mikkiface

Just a head's up to those of you traveling to Peru, specifically Miraflores, Lima.

I had an amazing, wonderful, incredible trip through the Sacred Valley, and decided to spend one night in Lima to switch gears and have a big dinner at the beach. The Fodor's map lists La Rosa Nautica as a great place to go, and within short walking distance of my hotel, the Hostel Porta.

The map does NOT show the 20 flights of stairs that connect the streets to the beach.

Since I was already at the beach, hungry, and the whole trip had been so safe, I stuck with my decision to go down to the water. On the way back up the stairs, I was attacked by two men with a knife, who stole my entire backpack. I wasn't hurt, but I was horribly scared and had to go through the hassle of getting a new passport, wire transfer of cash, flight changes, etc.

I've traveled alone to Nepal, Costa Rica, and elsewhere, lived alone in NYC for 8 years, and not once did I have a problem. Only in Miraflores, which is supposed to be the nice tourist neighborhood, have I encountered violence.

Please do what I did not: bring only the most essential things with you when you go out. Travel in groups or with a guide. Avoid being out at night if you are alone. I would say take taxis, but there was also a story about a tourist who was abducted by his supposed cab driver. So, maybe skip Lima altogether if you are spending time in Peru.

Jeff_Costa_Rica

How terrible for you, mikkiface. I'm so sorry to hear this. I am glad you weren't hurt, but it's still an awful thing to go through. I was violently mugged in Caracas eight years ago, so I know what this is like. The fear stayed with me for a long time. That was the worst part.

Hugs to you.

mlgb

Most beaches in Peru are not safe for unescorted tourists, and particularly in Lima. I would never recommend walking to Rosa Nautica (actually I would never recommend GOING to Rosa Nautica, period). Fodors should probably included this information in their next Guide (I assume that the map doesn't show the steps because you really should take a taxi, especially at night).

When I was in Lima last year, my hotel warned about going to the beach at Barranco because of a recent mugging. This is a popular tourist route too. It's always wise to ask the front desk before you leave to go walkabout.

mlgb

Re the taxis, the tourist flagged a taxi on the street in the Center of Lima to go to the airport with all their luggage. The standard advice is to have your hotel or restaurant call a taxi for you, or if you must flag one on the street, have someone reliable help you. They will know what warning signs to look for that signal a rogue taxi, and should also make a show of writing down the taxi's number. You probably won't know how to tell a good taxi from a potentially bad one.

Huentetu

What a horrible experience for you. I am glad you were not hurt.

Miraflores is a nice neighbourhood but I bet you did not see any locals using those stairs to get to or from the Rosa Nautica or the beach at night! Always take your cue from what locals are doing. In any large city you do not know, take taxis at night. It will cost you a lot less than replacing stolen items.

ncounty

So sorry to hear about this awful experience! Thanks for the warning; I am leaving for Peru next week.

CRP123

I just returned from a trip to Lima and won't be going back - my sister and I were mugged by 3 thugs wearing black Adidas tracksuits at 4:30pm in broad daylight on the beach below Barranco this past Tuesday. One of them broke a glass bottle on a rock and threatened me with it while 2 accomplices grabbed my sister and took her fanny pack. I am still stunned by the brazenness of the attack as there were a lot of people on the beach at the time. I have travelled extensively all over South and Central America and never had an issue before.

mlgb

Sorry this happened to you. You might want to post this on tripadvisor if you haven't already.

I got into a fight with the TA DE when I warned about walking down to Barranco, he might want to know that it's happened again. I think wearing a fanny pack isn't a good idea, if you do go there carry nothing other than ID and maybe a little money in the shoe.

mlgb

I should have said beach below Barranco, not Barranco. Although the general advice still applies. Try not to carry anything that makes you a target.

Dukey1

I assume there is some valid reason you were out for the night with your backpack? Why?

mlgb

OP was 4 years ago. The post was topped by someone mugged in broad daylight recently. It happens.

Actually my friend of 40 years was mugged in broad daylight in Lima, on his first and last visit.

But I am still a big Lima fan. And I don't think it is particularly dangerous as big South American cities go.

ancientsummit

Truly sad to hear and an awful experience to live through. I do think however, that if your read Forums from just about anywhere in the world, you will find reports of muggings. I lived in Lima for many years and am still there a lot as well as all over Peru. I really don't think it is only Peru. Sorry about the brazen daylight muggings but walking on the beach at night and up and down those stairs is a well-known NO NO.

Please don't let this stop anyone from visiting Peru. Just try and be savvy about these things.

thursdaysd

" if your read Forums from just about anywhere in the world, you will find reports of muggings'

Not in Europe. Pickpocketing, yes. Mugging, no. And there is a BIG difference. Not in Asia, either.

mlgb

You'll be happy to read this article from the Daily Mail, I'm sure

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/travel/tr...countries.html

thursdaysd

Wow, that's surprising. I've always felt very safe in Europe.

mlgb

I'm guessing you haven't been to Barcelona, then.

The point is really that it's best to be informed and cautious no matter where you travel. I recommend asking at the hotel reception about walking routes if you aren't familiar with a city.

thursdaysd

I just spent five nights in Barcelona, on my own, and walked through the Eixample area at five thirty in the morning to catch the airport bus. Some areas I would have stayed out of, though.

Willytaps

I've heard about this being an issue, but I thought Miraflores was kind of a safer place with lots of expats. I guess the usual travel rules apply regardless of where you are.

mlgb

To be clear, both the OP and CRP were not mugged "in" Miraflores. They were walking down to (or along) the beach which is set below the cliffs.

Now, I don't know where my friend was mugged, maybe it was Miraflores~

ClementineLdn

Anyone who thinks muggings don't happen in Europe is super naive. They absolutely do, and they can be extremely violent. I knew someone who was killed during a mugging in Barcelona in broad daylight, and two of my friends were attacked in one week (both knifed in the hand) in London this year.

Saying you wandered around Barcelona on your own once and nothing happened says absolutely nothing about how safe or unsafe it is in general.