smartraveller.gov.au - Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade
It's a must see destination.
It's a must see destination.
Peru
| Peru overall | This Advice is current for Sunday, 18 May 2008. | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Be alert to own security | Exercise caution | High degree of caution | Reconsider your need to travel | Do not travel |
| Areas bordering Colombia and Ecuador (other than official border crossings) | ||||
| Be alert to own security | Exercise caution | High degree of caution | Reconsider your need to travel | Do not travel |
This advice has been reviewed and reissued. It contains new information under Safety and Security: Civil Unrest/Political Tension (disruption to travel to Cusco) and Local Travel (airline safety). The overall level of the advice has not changed.
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Terrorism is a threat throughout the world. You can find more information about this threat in our General Advice to Australian Travellers.
Demonstrations and protests, often in response to local labour or social issues, occur regularly throughout the country. You should avoid demonstrations, protests and political gatherings as they may turn violent.
National strikes can be called in Peru at short notice and can cause disruption to domestic air travel and public transport. Since late June 2007 there has been civil unrest in the departments of Ucayali and Puno. Widespread strikes have caused the blockade of the airport and main roads in the city of Pucallpa, Coronal Portillo province in Ucayali department.
The cities of Puno and Arequipa are prone to civil unrest. Travel in and around these areas can be disrupted without notice as roads are occasionally blocked by protestors. Since 2 July 2007, a strike in Puno has caused serious road and rail transport disruptions between Puno and Cusco.
In February 2008, protests caused disruption to Cusco airport and the rail services to Cusco. Further disruptions may occur. You should maintain contact with your airline or tour operator before travelling, and monitor local media reports for up to date information.
A State of Emergency may be in place for various districts and provinces in Peru. A State of Emergency declared for security reason gives the armed forces responsibility for law and order.
Isolated areas in the Southern Highlands including San Martin, Huanuco, Pasco, Junin, Ucayali, Huancavelica, Ayacucho and Apurimac, may still harbour sympathisers of the Shining Path rebel group. Australians should maintain a high level of vigilance in these areas.
We advise you to exercise a high degree of caution in Peru because of the high levels of serious crime. Pay close attention to your personal security and monitor the media for information about possible new safety or security risks.
Violent crime including sexual assault, armed robbery, muggings and car-jacking occurs, particularly in the cities of Lima, Cusco and Arequipa. Travellers walking alone after dark, especially when leaving bars or nightclubs, have been targeted by criminals.
There has been a significant increase in reports of serious crimes, including robbery, assault and rape, against travellers using unlicensed taxi operators, particularly in Lima and Cusco. You should arrange transport at taxi counters within the international terminal when arriving at Lima's international airport and seek assistance from staff at hotels, hostels, restaurants or places of entertainment to book a licensed taxi. The name and contact details of the taxi company should be recorded.
'Express kidnappings', where victims are forced to withdraw funds from ATMs to secure their release, have occurred.
Theft on inter-city buses, including buses on the Lima, Ica, Nasca and Cusco routes continues to increase, often when passengers are asleep or distracted. You should avoid placing luggage or other personal belongings on overhead racks.
Assault and armed robbery of hikers travelling on the Inca trail have been reported. Use of an experienced guide may reduce the risk of assault and robbery while hiking.
Travel by road outside of major cities after dark is dangerous due to the risk of criminal activity, which has often involved the use of bogus road blocks or check points.
Areas bordering Ecuador and Colombia: We strongly advise you not to travel to the areas bordering Colombia because of the risk of kidnapping by narcotics traffickers who reportedly operate in the area. The border area between Peru and Colombia is heavily patrolled and monitored by the Peruvian army to prevent the entry of armed rebels from Colombia. We also advise you not to travel to areas bordering Ecuador, other than official border crossings, due to the presence of unexploded ordinance and land mines.
The Peruvian government has opened Tourist Police offices in many tourist destinations. Tourists may register complaints or seek assistance via a 24-hour hotline. The contact number is: 224 7777 in Lima and 01 224 7777 when outside the city of Lima. English speaking operators are available.
Peruvian law requires the possession of photo identification at all times. If you prefer not to carry your passport a notarised copy of the photo and visa page of a traveller's passport is acceptable.
Driving in Peru can be hazardous due to poorly maintained roads and vehicles, aggressive driving practices, and inadequate road lighting. Fatal traffic accidents, particularly those involving intercity buses, are common. The use of reputable transport and bus companies may reduce risks when travelling by road in Peru.
