Peru Travel Advisory 2026

Current U.S. State Department advisory

Level 2: Exercise Increased Caution

Be aware of heightened risks to safety and security. Most popular travel destinations worldwide sit at this level. Advisory as of May 15, 2025.

Official source: travel.state.gov

US vs UK: how the advice compares

🇺🇸 United States — travel.state.gov

Level 2· Exercise Increased Caution

Level 2 of 4 · as of May 15, 2025

🇬🇧 United Kingdom — FCDO (GOV.UK)

Advises against all but essential travel to parts of the country

Last updated June 22, 2026 · gov.uk advice

Latest UK update note: “Removal of info about Colombia’s temporary border closures with Peru (‘Warnings and insurance’ page)”

See all countries where the two governments disagree on the US vs UK comparison page.

Advisory level timeline

May 15, 2025 — current
Level 2: Exercise Increased Caution
Latest official advisory as captured in our snapshot.
No advisory level changes recorded for Peru since we began tracking in July 2026. We log every future change here, with dates and official change notes.

Is Peru safe? What the official advisory says

Reissued after periodic review with minor edits.

Exercise increased caution due to crime, civil unrest, and the risk of kidnapping. Some areas have increased risk. Read the entire Travel Advisory.

Do not travel to:

The Colombia-Peru border area in the Loreto Region due to crime .
The Valley of the Apurímac, Ene, and Mantaro Rivers (VRAEM), which includes Vilcabamba, due to crime and threats of terrorism .
Some areas within the regions of Ayacucho, Cusco*, Huancavelica, and Junín, due to crime and threats of terrorism .

* The city of Cusco and popular tourist sites nearby, like the Sacred Valley, the Inca Trail, and Machu Picchu, are not located in the affected area.

Country Summary: Crime is common in Peru. Petty theft, carjackings, muggings, assaults, and other violent crime often happen even in daylight hours and with many witnesses around. Kidnapping is rare, but it does occur. The risk of crime increases at night. Criminal groups sometimes set up roadblocks to rob people in areas outside of Lima.

Ayahuasca and Kambo Usage U.S. travelers should not use Ayahuasca or Kambo because of the known dangers. U.S. citizens have suffered serious illness and, in some cases, died after taking these drugs. They have also been sexually assaulted, injured, or robbed while under the influence of these substances.

Demonstrations Demonstrations occur regularly throughout the country. Public demonstrations can take place for a variety of political and economic issues. Demonstrations can shut down local roads, trains, and major highways. This often happens without warning or clear information on reopening times. Road closures can limit access to public transportation and airports. Closures may also disrupt travel in and between cities.

Due to road safety risks, U.S. government employees working in Peru are prohibited from nighttime driving except within cities, between Lima and Huacho (to the north), and Lima and Paracas (to the south). U.S. government employees working in Peru may travel at night with commercial bus companies along the Pan-American Highway, to Huaraz, and on the Lima-Arequipa-Cusco corridor.

Read the country information page for additional information on travel to Peru.

Condensed from the official State Department advisory of May 15, 2025 — read the full advisory before you travel.

Peru travel advisory FAQ

What is the current travel advisory level for Peru?

As of May 15, 2025, the U.S. State Department rates Peru at Level 2: Exercise Increased Caution. Be aware of heightened risks to safety and security. Most popular travel destinations worldwide sit at this level.

What does Level 2 mean?

Level 2 (Exercise Increased Caution) — Be aware of heightened risks to safety and security. Most popular travel destinations worldwide sit at this level.

When did the Peru travel advisory last change?

The current advisory was published on May 15, 2025. No level changes have been recorded since we began tracking in July 2026 — this page will log every future change.

Does the UK government agree with the US advisory for Peru?

The UK Foreign Office (FCDO) position: Advises against all but essential travel to parts of the country (last updated June 22, 2026). The US and UK use different systems — the US assigns a 1–4 level, while the UK either advises against travel (entirely or in part) or issues no overall warning.