Safe Tourism Launched in Peru

Through the Ministry of Foreign Trade and Tourism (Mincetur), the Peruvian government recently presented a national "Safe Tourism" strategy to ensure a good travel experience for tourists visiting Peru.

The Safe Tourism program has three components: Security, Formalization, and Strengthening applied in Peru's 25 regions.

For example, Minister Luis Fernando Helguero announced on February 9, 2023, that critical tourist infrastructure works would be inaugurated in the San Martín region in the coming weeks for more than S/ 50 million (~$13 million).

Peru has also established safe tourist corridors from the airports to historic centers in cities like Cusco, Arequipa, Puno, and Tacna.

These actions are essential since protests continue across Southern Peru, including in Cusco, Arequipa, Puno, and Lima, as of mid-February 2023.

Unfortunately, Machu Picchu remains closed to visitors until further notice.

The U.K. says the following States of Emergency and curfews have been announced:

• A 60-day State of Emergency occurred on February 4, 2023, in Madre de Dios, Puno, Cusco, Apurimac, Arequipa, Moquegua, and Tacna regions.
• A 10-day curfew in the Puno region came into force from 8 pm to 4 am on February 4, 2023.
• A 30-day State of Emergency occurred on January 19, 2023, in Amazonas and La Libertad regions.
• A 30-day State of Emergency occurred on January 15 on the roads: the Carretera Panamericana Sur, the Carretera Panamericana Norte, the Carretera Central, the Corredor Vial Sur Apurimac-Cusco-Arequipa and the Corredor Vial Interoceanica Sur.

The U.K. confirmed on February 11, 2023, that travelers arriving in Peru should be aware that traveling to some parts of the country or returning to Lima may not be possible and should be prepared for delays or disruption.

And the U.S. Embassy in Peru website says visitors should avoid demonstrations, and should they encounter any, remain in a safe location. For emergencies involving American citizens in Peru, please email [email protected] or call +51-1-618-2000.