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The United States has revised its travel advisory for Peru, sharpening warnings about crime, drug-related violence, and kidnapping risks in specific regions even as most of the country remains open to visitors.
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Advisory kept at Level 2 but risk indicators expanded
The latest update to the U.S. Department of State advisory for Peru, issued on September 4, 2026, keeps the overall country at Level 2, meaning travelers are urged to exercise increased caution. Publicly available information shows that the advisory now highlights crime, unrest, kidnapping or hostage taking, and terrorism as key risk indicators across the country.
The advisory notes that crime is common in Peru, with reports of petty theft, carjackings, muggings, assaults, and other violent incidents, including in daylight and in busy areas. It also points to express kidnappings, in which victims are forced to withdraw money from cash machines, as a continuing security concern, though these cases are described as relatively uncommon.
While the overall level has not been raised to the more severe Level 3 or Level 4 categories, the expanded emphasis on kidnapping and crime signals a more pointed warning to U.S. travelers. The advisory urges visitors to remain alert, avoid displaying valuables, and pay close attention to local developments that could affect security.
Do not travel warnings in drug and conflict-affected corridors
The updated guidance singles out several areas where U.S. travelers are advised not to travel at all. These include the Colombia–Peru border area in the Loreto Region, the Valley of the Apurímac, Ene, and Mantaro Rivers, often referred to as the VRAEM, and a cluster of cities such as Abancay, Ayacucho, Huancavelica, and Huancayo within the highland regions of Ayacucho, Cusco, Huancavelica, and Junín.
According to the advisory text, these zones combine elevated threats from organized crime, drug trafficking, and remnants of insurgent activity. Peru remains an important node in the Andean cocaine trade, and analysis by regional and international observatories describes the VRAEM and some border areas as hotspots where illicit coca cultivation, clandestine airstrips, and trafficking networks intersect with weak state presence.
In recent years, Peruvian crime and security data have recorded a notable rise in extortion, contract killings, and other forms of organized criminality linked to both domestic and transnational groups. Open government crime statistics and independent criminality indexes point to increasing seizures of narcotics and illegal firearms, particularly in coastal and border regions, underscoring the connection between drug markets and wider violence.
Kidnapping and express abductions added as a core concern
One of the most visible changes in the U.S. advisory is the explicit elevation of kidnapping and hostage taking as a primary risk factor. The text notes that express kidnappings, where victims are coerced into making bank withdrawals or digital transfers, can occur, alongside the possibility of longer detentions for ransom in some areas.
Although available data and open reporting indicate that kidnapping rates in Peru remain lower than in some other Latin American countries, the new emphasis reflects concerns about changing criminal tactics. The spread of extortion, often involving threats delivered by phone or messaging apps, and the targeting of small and medium businesses in cities like Trujillo and parts of Lima, has contributed to a wider climate of fear captured in recent media and academic coverage.
Security assessments underline that incidents affecting foreign tourists are still relatively rare and tend to be concentrated in urban environments, particularly at night, or in informal transport settings. Nevertheless, the advisory encourages visitors to arrange airport transfers in advance, rely on registered taxis or reputable ride-hailing services where available, and avoid isolated areas or unregulated nightlife venues.
Tourism hubs remain open amid broader security strains
Despite the sharper language on crime and kidnapping, many of Peru’s main tourism centers remain accessible under the Level 2 advisory. The document specifically clarifies that the city of Cusco and major sites such as the Sacred Valley, the Inca Trail, and Machu Picchu are outside the zones covered by the strongest warnings.
Tourism data for 2024 and 2025 show that international arrivals to Peru have been recovering after the pandemic and previous episodes of political unrest. Visitor numbers to marquee destinations like Cusco, Lake Titicaca, and parts of the Amazon basin have trended upward, even as domestic debate about rising crime has intensified. This divergence reflects a pattern in which local residents and businesses bear the brunt of extortion and gang violence, while itineraries focused on established tourist corridors often experience fewer direct incidents.
Security bulletins and embassy guidance still urge travelers to remain vigilant in popular districts of Lima such as Miraflores, Barranco, and San Isidro, where most international visitors stay. Recommendations typically include avoiding walking alone late at night, securing belongings against pickpocketing, and monitoring local news and transport updates, particularly during protests or road blockages that can disrupt movement around the country.
Practical implications for US travelers planning trips
For U.S. visitors, the updated advisory means closer scrutiny of planned routes and greater attention to regional differences in risk. The State Department notes that some high-risk areas require special authorization even for U.S. government personnel, a signal that independent travelers should avoid these corridors unless their presence is essential and security arrangements are robust.
Travel safety information also warns against participating in certain types of tourism experiences that have generated serious incidents. Publicly available guidance singles out ayahuasca and similar jungle retreats, as well as the use of coca-derived products marketed as remedies for altitude sickness, due to health risks, potential legal complications, and reports of robbery and sexual assault involving participants.
Prospective visitors are encouraged by official travel resources to enroll in traveler enrollment programs, share itineraries with friends or family, and maintain access to emergency funds. The embassy in Lima and a consular agency in Cusco publish contact details and explain the kinds of assistance that can be provided in cases of crime, medical emergencies, or lost documents.
As Peru navigates a broader internal security crisis fueled by drug trafficking, illegal mining, and entrenched criminal networks, the latest U.S. advisory reflects an effort to balance recognition of these trends with the reality that millions of travelers continue to visit the country each year. For most tourists, adherence to basic precautions, careful route planning, and avoiding high-risk areas are presented as key steps to reducing exposure to the evolving risks highlighted in the updated guidance.
U.S. Department of State: Peru Travel Advisory
U.S. Department of State: Worldwide Travel Advisories