US Updates Peru Travel Advisory Amid Crime and Substance Warnings
The US updated its travel advisory for Peru, maintaining Level 2 overall but warning against travel to high-risk border and remote regions due to crime, terrorism, and dangers surrounding traditional substances like ayahuasca.
The United States Department of State has updated its travel advisory for Peru, highlighting a wide range of risks from violent crime and kidnappings to terrorism and hazardous substances. While the overall threat level for the country remains at Level 2, urging increased caution, officials have designated specific high-risk regions under the most stringent Level 4: Do not travel.
Crime and High-Risk Areas
Travellers are warned against armed robberies, carjackings, criminal assaults, and petty thefts that frequently occur in broad daylight even in crowded areas. The advisory also highlights the phenomenon of express kidnappings, where criminals abduct victims and force them to withdraw cash from ATMs. Although considered rare, these incidents still occur, and crime rates rise significantly at night when criminal organizations reportedly set up roadblocks on roads outside Lima.
Within the highest restriction tier (Level 4), tourists are urged to completely avoid the Peru-Colombia border region in the Loreto Department, as well as the Apurímac, Ene, and Mantaro River Valley (known as VRAEM), including Vilcabamba. Additionally, the cities of Abancay, Ayacucho, Huancavelica, and Huancayo fall under the do-not-travel warning due to crime and terrorism threats. Conversely, major tourist destinations such as Cusco, the Sacred Valley, the Inca Trail, and Machu Picchu remain outside the severe restriction zones.
Spiritual Rituals and Hazardous Substances
Another key point in the U.S. advisory addresses traditional and healing tourism, which attracts thousands of visitors. The Department of State explicitly warns citizens against consuming substances at centers offering ayahuasca and kambo (derived from tree frog secretions), which operate in tourist areas like Cusco.
American citizens have suffered severe illnesses and even death after consuming these substances. Furthermore, reports have emerged of sexual assaults, injuries, and robberies occurring while travelers were under the influence and unable to defend themselves.
Simultaneously, a warning was issued against consuming coca products, including coca tea and candies commonly offered to tourists to alleviate altitude sickness symptoms. Authorities clarify that coca is a regulated substance that can interact dangerously with prescription medications. Tourism experts emphasize the importance of thorough research, consulting physicians, and relying on professional guides rather than attempting remote excursions independently.
