tourist visa in lima peru

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Peru Tourist Visa 2024: What You Need To Know

2024 Updated information about how to get your Peru tourist visa, which nationalities require a visa and everything you need to know to visit Peru as a tourist.

Getting a Peru tourist visa has never been easier. Most countries (excluding only a handful of Asian countries) don’t require a visa. Or, at least, the visa is issued upon arrival to the country, be it by air, land, or water. There are no vaccination requirements, just the suggestion of the yellow fever vaccination, particularly when travelers are planning to visit the jungle regions. Even if you don’t get it before entry, it can be found and administered at almost any pharmacy. If you have any doubts or concerns about visas or vaccinations, do not hesitate to speak to one of Peru Hop ‘s trained travel specialists who are available 24/7.

Entering Peru

To enter Peru you must have six months of passport validity remaining at the time of entry, and at least one page for your entry stamp (and, in turn, space for your exit stamp). You may also be required to show proof of return/onward travel- a plane ticket or your Peru Hop ticket if it passes over the border to Bolivia. You can read more about this in the “Exiting Peru” section, or you can get in contact with our travel experts.

A normal tourist visa will last for anywhere between 30 and 183 days, and depends a lot on the person who issues it. This can be extended with a visit to migrations, with a limit of 183 days in total from when you first entered the country. This 183 days is valid for 1 calendar year and cannot be extended after this time. If you overstay your visa you will be required to pay a fine of $1.50 per day, for every day you overstay. This must be paid in cash on exit. Ensure that you have the correct money as you leave, or you could find yourself having problems. There is a limit of $30,000 USD for entry and exit. Anything higher that $10,000 USD must be declared. If your entry is refused for whatever reason, airlines are obliged to return you to your point of origin.

Exiting Peru

If you do not have an entry record, you will not be allowed to exit the country until immigration authorities officially confirm the time and place of your entry. This is a long, expensive process and best avoided. Be sure that you have a correct entry record. This is particularly important at remote border crossings, where the proper officials may not be present.

Stolen or lost passports must be reported to the police immediately. You must keep a record of this report and apply for a new passport at your local embassy, and you must have the replacement before leaving the country.

In order to enter Peru you must have evidence to show that you will be leaving it. This evidence can come in the form of an air ticket, or even using one of Peru Hop’s tickets that pass over the border into Bolivia if you plan to continue your travels in South America. You can check out our full range of passes and also get advice 24/7 on your Bolivian visa with one of our travel experts.

Travel with Minors: Regardless of nationality, all children who are traveling with both birth parents are required to have a valid passport and the necessary visa or citizenship of the country where they are traveling. Peruvian immigration procedures are complex for minors traveling without one or both parents/legal guardians.

This is everything that you need to know about traveling to Peru with a tourist visa. It is always a good idea to be aware of where your countries embassy is when you enter a country, and to know the address or telephone number of it. You can find this out on their official website.

At Peru Hop we do our best to provide the most accurate and timely information regarding the tourist visa, however you should check your local embassy’s website for the most recent information. We do not accept liability for any information that may not be correct on this page.

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Apply for a tourist visa to enter Peru

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If you are a foreign person who wants to visit Peru for recreational or similar purposes and, due to your country of origin, you require a visa to enter the country, you must apply for a tourist visa at the Peruvian consular offices of the country where you are.

Citizens of some Latin American and European countries do not need this type of visa.

Conditions:

• This immigration status does not admit the purpose of immigration, permanent residence or development of remunerated activities.
• The presentation of the visa application and the required documentation does not guarantee the automatic granting of the visa. Each application is evaluated individually by the consul.
• Additional requirements may be required during the processing of the application.
• In case your visa application is denied, you may submit a new application after 6 months. In addition, the denial of a visa, regardless of the immigration status, is final and unappealable.

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• Visa and entry requirements

Citizens of Argentina, Brazil, Paraguay, Uruguay, Ecuador, Colombia, Bolivia and Chile may enter the country with their national identity document.

iPeru offices Credit: Yayo López / PromPerú

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Foreign nationals who wish to enter and/or leave Peruvian territory must present the following:

Citizens of U.S., Canada, United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland, and Australia, do not need a Peruvian tourist visa. However, they do need to apply for a business visa to be legally able to enter into contracts or agreements.

