A new travel advisory has been issued for Peru.

The travel advisory for Americans is a level 2, which means “exercise increased caution.” These advisories are typically issued when there are warnings about events in countries that travelers need to be aware of.

This advisory says to “exercise increased caution in Peru due to risk of crime, unrest, kidnapping, and terrorism.” There are certain areas that they are advising to avoid altogether, including:

• The Colombia-Peru border area in the Loreto Region due to crime
• The Valley of the Apurímac, Ene, and Mantaro Rivers (VRAEM), which includes Vilcabamba, due to crime and threats of terrorism
• Abancay, Ayacucho, Huancavelica, and Huancayo within the regions of Ayacucho, Cusco, Huancavelica, and Junín, due to crime and threats of terrorism

The advisory also notes that the City of Cusco and popular tourist sites nearby, like the Sacred Valley, the Inca Trail, and Machu Picchu, are not in the affected area.

For crime, the advisory notes that petty theft, carjackings, muggings, assaults, and other violent crime often happen in daylight hours with witnesses around, and although rare, “express kidnappings” where the victim is taken to a banking institution and forced to remove funds from their own accounts, may occur. The risk increases at night.

Unrest is currently higher due to public demonstrations over political or economic issues. This can shut down roads, trains, and major highways, often without warning or clear information about reopening. Road closures can also limit access to public transportation and airports.

If you are traveling to Peru, we recommend enrolling in the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP) to receive alerts from the U.S. embassy or consulate. Enrolling helps the U.S. embassy or consulate contact you or your emergency contact if needed. It’s also recommended to stay alert and aware of your surroundings.

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