Peru - Dangers

Dangers & Annoyances

Theft

Peru has a reputation for thievery. Every year, we hear from travelers who have been robbed. However, by taking basic precautions and exercising a reasonable amount of vigilance, you probably won't be robbed. Often, travelers are so involved in their new surroundings and experiences that they forget to stay alert - and that's when something is stolen. It's good to know that armed theft is not as frequent as sneak theft. Remember that crowded places are usually the haunts of pickpockets - badly lit bus and train terminals or bustling markets and fiestas. Hotels and hotel staff aren't entirely safe either; lock your valuables inside your closed luggage, or use safety deposit services where they are offered.

Thieves look for easy targets. Tourists carrying a wallet or passport in a hip pocket are asking for trouble. Leave your wallet in a secure place at your hotel; otherwise it's an easy mark for a pickpocket. A small roll of bills loosely wadded under a handkerchief in your front pocket is as safe a way as any of carrying your daily spending money. The rest should be hidden. Always use at least a closable inside pocket - or preferably a hidden body pouch, money belt or leg pouch - to protect your money and passport.

Carry some of your money as traveler's checks. These can be refunded if lost or stolen, often within a few days in Lima. However, exchange rates for traveler's checks are quite a bit lower than for US cash. Airlines may reissue a lost ticket for a fee, if you have a receipt. Stolen passports can be reissued at your embassy. For this, you need a police report of the theft and positive identification.

Snatch theft is also common, so don't wear gold necklaces, cameras and expensive wristwatches. Snatch theft can also occur if you place a bag on the ground for just a second.

Thieves often work in pairs or groups. While your attention is being distracted by one, another is robbing you. The distraction can take the form of a bunch of kids fighting in front of you, an old lady 'accidentally' bumping into you, someone dropping something in your path or spilling something on your clothes and so on.

Razor-blade artists slit may open your luggage when you're not looking. All luggage is vulnerable; a pack on your back or luggage in the rack of a bus - or even your trouser pocket. Many travelers carry their day packs on their chests to avoid having them slashed during day trips to markets and other crowded public spaces. It is always a good idea to walk purposefully wherever you are going, even if you are lost.

One of the best solutions to the rip-off problem is to travel with a friend and to watch one another. If you see a suspicious-looking character, look them directly in the eye and point them out to your traveling companions. Take out traveler's insurance, but don't get paranoid. Stay alert and you can spend months in Peru without anything being stolen.

COPIES

All important documents (passport, credit cards, travel insurance policy, driving licence, etc) should be photocopied before you leave home. Leave one copy at home and keep another with you, separate from the originals.
Another way of storing your travel documents is with Lonely Planet's free on-line Travel Vault.

Drugs

Definitely avoid any conversation with someone who offers you drugs. In fact, talking to any stranger on the street can hold risks. It has happened that travelers have been stopped soon after by plainclothes police officers and accused of talking to a drug dealer. Never get into a vehicle with the 'police' but insist on going to a bona fide police station on foot. Be wary of false or crooked police who prey on tourists. Note that the Policia de Turismo, listed in major cities, is usually helpful with legal problems.

Be aware that there are draconian penalties for the possession of even a small amount of drugs for personal use. Minimum sentences are several years in jail.

DANGEROUS DRUG AREAS

It is best to avoid the Rio Huallaga valley between Tingo Maria and Juanjui. This is where the majority of Peru's illegal drug-growing takes place, and the area is somewhat dangerous.

Environmental Hazards

Some of the hazards you might encounter in Peru are discussed in the Health chapter. They include altitude sickness, earthquakes and avalanches, animal bites, hypothermia and heat exhaustion . You can take precautions for most of these, while the rest are, thankfully, rare.

Terrorism

There are two guerrilla groups in Peru, the MRTA and the Sendero Luminoso. The main leaders of both groups were captured and imprisoned in 1992 and, since then, travel safety has improved dramatically. Occasional attacks by a few remaining Senderistas are still reported, but these are infrequent, happen in remote areas and are not generally aimed at tourists.