They need a passport legitimately issued by a country with a minimum validity of six months from the date of entry into the country.

The maximum length of stay that the authorities grant is 90 days, which cannot be extended.

A travel document or Laissez Passer legitimately issued by a country or relating to international treaties and conventions to which Peru is a signatory, for humanitarian reasons.

A valid letter of safe-conduct, legitimately issued by a country and only in exceptional cases as established in international treaties and conventions to which Peru is a signatory, or when approved by the country that issued the letter of safe-conduct, provided that the conditions have been recognized and accepted by the Peruvian authorities. A valid travel document issued by the Peruvian Immigration Department is also valid.

A travel document for refugees and asylum seekers issued by Peru or another country within the framework of the international treaties and conventions to which Peru is a signatory.

Other valid travel documents, conforming to international treaties and conventions to which Peru is a signatory and which regulate and define the circumstances in which they will apply.

Migrations web page

Call (+511) 200 1000

If you wish to stay longer for other reasons, such as business, studying or working, you need to request the relevant visa at a Peruvian consulate or embassy in your own country.

Directory of Peruvian Consulates Abroad

Directory of Peruvian Embassies Abroad

To know if you need a visa, click here.

In accordance with Peruvian customs regulations, all new and used articles that a traveler may reasonably require for his or her own use or consumption, and that due to their nature, quantity and type do not appear to be for commercial use, are exempt from duty.

For more information, see the list of exempt goods here.

When entering Peru, a traveler must correctly complete the Baggage Declaration if he or she has articles or goods to declare. All articles that are subject to tax must be listed.

What are the visa requirements for visiting Peru?

Dec 14, 2023 • 2 min read

Not sure if you need a visa to visit Peru? We're here to help © Adriana Samanez / 500px / Getty Images

Home to one of the most-visited archaeological sites in the world, diverse ecosystems and a gastronomic scene that’s been booming for over a decade, it’s not difficult to come across a traveler with Peru on their bucket list — or one who has already crossed it off. 

If you're one of the former, keep in mind that some prep work is involved. While many citizens of the world can visit the Andean nation without much more than an up-to-date passport, citizens of more than a few countries will require a visa to visit Peru. 

To ease your mind and your travels, we’ve gathered some of the top questions regarding Peru visa requirements and visitor permits.

Who can visit Peru without a visa?

Travelers from North America , South America (with the exception of Venezuela), the European Union and Oceania can visit Peru visa-free, as can a few other select countries, including South Africa . Even quite a few citizens from South American countries can enter Peru just by showing their national identity documents.

Check this document from Peru’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs to see if you need a visa based on your nationality. 

Even if you can enter Peru visa-free, visitors must have a valid passport for at least another six months upon arrival. 

Every visitor to the country via the Jorge Chavez International Airport in Lima receives The Andean Migration Card (TAM). The card, which can be obtained in person or virtually, includes passport and ticket information, along with a fingerprint and photo.

TAM serves as a replacement for a passport stamp which, as of May 2023, travelers to Peru no longer receive. 

Travelers are typically granted a 90-day permit in Peru, though that number can dip as low as 30 and reach a maximum of 183. It depends on the border official who receives you in migrations. 

What happens if you overstay in Peru?

Since the country is packed with incredible places to visit in every region , visitors can easily find reasons to extend their vacation. But remember, there’s an S/4.40 per charge for every extra day over your tourist permit. The accrued debt must be paid in cash at the airport before departure.

Can you extend your stay in Peru?

Tourists can stay in Peru for a maximum of 183 days in one calendar year. For permits less than 183 days, you can visit an immigration office in any major Peruvian city to request an extension. The request must come before the visitor permit expires. Only tourist visas under 183 days will be considered. 

How can I get a visa to visit Peru?

If you require a visa to visit Peru, you can apply for a Tourist Visa or a Business Visa. To apply, visit a Peruvian consulate or embassy in your country well in advance of your planned trip. Locate the nearest office here . 

