All travelers require return or onward tickets, all documents required for onward travel and proof of funds. It is recommended that all foreign passports are valid for at least six months after arrival. If traveling for business purposes, a visa is required. Visas cannot be obtained on arrival.
Americans: US nationals do not require a visa for tourist stays of up to 90 days. Extensions up to 30 days are possible. A valid passport is needed.
UK nationals: British nationals do not require a visa for tourist stays of up to 90 days. Extensions up to 30 days are possible.
A valid passport is needed.
Canadians: Canadian nationals do not require a visa for tourist stays of up to 90 days. Extensions up to 30 days are possible. A valid passport is needed.
Australians: Australian nationals do not require a visa for tourist stays of up to 90 days. Extensions up to 30 days are possible. A valid passport is needed.
South Africans: South African nationals do not require a visa for tourist stays of up to 90 days. Extensions up to 30 days are possible. A valid passport is needed.
Irish nationals: Irish nationals do not require a visa for a tourist stay of up to 90 days. Extensions up to 30 days are possible. A valid passport is needed.
New Zealanders: New Zealand nationals do not require a visa for tourist stays of up to 90 days. Extensions up to 30 days are possible. A valid passport is needed.
Health
Those entering the country from an infected area require a yellow fever certificate, and outbreaks of yellow fever do occur; vaccination is recommended for those intending to travel to the low-lying jungle areas in particular, but is not necessary for
Lima,
Cuzco or
Machu Picchu. Although no other vaccinations are officially required, visitors are advised to take precautions especially if planning to travel to jungle regions. Immunization against typhoid is sensible. Malaria is a risk all year round in the lowland areas, except for Lima and the coastal regions to the south, and dengue fever is on the increase. Protection against mosquito bites is essential as a number of other mosquito-transmitted diseases occur. There have been a number of recent incidents of rabies transmitted by bites from vampire bats in the Madre de Dios and Puno provinces, as well as in the north near the border with
Ecuador; visitors to these areas are advised to have a course of rabies injections prior to travel, and not to sleep in the open without a mosquito net. Cholera and cases of the plague occur, but visitors are unlikely to be affected. Other risks include Chagas' disease. The most common ailments for travelers, however, are diarrhoea and altitude sickness. Drink only bottled water, avoid drinks with ice, and be wary of food bought from street vendors. Health care is good in the major cities, better at private clinics than at the public hospitals, but is expensive, and health insurance is essential. Pharmacies in Lima are well supplied. Screening for HIV is inadequate and visitors are advised to avoid blood transfusions if possible.
Safety
Thieves are the biggest problem in
Peru, with one of the worst reputations in
South America. Be especially cautious in crowded areas, on public transport, bus and train stations, and in the center of Lima at night. Special care is required in the cities of Lima and Cuzco against street and violent crime. An organized tour group was attacked and robbed on the Inca Trail on 15 November 2005 by a group of armed men, and there have been recent attacks on foreigners trekking in the Huayhuash region near Huaraz and trekkers should be cautious in the area and seek advice before setting out. Thieves and muggers also operate in Huaraz and
Arequipa. Women should take particular care to only take taxis that have been pre-booked by a hotel or official company, and travelers arriving at
Lima International Airport should be wary of thieves posing as taxi drivers or tour operators. There has also been an increase in the number of crimes associated with taxis in the main cities. Visitors should avoid all political gatherings and demonstrations as these have the potential for violence.
