Published: October 7, 2025
This report is intended to supplement the U.S. Department of State Peru Travel Advisory and Peru Country Information Page.
Embassy & Consulate Contact Information
U.S. Embassy: Avenida La Encalada cdra. 17 s/n Surco, Lima 33
Tel: +51-618-2000; After-hours Emergencies: +51-1618-2001
Hours: Monday - Friday 0800-1700.
OSAC Country Chapter(s)
Contact OSAC’s Americas Team for more information.
Peru Travel Advisory
The current U.S. Department of State Travel Advisory at the date of this report’s publication assesses that travelers should exercise increased caution in Peru due to crime, civil unrest, and the possibility of kidnapping. Do not travel to the Colombian-Peruvian border area in the Loreto Region due to crime, and the Valley of the Apurímac, Ene, and Mantaro Rivers (VRAEM), including areas within the Departments of Ayacucho, Cusco, Huancavelica, Junin, and Apurimac due to crime and terrorism.
Crime
The U.S. Department of State has assessed Lima as being a HIGH-threat location for crime directed at or affecting official U.S. government interests.
The U.S. Department of State has included a Crime “C” Indicator on the Travel Advisory for Peru, indicating that there may be widespread violent crime and/or organized crime present in the country, and/or that local law enforcement may have limited ability to respond to serious crimes.
According to the Peruvian National Police (PNP), crime rose by 12% in 2023 compared to previous years, and data from 2025 indicate that this escalation has not abated. While certain offenses, such as mobile phone thefts, have declined slightly by 8% from 2024, with approximately 728,000 reported cases, the scale remains significant, averaging 4,000 to 4,200 stolen devices per day, particularly across Lima districts like Cercado de Lima, Santiago de Surco, and Miraflores.
Street thefts, assaults, and other forms of property crime continue to rise, despite large-scale government efforts to curb stolen device usage. Non-violent crimes, such as burglaries, vehicle thefts, and motorcycle “snatch-and-run” incidents, account for approximately 68% of reported cases, highlighting the prevalence of opportunistic, economically driven offenses. In contrast, violent crimes, most notably homicides, make up about 9% of total incidents. While less frequent, their severity and societal impact remain significant.
Common criminal tactics include pickpocketing, snatching phones directly from victims’ hands, or pushing pedestrians to the ground to steal their devices. Motorcyclists, including delivery drivers, often use their vehicles to scout potential victims, approach quickly, seize phones, and flee before the victim can react. Due to the high risk of theft, the U.S. Embassy advises its personnel to avoid using cell phones in public spaces. Vehicular vandalism and theft occur throughout Peru. Criminals steal spare parts and sell them on the black market. Park vehicles in well-lit areas, preferably in a paid parking lot.
Foreign nationals and tourists are frequently targeted due to perceptions of higher wealth and valuable possessions; however, locals also face widespread exposure to crime. Extortion, counterfeit currency circulation, ATM fraud, and instances of drugging in nightlife venues have increased, with wealthier urban districts becoming more frequent targets.
Another trend involves armed assailants robbing individuals between the airport and their hotel, often following the individual directly from the airport. This type of crime usually happens late at night or early morning and occurs enroute to or upon arrival at the hotel, or while in the lobby checking into the hotel.
Counterfeit currency is a concern. Peru has more circulating counterfeit U.S. currency than any other country in the world. Criminals also target individuals that withdraw money from ATMs; many banks offer insurance on ATM withdrawals referred to as seguro. Criminals have been known to insert skim readers on ATMs to obtain bank and/or credit card information, allowing them to clone cards and make unauthorized withdrawals though less common than in previous years. Credit cards are in wide use in Lima. In restaurants, it is common for the waiter to bring a remote scanner to the table to pay the bill.
