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Peru
Country Specific Information
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September 09, 2008
COUNTRY DESCRIPTION:
Peru is a developing country with an expanding tourism sector. A wide variety of tourist facilities and services is available,
with quality varying according to price and location. Read the Department of State Background Notes on Peru for additional information.
ENTRY/EXIT REQUIREMENTS: A valid passport is required to enter and depart Peru. Tourists must also provide evidence of return or onward travel.
U.S. citizens may enter Peru for short-term tourist- or business-related visits of up to 90 days; however, the actual period
authorized is determined by the Peruvian immigration officer at the time of entry into Peru. After admission, travelers may
apply to extend their visa for an additional three months. Persons who remain beyond their period of authorized stay without
obtaining a visa extension or a residence visa will have to pay a fine to depart Peru. Visitors for other than tourist or
short-term business visit purposes must obtain a Peruvian visa in advance. Business workers (under contract) should ascertain
the tax and exit regulations that apply to the specific visa they are granted. Peru does not require any immunizations for
entry, although it recommends vaccination against Yellow Fever.
An international flight airport fee, payable in U.S. or local currency and assessed on a per-person basis, must be paid when
departing Peru. There are also separate airport taxes for domestic flights charged at most domestic airports that must be
paid before embarking. U.S. citizens whose passports are lost or stolen in Peru must obtain a new passport from the U.S.
Embassy and present it, together with a police report on the loss or theft, to the main immigration office in downtown Lima,
located at Prolongacion Espana 734, Brena, to obtain permission to depart. An additional immigration office is located within
Lima’s Jorge Chavez International Airport international departure terminal. For further information regarding entry requirements,
travelers should contact the Peruvian Embassy at 1700 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20036; telephone (202) 833-9860;
http://www.peruvianembassy.us.
Information about dual nationality or the prevention of international child abduction can be found on our web site. For further information about customs regulations, please read our Customs Information sheet.
NOTE: As of June 1, 2004, it is illegal for any person within the United States, as well as U.S. citizens, nationals, and
resident aliens elsewhere, to fly on or do business with Aero Continente and its successor, Nuevo Continente, an airline that
is currently not in operation. Persons who violate this provision are subject to criminal and civil penalties under U.S. law.
Further information on this matter is available on the U.S. Department of the Treasury’s web site at http://www.treas.gov/offices/enforcement/ofac/. FAA safety restrictions placed on Aero Continente are not related to this action.
SAFETY AND SECURITY: The Shining Path (Sendero Luminoso) terrorist group is still active, and sporadic incidents of Shining Path violence have
occurred in the recent past in rural provinces of Ayacucho, Huancavelica, Huanuco, Junin, and San Martin. The Shining Path
has previously targeted U.S. interests and there are indications that it continues to do so. Other incidents have included
attacks by large, heavily armed groups believed to be members of Shining Path on Peruvian army and police patrols in remote
areas, as well as kidnappings of Peruvian and foreign aid workers. None of these incidents occurred in areas normally visited
by tourists. Mining prospectors, adventure travelers, and others considering travel to remote areas of Peru are strongly advised
to contact the U.S. Embassy in Lima for current security information.
A peace treaty ending the Peru/Ecuador border conflict was signed on October 26, 1998. The Peruvian government is working
to remove mines and unexploded ordnance left over from the conflict, but crossing or approaching the Peru-Ecuador border anywhere
except at official checkpoints can still be dangerous. The entire Peru/Colombia border area is very dangerous because of
narcotics trafficking and the occasional incursions of armed guerrilla forces from Colombia into Peru’s remote areas.
Political demonstrations and labor-related strikes and marches regularly occur in urban and some rural areas and sometimes
affect major highways. They can also cause serious disruptions to road, air, and rail transportation. Demonstrations are often
– but not always – announced in advance. While these activities are usually peaceful, they can escalate into violent confrontations.
As a general rule, it is best to avoid large crowds and demonstrations. Visitors are encouraged to keep informed by following
the local news and consulting hotel personnel and tour guides.
The U.S. Embassy restricts travel of U.S. government employees where terrorist groups and narcotics traffickers have recently
resorted to violent actions, usually directed against local security forces, local government authorities, and some civilians.
Overland travel in or near these areas, particularly at night, is risky.
