South America and South Atlantic Islands

• Travel Summary
• Safety and security
• Local laws and customs
• Entry requirements

• Health
• Natural disasters
• General
 

Travel Summary

• In January 2010 the Peruvian Government declared a 60-day state of emergency in Cusco Province in the Peruvian Andes, because unusually severe seasonal rains had caused flooding and landslides.  The Peruvian authorities have declared that, because of the severe weather, Machu Picchu  and the Inca Trail are closed.  The rail line between Ollantaytambo and Aguas Calientes, the base camp for Machu Picchu,  has also been closed due to landslides and may not re-open until April 2010. Whilst severe weather continues to affect the Cusco region periodically, tourist sites within the city of Cusco are open and operating as usual.
  
  
• Drug trafficking is a serious crime in Peru and drug smugglers face long terms of imprisonment. See the Local Laws and Customs section of this Travel Advice.
  
  
• Around 67,000 British tourists visit Peru every year (Source: Peruvian Ministry of Tourism).  Most visits are trouble-free. 43 British nationals required consular assistance in Peru in the period 01 April 2008 – 31 March 2009 for the following types of incident: deaths (6 cases); hospitalisations (11 cases); and arrests, for a variety of offences (12 cases). During this period assistance was also requested with regard to lost or stolen passports (126 cases).  
  
  
• There is a risk of 'express kidnappings'.  You should exercise general caution when travelling around Peru.  See the Crime section of this Travel Advice.
  
  
• Driving standards in Peru (particularly in Lima) are poor.  Crashes resulting in death and injury occur frequently.  See the Road Travel section of this Travel Advice.
  
  
• Street demonstrations and protests are commonplace in Peru, frequently occurring suddenly and sometimes turning violent.  You should avoid any area in which large crowds are gathering.   See the Political section of this Travel Advice.
  
  
• There is an underlying threat from terrorism.  Attacks could be indiscriminate, including in places frequented by expatriates and foreign travellers. See the Terrorism section of this Travel Advice.
  
  
• We recommend that you obtain comprehensive travel and medical insurance before travelling. You should check any exclusions and that your policy covers you for all the activities you want to undertake. See the General (Insurance) section of this Travel Advice and Travel Insurance .

Safety and security

Terrorism

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 (Upper Huallaga Basin, Aguaytia Basin, Apurimac-Ene Basin). There is an underlying threat from terrorism.  Attacks could be indiscriminate, including in places frequented by expatriates and foreign travellers.  For more general information see Terrorism Abroad.

Crime

Street crime, including muggings and thefts, is a significant problem in Lima, Cusco, Arequipa 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 Jorge Chavez International Airport.  Unwary passengers are often approached by thieves masquerading as tour operators, people who pretend to know them or by bogus taxi drivers.  There have been frequent cases of rogue taxis being used to perpetrate robberies.  It is recommended that you use the services of one of three official companies located at desks directly outside the International and Domestic Arrival halls.  We also recommend you visit the Lima Airport Partner website which gives details of the Airport registered taxi companies.   Tourists have also been targeted and robbed by bogus taxi drivers, especially at night, when arriving at bus terminals and in the main tourist areas of Lima, Cusco and Arequipa.  You should always use a taxi from a reputable company, if possible booked in advance from a hotel reception desk or by telephone.  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 accomplices to hold up the cab and rob you further along the road.  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 "express kidnappings" - short-term, opportunistic abductions, aimed at extracting cash from the victim.  These have occurred in the main tourist areas in Peru, including Lima, Cusco and Arequipa.  Victims are often 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. 

There have been a number of cases in the past few years of female tourists being raped.  Most have taken place in the Cusco and Arequipa areas, but cases have occurred elsewhere too, in places such as Mancora and Pucallpa.  Women should take particular care at bus terminals, when hiring or getting into taxis, and avoid isolated areas particularly after dark.  Some assaults on inter-provincial buses in rural areas have included the rape of female passengers and crew. You should also be alert to the availability and possible use of ‘date rape’ and other drugs.  You should purchase your own drinks and keep sight of them at all times to make sure they cannot be spiked.  For more general information see Rape and Sexual Assault Abroad.

