Is Peru safe to travel alone?

What to Expect as a Solo Traveler in Peru

Like its other Latin American neighbors, Peruvian culture is friendly and warm. This makes life for a solo traveler exceptionally easy. Add in the abundance of hostels and well-trodden ‘gringo’ trail and you’ll find it impossible to not make friends while traveling in Peru. With plenty of tourist infrastructure in place, hopping from city to city is an easy task. Unless of course, you want to visit some of the more rural areas in Peru. This could add some painful 12+ hour bus rides across the vast country. But if you’re seeking serene mountain villages you won’t be disappointed. Day-to-day you’ll find yourself exploring high-altitude cities, immersing yourself in the ancient Incan culture, and learning about the rich indigenous histories of the region. Throw in a trip to the Amazon and some trekking through the dramatic landscapes of the Sacred Valley and Peru will undoubtedly be a trip to remember.

 

Mountain Biking in The Sacred Valley

 

Crime in Peru

While crime is a concern for many travelers, total crime rates in Peru are officially 73 times lower than those in the United States, for example. Your major concern while traveling in Peru should be petty theft. Like in any developing country, robbers look for opportunities to steal, so avoid attracting the attention of pickpockets and keep any valuables in your hotel safe, stashing bags by your feet when inside of taxis, and hiding your phone when it’s not in use. 

 

Traveling Tips

Let’s talk safety, most solo travelers’ biggest concern when traveling abroad. These are a few things you can do to quell those fears in Peru.

Get a sim card. Navigating unfamiliar cities becomes a lot easier with access to GPS. If you’re worried about safety this is a good asset to have. 
Avoid going out alone at night. Or heavy drinking. 
Trust your gut. If it feels like a sketchy situation, remove yourself. 
Keep valuables hidden. The most commonly reported crime is pick-pocketing. Don’t carry a lot of cash on you. 
Brush up on your Spanish or carry a phrasebook. English isn’t widely spoken in Peru. You can also download Google Translate to make interactions with locals go smoother.

 

Police in Lima

 

Stay Away from Bad Neighborhoods

It’s hard to know where not to go when visiting new places, but the majority of hotels in Peru are in safe areas. Outside of Lima, most hotels are located within walking distance of the main plaza or Plaza de Armas. Usually, the closer a hotel is to the main plaza, the safer the area is. In Lima, the most touristic areas are also the safest areas. Miraflores, Barranco, and San Isidro are the three best places to stay and have a high presence of tourist police monitoring the streets to ensure safety for all. Avoid staying in hotels in neighborhoods like La Victoria, Callao, and the Downtown Historical Center. These areas have higher populations, leading to higher crime rates, and are less safe to walk around in at night. Keep in mind that the Jorge Chávez International Airport is located in Callao and most international flights get in after midnight, your taxi to your hotel in Miraflores or Barranco will drive through some neighborhoods that look a little dodgy at first, especially at night. Be aware that most international flights arrive around midnight, and your taxi to your hotel in Miraflores or Barranco will drive through some neighborhoods that look a little dodgy at first, especially at night. 

 

Downtown Lima

 

Making Friends

Many travelers choose the solo route out of a deep-seated desire to take on the world alone. Many solo travelers relish the opportunity to develop their confidence and to spend some time alone with themselves. It can be a profoundly rewarding and introspective experience. But some travelers choose the solo travel life out of necessity. In the case of the latter, you may want to make some friends along the route. Let’s take a look at the easiest ways to make friends as a solo traveler in Peru.

Stay at a Hostel. Hostels are backpacker hubs filled with travelers (often solo) looking to make connections. 
Sign up for a tour. From cooking classes in Lima to group treks in Cusco, there are plenty of opportunities to make friends with other solo travelers who share your interests. 
Join a trekking group. Hiking is an activity best done in groups. Multi-day treks through the Andes have a way of bonding travelers more than just an evening spent in the hotel.

 

Inca Trail Campsite

 

Protests in Peru

Per has recently come under scrutiny in the worldwide press and political issues are an unpredictable factor in any vacation. In Peru, when unions or groups strike, they target the railroads and train to Machu Picchu by blocking the route or heading to the airport, where they will gain the attention of the country´s press. Since tourism is a major industry in Peru, blocking the tracks is a way of getting the government to listen promptly. This means that some trips to Machu Picchu must be rescheduled without notice. Strikes usually only last a few days, but they can literally de-rail your schedule. However please bear in mind that protests in Peru are never directed at tourists themselves and you will be left in peace as long as you respect roadblocks and protests.

 

Protests

 

Extreme Weather Conditions

Peru has many different weather patterns throughout its many regions, but the main ones to keep in mind are the strong sun and the heavy rains. High altitude and Lima summers bring on a high UV index that can cause sunburns if you forget to reapply for protection regularly throughout the day. During the rainy season in The Andes, certain activities may be unsafe for visitors because of the weather. With excess rains, the rapids gain speed, so white water rafting is more dangerous in the rainy season than at other times of the year. Certain hiking trails are also closed during the rainy season. For example, the Inca Trail is closed for all of February, the heart of the rainy season, for safety and maintenance. The rainy season can flood riverbanks, causing damage to nearby towns and delays to travel land-based travel routes. To avoid weather-related safety issues, plan your trip during the dry or shoulder seasons. 