Both visa types cost about S/112. In general, tourist visa requirements include a passport with a 6-month validity minimum, a round-trip flight itinerary, hotel reservations and proof of financial solvency.  

This article was first published Aug 25, 2021 and updated Dec 14, 2023.

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U.S. Embassy Lima, Peru - LMA

Please follow the steps below before your immigrant visa interview at the U.S. Embassy in Lima, Peru.

Step 1: Register your appointment online

You need to register your appointment online, and include information for everyone who is applying with you. Registering your appointment provides us with the information we need to deliver your passport(s) to you after your interview. Failure to register will result in additional delays and possibly expenses. Registration is free. Click the “Register” button below to register.

Register >>

Step 2: Get a medical exam in Perú

When you receive a visa interview appointment or instructions on how to schedule yourself via our online system, please schedule a medical exam in Perú. Click the “Medical Exam Instructions” button below for a list of designated doctors’ offices in Perú. You must schedule and attend a medical exam with one of these doctors before your interview.

Medical Exam Instructions >>

Step 3: Complete your pre-interview checklist

It is important that you bring all required original documents to your interview. Failure to do so will result in additional delay and possibly additional expenses. We’ve provided a checklist that tells you what to bring. Click the “Pre-Interview Checklist” button below, print yourself a copy, and bring it to your interview along with the required documents it lists.

Pre-Interview Checklist >>

Step 4: Review interview guidelines

Read these interview guidelines to learn about any special actions that you need to take before your visa interview.

Interview Guidelines >>

Medical Exam Instructions

All immigrant visa applicants, regardless of age, require a medical examination prior to the issuance of a visa. Only a physician accredited by the U.S. Embassy can perform this exam. It is your responsibility to schedule and attend a medical exam with one of the doctors listed below at least ten (10) days before your visa interview at the U.S. Embassy. Medical examination results from other physicians will not be accepted.

Approved Physicians

Dr. Sandro Corigliano Anglo Americana Clinic Av. Emilio Cavenecia 250, 5th fl. San Isidro, Lima 27 Tel: 616-8900, Extension 5516, 960531310 (phone/WhatsApp) Hours: Tuesdays and Thursdays 8:30 am to 11:30 am, and Mondays and Fridays 3:00 pm to 5:30 pm Email: [email protected]

Dr. Enrique Cornejo Cisneros Clínica San Felipe - Camacho Av. Javier Prado Este 4841, La Molina 15023 Tel: +51 923162995 Hours: Monday 3:00pm to 7:00pm, Wednesday 3:00pm to 7:00pm and Friday 8:30am to 12:30pm

Dra. Carolina de la Flor Puccinelli Clínica San Felipe - Jesús María Av. Gregorio Escobedo 676, Torre 2, consultorio 411, Jesús María 15072 Tel: +51 923162995 Hours: Monday 2:00pm to 6:00pm, Tuesday 9:00am to 1:00 pm, Wednesday 2:00pm to 6:00pm and Thursday 9:00am to 1:00pm

Dr. Claudia Lozada Anglo American Clinic Av. Alfredo Salazar 314, Office 502 - Torre de Consultorios San Isidro, Lima 15073 Telephone: 959-141-654 (Claro), 970-970-523 (Movistar), 222-1073, 997-921-333 and 616-8900 ext. 4053 (landlines) Hours: Monday–Friday 7:00am to 5:00pm, Saturday 08:00am to 12:00pm

Dr. Viviana Melinchon Av. Benavides 1579, Office 804, Miraflores Telephone:  447-3654, 966-663-855, and 965-768-524 Hours:  Monday – Friday 9:00 am to 2:00pm and 3:00pm to 6:00pm, Saturdays 9:00am to 12:00pm

Dr. Martin Montes Delgado Clínica San Felipe - Jesús María Av. Gregorio Escobedo 676, Torre 2, consultorio 411, Jesús María 15072 Tel: +51 923162995 Hours: Monday 9:00am to 1:00pm, Tuesday 2:00pm to 6:00pm, Wednesday 9:00am to 1:00pm, and Thursday 2:00pm to 6:00pm

Items to bring to your medical examination

Bring the following items to your medical exam:

• Your visa interview letter,
• Your valid passport, and
• A copy of your immunization records, including COVID 19 vaccines,
• DS-260 confirmation page.