Police report that most of the crimes against bus passengers happen between the hours of 2200 and 0500.  If you travel by long distance bus at night, you should keep your valuables (passports, money, credit cards etc.) in a safe place if you intend to sleep.

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 always automatically release your credit or debit card at the time you receive your money.  You sometimes have to request its return by pushing a button.  Many ATMs in main towns have instructions in English.

For more general information see Victims of Crime Abroad.

Political Situation

Peru Country Profile

Street protests, which occasionally become violent, are commonplace in Peru, and can cause disruption to roads and rail services. It is difficult to predict where and when protests will take place. Most are concentrated in Lima.

There are also frequent strikes and road blocks in the central and southern highlands, which can cause serious disruption to travel.  Tourists should exercise caution and contact the tourist police or tour companies before travelling by road between Cusco, Arequipa and Puno.

You should avoid all protests, demonstrations and any area in which large crowds are gathering and monitor local media reports for up to date information.

Local Travel 

If you get into difficulties when travelling, you should 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).  

During the rainy season of November to April, land, rock and mudslides can cause disruption to road and rail routes, including access to the town of Aguas Calientes at Macchu Picchu. You should take care if staying overnight in Aguas Calientes during the rainy season and monitor local media reports on the situation.  Stretches of the Puerto Maldonado-Inambari Highway, on the border of Bolivia and Brazil, are also prone to mudslides during the rainy season.  You should take particular care when travelling in this area during the rainy season.  

Since February 2008 protests in Cusco have occasionally caused disruption to airports and rail services.  You should maintain contact with your airline/ tour operator before travelling.  In country, you should monitor local media reports for up to date information.

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.

Following an earthquake 100 miles south of Lima in August 2007, a State of Emergency was declared in the Province of Ica, Cañete, Yauyos - in the department of Lima, Castrovirreyna and Huaytara Provinces and the district of Acobambilla in the department of Huancavelica.  See the Natural Disasters section of this advice for more details.  

A State of Emergency declared in April 2006 remains in force, 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 declared in May 2003 also remains in force 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 Machu Picchu 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 declared in December 2005 also remains in force in the following areas: the districts of Cholon in Maranon province, the province of Leoncio Prado, and the district of Monzon in the province of Huamalies, all in the department of Huanuco; the province of Tocache in the department of San Martin; and the province of Padre Abad 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.  Crashes resulting in death and injury occur frequently.  Drivers do not always show concern for pedestrians.

Bus crashes are commonplace, especially at night.  Inter-city bus crashes have resulted in loss of life and serious injury. You should use only reputable transport companies, and where possible avoid overnight travel, especially in mountainous and remote regions.   You should always wear a seat belt when travelling by inter-city bus.  If you are concerned about the bus driver, for example if he is driving too fast or seems tired, you should seriously consider changing buses at the next bus station. Cruz del Sur, Ormeno and Oltursa bus companies operate with two crews, but accidents still occur.  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.  For more general information see Driving Abroad.  The Peruvian Ministry of Transportation publishes a list in Spanish of the intercity bus companies with the highest rate of traffic accidents resulting in fatalities and serious injuries. This can be found at the following link http://www.mtc.gob.pe/portal/ranking

Sand Buggies  

There have been cases of deaths and injury from recreational sand buggies, particularly in the sand dunes around Ica and Lake Huacachina.  These buggies are unregulated and the drivers and agencies take no responsibility for the welfare of their passengers.

River Rafting and Tours on Lake Titicaca

If you intend to participate in extreme sports you should check that the company is well established in the industry and your insurance covers you for all the activities you want to undertake.  Those considering white-water rafting should consult local authorities about recent weather and the impact on white-water rafting conditions.  There have also been reports of unsafe passenger boats operating on Lake Titicaca - caution should be exercised when choosing a boat operator. 

