Peru

Always carry ID with you. The Peruvian police may ask to see ID; if you do not have it with you, you may be required to go to the nearest police station.

Illegal drug use and drug trafficking in Peru carry lengthy jail sentences. Prison conditions in Peru are extremely poor and the British Embassy cannot intervene in police or judicial matters, or secure more favourable conditions.

You should:

• pack your luggage yourself and always keep it with you
• not carry anything through customs for anyone
• not take coca leaves or coca tea out of the country – it is illegal to import these items into the UK

Drug couriers have targeted British nationals with email scams. These criminals will try to get you to travel to Peru to pick up items containing drugs. You’ll face detention for drug trafficking if convicted.

Do not take photographs of anything of a military nature, it is illegal and you could face a prison sentence of two to five years.

Same-sex sexual activity is legal in Peru, but social attitudes are generally conservative. Crimes against the LGBT+ community are not included in hate crime legislation and same-sex partnerships are not formally recognised.

Same-sex couples showing affection in public may receive unwanted and negative attention.

Read more advice for LGBT+ travellers.

The rainy season in Peru runs from November to May. There is heavy rain and snow in northern Peru, the Andes, including Cusco, and other parts of the country.

The rainy season can disrupt:

• travel services
• road travel between provinces
• flights
• tourist sites

Rockslides, mudslides and snow can disrupt walking routes, road and rail travel in mountain and jungle areas:

• across the Cusco Region
• routes to Machu Picchu, including the alternative Santa Maria-Santa Teresa-hydroelectric plant route, and the Salkantay route
• the route to Manu, in Cusco and Madre de Dios
• across northern regions

You should:

• check the latest conditions with your tour operator
• travel with enough food, water, cash in local currency, medication and warm clothes
• monitor local media for updates on travel information before starting your journey
• contact the iPeru information service before you set off

Peru is in an active earthquake zone and there are frequent tremors.   

Follow advice given by the local authorities. The US Federal Emergency Management Agency has advice about what to do before, during and after an earthquake. 

If you are planning to visit areas of known volcanic activity, listen to all warnings and follow the advice of the local authorities.

Peru’s most active volcano, Ubinas, has been emitting gas and ash recently, leading to some local villages being evacuated, affecting 30,000 people.

The US Federal Emergency Management Agency has advice about what to do before, during and after a volcanic eruption.

Although tsunamis are rare in Peru, higher tides often happen either after an earthquake or for other reasons throughout the year. See the Peruvian Directorate of Hydrography and Navigation (in Spanish) for information.