Peru

• Fake taxi drivers operating unmarked vehicles frequently target airport arrivals and tourists in popular areas, often overcharging or taking indirect routes to increase fares, while more serious incidents involving theft or assault have been reported with unlicensed drivers. Always use official taxi applications like Uber, Cabify, or Beat, which provide driver identification and GPS tracking, or request your hotel arrange transportation through verified companies. Official airport taxis have proper licensing, meters, and company identification, though they cost more than ride-sharing services. Avoid hailing random vehicles on the street, especially late at night or in unfamiliar areas, and never share taxis with strangers who approach you offering to split costs, as this common setup enables theft or worse crimes.
• Distraction theft operates through coordinated teams in crowded markets, bus stations, and tourist areas, where one person creates a distraction while accomplices steal wallets, phones, or bags from distracted victims. Common distractions include staged arguments, spilled liquids, children asking for money or directions, or people pointing out fabricated problems with your clothing or belongings. Pickpockets work crowded buses and markets with practiced efficiency, often targeting back pockets, open bags, and phones visible in hands or pockets. Protect yourself by using money belts or hidden pouches for important documents and excess cash, keeping only small amounts in easily accessible wallets, and maintaining awareness of your surroundings in crowded areas. Secure bags in front of your body and avoid displaying expensive electronics, jewelry, or large amounts of cash that advertise your wealth to potential thieves.
• Fake tour operators in Cusco proliferate around the main square and tourist areas, offering discounted Machu Picchu packages or adventure tours that may involve unsafe transportation, unlicensed guides, or complete scams where operators disappear with advance payments. These illegitimate businesses often lack proper insurance, safety equipment, or emergency procedures, potentially endangering participants during mountain treks or ruins visits. Research and book through established agencies with proper licensing, positive online reviews, and physical office locations you can visit before paying. Reputable operators provide detailed contracts, emergency contact information, and transparent pricing without high-pressure sales tactics. Avoid street vendors selling tours, extremely cheap packages that seem too good to be true, or operators demanding full payment immediately without proper documentation or the ability to verify their legitimacy through independent sources.

• Altitude sickness affects the majority of visitors traveling to Cusco and surrounding highland areas, causing symptoms including severe headaches, nausea, fatigue, shortness of breath, and difficulty sleeping that can significantly impact your travel experience and potentially become life-threatening if ignored. Plan at least two full days in Cusco for acclimatization before attempting strenuous activities like the Inca Trail or visiting Machu Picchu, avoiding alcohol and heavy meals during this adjustment period. Ascend gradually when possible, flying first to Lima at sea level, then Cusco, rather than directly to higher elevations. Recognize serious symptoms including persistent vomiting, confusion, difficulty walking, or severe breathing problems that require immediate medical attention and possibly descent to lower altitudes. Consider consulting your doctor about altitude sickness medications like acetazolamide before travel, especially if you have heart or lung conditions.
• Coca tea, known locally as mate de coca, provides traditional and effective relief from altitude sickness symptoms and is completely legal throughout Peru, widely available in hotels, restaurants, and markets throughout highland regions. This ancient remedy helps increase oxygen absorption and reduces nausea, headaches, and fatigue associated with high altitude exposure. Drink several cups throughout the day, especially upon arrival in Cusco and before meals, as locals have used this natural remedy for centuries. Coca leaves can also be chewed in traditional fashion, though tea preparation is more palatable for most international visitors. While coca products are illegal in many countries, they're completely normal and encouraged in Peru, and consuming coca tea will not cause problems with drug tests as the concentrations are minimal and the preparation differs completely from processed cocaine.
• Drink exclusively bottled or properly purified water throughout Peru, as tap water contains bacteria and parasites that cause severe gastrointestinal illness in visitors unaccustomed to local microorganisms, potentially ruining days or weeks of your vacation with debilitating symptoms. Lima's renowned ceviche scene offers world-class culinary experiences, but choose reputable restaurants with high turnover and proper refrigeration rather than street stalls where fish may sit unrefrigerated for hours in warm temperatures. Popular, busy restaurants typically maintain higher food safety standards than empty establishments where ingredients may be older. Avoid raw vegetables and fruits you cannot peel yourself, ice in drinks unless you're confident about water sources, and dairy products that may not be properly pasteurized, though established restaurants in tourist areas generally maintain international food safety standards.

