New Peru Travel Warning Announced by U.S. State Department

Tourists flock to Peru for its natural beauty and historical significance as a starting point for trips to Machu Picchu and other Inca sites.

 

More than 4 million individuals from all over the world visit Peru every year to fulfil their travel bucket list dreams. This summer is a great time to visit Peru, so if that's something you've been considering, we have some excellent news for you. After a period of heightened caution owing to crime and civil turmoil, tourists may once again plan trips to Peru.

The United States Department of State has updated its travel alert, advising citizens to "Level 2 - exercise increased caution" rather than "Level 3 - reconsider travel plans" while considering a trip to Peru.

Due to social upheaval, the U.S. State Department raised the alert level in recent months to Level 3. The end of 2022 saw the beginning of a substantial upsurge in demonstrations and violence in Peru. Why? Because previous President Pedro Castillo was deposed and replaced by his Vice President, Dina Boluarte.

Now that things have settled down, the U.S. State Department has lowered its travel alert to level 2.

However, in several parts of Peru, the warning level is still rather high. Despite considerable changes in the intensity of the violences, visitors to Peru still need to take extra safety precautions. Furthermore, visitors should stay away from certain regions.

U.S. citizens are warned by the State Department not to go to:

Crime-stricken Loreto Region on the border between Colombia and Peru. Crime and terrorism have made it unsafe to travel across the VRAEM, which consists of parts of the departments of Ayacucho, Cusco, Huancavelica, and Junin as well as the valleys of the Apurimac, Ene, and Mantaro rivers. Civil disturbance has impacted the Puno Region, which includes the Peruvian side of Lake Titicaca, and the Apurimac Region.

Furthermore, due to security concerns, U.S. government employees are restricted from travelling freely throughout Peru at the present time.

It is necessary to use common sense and safety precautions while travelling in Peru, as it is any place else, as the travel alert from the U.S. Department of State warns Americans about the prevalence of certain crimes in Peru. Examples include robberies, car-jackings, muggings, assaults, and other forms of physical violence. Even though these crimes can happen during the day and in heavily populated areas with plenty of witnesses, you are more likely to become a victim at night. Hide your belongings and don't attract interest in yourself to lower your chances of being targeted.

The possibility of civil disturbance is still present, according to the State Department's travel recommendation, as protests can occur for many different reasons, including monetary and political instability in the nation.

Demonstrations may create significant disruption, so plan accordingly if there is one happening while you are in Peru. Without warning, authorities may close off access to minor roads, railways, and major highways. It's possible that bus and train service may be cut down.

If you want to avoid danger during a protest in Peru, stay away from the location where the demonstration is happening. You can also consider staying at your lodgings until the protest is over.

 

Source: traveloffpath.com