Apart from the following list of locations restricted because of the danger from terrorist and narcotics groups, Embassy
employees are prohibited from nighttime overland travel anywhere outside major urban areas because of the risks posed from
robbery and unsafe road conditions. The only exception is that nighttime travel by commercial bus on the Pan-American Highway
is permitted for official or personal travel. Road travel along this route, by means other than commercial bus service, and
nighttime travel via commercial bus service along other routes anywhere in Peru, continue to be prohibited for Embassy employees.
The list below is under continuous review, and travelers may contact the U.S. Embassy for updated information:
Ayacucho:
Restricted: Provinces of La Mar and Huanta;daylight road travel from Ayacucho to San Francisco
Permitted: daylight road travel from Ayacucho City to the city of Huanta; staying within the city limits of Huanta; daylight
road travel from Pisco to Ayacucho City
Cuzco:
Restricted: 20-kilometer swath of territory contiguous to the Apurimac River and Ayacucho Department
Permitted: Everywhere else including Machu Picchu area and city of Cuzco
Huancavelica:
Restricted: Provinces of Acobamba, Churcampa, and Pampas
Permitted: Train travel from Huancayo to Huancavelica City; daylight road travel from Pisco to Ayacucho City
Huánuco:
Restricted: All areas. Road travel is no longer permitted in this Department
Permitted: Flying into and staying within the city limits of Huánuco and Tingo María.
Junín:
Restricted: Provinces of Satipo and Concepcion east of the Rio Mantaro
Permitted: Daylight travel from La Merced to Satipo
La Libertad:
Restricted: Provinces of Pataz and Sanchez Carrión
Loreto:
Restricted: 20-kilometer swath of territory contiguous to the Colombia border; travel on the Putumayo River
San Martín:
Restricted: Provinces of Bellavista, Huallaga, Mariscal Caceres, and Tocache
Permitted: Flying only into and remaining within the city limits of Bellavista, Juanjui, Saposoa, and Tocache; daytime road
travel from Tarapoto to Juanjui and Bellavista
Ucayali:
Restricted: Provinces of Padre Abad and Coronel Portillo west of Pucallpa City and west of Ucayali River; road travel from
Pucallpa to Aguaytia and all cities west of Aguaytia
Permitted: Flying into and remaining within the city limits of Pucallpa and Aguaytía; the province of Coronel Portillo east
of the Ucayali River
Inca Trail hikers are significantly safer if they are part of a guided group trail hike. To protect natural resources along
the Inca Trail, the Peruvian government charges fees for hiking the trail and instituted limits on the numbers of hikers permitted
on the trail. Hikers in peak season (June–August) are advised to make reservations for the Inca Trail well in advance via
a travel agency. Visitors should always register when entering national parks. Hikers should exercise extreme caution in
steep or slippery areas, which are neither fenced nor marked. Several climbers have died or suffered serious injuries after
falling while climbing Huayna Picchu, a peak near Machu Picchu. Only very basic medical assistance is available at Machu
Picchu.
Adventure travelers should be aware that rescue capabilities are limited. In recent years, several hikers have died and others
have had to be rescued after serious accidents in the Huaraz region of the Cordillera Blanca Mountains, where Peru's highest
peaks are located. In late June 2006 three American citizens, along with their Peruvian guides, died in Huaraz province after
a serious fall while trekking. Most rescues are carried out on foot because helicopters cannot fly to the high-altitude areas
where hikers are stranded. U.S. citizens who plan to visit these mountainous areas in Ancash province should contact the
Peruvian National Police's High Mountain Rescue Unit ("USAM") at telephone 51-1-575-4696, 51-1-575-4698, 51-1-575-1555; fax
51-1-575-3036, or e-mail: divsam@yahoo.com. Some USAM officers read and/or speak English.
Swimmers, surfers, rafters, and boaters should be aware of strong currents in the Pacific Ocean and fast-moving rivers. Two
American citizens and at least three foreign visitors were killed while white water rafting in 2006 and one U.S. citizen died
while surfing. Seasonal rains can exacerbate the already dangerous conditions in Peru. Those considering white-water rafting
should consult local authorities about recent weather and the impact on white-water rafting conditions. Be cautious in relying
on those with a commercial interest in gauging conditions. Companies offering white-water rafting in Peru, their guides,
and their equipment may not be held to the same standards as similar companies in the United States. Travelers are advised
to seek advice from local residents before swimming in jungle lakes or rivers, where large reptiles or other dangerous creatures
may live; caimans, resembling alligators, are found in most jungle areas of Peru. One crocodile species is native to the
Tumbes area, but it is limited in numbers and range. All adventure travelers should leave detailed written plans and a timetable
with a friend and with local authorities in the region, and they should carry waterproof identification and emergency contact
information.