You must pay all medical examination fees, including x-ray and blood test fees, directly to the examining physician. The current price of the medical examination, including basic laboratory tests, is S/. 1600 Peruvian nuevos Soles. There may be additional fees for any required vaccinations or follow-up tests.

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During the medical exam

Applicants must have their medical exam performed at least ten (10) days prior to their immigrant visa appointment. The medical examination will include a medical history review, physical examination, and chest X-ray, gonorrhea test, syphilis and blood tests (for applicants 15 years of age or older). The United States also requires tuberculosis (TB) testing for all applicants two years of age and older. Please be prepared to discuss your medical history, medications you are taking, and current treatments you are undergoing. More information on general medical requirements for U.S. immigrants is available on the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s website .

U.S. immigration law requires immigrant visa applicants to obtain certain vaccinations prior to the issuance of a visa. Current immigrant visa vaccination requirements are available on CDC.Gov . You can also read Frequently Asked Questions about our medical examination requirements at Travel.State.Gov .

After the medical exam

When your examination is completed, the doctor will either provide you with exam results in a sealed envelope or send them directly to the U.S. Embassy. IF GIVEN AN ENVELOPE TO CARRY TO YOUR INTERVIEW, DO NOT OPEN THIS ENVELOPE. Instead, bring it to your visa interview. If the doctor requests more medical tests, the report will be sent directly to the U.S. Embassy. Any x-rays taken will be given to you. You DO NOT need to bring the x-rays to your visa interview unless you are diagnosed with tuberculosis (TB). However, you must carry them with you when you travel to the United States for the first time. The medical report must be less than six (6) months old when you enter the United States.

Pre-Interview Checklist

FOR MIV APPLICANTS: PLEASE BRING WITH YOU TO YOUR INTERVIEW AT THE EMBASSY THE EXACT ORIGINALS OF ALL DOCUMENTS YOU UPLOADED INTO CEAC, INCLUDING PERUVIAN POLICE CERTIFICATES THAT SINCE MAY HAVE EXPIRED.  IF YOU DO NOT BRING THE EXACT ORIGINAL DOCUMENTS, PROCESSING OF YOUR CASE WILL BE DELAYED

Please use the list below to determine the items that every applicant must bring to the immigrant visa interview. Any documents that are not in either English or Spanish must be accompanied by a certified English translation:

• Your visa interview appointment letter.
• Unexpired passport valid for six (6) months beyond your intended date of entry to the United States and a photocopy of the biographic page (where your name and photo are located).
• Any old passport with a previously issued U.S. Visa in it (for example, a non-immigrant tourist or student visa). 
• Two (2) color photographs of each person applying for a visa (5 cm x 5 cm). Please review our online photo requirements .
• Your Peruvian national identiy card, DNI
• Confirmation page from the Form DS-260 Application for an Immigrant Visa you submitted online at ceac.state.gov/iv .
• Your original  birth certificate certified by RENIEC.
• Original or certified copies of birth certificates for all children of the principal applicant ( even if he or she is not accompanying) .
• Medical examination results in a sealed envelope (if the physician gives you these results) .

Applicants who fall into any category listed in italics below should bring these additional documents:

For family-based visa applications:

• The appropriate  Form I-864 Affidavit of Support  for  each  financial sponsor along with a photocopy of the sponsor’s IRS transcript or most recent U.S. federal income tax return, and any relevant W-2s. 
• Proof of your U.S. petitioner’s status and domicile in the United States (photocopy of a U.S. passport, naturalization certificate, or  lawful permanent resident card).
• Evidence of the relationship between the petitioner and visa applicant (such as photographs, letters, or emails).  

If you are married :  Your  original  marriage certificate certified by RENIEC.

