Is Peru Safe to Travel? A Guide for Student Volunteers

If you are planning a service trip, you and your family will probably ask the same question early on: is Peru safe to travel? It is a fair question, and it deserves a careful answer. Safety depends on where you go, how you travel and how well you prepare.

In this guide, you will learn what the U.S. and Canadian governments currently say about travel to Peru, which regions they ask travelers to avoid, and what everyday precautions help most. You will also see how structured student programs support participants during the week. Use this guide as a starting point, then check official advice again before you leave, because it can change.

Is Peru safe to travel? What official advice says

Governments publish travel advice to help citizens plan. In its advisory last updated in May 2025, the U.S. State Department lists Peru at Level 2: Exercise Increased Caution on its four-level scale. It cites crime, civil unrest and the risk of kidnapping, with higher risk in some areas.

The advisory marks two areas as Level 4, Do Not Travel:

• The Colombia-Peru border area in the Loreto region
• The Valley of the Apurímac, Ene and Mantaro Rivers (VRAEM), which covers parts of Ayacucho, Cusco, Huancavelica and Junín

The State Department notes that the city of Cusco, the Sacred Valley, the Inca Trail and Machu Picchu are not in the affected area.

Canada's government advises travelers to "exercise a high degree of caution" in Peru. It also asks travelers to avoid all travel to the VRAEM and to avoid non-essential travel to some border areas.

How to read a travel advisory

A Level 2 advisory means the government sees risks travelers should plan for. Read the whole page along with the level. Look at which regions are named and why. Then compare that list with the cities on your itinerary.

How student programs support safety

Structured programs can reduce many common risks. Here is how the Smiles Movement Lima itinerary describes support during the week:

• Airport pickup. A MEDLIFE associate meets participants outside the airport on arrival day.
• Orientation. The first full day includes a meeting that covers what to expect and reviews safety precautions.
• Trip leaders. An English-speaking trip leader guides the group, and trip leaders accompany students on community visits.
• Group transportation. Transport to and from trip activities is included.
• Shared housing. Participants stay together at the MEDLIFE hostel.

When you compare any dental service learning trip, ask how the program handles emergencies, who is on call at night and how it communicates with families.

Everyday precautions for student travelers

Simple habits help you avoid many common problems:

• Enroll in your government's traveler program. U.S. citizens can use the State Department's Smart Traveler Enrollment Program. Canadians can register with Registration of Canadians Abroad.
• Keep valuables out of sight. Carry only what you need for the day.
• Use transportation your program arranges or that trip leaders recommend.
• Stay with your group, especially at night.
• Avoid demonstrations, since civil unrest is one of the reasons in the advisory.
• Share your itinerary with family and keep copies of your passport.
• Talk with your doctor about vaccines and health risks before you go.

Health and insurance planning

Safety also includes your health. Visit your doctor several weeks before the trip to talk about vaccines, medications and any health conditions. MEDLIFE itineraries do not require specific vaccines, but they ask travelers to follow CDC guidance and medical advice. Check whether your health insurance covers you abroad, and ask your program what support it offers if you need care during the week. If you plan to visit Cusco, read about altitude in advance, since it affects many travelers in the first days.

For more general advice, read our guide on whether volunteering abroad is safe. Our packing list for dental trips can help you prepare essentials. It also helps to expect some adjustment. Our article on culture shock abroad explains how to manage it.

Travel with a plan and a team

Careful preparation, current official advice and a structured program can help you travel to Peru with confidence. If you want to learn alongside local dental professionals and partner communities with trip leaders by your side, Smiles Movement can help. Fill out the form or download our brochure to get more information about upcoming programs and trip dates.

Frequently asked questions about travel safety in Peru

Is Peru safe to travel for students right now?

The U.S. State Department lists Peru at Level 2, Exercise Increased Caution. It asks travelers to avoid two specific regions. Check the current advisory before you book and before you leave.

Is Cusco safe for tourists?

The State Department notes that the city of Cusco, the Sacred Valley, the Inca Trail and Machu Picchu are outside its Level 4 areas. Normal precautions still apply, and altitude is a separate health consideration.

What should parents ask before a student travels to Peru?

Ask who supervises students, how transportation and housing work, what the emergency plan is and how the program communicates with families.