Travelers to all remote areas should check with local authorities about geographic, climatic, and security conditions.
For the latest security information, Americans traveling abroad should regularly monitor the Department of State, Bureau of
Consular Affairs web site, where the current Travel Warnings and Travel Alerts, including the Worldwide Caution, can be found.
Up-to-date information on safety and security can also be obtained by calling 1-888-407-4747 toll free in the United States
and Canada, or for callers outside the United States and Canada, a regular toll-line at 1-202-501-4444. These numbers are
available from 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. Eastern Time, Monday through Friday (except U.S. federal holidays).
The Department of State urges American citizens to take responsibility for their own personal security while traveling overseas.
For general information about appropriate measures travelers can take to protect themselves in an overseas environment, see
the Department of State’s pamphlet A Safe Trip Abroad.
CRIME: Of the approximately 260,000 Americans who visit Peru each year, a small but growing number have been victims of serious
crimes. The information below is intended to raise awareness of the potential for crime and suggest measures visitors can
take to avoid becoming a victim.
Violent crime, including carjacking, assault, and armed robbery is common in Lima and other large cities. Resistance to violent
crime often provokes greater violence, while victims who do not resist usually do not suffer serious physical harm. "Express
kidnappings," in which criminals kidnap victims and seek to obtain funds from their bank accounts via automatic teller machines,
occur frequently. Thieves often smash car windows at traffic lights to grab jewelry, purses, backpacks, or other visible
items from a car. This type of assault is very common on main roads leading to Lima's Jorge Chavez International Airport,
specifically along De la Marina and Faucett Avenues and Via de Evitamiento, but it can occur anywhere in congested traffic,
particularly in downtown Lima. Travelers are encouraged to put all belongings, including purses, in the trunk of a car or
taxi. Passengers who hail taxis on the street have been assaulted. Following the April 2007 armed robbery of a U.S. Embassy
employee by a taxi driver, the Embassy’s Regional Security Officer advised all Embassy personnel not to hail taxis on the
street. It is safer to use telephone-dispatched radio taxis or car services associated with major hotels. Travelers should
guard against the theft of luggage and other belongings, particularly U.S. passports, at the Lima airport.
Passengers arriving at Lima’s Jorge Chavez International Airport should be cautious in making arrangements for ground transportation.
Upon exiting the airport, travelers may be approached by persons seeming to know them, or who claim that a pre-arranged taxi
has been sent to take them to their hotel. Some travelers have been charged exorbitant rates or taken to marginal hotels in
unsafe parts of town. Travelers who are not being met by a known party or by a reputable travel agent or hotel shuttle are
advised to arrange for a taxi inside the airport. At least two taxi companies maintain counters inside the international
arrival area (between immigration clearance and baggage claim). An additional two companies have agents at the information
kiosk just before the exit from the passenger arrival area.
The threat of street crime is greatest in areas that attract large crowds, particularly crowds of tourists or wealthy Peruvians.
A crowd allows a thief (or thieves, since petty thieves often operate in a group) the opportunity to select and approach the
potential victim without attracting attention. Visitors should be especially careful when visiting tourist areas in Lima
such as the Plaza de Armas (Government Square), the Plaza San Martin, Acho Bullring, Pachacamac, and any location in downtown
Lima. Additionally, visitors to municipal markets as well as the Gamarra textile district of La Victoria should be extremely
cautious. Street crime is also prevalent in cities in Peru's interior, including Cuzco, Arequipa, Puno, and Juliaca. American
citizens traveling alone or in unescorted groups are more vulnerable to street crime.
Visitors are advised to keep cash and identification in their front pockets and to limit their cash on hand and unnecessary
credit cards. Replacing items such as credit cards, U.S. driver’s licenses, and other identification while in Peru can be
difficult and time-consuming. Handbags should not be carried, but if they are, they should be tucked into the crook of an
arm or, if carrying a bag with a shoulder strap, do not allow the bag to hang freely, but keep a hand over the clasp. It
is generally recommended that all jewelry be removed prior to going to a market or other crowded areas.