If you were previously married:   Your original divorce decree(s), or spouse’s death certificate, and a photocopy. NOTE: A notation on your marriage certificate is not sufficient evidence of a divorce. You must bring a copy of the full divorce decree.   

If you are older than 18 years of age: The original police certificates  from your country of current residence and all countries in which you lived for more than 12 months. 

For employment-based visa applications:  Letter from your U.S. employer dated less than one month ago.  

If you have ever been convicted of a crime:  Court and criminal records, with translation  and a photocopy.  

If you have served in any country’s military:  Military records  and a photocopy.  

If you are adopted:   Adoption papers or custody documents, with translation  and  a photocopy.  

If you are the petitioner’s stepchild:   The original marriage certificate of the petitioner and your biological parent, and a photocopy along with divorce records for any previous marriages of either parent.

Interview Guidelines

Sending documents to the U.S. Embassy in Perú

If you need to send documents, please DO NOT mail them directly to the embassy. Instead, visit ais.usvisa-info.com for information on courier services and how to send any additional documents.

Rescheduling or cancelling your interview

If you are unable to attend your appointment, please visit ais.usvisa-info.com as soon as possible to request a new interview date. There may be a significant wait before the next available appointment . There is no guarantee that a visa will still be available on the date of your rescheduled interview. Please carefully consult the Visa Bulletin before you request to reschedule your interview.

Please note: You need to register your original NVC/KCC appointment online (see Step 1 ) before you can reschedule it. Rescheduling is only possible on a date after your assigned appointment.

Security screening procedures

All visitors to the U.S. Embassy in Perú must follow certain security procedures. Any visitor who declines to be screened by U.S. Embassy security personnel will be unable to enter the embassy. To avoid delaying your entry and that of those in line behind you, please bring only what is required for your interview.

Accompanying Persons

Attorneys are not permitted to accompany clients into the waiting room or to their interview. Only the following persons may accompany a visa applicant to their interview:

• Interpreter:  Applicants may bring ONE interpreter if they do not speak English or Spanish well enough to participate in an interview.
• Special Needs Visitors:  Applicants may bring ONE person to help if they are elderly, disabled, or a minor child.

Immigrant visa fees

If you have not paid all required fees to either the National Visa Center or via the appointment website, please be prepared to pay these fees on the day of your interview. All fees may be paid in either U.S. dollars or Nuevo Soles equivalent; a combination of currencies may not be used. We accept cash and international credit cards only. The U.S. banking system does not use the ‘cuota’ system, which means that credit cards will be charged the entire amount in one installment. Please note that if you are found ineligible to receive a visa, the application fee cannot be refunded . A complete list of fees can be found  here .

Do not make travel plans outside of Perú

If your visa is approved, we will keep your passport at the embassy while we prepare your immigration packet and print a visa for your passport. We will return your passport to you later via courier services only (see Step 1 ). If you have to travel within Perú while your passport is still with us, please make sure you have a valid picture ID other than your passport.

After Your Visa Interview

A consular officer can make a decision on a visa application only after reviewing the formal application and interviewing the applicant. There is no guarantee that you will receive a visa. Do not sell your house, car or property, resign from your job or make non-refundable flight or other travel arrangements until you have received your immigrant visa.

If more information is needed

Sometimes a consular officer is unable to make a decision on a visa application because he/she needs to review additional documents or the case requires further administrative processing. When additional documents are requested, the consular officer will give you a refusal letter that asks you to submit additional documents. The letter will include instructions on how to send those documents to the embassy.

Administrative processing takes additional time after the interview. Most administrative processing is resolved within 60 days. However, the timing varies based on the circumstances of each case. Before inquiring about the status of administrative processing, please wait at least 60 days after your interview.

What happens after visa approval

Passport, Visa, and Sealed Immigrant Packet – We will place your immigrant visa on a page in your passport. Please review your visa to make sure there are no spelling errors. We will also give you a sealed envelope containing documents that you must give to U.S. immigration authorities when you arrive in the United States for the first time.  Do not open this envelope. You must carry it with you; do not put it in your checked luggage. If you receive X-rays during your medical examination, carry those with you and give them to the U.S. immigration authorities, if required.