There have been some instances of drugging in bars and clubs for the purpose of robbery. Pay careful attention to drinks being poured, and do not leave a drink unattended. While U.S. Embassy personnel and foreign residents normally reside in affluent areas with significant private security and local police presence, they are not immune. Crime targeting affluent and tourist areas has risen over the past year. Residential burglaries are most common when houses are vacant, but thieves will also attempt to enter occupied residences via unsecured doors and windows, tricking domestic employees, or forcing access through residential perimeters.
Many areas of Peru are remote. Medical assistance or search and rescue services in these areas are often unavailable. Weather conditions, especially in mountainous areas, can change quickly. Fully prepare for low temperatures, altitude, and wet weather before venturing into the wilderness.
Several competent private security businesses operate in Peru, many of which offer a wide variety of services such as executive protection, private investigations, guard services for large events, armored car services, and physical security for work and residential locations.
Certain regions of Peru remain highly dangerous due to both criminal activity and limited infrastructure or emergency response capabilities. Restricted travel zones maintained by the U.S. Embassy include the VRAEM region (Valley of the Apurimac, Ene, and Mantaro Rivers) and areas near the Colombian border. In Lima, high-crime districts such as San Juan de Lurigancho, downtown Lima, San Martín de Porres, Comas, and Santiago de Surco account for a significant share of reported incidents. Although municipal and specialized police units have improved targeted responses, particularly in tourist-heavy areas, these districts continue to experience high crime rates. There are limited or no tourist sites in these areas:
- Ayacucho: Most districts in the provinces of La Mar and Huanta.
- Cusco: Several districts in the province of La Convención, especially those areas adjacent to the Apurimac River.
- Huancavelica: Many districts within the provinces of Churcampa and Tayacaja.
- Junín: Province of Satipo; the province of Concepción, cities of San Antonio de Ocopa and Santa Rosa. The districts of Santo Domingo de Acobamba and Pariahuanca in the Huancayo province.
Overall, Peru’s crime environment is characterized by localized yet intensifying violence, with firearm-related homicides and thefts concentrated in urban centers and areas with illegal economic activity. While the overall rate of increase has slowed, these trends highlight persistent security challenges, particularly for vulnerable populations, tourists, and foreign personnel. Effective risk mitigation requires heightened situational awareness, adherence to safety protocols, and targeted interventions in both high-crime districts and remote or economically illicit zones.
Within Lima, pickpockets and petty thieves target known tourist areas, including the downtown historical district and Miraflores neighborhood. The five districts of San Juan de Lurigancho, downtown Lima, San Martin de Porres, Comas, and Santiago de Surco constitute 35% of reported crimes in Lima’s 43 total neighborhoods. While overall crime fell 24% in 2024, the uneven distribution highlights the need for targeted security measures and vigilance in high-risk districts. Residents and visitors are advised to avoid displaying valuables and stay aware of their surroundings.
Kidnapping Threat
The U.S. Department of State has included a Kidnapping “K” Indicator on the Travel Advisory for Peru, indicating that criminal or terrorist individuals or groups have threatened to and/or have seized or detained and threatened to kill, injure, or continue to detain individuals in order to compel a third party (including a governmental organization) to do or abstain from doing something as a condition of release.
Kidnapping in Peru, while relatively uncommon, remains a notable security concern, particularly in urban centers like Lima and certain rural or border regions. The National Police of Peru (PNP) categorizes kidnappings into “al paso” (express kidnappings), opportunistic, short-term abductions in which victims are coerced to withdraw cash or transfer funds, and “típico” (typical kidnappings), less frequent, prolonged detentions for ransom, often associated with organized criminal networks. Express kidnappings are the primary threat to both residents and foreigners, as criminals exploit traffic congestion and rapid mobility to commit theft and escape swiftly.
Trends indicate a gradual decline in kidnapping nationwide, with a 6.5% reduction between 2023 and 2024, and a 16.2% decrease in Lima Metropolitana. This downward trend continued into 2025, with a 10.5% national decrease and an 11.1% decline in Lima from January to July. However, risk remains unevenly distributed, with increases reported in departments such as Áncash, Cusco, Madre de Dios, Moquegua, the Lima Region (outside Lima Metropolitana), and San Martín.