Theft of U.S. passports is quite common in Peru. Visitors are advised not to carry their U.S. passports if they are not needed.
If the police request identification, a copy of the passport is acceptable. A copy of the data page, the page with the Peruvian
visa, and a copy of the page with the Peruvian entry stamp should be carried.
Counterfeit U.S. currency is a growing and serious problem in Peru. In many areas of the city, moneychangers openly change
money on the street. These individuals should be avoided as they are a conduit for counterfeit currency and in many cases,
work in leagues with pickpockets by pointing out potential victims. In addition, these individuals have frequently been the
victims of violent robberies in which bystanders have been injured. There have also been several reported incidents of counterfeit
currency being paid out as winnings by casinos, though the Embassy has not received reports of this happening at larger, well-known
casinos.
In the recent past, there have been a number of cases of armed robberies, rapes, other sexual assaults, and attempted rapes
of U.S. citizens and other foreign tourists in Arequipa and in Cuzco city, as well as in the outlying areas in the vicinity
of various Incan ruins. These assaults have occurred both during daylight hours and at night.
Some crimes in the city of Cuzco and in Arequipa have involved the drivers of rogue (or unregistered) taxis. Travelers should
use only licensed, registered taxis such as those available from taxi stands in Cuzco displaying a blue decal issued by the
municipal government on the windshield of the vehicle. Visitors should not accept offers of transportation or guide services
from individuals seeking clients on the streets. In late 2006 there were several reports of U.S. citizens falling victim
to so-called express kidnappings in Arequipa after taking taxis hailed on the street. On occasion, the victim was bound,
beaten, and held for over 24 hours as the assailants attempted to empty cash from bank accounts with the victim’s stolen ATM
card.
Tourists should be particularly cautious when visiting the Sacsahuayman ruins outside Cuzco. They should not travel alone,
but do so in as large a group as possible. Visitors should also avoid these areas at dawn, dusk, or nighttime, since roving
gangs are known to frequent these areas and prey on unsuspecting tourists. U.S. citizen backpackers have also been victims
of armed robbery while hiking on trails other than the Inca Trail.
Peruvian law enforcement authorities have responded to rising crime by increasing the number of tourist police officers patrolling
Cuzco and its outskirts on horseback and motorcycles. The officers have been dispatched to bus and train terminals, taxi
stands, automatic teller machine locations, and other sites frequented by tourists, such as discotheques, restaurants, and
craft fairs and shops.
Crime also occurs on roads, particularly at night and outside urban areas. Clandestine, impromptu roadblocks can appear on
even major highways, where bus and automobile passengers are robbed. The risk is even greater on rural roads after dark.
A number of Americans have been robbed on the road between Tarapoto and Yuriguaymas in recent months. In addition, numerous
Americans have reported the theft of passports, cameras, and other valuables on overnight bus rides, by thieves who take advantage
of sleeping passengers.
In many countries around the world, counterfeit and pirated goods are widely available. Transactions involving such products
may be illegal under local law. In addition, bringing them back to the United States may result in forfeitures and/or fines.
More information on this serious problem is available at http://www.cybercrime.gov/18usc2320.htm.
U.S. citizen visitors to Peru should immediately report any criminal activity perpetrated against them to the nearest police
station or tourist police ("POLTUR") office. Immediate action may result in the capture of the thieves and the recovery of
stolen property. U.S. citizens should also report crimes to the U.S. Embassy in Lima (telephone 434-3000 during business hours,
8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. or 434-3032 for after-hours emergencies if calling from within Lima; add the prefix 01 if calling from
the provinces). Victims of crime in Cuzco should contact the Consular Agent there (while in Cuzco, telephone 231-474; from
Lima, callers must dial the prefix 084 for Cuzco).
The telephone number for the tourist police in Lima is 51-1-424-2053 (Lima north) or 51-1-460-4525 (Lima south). There are
also tourist police offices in 15 other cities, including all major tourist destinations, such as Cuzco, Arequipa, and Puno.