Air Travel

There have been a number of incidents involving small aircraft flying over the Nazca Lines.  In February 2010 a plane carrying Chilean and Peruvian tourists crashed, killing all 7 on board.  In April 2008 five French nationals were killed when their plane crashed.   Following the latest incident the Peruvian Directorate of Civil Aviation (DGAC) has carried out an inspection of aircraft operating from Nazca airport.  It has given authorisation for 7 aircraft from 4 companies to continue operating this service: Aero Diana (1 plane), Aero Paracas (2), Alas Peruanas (2) and Travel Air (2). If you choose to take this trip, you are advised to use reputable companies, whether flying from Nazca or Ica airport.

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.

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

If you plan to travel to Venezuela and some Central American destinations from Peru, you will be required to present a Yellow Fever vaccination certificate, issued at least 10 days prior to departure, at the airline desk.

For more general information see Airline Security.

Local laws and customs

An increasing number of British Nationals are being caught by the Peruvian authorities while trafficking drugs. Drug trafficking is a serious crime in Peru and drug smugglers face 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 archaeological artefacts from the country without the proper authority.

You should carry identification with you at all times.  It is permissible to carry photocopies of the relevant pages of your passport to avoid losing the original, which should be kept in a safe place.

Homosexuality is legal in Peru but social attitudes are generally 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 information for different types of travellers see Your Trip.

Entry requirements

Visas

British visitors to Peru do not require a visa to travel if the purpose of the visit is tourism.  Upon arrival, you are normally given permission to stay for up to a maximum of 180 days.  Those who require a visa to enter Peru (business visitors, press, artists, and others) must apply in person and complete relevant forms.  From January 2009, fingerprints and digital photographs will be taken at the Peruvian Consulate-General from all visa applicants.

You are advised to check entry clearance requirements with the Peruvian Consulate-General in London at 52 Sloane Street, London, SW1X 9SP, before travelling (Tel: 020 7838 9223; Fax: 020 7823 2789; Website http://www.conperlondres.com).

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 a fine for overstaying is paid. You should also keep the immigration paper given to you on arrival in a safe place, as you will need to show this on departure.

Passport validity

We recommend that your passport should have a remaining validity of at least six months.  

Dealing with Peruvian Immigration and Customs

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 the Peruvian Embassy in London.  

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 the Peruvian Embassy in London.

Health

Peruvian authorities began monitoring arriving passengers from North and Central America for Swine Flu on 27 April. Incoming passengers may be asked to provide a throat swab, and provide contact information for their stay in Peru. Authorities will contact anyone whose results are positive and offer treatment.  For those in Peru, a local free phone number is available to call for further information; the number is 0-800-10828.

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, Dengue Fever and Malaria occur in certain areas of Peru.

Malaria is mainly found in the following regions in the north and jungle areas of Peru:  Loreto, Madre de Dios, Ucayali, San Martin, Junin, Tumbes and Piura.

Dengue Fever occurs in Latin America and the Caribbean throughout the year.  There has been a marked increase in the number of reported cases in the last two years.  The health authorities have declared a nationwide alert as the Dengue Fever outbreak has spread to ten of the country's 26 regions.  According to the health authorities, the departments of Loreto, Ucayali, Cajamarca, and Piura have reported the highest number of patients.  Dengue Fever is passed by mosquitoes, and travellers should take extra precautions against being bitten by mosquitoes.

There is a risk of Yellow Fever in areas east of the Andes Mountains. This does not include the cities of Cusco and Machu Picchu. If you plan to travel from Peru to other countries in South America, you may need to show evidence of a valid Yellow Fever vaccination.

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.  If you plan to travel to altitudes over 3,000 metres it is advisable to contact your GP if you suffer from high blood pressure, a heart condition, or respiratory problems. 

