Peru Health and Safety Tips for the Traveler

Peru is one of the safer countries in Latin America. Still, travelers need to have their eyes open to avoid the bad characters that do exist. For such a poor and politically unstable country, Peru is a remarkably easy country for travelers.

It’s common to be chased down by someone with your receipt after leaving the ATM, and if you forget something at a restaurant, the waitress will chase you down to return it. By and large, Peruvians really like foreigners (with the possible exception of Israelis, who have a terrible reputation), and want to make your trip the best experience possible.

Political demonstrations are usually peaceful, and for the curious backpacker can be quite interesting. The main issue is to avoid drunks, who can be violent. The slums of Lima should be avoided all together, unless you are just looking for trouble. Parts of the jungle have been turned into drug plantations, and should obviously be avoided.

The most prominent danger is for female travelers as chauvinist attitudes are deeply ingrained here. When most rape cases are reported to police their first question is usually ‘was she provocatively dressed?’ Men, after all, will be men…

Disease for the traveler in Peru is a real issue. Avoid drinking the tap water as even boiled tap water is probably loaded with heavy metals from the mines and factories.

Street foods are surprisingly often safe but avoid salads and other uncooked foods or you will probably get very sick. Cebiche (uncooked fish marinated in lime juice) is a Peruvian delicacy and should be enjoyed but be very careful that where you eat it has refrigeration and is clean. Peru has every tropical disase you can imagine so be on your guard.

In the mountains, altitude sickness is normal. It usually lasts a few days and involves headache and difficulty sleeping. Serious altitude sickness can be deadly though and the traveler should take rest days when first arriving at altitude. Signs of serious altitude sickness include serious stomach problems, lethargy, heavy, dry coughing and bloody mucus.

In the jungle, a variety of predators and poisonous plants and creatures exist that can make your life that much shorter. Microbial creatures, including water parasites and insect born diseases are the most dangerous, including malaria. Never urinate in the river in the jungle, as the Amazon is home to a unique parasite that will swim inside the urinal tract and grow several feet long which we’ve heard is rather painful.

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