Unexploded and unmarked minefields are a danger in the Cordillera del Condor region of the Peru/Ecuador border area.
You should only cross or approach the Peru/Ecuador border at official checkpoints.
Passengers on international flights to and from Australia are only allowed to carry a small amount of liquids (including aerosols and gels) in their carry-on baggage. These restrictions also apply on other international flights leaving Peru. You can find out more information at the Department of Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Local Government website. Similar restrictions apply to flights in an increasing number of countries. Contact your airline for further information.
If you have concerns about the safety standards of a particular airline or aircraft, we recommend you research the airline or aircraft through organisations such as Australia's Civil Aviation Safety Authority and the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO). The Department of Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Local Government has published fact sheets on security for air travellers.
Due to a variety of conditions found in Peru, including changeable weather and harsh geography, flying, especially in small planes and helicopters, may be hazardous.
When staff at Australia's overseas missions are advised not to use particular airlines due to safety concerns, this will be included in the travel advisory.
The European Union (EU) has published a list of airlines that are subject to operating bans or restrictions within the EU. The United States Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) through its foreign assessment program focuses on a country's ability, not the individual airline, to adhere to international standards and recommended practices for aircraft operations and maintenance established by ICAO.
Peru is located in an active seismic region. In August 2007, an earthquake off the coast of Chincha, 161km south of Lima, killed more than 500 people.
The rainy season is from November to May. Flooding and landslides are common during this period and may disrupt transport services including rail and air services.
All oceanic regions of the world can experience tsunamis, but in the Indian and Pacific Oceans, there is a more frequent occurrence of large, destructive tsunamis because of the many large earthquakes along major tectonic plate boundaries and ocean trenches. See the Tsunami Awareness brochure.
Information on natural disasters, including earthquakes and flooding, can be obtained from the Humanitarian Early Warning Service. If a natural disaster occurs, follow the advice of local authorities.
Australians are advised to maintain a safe and legal distance when observing wildlife, including marine animals and birds. You should only use reputable and professional guides or tour operators and closely follow park regulations and wardens' advice.
Before you go, organise a variety of ways to access your money overseas, such as credit cards, travellers' cheques, cash, debit cards or cash cards. Check with your bank whether your ATM card will work overseas.
Make two photocopies of valuables such as your passport, tickets, visas and travellers' cheques. Keep one copy with you in a separate place to the original and leave another copy with someone at home.
While travelling, don't carry too much cash and remember that expensive watches, jewellery and cameras may be tempting targets for thieves.
As a sensible precaution against luggage tampering, including theft, lock your luggage. Information on luggage safety is available from Australia's Civil Aviation Safety Authority.
Your passport is a valuable document that is attractive to criminals who may try to use your identity to commit crimes. It should always be kept in a safe place. You are required by Australian law to report a lost or stolen passport. If your passport is lost or stolen overseas, report it online or contact the nearest Australian Embassy, High Commission or Consulate as soon as possible.
Australians are required to pay an additional fee to have their passport replaced. In some cases, the Government may also restrict the length of validity or type of replacement passports.
If you are planning on placing your children in schools or child care facilities overseas we encourage you to research the standards of security, care and staff training within those establishments. You should exercise the same precautions you would take before placing children into schools or child care facilities in Australia.
Ideas on how to select child care providers are available from the smartraveller Children's Issues page, Child Wise and the National Childcare Accreditation Council.
When you are in Peru, be aware that local laws and penalties, including ones that appear harsh by Australian standards, do apply to you. If you are arrested or jailed, the Australian Government will do what it can to help you but we can't get you out of trouble or out of jail.
Information on what Australian consular officers can and cannot do to help Australians in trouble overseas is available from the Consular Services Charter.
Penalties for possession of illegal drugs are severe and include lengthy imprisonment in local jails.
Peruvian law prohibits the export of antiques and artefacts from pre-colonial civilizations. Reputable dealers sell reproductions and should provide documentation permitting export.
Photography of military establishments, equipment and personnel, public water and emergency plants, police stations, harbours, mines and bridges is prohibited.
Some Australian criminal laws, such as those relating to money laundering, bribery of foreign public officials, terrorism and child sex tourism, apply to Australians overseas. Australians who commit these offences while overseas may be prosecuted in Australia.
Australian authorities are committed to combating sexual exploitation of children by Australians overseas. Australians may be prosecuted at home under Australian child sex tourism laws. These laws provide severe penalties of up to 17 years imprisonment for Australians who engage in sexual activity with children under 16 while outside of Australia.