USCIS Immigrant Fee – All individuals who are issued immigrant visas overseas must pay an Immigrant Fee to U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) prior to traveling to the United States. This fee is for processing your residency status and printing your Permanent Resident Card. The only people exempt from paying this fee are:  children entering the United States under the Hague Process, returning residents, and people traveling on a fiancé(e) (K) visa.  

When You Should Travel – You must enter the United States before the expiration date on your visa, which is the date your medical examination expires. Your visa cannot be extended and all fees are nonrefundable. The principal applicant must enter before or at the same time as other family members with visas. Unless they are eligible for benefits under the Child Status Protection Act, children who are issued a visa before turning 21 years of age must enter the United States before their 21st birthday to avoid losing their immigrant status.

Getting a Green Card – Your Form I-551 Permanent Resident Card, also known as a green card, will be automatically mailed to the address in the United States that you write in your visa application form. This is a very important document that proves you have permission to reside in the United States. If you plan to travel outside the U.S. before your green card arrives :  Please consult USCIS’s and CBP’s websites for rules about what documents you need to re-enter the country. We also recommend you check with the airline to ensure you are in compliance with their rules. Once your card is issued, you should not stay outside of the United States for more than one year. If you do, you will lose your status as a Lawful Permanent Resident.

Children’s Issues – In the United States, children are required to have certain vaccinations before they can enroll in school. We recommend that you bring your child’s complete vaccination records with you to the United States. If your child is adopted, you have full custody as a result of a divorce, or you share custody with another parent, you should bring a copy of all applicable adoption or custodial papers from the authoritative court in your home country. You will need these papers (translated into English) for issues such as school enrollment, medical care, and eventual citizenship.

Information for New Immigrants – Please visit the USCIS web page for helpful information on moving to the United States. You can read their publication “Welcome to the United States: A Guide for New Immigrants” online.

Diversity Visa Applicants - Additional Information

If you are interviewing for a Diversity Visa (DV), all of the above instructions apply to you. Please schedule and attend a medical examination prior to your visa interview; enroll in the required courier service ; and gather the required documents.

Below are additional instructions that apply only to DV applicants. 

Bring to your interview

In addition to the documents listed on the Pre-Interview Checklist in this package, DV applicants should also bring the following items to your visa interview:

• Appointment information printed from the “Entrant Status Check” on the E-DV website .
• Documents showing that you have either a qualifying high school education OR have two (2) years of qualifying work experience in the five (5) years immediately prior to application (for the principal applicant only; more information is available  online ).
• Payment in cash of the $330 Diversity Visa Application Fee for each  applicant.

Review your DV Lottery entry

Prior to your visa interview, we recommend that you review the data on your initial E-DV entry. On your initial E-DV application, you must have correctly entered your marital status. If you are legally married you must have listed your spouse, even if you are currently separated from him/her (unless your spouse is a U.S. citizen or Lawful Permanent Resident).

Additionally, you must have listed ALL of your living children who are unmarried and under 21 years old. This includes your natural children, your spouse’s children, or children you have formally adopted in accordance with the laws of your country.

Failure to have listed an existing spouse or children at the time of your entry in the Diversity Visa lottery will result in the denial of your visa and visas for your family. Any fees paid to the U.S. government in support of your visa application(s) are nonrefundable. If you failed to include a child who had already been born, or a spouse to whom you were married when you entered the lottery, you should not proceed with the visa application. You can review the eligibility requirements  online .

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Last Updated: 6/3/2024

Contact Information

Av. La Encalada Cdra. 17 S/N Surco, Lima 33, Perú

Other Links

Diversity Visa Instructions After Your Interview Frequently Asked Questions Where to Get Civil Documents

Interview Preparation Video

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COVID-19: travel health notice for all travellers

Peru travel advice

Latest updates: Health – editorial update

Last updated: September 9, 2024 16:12 ET

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Safety and security, entry and exit requirements, laws and culture, natural disasters and climate, peru - exercise a high degree of caution.

Exercise a high degree of caution in Peru due to high levels of crime, as well as social conflicts and strikes that may occur across the country.