Tourists may register complaints on a 24-hour hotline provided by INDECOPI (National Institute for the Defense of Competition
and the Protection of Intellectual Property) by calling 51-1-224-7800 or 51-1-224-7777. Outside of Lima, callers should dial
the prefix (01), then the aforementioned numbers, or call the toll-free number 0-800-44040 from any private telephone (the
800 number is not available from public payphones). The INDECOPI hotline will assist the caller in contacting the police to
report a crime, but it is intended primarily to deal with non-emergency situations such as poor service from a travel agency
or guide, lost property, or unfair charges.
INFORMATION FOR VICTIMS OF CRIME: The loss or theft abroad of a U.S. passport should be reported immediately to the local police and the nearest U.S. embassy or consulate. If you are the victim of a crime while overseas, in addition to reporting to local police, please contact the nearest U.S. Embassy or Consulate for assistance. The Embassy/Consulate staff can, for example, assist you to find appropriate medical care, contact family members or friends, and explain how funds could be transferred. Although the investigation and prosecution of the crime is solely the responsibility of local authorities, consular officers can help you to understand the local criminal justice process and to find an attorney if needed.
EMERGENCY PHONE NUMBERS: The local Peruvian phone system has incorporated the following phone numbers to allow access to
emergency services: General Emergencies should be dialed by pressing 116, and Police Emergencies should be dialed by pressing
105.
See our information on Victims of Crime.
MEDICAL FACILITIES AND HEALTH INFORMATION: Medical care is generally good in Lima and usually adequate in other major cities, but it is less so elsewhere in Peru.
Urban private health care facilities are often better staffed and equipped than public or rural ones. Public hospital facilities
in Cuzco, the prime tourist destination, are generally inadequate to handle serious medical conditions. Although some private
hospital facilities in Cuzco may be able to treat acute medical problems, in general the seriously ill traveler should return
to Lima for further care as soon as is medically feasible. Visitors to high-altitude Andean destinations such as Cuzco (11,000
feet), Machu Picchu (8,000 feet), or Lake Titicaca (13,000 feet) should discuss the trip with their personal physician prior
to departing the United States. Travel to high altitudes could pose a serious risk of illness, hospitalization, and even
death, particularly if the traveler has a medical condition that affects blood circulation or breathing. Several U.S. citizens
have died in Peru from medical conditions exacerbated by altitude. Tourists or business visitors, particularly those who suffer
from cardiac-related problems or high blood pressure, who wish to travel to high-altitude areas in Peru, should undergo a
medical examination before traveling. New arrivals, even healthy and fit persons, will feel symptoms of hypoxia (lack of oxygen)
at high-altitude, and most will need time to adjust to the altitude. Most people will have increased respiration and heart
rate. Many will have headaches, difficulty sleeping, lack of appetite, minor gastric and intestinal upsets, and mood changes.
To help prevent these complications, consult your personal physician, avoid alcohol and smoking for at least one week after
arrival at high altitudes, and limit physical activity for the first 36 to 48 hours after arrival at high altitudes.
In jungle areas east of the Andes mountain range (cordillera), chloroquine-resistant malaria is a serious problem. Cholera,
yellow fever, hepatitis, dengue fever, and other exotic and contagious diseases are also present. Yellow fever is endemic
in certain areas of Peru; in general, those areas are located on the eastern side of the cordillera and at lower elevations
in jungle areas. The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the Peruvian government recommend that travelers
to Peru receive a yellow fever vaccination and carry documentation of the vaccination with them on their trip. Diarrhea caused
by contaminated food or water is very common in Peru, and is potentially serious If suffering from persistent symptoms, seek
medical attention. Local tap water in Peru is not considered potable. Only bottled or treated (disinfected) water should
be used for drinking. Fruits and vegetables should be washed and/or disinfected with care, and meats and fish should be thoroughly
cooked. Eggs, meat, un-pasteurized cheese, and seafood are common sources of the bacteria that can cause travelers' diarrhea,
and they should be properly prepared or avoided.
Over the last few years, at least five American citizen visitors have died during liposuction operations in Peru. While some
of these deaths occurred in ill-equipped, makeshift clinics, travelers are urged to carefully assess the risks of having this
type of surgery performed overseas, even when opting for a treatment at one of the better-known clinics.
Information on vaccinations and other health precautions, such as safe food and water precautions and insect bite protection,
may be obtained from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s hotline for international travelers at 1-877-FYI-TRIP
(1-877-394-8747) or via the CDC’s web site at http://wwwn.cdc.gov/travel/default.aspx. For information about outbreaks of infectious diseases abroad consult the World Health Organization’s (WHO) web site at
http://www.who.int/en. Further health information for travelers is available at http://www.who.int/ith/en.
