Seven Tips To Keep You Safe

1) If you only go where tourists go, you will only meet people who work in tourism - unfortunately this includes beggars, touts, pickpockets, etc


2) Are there any places in your home town which you would avoid walking around by yourself, at night etc? Peru is no different. Remember whichever country you travel in, towns will have 'dodgy' districts. Much as I love Peru there are areas of Lima I would not go near, even in daylight with an armoured vehicle escort and backup from the 101st Airborne Division.


3) Watch out for 'pirañas' as they are known to locals. People who hang around bus stations, pubs and clubs, or anywhere where tourists hang out and make a living from stealing from them or ripping them off. Remember though, that 99% of the people who approach you are genuinely friendly, they may just want to practice their English, or be interested in what a stranger is up to. It is quite common to be invited to people's houses for a meal or a drink, so don't miss a good opportunity to get to see more of the culture by being paranoid.

4) Be careful taking taxis late at night - especially if you are alone, even more so if female. If you are unsure, call a registered firm by phone, and get someone take registration details (and make sure the driver sees them doing it). All you need to become a taxi driver is a 'taxi' sticker to put in your car windscreen, so have a good look at the driver before getting into any taxi. Don't let him drive off with your luggage either. Local buses and minibuses are slower and less comfortable but safer (and better for meeting people).


5) If you go out drinking by yourself and get into a state where you can't remember anything, don't be surprised if you wake up with no belongings (a friend of mine managed to have all his clothes stolen after a night out in Cusco, and woke up in a ditch somewhere up near Sacsayhuaman, in just his underpants)


6) Avoid the extremes:

a) 'Theme park' syndrome
"Wow, look at this ethnic back street, cars burning and everything. I'll just go up to that group of young men with their traditional machetes. Just let me get my $300 camera out, and get a photo".

b) Paranoia
"Good job I bumped into that group of 15 westerners - we can go everywhere together. That English pub that we found on the first night is great, the 'no Peruvians' door policy sure keeps out all the troublemakers. The only Peruvians I ever seem to see are beggars or people trying to steal something. Even the receptionist in the hotel seems a bit shifty..."


7) Agree a price in advance for any service, eg shoe-shining, taxi, etc. If someone ups a price, don't be afraid to argue with them - even if their friend turns up with 'police' id. Suggesting that you will take a taxi with them to the tourist police station to get things straightened out usually gets them to back down. Just make sure it is not their friend's taxi. If you feel intimidated, don't be afraid to raise your voice, particularly if you are in a busy place, or ask people nearby for help. Most locals will be horrified if a visitor to their country is being ripped off and quite often will get involved to help you out.

If the worst comes to the worst and you need help, click here to find out about Peruvian police, and how to get help from them.
Finally, a friend told me this story, which seems to sum up how you should look at things when you travel:

A wise old man was walking in the hills above his town when he met a stranger coming the other way.
"Hello" said the stranger, "Are you from the town down there? How are the people there? I am on my way to visit"
"How were the people in the town you have just left?" replied the old man
"They were terrible - thieves and cheats to a man. That is why I am leaving"
"Sorry, but I think that you will find the people here pretty much the same" answered the man, and continued on his way.
Soon he met another man coming the other way, who also asked him what the people were like in the town.
"How were the people in the town you have just left?" asked the old man again.
"Fantastic, they were really friendly, kind and generous. I could hardly bring myself to leave"
"Fortunately, I think that you will find the people here pretty much the same" answered the man.

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