• Hepatitis A and Typhoid vaccinations are strongly recommended for all travelers to Peru due to potential exposure through contaminated food and water, even in upscale restaurants and hotels where preparation standards may differ from your home country. Hepatitis A spreads through contaminated food and water and can cause weeks of severe illness including jaundice, fatigue, and digestive problems that will severely impact your travel experience. Typhoid fever, transmitted similarly, causes high fever, headache, and potentially life-threatening complications if untreated. Both vaccines are widely available and should be administered at least two weeks before travel for optimal effectiveness, though some protection begins immediately. Consult travel medicine specialists who can provide current recommendations based on your specific itinerary, medical history, and planned activities.
• Yellow Fever vaccination is legally required for travelers visiting Peru's Amazon region, including popular destinations like Iquitos and Puerto Maldonado, and proof of vaccination may be checked at domestic airports or jungle lodges. This vaccine requires advance planning as it's only available at authorized Yellow Fever vaccination centers, and the International Certificate of Vaccination becomes valid 10 days after immunization. The vaccine provides lifetime protection but has contraindications for certain age groups and medical conditions, so consult healthcare providers well before travel. Even if not visiting jungle areas initially, having yellow fever vaccination provides flexibility for spontaneous Amazon excursions and may be required for onward travel to other South American countries with similar requirements.
• Ensure routine vaccinations including measles-mumps-rubella (MMR), diphtheria-tetanus-pertussis, varicella (chickenpox), polio, and annual influenza vaccines are current before international travel, as these diseases may be more common in Peru than your home country and medical treatment may be less accessible in remote areas. Adult travelers often need tetanus boosters every 10 years, and measles outbreaks have occurred in various countries, making MMR particularly important. Consider additional vaccines like Japanese encephalitis or rabies pre-exposure prophylaxis if planning extensive rural travel, adventure activities, or working with animals, though these aren't necessary for typical tourist itineraries focusing on major cities and established attractions.

• Embrace Peru's extraordinary culinary scene, as Lima has emerged as one of the world's premier gastronomic destinations, earning recognition from international food critics and hosting renowned restaurants that blend indigenous ingredients with international techniques. Must-try dishes include ceviche, the national dish of fresh fish marinated in citrus juices and spiced with aji peppers, best enjoyed at lunch when fish is freshest. Sample lomo saltado, a stir-fry reflecting Chinese immigration influence, causa limeña showcasing purple potatoes in layered presentations, and anticuchos (grilled beef heart skewers) from street vendors. Don't miss traditional drinks like pisco sour, Peru's national cocktail, and chicha morada, a refreshing purple corn beverage. Food markets like Mercado de San Miguel in Lima offer safe, authentic experiences where you can try multiple dishes in clean, tourist-friendly environments while supporting local vendors and experiencing genuine Peruvian hospitality.
• Learning basic Spanish phrases significantly enhances your Peruvian experience, as English proficiency remains limited outside major tourist zones and upscale hotels, making communication challenging in markets, local restaurants, and transportation situations. Essential phrases include greetings, numbers, directions, and food terminology that help navigate daily interactions with warmth and respect. Many Peruvians appreciate foreign visitors' efforts to communicate in Spanish and often respond with patience and helpfulness when they see you trying. Consider downloading translation apps, carrying a phrasebook, or taking basic lessons before travel. In highland areas, some indigenous populations speak Quechua as their primary language, though Spanish remains the common second language. Even simple attempts at Spanish communication demonstrate respect for local culture and often lead to more authentic, friendly interactions with local people who may share recommendations or insights not available to non-Spanish speakers.
• Show genuine respect for Peru's rich indigenous cultures and always ask permission before photographing people, especially in traditional markets, rural areas, and during cultural ceremonies where photography may be considered intrusive or disrespectful. Many indigenous Peruvians maintain strong connections to ancestral traditions and may view unsolicited photography as exploitative, particularly given historical contexts of cultural appropriation by tourists. Offer small tips (5-10 soles) when people agree to pose for photos, and take time to engage in friendly conversation rather than treating people as tourist attractions. Learn about local customs, participate respectfully in cultural activities when invited, and purchase authentic handicrafts directly from artisans when possible. Respect sacred sites and ceremonial locations by following local guidelines, maintaining quiet behavior, and understanding that some areas may be off-limits to visitors during important cultural or religious observances.

