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Lots of scams

South America

Tourist scams in Peru

Petty theft is a concern in Peru, and armed robberies of tourists are described as fairly common. Taxi robberies, inflated fares, misleading touts and false money are the main risks to prepare for. Choose transport carefully, check prices before paying and keep valuables out of sight.
  1. 1 TheftCommonPickpocketing and theft of belongingsThieves take money or belongings from pockets and bags. Crowds and bags left out of reach make theft easier.Lima, Cajamarca, Chiclayo 3Read
  2. 2 TheftCommonArmed street robberyRobbers threaten travellers and take their belongings. Weapons may be involved. Robberies near the beach in Pimentel have also been reported in daylight.Lima, Arequipa, Chiclayo 1Read
  3. 3 TaxisCommonTaxi robbery or kidnappingA driver takes you somewhere other than your destination, where accomplices may be waiting. Someone may already be hiding in the vehicle. Travellers have been robbed, blindfolded, driven outside the city and abandoned.Lima, Arequipa 2Read
  4. 4 Hotels and roomsCommonArrival touts steering you to another hotel or sellerTouts approach new arrivals and try to lead them to accommodation or sell services. They may use information you share to invent reasons why you should change your plans.Airports, bus stations and streets where travellers arrive. 2Read
  5. 5 TaxisCommonInflated taxi faresDrivers charge tourists far above the normal fare or leave the price unsettled until the journey has started. Lima taxis do not normally use meters.Lima 2Read
  6. 6 TaxisOccasionalTaxi price quoted without a currencyA fare is given as a number without clearly stating whether it is in soles or US dollars. The difference can be substantial.Lima 1Read
  7. 7 TaxisOccasionalTaxi fare changed to a price per personSome drivers claim the fare applies to each passenger. The stated local practice is a fare for the whole ride, with a possible small luggage charge.Arequipa 1Read
  8. 8 Changing moneyOccasionalFalse banknotesYou receive a counterfeit note as payment, change or part of a cash transaction.Anywhere you receive cash, including upscale businesses and, unusually, banks. 2Read
  9. 9 ShoppingOccasionalBolivian coins slipped into changeA similar-looking 5-Boliviano coin is given in place of a 5-sol coin. The Bolivian coin is not useful for ordinary spending in Peru.Cash transactions where you receive coins as change.Read
  10. 10 TheftOccasionalKidnapping to force cash withdrawalsCriminals hold a traveller and force them to withdraw money with their cards. Some victims have been forced to make withdrawals over several days.Across the countryRead
  11. 11 TaxisOccasionalFake taxi company brandingFake taxis may copy the branding of Turismo Arequipa, whose genuine vehicles use a green and white logo. A familiar logo alone does not prove that a car belongs to the company.ArequipaRead
  12. 12 Fake officialsOccasionalFake plain-clothes police stealing passportsPeople posing as plain-clothes police offer a fake form and try to steal passports. This has happened even with real police and customs staff nearby.The border crossing from Huaquillas in Ecuador into Peru.Read
  13. 13 Buses and trainsOccasionalPaid promises of a cheaper domestic flightAn agency may offer a 'Peruvian price' in exchange for a fee. Some advertised fares are for residents only, so a non-resident may have to pay more. A cheap quote or a fee does not guarantee a cheaper usable ticket.Travel agencies selling domestic flights.Read
  14. 14 Buses and trainsOccasionalLarge price differences for the same bus seatThe same seat and service can cost much more through one booking channel than another. A high price alone does not establish fraud, but failing to compare can be expensive.ArequipaRead
  15. 15 ShoppingOccasionalCheap alpaca products with disappointing qualityVery cheap alpaca products may be of lower quality than a buyer expects. A low price is not proof of fraud, but it should not be taken as proof of a bargain.ArequipaRead
  16. 16 NightlifeOccasionalBricheros at a traveller barThere is a warning to watch out for bricheros at this bar, but no specific scam method is described.ArequipaRead

Where to stay alert

  • Jorge Chávez International Airport and surrounding streets, LimaInformal taxi approaches, inflated fares and taxi-related robbery are concerns. The surrounding area is described as unsafe.
  • Bus stations, LimaExtra caution is advised when choosing taxis here. Arrival touts also target bus stations.
  • Downtown ArequipaRobberies are reported, and walking alone after 23:00 is discouraged.
  • Viajero Arequipa Hostel, C. Jerusalén 317The bar carries a warning about bricheros, without details of a particular trick.
  • Central city, CajamarcaVisitors are advised to watch for pickpockets and hold on to their belongings.
  • Mercado Modelo, ChiclayoThe crowded market is specifically linked to a risk of being robbed.
  • Central area around bus companies and hotels, ChiclayoThieves operate here even though the streets may look safe. Displaying valuables is discouraged.
  • Pimentel, near the beach, ChiclayoTravellers have reportedly been robbed in broad daylight.
  • Huaquillas border crossing from Ecuador into PeruFake plain-clothes police have used false forms while trying to steal passports.

