Summary

There have been widespread protests following a change of government on 7 December. The political situation is volatile. Protests can escalate quickly and include violence, with protests continuing to take place in Apurimac, Arequipa, Cusco, Ica, along the Panamericana Highway and elsewhere. This has resulted in the disruption of travel, with several road blockades, train disruptions and some airport closures, including the suspension of PeruRail train services to/from Machu Picchu and the closure of Arequipa and Cusco airport. A state of emergency has been declared in some provinces of the Apurimac region.

If you’re in need of emergency help from the UK government, contact the nearest British embassy, consulate or high commission. The Peruvian tourist authority i-Peru has separately created an online form for any stranded foreign nationals to complete, to help them understand who may be affected by the current situation and inform the work of local authorities. This is not a UK Government registration scheme and we will not receive the information or be contacting those who complete the form.

You should follow the authorities’ advice and monitor local media closely. Avoid large gatherings and protests. See Safety and Security pages.

Before you travel, check the ‘Entry requirements’ section for Peru’s current entry restrictions and requirements. These may change with little warning. Monitor this advice for the latest updates and stay in contact with your travel provider.

If you plan to pass through another country to return to the UK, check the travel advice for the country you’re transiting.

It is more important than ever to get travel insurance and check it provides sufficient cover. See the FCDO’s guidance on foreign travel insurance.

The rainy season in Peru runs from November to April. It can rain and snow heavily in the Andes and other parts of the country. See Natural disasters

If you are in Peru or planning to travel, monitor local news closely and follow the authorities’ advice. For specific advice on conditions in the different regions of Peru, in English or Spanish, visit the Iperu website (the official source of information for tourists in Peru) or call them on +511 574 8000 (option 2 for English).

Drug trafficking is a serious crime and drug smugglers face long periods of imprisonment. See Local laws and customs

There may be a higher risk to your safety in areas where there is organised crime and terrorism linked to the production of drugs. See Local travel

There are risks involved in flying over the Nazca Lines. See Nazca Lines

There is a risk of robbery by bogus taxi drivers, especially to and from the airports and at bus terminals. See Crime

Driving standards are poor. Crashes resulting in death and injury occur frequently. See Road travel

Terrorists are likely to try to carry out attacks in Peru. See Terrorism

If you’re abroad and you need emergency help from the UK government, contact the nearest British embassy, consulate or high commission.