• Resist the temptation to rush directly to Machu Picchu upon arriving in Cusco, as the dramatic altitude change from sea level or moderate elevations to 11,152 feet requires proper acclimatization to prevent serious altitude sickness that can ruin your entire Peruvian experience. Many travelers make this mistake and spend their Machu Picchu visit feeling nauseated, exhausted, and unable to fully appreciate the incredible archaeological site they've traveled so far to see. Instead, plan at least two full days in Cusco or the Sacred Valley for gradual adjustment, exploring local markets, museums, and nearby ruins while your body adapts to reduced oxygen levels. Use this time productively by visiting San Pedro Market, exploring San Blas neighborhood, touring Qorikancha temple, or taking short walks around the city center. Your patience with acclimatization will be rewarded with energy and clarity to fully appreciate Machu Picchu's magnificence.
• Never purchase artifacts, textiles, or crafts that might be genuine antiquities, as Peru strictly prohibits the export of cultural patrimony and archaeological artifacts, with violations resulting in serious criminal charges, imprisonment, and massive fines that can destroy your finances and freedom. Even items that appear to be modern reproductions may actually be authentic pieces illegally removed from archaeological sites, and determining authenticity requires expert knowledge unavailable to tourists. Customs officials use sophisticated detection methods and maintain extensive databases of stolen cultural property, making attempts to smuggle artifacts extremely risky. Support local artisans by purchasing clearly contemporary handicrafts, textiles, and artwork from legitimate sources like established markets and cooperatives. These modern creations often use traditional techniques and designs, providing authentic cultural experiences while supporting local communities without legal risks or contributing to the destruction of Peru's irreplaceable archaeological heritage.
• Avoid drinking tap water or consuming unwashed raw fruits and vegetables throughout your Peru travels, as these items harbor bacteria, parasites, and microorganisms that cause severe gastrointestinal illness in international visitors whose digestive systems lack immunity to local microorganisms. Even fruits and vegetables served in upscale restaurants may be washed in local tap water, making them risky for sensitive stomachs. Street vendor salads, cut fruits, and fresh juices may contain contaminated water or be prepared in unsanitary conditions that lead to days or weeks of debilitating illness including diarrhea, vomiting, fever, and dehydration requiring medical treatment. Choose fruits you can peel yourself, cooked vegetables, and bottled beverages to minimize risks while still enjoying Peru's incredible culinary diversity safely and comfortably throughout your journey.

Tipping practices in Peru follow established customs that show appreciation for good service while respecting local wage structures and economic conditions, with restaurants typically expecting 10% gratuity for satisfactory service, though this amount may be adjusted based on service quality and establishment type. Upscale restaurants in Lima's Miraflores or Barranco districts may warrant 12-15% tips for exceptional service, while simple local eateries may appreciate smaller amounts of 5-8%. Check bills carefully as some restaurants include service charges automatically, eliminating the need for additional tips. For tour guides, budget S/15-30 ($5-10 USD) per person per day for full-day experiences, with higher amounts for exceptional guides who provide detailed cultural insights, speak excellent English, or go beyond standard service expectations. Hotel staff appreciate small tips: S/5-10 for bellhops, S/10-15 for housekeeping per stay, and S/5 for concierge assistance with reservations or directions. Taxi drivers don't typically expect tips unless they provide exceptional service like helping with luggage or waiting during stops.

Layered clothing is absolutely essential for Peru travel due to dramatic temperature variations between day and night, especially in highland regions where morning temperatures may be near freezing while afternoons reach comfortable warmth, requiring adaptable outfits that can be adjusted throughout the day. Pack lightweight base layers, insulating mid-layers like fleece or wool, and waterproof outer shells for sudden weather changes common in mountain environments. Comfortable, broken-in walking shoes with good traction are mandatory for exploring archaeological sites with uneven stone surfaces, steep steps, and potentially slippery conditions. Cusco and other highland cities maintain casual dress standards where jeans, comfortable shirts, and practical footwear are perfectly appropriate for restaurants, markets, and cultural sites. Lima's coastal climate allows for lighter clothing, but air conditioning in malls and restaurants can be quite cold, making light jackets advisable. When visiting churches or religious sites, cover shoulders and legs appropriately, avoiding shorts, tank tops, or revealing clothing that may be considered disrespectful in these sacred spaces.

Peru's predominantly Catholic population coexists harmoniously with strong indigenous spiritual traditions, creating a unique syncretic religious landscape where ancient Andean beliefs blend seamlessly with Christian practices, particularly evident in highland communities where Pachamama (Earth Mother) ceremonies and Catholic festivals often merge into vibrant cultural celebrations. Respect these dual traditions by approaching both Catholic churches and indigenous sacred sites with appropriate reverence and behavior, understanding that many Peruvians maintain deep spiritual connections to both belief systems simultaneously. Major Catholic holidays like Easter, Christmas, and Corpus Christi involve elaborate processions and celebrations that temporarily close streets and businesses while creating spectacular cultural experiences for respectful observers. Indigenous ceremonies honoring Pachamama, mountain spirits (apus), and agricultural cycles continue throughout Peru, particularly during planting and harvest seasons, and visitors may occasionally witness these traditional rituals that deserve respectful observation from appropriate distances. Churches throughout Peru welcome visitors during non-service hours, but maintain quiet behavior, dress modestly, and avoid flash photography during religious ceremonies or while people are praying in these sacred spaces.