In the 2008 Report on the Global AIDS Epidemic the UNAIDS/WHO Working Group estimated that around 74,000 adults aged 15 or over in Peru were living with HIV; the prevalence rate was estimated at around 0.5% of the adult population. This compares to the prevalence rate in adults in the UK of around 0.2%.  You should exercise normal precautions to avoid exposure to HIV/AIDS. 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.  For more general information on how to do this see HIV and AIDS.  

You should seek medical advice before travelling to Peru and ensure that all appropriate vaccinations are up-to-date. For further information on vaccination requirements, health outbreaks and general disease protection and prevention you should visit the websites of the National Travel Health Network and Centre (NaTHNaC) or NHS Scotland's Fit For Travel or call NHS Direct on 0845 46 47.

For more general health information see Travel Health and the UK Department of Health website at www.dh.gov.uk. You should monitor local media reports of any developments and advice. 

Natural disasters

Earthquakes

Peru is in an active earthquake zone and tremors are frequent.  On 15 August 2007, Peru was struck by an earthquake, measuring 7.9 on the Richter scale.  Around 600 people died, mostly in the cities of Pisco, Chincha and Ica (around 100 miles south of Lima).  Infrastructure in the area remains affected and you are advised to check with your tour operator before travelling to the area.

Volcanoes

In 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. You should check with your travel agent before visiting the area.  See the Local Travel section of this Travel Advice.

Flooding and Landslides

In January 2010 the Peruvian Government declared a 60-day state of emergency in Cusco Province in the Peruvian Andes, because unusually severe seasonal rains had caused flooding and landslides.  The Peruvian authorities have declared that, because of the severe weather, Machu Picchu and the Inca Trail are closed.  The rail line between Ollantaytambo and Aguas Calientes, the base camp for Machu Picchu, has also been closed due to landslides and may not re-open until April 2010. Whilst severe weather continues to affect the Cusco region periodically, tourist sites within the city of Cusco are open and operating as usual.

The rainy season in Peru runs from November to April.  During this time, land, rock and mudslides can cause disruption to road and rail travel in mountain and jungle areas and the north of Peru.  You should take care when travelling in these areas during the rainy season and check the latest conditions with your tour operator. You should also monitor local media for updates on travel information before starting your journey.

General

Insurance  

We recommend that you obtain comprehensive travel and medical insurance before travelling.  You should check any exclusions, and that your policy covers you for all the activities you want to undertake. For more general information see Travel Insurance .  If things do go wrong when you are overseas, then this is How We Can Help.

Registration

Register with our LOCATE service to tell us when and where you are travelling abroad or where you live abroad so our consular and crises staff can provide better assistance to you in an emergency. More information about registering with LOCATE can be found here.

Money

ATM machines can be found in the main cities.  See the Crime section of this Travel Advice for details of ATM-related crimes.

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.

Sources of Information

The Peruvian Government has a website providing useful information for tourists and visitors to Peru, iperú: http://www.peru.info/e_ftoiperueng.asp.  The website includes details of registered services in Peru, although you should be aware that neither the Peruvian Government nor the FCO can recommend a particular company or organisation.  If you have a complaint about visitor services in Peru, you should approach iperú in the first instance.

British Honorary Consuls in Peru

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

Arequipa
Honorary Consul: Mr Reynaldo Roberts MBE
Alfonso Ugarte 250, Arequipa
Tel: (+51) (54) 24 60 6600
Fax: (+ 51) (54) 606 601
Email: gerencia@gruporoberts.com

Cusco
Honorary Consul: Mr Barry Walker MBE
Calle Clorinda Matto de Turner No 330,
Primera Etapa, Urbanizacion Magisterial,
Cusco, Peru
Tel: (+ 51) (84) 23 9974
Tel:  (+51)(84) 984036667  (weekends only)
Fax: (+ 51) (84) 23 6706
Email: bwalker@terra.com.pe or Adventure@ManuExpeditions.com

Trujillo
Honorary Consul: Mr Winston Barber
Jr Alfonso Ugarte 310, Trujillo
Tel/Fax: (+ 51) (44) 949711275
Email: winstonbarber@terra.com.pe