Minors under the age of 18 years who have dual nationality must travel with both passports. Please see below in the Entry and Exit requirements the section on minors travelling alone or with only one parent.
Our Travel Information for Dual Nationals brochure provides further information for dual nationals.
Visa and other entry and exit conditions (such as currency, customs and quarantine regulations) change regularly. Contact the nearest Embassy or Consulate of Peru for the most up to date information.
You should only cross or approach Peru’s border with Ecuador, Bolivia or Chile at an official checkpoint.
Peru is listed by the World Health Organisation (WHO) as endemic for yellow fever. Some airlines may require passengers to present a valid Yellow Fever Vaccination Certificate before being allowed to board flights out of the country. If in doubt, check with your airline.
If you have visited Peru in the last six days prior to your date of return to Australia, Australian Customs officials will ask you to present a valid yellow Fever Vaccination Certificate on entry into Australia.
If you are travelling to Peru through the United States of America (USA), including transiting Honolulu or other USA points of entry, you must meet USA entry/transit requirements. You should check your visa needs well in advance of travel with the nearest US Embassy or Consulate. See also our travel advice for the USA.
For children (under 18 years of age) travelling alone or with one parent, local immigration authorities, in addition to the child's passport, may require a letter of consent from the non-travelling parent(s) and a copy of the child's birth certificate. Both documents should be translated into Spanish and notarised and certified by the Peruvian Embassy or Consulate in Australia.
We strongly recommend that you take out comprehensive travel insurance that will cover any overseas medical costs, before you depart. Confirm that your insurance covers you for the whole time you'll be away and check what circumstances and activities are not included in your policy. Remember, regardless of how healthy and fit you are, if you can't afford travel insurance, you can't afford to travel.
Your doctor or travel clinic is the best source of information about preventive measures, immunisations (including booster doses of childhood vaccinations) and disease outbreaks overseas. The World Health Organization (WHO) provides information for travellers and our 'Travelling Well' brochure also provides useful tips for travelling with medicines and staying healthy while overseas.
Medical facilities are usually adequate in major cities but can be very limited elsewhere. Doctors and hospitals generally require up-front cash payment before commencing treatment, including for emergency care. In the event of a serious illness or accident, medical evacuation to a destination with appropriate facilities would be necessary. Medical evacuation costs could be considerable.
The altitude in Cusco, Machu Picchu, Puno and Lake Titicaca can cause problems for travellers, particularly those who suffer from lung, heart or chest problems. Healthy travellers may also feel the effects of the lack of oxygen.
The mosquito-borne illnesses malaria, dengue fever and yellow fever, as well as other insect-borne diseases, occur in parts of the country. We encourage you to take prophylaxis against malaria where necessary and take measures to avoid insect bites, including using insect repellent at all times.
Water-borne, food-borne, parasitic and other infectious diseases (including cholera, typhoid, hepatitis, tuberculosis and rabies) are prevalent with more serious outbreaks occurring from time to time. We recommend you have vaccinations before travelling. We advise you to boil all drinking water or drink bottled water, and avoid ice cubes and raw and undercooked food. Seek medical advice if you have a fever or are suffering from diarrhoea.
The World Organisation for Animal Health (OIE) has confirmed cases of avian influenza in birds in a number of countries throughout the world. For a list of these countries, visit the OIE website. For information on our advice to Australians on how to reduce the risk of infection and on Australian Government precautions see our travel bulletin on avian influenza.
In Peru, you can obtain consular assistance from the:
Australian Consulate-General
Avenida Victor Andres Belaunde 147
Via Principal 155
Torre Real 3, Office 1301
San Isidro, Lima 27, Peru
Telephone (51 1) 222 8281
Facsimile (51 1) 221 4996
E-mail: info.peru@austrade.gov.au
If you are travelling to Peru, whatever the reason and however long you'll be there, we encourage you to register with the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade. You can register on-line or in person at any Australian Embassy, High Commission or Consulate. The information you provide will help us to contact you in an emergency-whether it is a natural disaster, civil disturbance or a family issue.
In a consular emergency if you are unable to contact the Embassy you can contact the 24-hour Consular Emergency Centre on +61 2 6261 3305 or 1300 555 135 within Australia.
In Australia, the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade in Canberra may be contacted on (02) 6261 3305.
While every care has been taken in preparing this travel information for travellers, neither the Australian Government nor its agents or employees including any member of Australia's consular staff abroad, can accept liability for injury, loss or damage arising in respect of any statement contained therein.
