Summary

On 14 December, the Peruvian Government announced a 30 day nationwide State of Emergency in response to ongoing protests following a change of government on 7 December. The political situation is volatile. Protests are unpredictable and can escalate quickly and include violence. They continue to take place in different parts of the country, including Lima, Apurimac, Ayacucho, Arequipa, Cusco, Puno, Ica, and along parts of the Pan-American Highway.

British nationals should take particular care to avoid all areas of protests. If possible, you should remain in a safe place. You should also monitor local media, including social media channels.

Travellers arriving in Lima should be aware that travel to some parts of the country may not be possible. Protests continue to cause travel disruption, with road blockades and regional airport closures, including Arequipa,Ayacucho Ayacucho, and Juliaca (Puno) airports. Cusco airportand hasArequipa reopened.airports have reopened, however commercial flight operations across the country continue to be disrupted and/or limited in some instances. Lima airport is restricting entry to passengers only with valid flight tickets. Travellers should recheck with their airline andor tour operator and revisit travel plans ahead of any travel. For information on Lima airport operations, please visit the Lima airport website.

Protests also resulted in the suspension of train services to/from Machu Picchu. A service from Machu Picchu has begun to resume a partial service, with travel possible some of the way before the service connects with vehicles for onward travel to Cusco.

Any British Nationals experiencing travel problems should consider completing the Peruvian tourist authority i-Peru’s online form which is being used to inform the work of Peruvian authorities in assisting people.

British Nationals should ensure that they respect the government curfew effective from 16 December for 5 days. The curfew is applicable in some provinces of the following regions: Arequipa (20:00 – 04:00), La Libertad (18:00 – 04:00), Ica (19:00 – 04:00), Apurimac (18:00 – 04:00), Cusco (20:00 – 04:00), Puno (20:00 – 04:00), Huancavelica (19:00 – 04:00), and Ayacucho (20:00 – 04:00).

See the safety and security page for more information.

If you are in need of emergency assistance, contact the nearest British embassy, consulate or high commission

You should follow the local 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 i-Peru 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.