MEDICAL INSURANCE: The Department of State strongly urges Americans to consult with their medical insurance company prior to traveling abroad to confirm whether their policy applies overseas and whether it will cover emergency expenses such as a medical evacuation. Please see our information on medical insurance overseas.
TRAFFIC SAFETY AND ROAD CONDITIONS: While in a foreign country, U.S. citizens may encounter road conditions that differ significantly from those in the United
States. The information below concerning Peru is provided for general reference only, and may not be totally accurate in a
particular location or circumstance.
Driving conditions in Peru are very different from those found in the United States and can be considerably more dangerous.
Visitors are strongly encouraged to familiarize themselves with local law and driving customs before attempting to operate
vehicles. Road travel at night is extremely dangerous due to poor road markings and frequent unmarked road hazards. Drivers
should not travel alone on rural roads, even in daylight. Convoy travel is preferable. Spare tires, parts, and fuel are needed
when traveling in remote areas, where distances between service areas are great. Fog is common on coastal and mountain highways,
and the resulting poor visibility frequently causes accidents. Inter-city bus travel is dangerous. Armed robbers, who force
passengers off buses and steal their belongings, some times hold up inter-city buses at night. Bus accidents resulting in
multiple deaths and injuries are common, and they are frequently attributed to excessive speed, poor bus maintenance, and
driver fatigue. Because of these safety concerns, the U.S. Peace Corps in Peru restricts American Peace Corps volunteers’
use of overnight inter-city buses and requires Peace Corps volunteers who make inter-city bus trips to use certain bus lines
with good safety records. Current approved lines are Cruz del Sur, Linea, Movil Tours, CIAL, OLTURSA, Ormeño, TEPSA, and
ITTSA. For further information, travelers may contact their nearest automobile club, or (for information in Spanish) the
Associacion Automotriz del Peru, 299 Avenida Dos de Mayo, San Isidro, Lima 27, Peru, telephone 51-1-440-0495, or at http://www.aap.org.pe.
Please refer to our Road Safety page for more information. Visit Peru’s national tourist office and national authority responsible for road safety web site
at http://www.peru.info/peru.asp.
SPECIAL CIRCUMSTANCES: The government of Peru prohibits the exportation of archaeological artifacts and colonial art. These restrictions include
archaeological material from the pre-Hispanic cultures and certain ethnological materials from the colonial period of Peru,
which are considered protected Peruvian cultural patrimony. U.S. law enforcement authorities can take action even after importation
into the United States has occurred. For more information, contact Art Historian Dr. Alvaro Roca-Rey Miro Quesada, National
Cultural Institute (Instituto Nacional de Cultura--INC), Direccion de Fomento de las Artes at 51-1-476-9900, and/or Archaeologist
Ms. Alejandra Figueroa Flores, Direccion de Registro de Patrimonio Arqueologico, at 51-1-476-9887. Travelers buying art should
be aware that unscrupulous traders might try to sell them articles that cannot be exported from Peru. Peruvian customs authorities
may seize such articles, and the traveler may be subject to criminal penalties. In many countries around the world, counterfeit
and pirated goods are widely available. Transactions involving such products are illegal and bringing them back to the United
States may result in forfeitures and/or fines.
Visitors who purchase reproductions of colonial or pre-colonial art should buy only from reputable dealers, and they should
insist on documentation from Peru's National Institute of Culture (INC) showing that the object is a reproduction and may
be exported. Peruvian customs authorities may retain articles lacking such documentation and forward them to INC for evaluation.
If the objects are found to be reproductions, they may eventually be returned to the purchaser, but, storage and shipping
charges are the responsibility of the purchaser.
Vendors in jungle cities and airports sell live animals and birds, as well as handicrafts made from insects, feathers, or
other natural products. Under Peruvian law, it is illegal to remove certain flora and fauna items from their place of origin
to another part of Peru or to export them to a foreign country. Travelers have been detained and arrested by the Ecology
Police in Lima for carrying such items.