Overall, Peru’s kidnapping risk is relatively low and declining in most urban areas. Still, targeted vigilance remains essential, particularly in regions experiencing recent upticks in activity.
Terrorism
The U.S. Department of State has assessed Lima as being a LOW-threat location for terrorism directed at or affecting official U.S. government interests.
The U.S. Department of State has included a Terrorism “T” Indicator on the Travel Advisory for Peru, indicating that terrorist attacks have occurred and/or specific threats against civilians, groups, or other targets may exist. Review the latest State Department Country Report on Terrorism for Peru.
Terrorism in Peru is now uncommon; however, remnants of the Sendero Luminoso (Shining Path) terrorist group are active in the VRAEM, a particularly remote region that is a known safe haven for narcotraffickers. In 2023, Sendero Luminoso successfully targeted Peruvian security forces in this area. International terrorism is always a concern, but there is little evidence of continued significant activity by known international terrorist groups.
Over time, Shining Path has evolved into a narco-terrorist organization, shifting from purely ideological goals to organized criminal activities centered on drug trafficking. In parallel, other criminal groups involved in extortion and illegal mining have adopted selective terrorist tactics, such as bomb attacks, to control illicit markets and enforce payments. These attacks differ from traditional terrorism as they are typically not directed at government officials or public spaces.
Political Violence and Civil Unrest
The U.S. Department of State has assessed Lima as being a MEDIUM-threat location for political violence directed at or affecting official U.S. government interests.
The U.S. Department of State has included a Civil Unrest “U” Indicator on the Travel Advisory for Peru, indicating that demonstrations, protests, and/or strikes occur frequently, and/or that local law enforcement may have limited ability to respond adequately. Civil unrest can develop quickly without prior notice, often interrupting logistics and services. Avoid demonstration activity, as even those planned to remain peaceful have the potential to turn violent.
Elections/Political Stability
Peru is a constitutional, multiparty republic. Dina Ercilia Boluarte Zegarra assumed the presidency on December 7, 2022, following an attempt by then President José Pedro Castillo Terrones, elected in July 2021, to unilaterally dissolve congress and his subsequent impeachment and arrest. President Boluarte previously served as Castillo’s vice president from July 2021, until December 7. The 130 members of congress, elected in 2021 alongside the executive, continued with their terms.
Peru’s next general election will be held in April of 2026.
Protests & Demonstrations
Following President Castillo’s ouster, widespread protests blocked roads, trains, and impacted airports throughout Peru. Demonstrations lasted from December through February and primarily impacted the south of the country even after they eased in Lima. Demonstrations did escalate into violence. While protesters have threatened to reconvene, particularly in July 2023 and again on the one-year anniversary of the ouster, widespread protests have not reemerged.
In general, protests are common throughout Peru, but are usually peaceful. Protesters are known to block roads, burn tires, throw rocks, and damage property. Police occasionally use tear gas to maintain public order if protests get out of control but usually show restraint. Protests and strikes may impact the tourism industry, including access to sites such as Machu Picchu.
Employment-driven strikes are also common. Blocking streets, highways, or touristic places, and taking main squares is usually reported when strikes take place. Vandalism and public transportation limitations are usually reported as well.
Avoid protests and strikes while in Peru as they can turn violent with little notice.
Peru faces an unusually concentrated electoral calendar in 2026, with a general election in April (potentially followed by a runoff in June) and regional and municipal elections in October. This compressed schedule offers opportunities for increased citizen engagement and political debate but also raises the risk of heightened tensions and polarization. Citizen security is expected to dominate the political agenda, with media coverage shaping public perceptions and influencing discourse. While the electoral cycle encourages democratic participation, it also underscores public sensitivity to governance, safety, and institutional accountability.Anti-
U.S./Anti-Western Sentiment
Peruvians are friendly to U.S. nationals, though they may be critical of U.S. government policy; they do not generally conflate the two.
