What are the issues affecting travelers in Peru? Read the latest travel warnings and alerts.
Photo © Getty Images/EyeEm
Closure of Machu Picchu – 23 January 2023
Due to ongoing protests and unrest, the Peruvian government has closed the 15th-century Machu Picchu tourist site and the Inca Trail hiking route with rail services to the site also suspended. The government said it had closed the site to protect tourosts and locals. The closure resulted in hundreds of people being trapped at the site, but who have now been evacuated.
If you are in the area, please follow the advice of local authorities, and contact your airline or travel provider for updates.
Civil unrest and protests – 19 December 2022
On 14 December 2022, a 30-day nationwide State of Emergency was declared by the Peruvian Government because of ongoing protests in response a change of government on 7 December 2022. The current situation is volatile with unpredictable protests which can escalate and become violent. Protests are taking place around the country, including Lima, Apurimac, Ayacucho, Arequipa, Cusco, Puno, Ica, and along the Pan-American Highway.
Visitors arriving in Lima might find that travel to some parts of the country may not be possible. There is widespread travel disruption, with road blockades and regional airport closures, including at Arequipa, Ayacucho, and Juliaca (Puno) airports. Cusco airport has reopened and Lima airport is only allowing entry to passengers with valid airline tickets. Check with your airline and tour operator before considering any travel. For information on airport operations, visit the Lima airport website.
Protests have also resulted in the suspension of train services to and from Machu Picchu. A partial service from Machu Picchu has begun, with travel possible some of the way before the service connects for onward travel to Cusco.
Fill in the Peruvian tourist authority i-Peru’s online form which is being used to help the Peruvian authorities to assist travelers.
If you are already traveling, and need help from World Nomads, contact our Emergency Assistance Team.
If you are not yet traveling, before you buy travel insurance, read the travel alerts and check travel advice and restrictions for your destination(s) as these may impact cover, or your ability to travel.
Machu Picchu
Machu Picchu reopened on 1 November 2020, with a limited 30% admission capacity of 675 people per day. Visitors will have their temperatures taken and will be required to wear masks and stand at least 6.5ft (2m) apart.
- A nationwide curfew between the hours of 11pm to 4am
- Restrictions may differ between regions of Peru – check local government websites before you travel
- People must wear face masks while outside, and a facial protector (a clear plastic full-face covering) is required on public transport
- IPERU is great tourist information and assistance resource.
Listen to The World Nomads Podcast: Peru
Safety tips for travelers in Peru
- Use the services of one of the official taxi companies located at desks directly outside the International and Domestic Arrival halls at the airport
- Avoid using taxis that operate on streets. Also, check for lights on top of the taxi, and proper signage on the car to make sure your cab is legitimate
- 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
- Be aware of the risk of "express kidnappings" - short-term, opportunistic abductions. Victims are selected at random and forced to empty their bank accounts. The incidence of this in Peru has lessened in recent years, but still occurs occasionally
- Women should take care at bus terminals, when hiring or getting into taxis, and avoid isolated areas particularly after dark
- Be alert to the availability and possible use of "date rape" and other drugs
- Tourists should be cautious if visiting the Sacsahuayman ruins outside Cuzco at dawn, dusk, or nighttime since roving gangs have in the past preyed on unsuspecting tourists.
Before you buy a travel insurance policy, check your government travel warnings and health advice – there may be no travel insurance cover for locations with a government travel ban or health advice against travel.
Related articles
Simple and flexible travel insurance
You can buy at home or while traveling, and claim online from anywhere in the world. With 150+ adventure activities covered and 24/7 emergency assistance.
Get a quote
No Comments