Habits that keep you safe

Taxis

  • Ask your accommodation to book a trusted taxi.
  • Agree the total fare, currency and number of passengers before boarding.
  • Check the back seat and trunk before entering.
  • Keep your phone and passport hidden. Write down the destination instead of handing over your phone.
  • At Lima airport, use a taxi desk inside arrivals or the Airport Express Lima bus.

Money

  • Inspect notes and coins before leaving the counter.
  • Use bank posters to learn the security features on notes.
  • Check that a 5-sol coin is not a 5-Boliviano coin.
  • Split your cash between secure places and avoid showing a large amount.

Cards and ATMs

  • Carry only the cards you need and secure the rest.
  • Read the fee screen before accepting a withdrawal.
  • Do not assume a high airport ATM fee is a scam; compare the total cost before proceeding.
  • Cover your PIN and avoid help from strangers at an ATM.

Your belongings

  • Keep bags closed and within sight in crowded places.
  • On a bus, put your backpack under your seat with the strap around your leg.
  • Keep expensive jewellery and devices out of sight.
  • Avoid quiet, unlit streets at night.
  • Do not intervene in a robbery or chase a thief; weapons may be involved.

Where you stay

  • Choose where you will stay before arriving.
  • Do not share your booking details with arrival touts.
  • Go directly to your chosen hotel or hostel.
  • Ask staff to help arrange trusted transport.

Tours and guides

  • Avoid handing money to the first person who approaches you at an airport or bus station.
  • Ask your chosen accommodation for help with tour and ticket bookings.
  • Check the full price and what is included before paying.

Nights out

  • Check how a happy-hour offer works before ordering; the listed price may cover two drinks.
  • Keep track of how much you drink, especially with sweet drinks such as Pisco Sour.
  • Stay with people you trust and arrange reliable transport home.
  • Keep control of your belongings and money when meeting new people.

Police and officials

  • At borders, take unexpected paperwork requests to the official counter.
  • Do not assume someone is genuine just because real officials are nearby.
  • Tourist police are described as wearing white shirts and normally speaking English.
  • Keep copies of important documents separately from the originals.

What travellers say about Peru

Discussions on other sites, summarised in our words. Open a link to read the full thread.

Questions

What should I be most careful about in Peru?

Prepare for theft, unsafe taxis, inflated fares and arrival touts. Armed robberies of tourists are also described as fairly common. Keep valuables hidden and arrange trusted transport.

How should I leave Lima airport safely?

Book and pay at a taxi company desk inside arrivals, arrange a reputable pickup ahead of time or use Airport Express Lima. Avoid informal drivers who approach you outside.

Do taxis use meters?

Lima taxis do not normally use meters. Agree the full fare before boarding, including the currency. In Arequipa, confirm that the price covers the whole car rather than each passenger.

Should I follow someone who offers a hotel at the bus station?

Go to accommodation you have already chosen. Touts may use details you share to invent reasons for changing your plans. Keep your booking details private.

How can I avoid receiving false money?

Inspect notes and coins when you receive them. Banks display guidance on banknote security features. Check that a supposed 5-sol coin is not a similar-looking 5-Boliviano coin.

Are expensive ATM withdrawals always a scam?

No. High withdrawal fees are described at many ATMs, especially around Lima airport and tourist sites. Read the fee screen before accepting and compare options.

Where should I watch my bag most closely?

Be especially careful in crowded markets, around transport arrivals and on buses. Mercado Modelo and the central bus-company and hotel area in Chiclayo have specific theft warnings. Keep your bus bag under your seat with its strap around your leg.

What if someone claiming to be police asks for my passport at the border?

Take the request to the official counter and ask uniformed police or customs staff to verify it. Fake plain-clothes police have tried to steal passports at the crossing from Huaquillas into Peru.

What should I know before going out drinking?

Check the offer before ordering: a happy-hour price may cover two drinks. Sweet Pisco Sour can be easy to drink too quickly. Keep control of your belongings and arrange trusted transport home.

How do I get help after a robbery?

Get somewhere safe, then call 911 for an emergency or 105 for police. Block stolen cards and report the incident. Tourist police normally speak English. A police report copy requires the stated S/3 payment at Banco de la Nación during working days.

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