Law Enforcement
The Peruvian National Police (PNP), who report to the Interior Ministry, maintain internal security, and have nationwide jurisdiction. The armed forces, reporting to the Defense Ministry, are responsible for external security but also have some domestic security responsibilities in exceptional circumstances, such as during local or national states of emergency. Civilian authorities maintain effective control over the security forces. Members of the security forces have been accused of committing abuses during protests in 2023.
Police Response
PNP is modernizing, but officers often lack the training and resources for full effectiveness. In general, police may be slow to respond and do not conduct effective investigations, although filing a police report after a theft may be useful for insurance purposes. Motorists report that some police ask for bribes during traffic stops.
In Lima and other towns, many municipalities supplement PNP presence through an unarmed security force known as Serenazgo. Serenazgos use advanced technologies and serve as intermediaries between the public and formal law enforcement, enhancing situational awareness and access to security services. Despite lacking formal policing authority, they play a vital role in urban security, particularly in areas with limited presence of the PNP. However, there are conflicting reports regarding their effectiveness. There is little government presence in many remote areas of the Andes and Amazon basin. Illicit activities, such as illegal mining, logging, and coca production, are common. Drug trafficking and other criminal activity, combined with poor infrastructure, limit the capability and effectiveness of Peruvian law enforcement in this area. The U.S. government has limited ability to provide emergency services to U.S. citizens along the Colombian border and in the VRAEM, as U.S. government personnel are restricted from traveling in these regions.
Travelers with Special Considerations
For specific traveler concerns in Peru, review the local laws and circumstances on the Department of State’s Country Information Page.
Rule of Law, Arbitrary Detention, Official Harassment, Corruption, & Transparency
The U.S. Department of State has not included a Risk of Wrongful Detention “D” Indicator on the Travel Advisory for Peru.
The law provides criminal penalties for corruption by officials; however, the government does not always implement the law effectively. There are numerous reports of corruption by government officials during the year, including at the highest levels. Citizens continue to view corruption as a pervasive problem in all branches of national, regional, and local governments.
Cybersecurity
Cybercrimes in Peru have grown significantly because of the increased use of virtual platforms due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The most common forms of these crimes are phishing/pharming, identity theft to get government COVID-19 assistance, sexual blackmail for human trafficking, cloning of websites of online stores. The police received more than 8,000 reports of cybercrime in 2020, which is markedly higher than in 2019.
Peru faces a growing cybercrime challenge, with reported incidents rising from over 8,000 in 2020 to more than 40,000 in 2024, primarily affecting local individuals, businesses, and government systems. Limited institutional capacity has historically allowed digital criminal activity to flourish and increasingly intersect with traditional illicit markets.
In response, the PNP and justice system have taken significant steps to enhance cybercrime prevention and investigation. Key measures include the establishment of a national pool of cybercrime trainers for judges and prosecutors (2023), the creation of a Multisectoral Working Group with the European Union to develop a coordinated National Strategy, and a strengthened cybersecurity infrastructure demonstrated during the APEC 2024 summit, where over half a million cyberattacks were successfully thwarted.
Despite these advances, challenges persist, including technology gaps, limited specialized personnel, and the need for broader public awareness campaigns, underscoring the necessity for continued investment and institutional strengthening to address the evolving digital criminal landscape.
Import/Export Restrictions
The Peruvian Government Customs Office (SUNAT) considers various products restricted and prohibited. Firearms importation and exportation must have Peruvian Government authorization, including the ones for personal use. The Peruvian government has a strict Control Policy on this matter. The Peruvian gun control policies (SUCAMEC) has more detailed information.
There have not been reported issues with the import of personal satellite phones or drones. A country-specific listing of items/goods prohibited from being exported to the country or that are otherwise restricted is available from the U.S. International Trade Agency website.
Additional resources and reports can be found in the OSAC Traveler Toolkit.