 

Trekking Peru

 

Don’t Travel With a Lot of Money

Taking out large sums of money might seem like a good idea because you’ll avoid international fees, but really it’s not. Unless you stash it away in a safe at a hotel, avoid taking out those large sums of money, and definitely don’t go out with too much money. Having all that cash on you at one time is just setting yourself up for disaster. It’s much better to have 50 soles pickpocketed than 400 soles.

 

Museums and Plazas

Museums and plazas are magnets for people traveling throughout an area. Everyone wants to know the history of a place and a museum is where they’ll find it. Not only can you meet people at a museum, but it is also a good way to occupy some time. Another great way to meet people is to go to a plaza. Peru has plenty of plazas in every city, and each plaza attracts everyone: from vendors and families to travelers and street performers. The plazas are the heart of every city and offer a perfect place to meet people and mingle with the locals.

 

Lima Plaza de Armas

 

Keep an Eye on Your Belongings

This may go without saying, but you have to be very vigilant with your belongings at all times. Especially when you’re traveling alone with a big backpack on, you’ll be a glaring target for theft. The best way to prevent your things from getting stolen is to be careful of where you put them and watchful of your surroundings. Large, busy bus stations with all their commotion are usually the best times for thieves to do their thing, especially when it gets crowded and everyone is bumping into each other. Don’t keep all your money and valuables in one place and always know where you’re storing them. Keep an eye on where you keep your money and constantly recheck to make sure your money, phone and computer are still there.

 

Travel Lightly

 

Can I travel to Peru Alone?

The short answer is yes, you can travel to Peru alone as a solo male or female traveler. Forethought is the best way to keep solo travelers safe, so plan transfers and hotels in advance so that you don’t arrive at a destination without any surprises. Bear in mind that some services require a minimum amount of passengers to depart. For example, if you’re hiking the Inca Trail, you should opt for a group hike rather than in private to keep costs affordable. Like its other Latin American neighbors, Peruvian culture is friendly and warm. This makes life for a solo traveler exceptionally easy. Add in the abundance of hostels and well-trodden ‘gringo’ trail and you’ll find it impossible to not make friends while traveling in Peru. With an excellent tourist infrastructure in place, hopping from city to city is an easy task. Unless of course, you want to visit some of the more rural areas in Peru. This could add some painful 12+ hour bus rides across the vast country. But if you’re seeking serene mountain villages you won’t be disappointed. Day-to-day you’ll find yourself exploring high-altitude cities, immersing yourself in the ancient Inca culture, and learning about the rich indigenous histories of the region. Throw in a trip to the Amazon and some trekking through the dramatic landscapes of the Sacred Valley and Peru will undoubtedly be a trip to remember.

 

Paron Lagoon

 

Solo Female Travelers

Like solo travel in any part of the world, solo female travelers need to be extra vigilant. Peru is one of the safest destinations to travel for female travelers, however, this shouldn't mean that you let your guard down. It is always important to pack your common sense and trip savvy wherever you travel in the world. Here are some tips:

Don’t lose sight of your valuables. Keep them locked in your hotel and walk around with a copy of your passport, a card, and some money for the day.

Don’t flash jewelry and expensive items

Avoid pickpocketing by holding on to your backpack and by never storing a cell phone or important item in the back pocket of your trousers

Withdraw money from secure banks and keep your eyes wide open when leaving the bank

Dress down. It’s sad that we still have to say this, but unfortunately, women still have to be mindful of how they dress. Peru is moderately a conservative country so it’s better to not wear too revealing clothes

Be aware of your surroundings and avoid walking alone at night, especially in deserted areas.

Don’t lose sight of your drinks if you go partying and of course, don’t accept drinks from strangers if you don’t see how they have been made

If you feel you’re being followed, enter a store, restaurant, or other facility and wait until you know you’re safe

Give your itinerary to someone back at home, the name and contact number of the hotel you’re staying at, and the tour company you are traveling with

Handle ‘admirers’ in the streets by not giving them a second of your time. Ignore men's catcalls and avoid eye contact

Have emergency numbers saved on your phone as well as the Embassy of your country.

 

Female Traveler in Machu Picchu

 

The Lowdown

In general, Peru is safe to travel alone, but like all South American countries, it has some crime, undesirable neighborhoods, opportunities for illness, and political instability that can affect travel plans. But don’t let this put you off! If safety is a concern, choose a travel agency like Valencia Travel that includes services like transfers, hotels, and guided tours in advance. This way you will not wander mistakenly in the wrong neighborhood. Organized tours also ensure that you have someone at the end of a call in case of an emergency and get from A to B effortlessly with a savvy guide for most parts of your trip. Pack some medication from home and always be aware of your surroundings when exploring the nightlife scene. With a few common-sense precautions, your trip should go without a hitch. With these safety tips and local advice, your Peru trip will be one you remember for all the right reasons. Now that you’ve learned about safety in Peru, all you need to do is book your trip and pack your bags.
 

Amazon Boat Ride

 

 

Ask us if you need any information about traveling alone in Peru!