While most of the time the cities are safe for tourists, robberies in Peru do happen. It’s best to be aware of this kind of thing before traveling.
1. Armed Robberies in Peru
In the wake of the COVID pandemic, petty robberies have become more common in large cities such as Lima. While violent crime against tourists is not common at all, petty theft is on the up, because so many people have been left desperate after the country’s reaction to the pandemic. In order to avoid these types of things happening, it is best to not dress in flashy clothes, keep valuables tucked away, and keep your phone hidden.
Check Out: Our Cultural Tours to Machu Picchu- We go out of our way to make sure that you avoid the crowds and experience Peru safely.
Should you be Worried about being Robbed in Peru?
Let’s compare with some other statistics.
Homicides vs deaths in traffic accidents ( both per year per 100,000 of the population)
United Kingdom 1.2 vs 2
Chile 3.3 vs 10.74
USA 5.3 vs 10.04
Argentina 6 vs 13.6
Peru 7.7 vs 14.01
Uruguay 7.8 vs 13.5
Mexico 19.5 vs 12.4
Brasil 29.7 vs 21.96
Libya 33.18 vs 73.4
Venezuela 81.4 vs 42.18
Remember these are figures for the general population- little to do with tourists. Most violent attacks are by people you know or have some connection with (family, gangs, etc). The idea is to show the whole world has a risk.
Armed robbery in Lima has been a problem for some years – most high-end hotels have security outside. Authorities are working to improve things, but progress is slow.
All the jungle lodges have taken extra precautions – there are now armed police or military at all lodges. There is an increased police presence at the park checkpoints and increased river patrols.
Do not worry- these police patrols are not something to be scared of- Cusco has armed military or police standing around the main square and main street most days, and bank guards are always armed. As with many countries, it is very normal to have an armed police presence.
The authorities are looking at installing security cameras along the Inca Trail.
The advice remains the same as ever
Do not resist. If someone tries to rob you, give them what they want- money and things are replaceable. People are not.
If you are a guide or security guard trying to intervene, clearly the risks are higher.
Check Out: Our Cultural Tours to Machu Picchu- We go out of our way to make sure that you avoid the crowds and experience Peru safely.
My advice
- A remote jungle lodge remote trek is far safer than most big cities around the world precisely because it is remote.
- You should be more worried about being in a traffic accident, wherever you are than being robbed. 150,000 people in the UK and 2.2 million in the USA were involved in traffic accidents in 2017
- It is safer to take a holiday in Peru than to be in a car in the USA
While robberies in Peru do happen, they’re not commonplace for tourists. As long as you stay in the safer areas and are sensible, you should be fine. If you travel on an organized tour then chances are extremely low of anything happening, particularly with Amazonas Explorer, as we take extra safety measures compared to other companies. Get in touch if you’d like to enquire about a tour or check out our recommended adventures for ideas, adventures, and updates.
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