A seasoned solo traveller who deliberately avoided Peru for nearly seven years, fearing reports of crime, has revealed how his actual visit left him feeling "pretty safe" and questioning his earlier apprehension.
From Paranoia to Preparation
The traveller, who uses the Reddit handle u/gtraveler70, documented his journey online after finally visiting the South American nation in October 2025. Despite having explored around 45 countries across Europe, Asia, the Middle East, and North Africa, he admitted that persistent warnings on social media about "extortions, killings, and kidnappings" had long deterred him.
"To be honest, after reading all the Reddit posts and YouTube videos about safety in Peru, I was a little paranoid," he wrote. His anxiety led to extreme pre-trip measures designed to make him a less appealing target for criminals.
His meticulous precautions included:
- Wearing underwear with concealed pockets for valuables.
- Stashing emergency cash reserves in separate locations.
- Carrying an old, basic phone with only essential apps like Google Maps.
- Using a pre-paid debit card with limited funds, topping it up with roughly $100 every few days.
"Basically, I tried to keep myself as mug-proof and kidnap-proof as possible," he explained. "Like if someone steals my phone or wallet, they get nothing."
A Reality Check on the Ground
During his two-week itinerary, which covered Lima, Cusco, Machu Picchu, Paracas, Nazca, and Vinicunca, his fears quickly subsided. He experienced no safety issues whatsoever, not even encountering suspicious looks.
"I believe it was an overkill," he reflected. "After spending a couple of days, I felt Peru was pretty safe and started using my regular expensive phone - I didn't see anyone roaming on motorcycles looking to grab phones."
Staying in Lima's upscale Miraflores district, he noted it felt "very safe," with robust security at hotels and a visible police presence, albeit one he found somewhat "weird" and "out of place" given the calm atmosphere. He praised the efficiency of services like the inter-city bus company Peru Hop and Uber for urban transport.
Balanced Perspective for Future Visitors
While celebrating his positive experience, the traveller offered a balanced view. He acknowledged that risks exist, particularly for those in vulnerable situations like walking alone late at night while intoxicated, but stressed this was a universal urban risk, not unique to Peru.
"I believe this is as unsafe as any streets in New York or Chicago," he noted, recalling a relative's mugging in New Jersey. He concluded that while he felt safe on his main tourist route, he would exercise more caution in every remote corner of the country, citing traffic and language barriers as greater concerns than crime.
His post resonated with other Reddit users, who shared similar reassuring anecdotes. One recent visitor to Peru said they never felt unsafe, even at a national stadium football game, and recounted how locals diligently returned lost cash. Another shared a story of having their lost wallet, complete with a kindly written note, returned to them in Cusco.
The overall message from u/gtraveler70's experience is one of cautious optimism: with sensible preparation and awareness, solo travel in Peru's key tourist areas can be a secure and rewarding experience, challenging the often alarmist narrative found online.
