Is Peru Safe for Women To Travel Alone?

There are always some safety threats and precautions.

Just like most tourist destinations, in Peru, there are always some safety threats and precautions to bear in mind. Generally speaking, in Peru, petty crime such as pickpocketing, muggings, credit card fraud, and some sexual harassment, unfortunately still occur.  The chances are slim for a tourist but it’s important to be vigilant, smart, and use common sense. Deciding to do a solo trip to Peru is always tricky, and it depends on the continent, the country, and the specific region,  as to the problems you could encounter.  Sometimes it can be a hard decision, putting yourself more at risk and making your family nervous about doing things solo as a female. Traveling alone as a woman in Peru gives you the ultimate element of freedom, But with freedom, comes responsibility. You may feel more vulnerable in terms of your personal safety, lonely at times, or feel the pressure of having to deal with and do everything by yourself. All the main decisions begin and end with you, and only you. The good news is that Peru has a lot of solo travelers with whom you may cross paths with. People who may share their knowledge and experiences with you and guide you to a safe and enjoyable Peru trip.

 

Machu Picchu

Travel Safety

The threat of crime is no greater in Peru than in other countries in the world. However, this does not mean that crime does not exist, but this does not represent a major difficulty for women who wish to travel on their own. Although normally any woman can feel safe in Peruvian territory, you can expect to attract a little attention without company. In case your friends cannot travel with you, it is not a reason to cancel your long-awaited trip. Traveling alone is a beautiful and self-discovery experience. In general, the different tourist sites in Peru are highly safe. Consequently, those adventurous women will not have great difficulties traveling through Peru. You will even find many things to do in Peru to keep you entertained and busy. But in any case, it is a good idea to: 

• Keep away from isolated or suspicious places
• Don’t take a cab alone
• Avoid Hitchhiking
• Don’t leave drinks unattended
• Be aware of your surroundings.
• Have a comprehensive travel insurance policy
• Monitor local media
• Be aware of civil unrest 
• Take extra care on Public transport
• Natural disasters are a real thing. Especially during rainy season.
• Check if there is a travel advisory by the local authorities
• Join forums or travel groups and get tips from people who have already visited Peru

 

Lima Airport

 

Areas to Avoid

There are certain regions of Peru that should be avoided for all travelers. The Colombian Peruvian border area. This region is renowned for drug trafficking and criminal activity. The Apurímac ene and Mantaro rivers VRAEM are active and are also notorious for drug-related activities. So you should definitely exercise increased caution if you are traveling in his region.

El "Brichero"

Machismo and male chauvinism are both alive and well in Peruvian culture. As a female traveler, you’ll almost certainly experience some form of street harassment in Peru. This type of harassment is rarely aggressive and is normally limited to childish comments and catcalls are known as "piropos". The vast majority of women traveling alone in Peru never experience any major problems beyond catcalls and may be an instance of petty theft. 

 

Machu Picchu

Female travelers in Peru can also be taken advantage of emotionally. Brichero´s are generally found in tourist areas. A  "brichero" is a particular type of male Peruvian who targets female tourists intending to forge an intimate relationship for personal gain. These men happily play the role of an enamored devotee, as long as their foreign conquest pays for everything, including, ideally, a plane ticket back to the traveler's home country! Of course, this isn't always the case just something to bear in mind if you do become involved with a local in Peru.

 

Rainbow Mountain

 

Cusco

Cusco is the ancient Inca capital. Built in the shape of a puma. Adorned with Inca and pre-Inca sites. Cusco is a very well-touristed city and generally safe for women. Visit the Cusco cathedral and sample the traditional dish of Cuy - Guinea Pig! Sticking to touristic regions means that there is more of a police presence and less chance of any serious issues when it comes to safety.

 

Cusco Plaza De Armas

 

Please ask here if you have any questions or concerns about solo female travel in Peru!