Information on U.S. regulations for the importation of plant and animal products is available from the Animal and Plant Health
Inspection Service (APHIS) of the U.S. Department of Agriculture via the web at http://www.aphis.usda.gov. Travelers bringing animals to the United States may also wish to consult with U.S. Customs or the Fish and Wildlife Service
of the U.S. Department of Interior. Travelers wishing to bring animals from the United States into Peru should consult the
Peruvian Servicio Nacional de Sanidad Agraria (SENASA) at 51-1-313-3300. Information regarding current restrictions is available
on the SENASA web site at http://www.senasa.gob.pe.
Peruvian customs regulations require that many electronic items or items for commercial use be declared upon entering the
country. Failure to make a full and accurate declaration can lead to arrest and incarceration or significant fines.
Philanthropic groups and individuals planning to enter Peru with medical supplies in quantities greater than for personal
use are strongly advised to consult with a Peruvian consulate in the United States prior to arrival in Peru. Peruvian Customs
authorities will seize any merchandise that is not properly documented, even if intended for charitable or philanthropic use.
The cost of retrieving seized goods can often exceed the value of the merchandise.
Travelers should be aware that some drugs and other products readily available over-the-counter or by prescription in Peru
are illegal in the United States. The prescription sedative flumitrapezan (Rohypnol) is one such drug; others may come on
the market at any time. Although coca-leaf tea is a popular beverage and folk remedy for altitude sickness in Peru, possession
of these tea bags, which are sold in most Peruvian supermarkets, is illegal in the United States.
Please see our Customs Information.
AVIATION SAFETY OVERSIGHT: The U.S. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has assessed Peru’s Civil Aviation Authority as being in compliance with International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) aviation safety standards for oversight of Peru’s air carrier operations. For more information, travelers may visit the FAA’s web site at http://www.faa.gov/safety/programs_initiatives/oversight/iasa.
CRIMINAL PENALTIES: While in a foreign country, a U.S. citizen is subject to that country's laws and regulations, which sometimes differ significantly from those in the United States and may not afford the protections available to the individual under U.S. law. Penalties for breaking the law can be more severe than in the United States for similar offenses. Persons violating Peru’s laws, even unknowingly, may be expelled, arrested, or imprisoned. Penalties for possession, use, or trafficking in illegal drugs in Peru are severe, and convicted offenders can expect long jail sentences and heavy fines. Engaging in sexual conduct with children or using or disseminating child pornography in a foreign country is a crime, prosecutable in the United States. Please see our information on Criminal Penalties.
DISASTER PREPAREDNESS: Peru is an earthquake-prone country. U.S. citizens in areas affected by earthquakes can expect to experience temporary difficulty
communicating with family and friends in the United States and in securing prompt onward overland transportation out of the
affected areas. You are strongly encouraged to register your trip with the Embassy and to contact your family directly or,
if unavailable, the U.S. Embassy following a significant disaster. General information about natural disaster preparedness
is available from the U.S. Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) at http://www.fema.gov/.
CHILDREN'S ISSUES: For information see our Office of Children’s Issues web pages on intercountry adoption and international parental child abduction.
REGISTRATION / EMBASSY LOCATION: Americans living or traveling in Peru are encouraged to register with the nearest U.S. Embassy or Consulate through the
State Department’s travel registration web site so that they can obtain updated information on travel and security within Peru. Americans without Internet access may register
directly with the nearest U.S. Embassy or Consulate. By registering, American citizens make it easier for the Embassy or
Consulate to contact them in case of emergency. The U.S. Embassy is located in Surco, Monterrico, a suburb of Lima, at Avenida
Encalada, Block Seventeen; telephone 51-1-434-3000 during business hours (8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.) or 51-1-434-3032 for after-hours
emergencies; fax 51-1-618-2397, or 51-1-618-2724 (American Citizen Services Unit); web site - http://lima.usembassy.gov. The Consular Section is open for American Citizens Services, including registration, from 8:00 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. weekdays,
excluding U.S. and Peruvian holidays.
The U.S. Consular Agent in Cuzco may be reached at 51-84-231-474; or by email at consagentcuzco@terra.com.pe. The Consular Agency can provide information and assistance to U.S. citizen travelers who are victims of crime or need other
assistance in Cuzco.
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This replaces the Country Specific Information dated Nov 21, 2007, to update Sections on Country Description, Entry/Exit Requirements,
Safety and Security, Crime, Information for Victims of Crime, Traffic Safety and Road Conditions, Special Circumstances, and Registration/Embassy Location.
