but I felt perfectly safe in Lima and Cusco. We were told not to go out at night alone and to watch out for pickpockets, but had no trouble whatsoever. The only problem were the really pesty shoeshine boys who were extremely persistent and waited outside our hotel for us to appear and then followed us everywhere. We stayed at the Novohotel in Cusco and walked into town for dinner several nights. We were all females.

Karen

Does anyone know how American are received there? I'm going in September with friends who are from Lima but just curious if Americans are viewed negatively there.

David

I have lived in Peru and have returned frequently though I live in Colombia. It is true that certain overt crimes take place and I have a friend who was on a bus that was robbed at gunpoint. The other side of the coin is, I have lived in Colombia 15 years and 2 years in Peru and the only time in my life I was ever robbed was at gunpoint in Portland Oregon. Do you go to Peru, hell yes. Do you worry about violence hell no. You take precautions. Like the previous letter said, do go out alone at night. Don't go anywhere alone. Stay in good places. Pay a little more for the best tours. This world is not safe anywhere but that should not detain you. The real situation is that Peru is a thirld world country with high unemployed, poverty and hunger. These factors create theft and violence where ever they rear their head. Speaking for the Peruvian people, you will not find a kinder more helpful race anywhere. Tourism is important for their economy and they make attempts to keep the tourism industry afloat. Go but be careful. I highly doubt the especially Cuzco aspect of robberies. Small city. Lima is a large Latin American City with lots of problems. You will be fine in Cuzco. In Lima do not miss eating at La Costa Verde restaraunt. Best in the world.

David

Forgot to comment on the ugly american question. Sure we are viewed negatively though in Peru no one will say anything to you to that respect. Maybe the occasion hey gringo or "Mr". The great majority of Americans stand behind our role of the worlds defender. Better our form of imperialism than Saddam's. The world in general hates our arrogance. I think they would hate the world even more without us.

Don

Just got back from 10 days in Cuzco, Lk Titicaca, Arequipa. Felt perfectly safe the entire time. What a great experience!

scott

david, please remember that this is not a political forum, go to www.lonelyplant.com and then to the politics forum. the question was on how american are recieved, not a flag waving exercise.