Regional advisory - Avoid non-essential travel

• Huallaga and Tocache provinces in the department of San Martín
• the Upper Huallaga and Ene river valleys in the departments of Huánuco and San Martín
• Padre Abad province in the department of Ucayali
• Huacaybamba, Humalíes, Leoncio Prado and Marañón provinces in the department of Huánuco
• Concepción and Satipo provinces in the department of Junín
• Tayacaja province in the department of Huancavelica
• the districts of Abancay, Andahuaylas and Chincheros in the department of Apurímac
• Huanta and La Mar provinces, in the department of Ayacucho
• Valley of Apurimac, Ene and Mantaro rivers (VRAEM)

Border area with Colombia - Avoid non-essential travel

Avoid non-essential travel to areas within 20 km of the border with Colombia due to drug trafficking and occasional incursions by armed guerrilla forces from Colombia into Peru.

Border area with Ecuador - Avoid non-essential travel

Avoid non-essential travel to areas within 20 km of the border with Ecuador, especially in the Cordillera del Cóndor region, due to the safety threat posed by landmines.

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Demonstrations and strikes

Demonstrations and strikes take place regularly throughout the country. Strikes can complicate travel and disrupt public transport and services, including your ability to travel to or leave isolated tourist destinations such as Machu Picchu. They could also lead to border closures with Bolivia. Protestors may also block rivers essential for transportation in some remote regions, including the Manu region of Madre de Dios and Iquitos region. This may result in the temporary detainment of tourists.

Even peaceful demonstrations can turn violent at any time. Police have used tear gas and other methods to disperse crowds in the past. Authorities often declare a state of emergency in response to demonstrations. 

Peruvian law prohibits political activities by foreigners. You may face detention or deportation if you take part in a demonstration.

• Avoid areas where demonstrations and large gatherings are taking place
• Follow the instructions of local authorities
• Consult local media to be aware of strikes and demonstrations that may affect your stay or travel plans

Mass gatherings (large-scale events)

State of Emergency 

The Peruvian government frequently declares regional states of emergency, particularly near the northern border, due to the security situation in Ecuador. A state of emergency allows the military to assist police forces to respond to security incidents and natural disasters. When a state of emergency is in effect, security forces have increased rights to:

• restrict freedom of movement
• monitor correspondence
• conduct search and seizures
• detain persons of interest

If you’re in Peru:

• monitor local media for the latest information
• follow the instructions of local authorities

Border area with Colombia

Criminal activity related to narcotics trafficking and occasional incursions by armed guerrilla forces from Colombia at Cordillera del Cóndor, Peru, pose a threat to personal security.

Border area with Ecuador

Cross the Peru–Ecuador border at official crossing points only due to the presence of landmines along the border.

Basic services in the Tumbes district have become increasingly difficult to access due to an increased number of migrants entering Peru from the North land border with Ecuador. The increased population has limited the provision of these services.

Valle de los Ríos Apurímac, Ene y Mantaro (VRAEM)

Drug trafficking.

Cocaine production and trafficking occurs inVRAEM. Travel is particularly dangerous in areas where there is coca cultivation and processing.

Domestic terrorism

Incidents of domestic terrorism have occurred in VRAEM, particularly the region where the Apurímac, Ayacucho, Cuzco and Junín departments meet.

Crime rates are high throughout the country.

• Maintain a high level of vigilance and personal security awareness, especially at night
• Avoid walking in deserted or under-populated areas
• Travel in groups whenever possible

Petty crime

Petty crime, such as pickpocketing and purse snatching, occurs, particularly in Lima, in other cities and even in crowded, public areas. Theft occurs frequently in hotels, restaurants, bus stations and airports, on intercity buses and microbuses and while hailing taxis.

• Avoid wearing expensive watches and jewellery, or showing signs of affluence
• Ensure that your belongings, including your passport and other travel documents, are secure at all times
• Never leave bags unattended

Pickpockets and bag snatchers may work in pairs or groups and employ a variety of ruses to divert their victim’s attention. A common scam involves spraying a substance on victims and then robbing them while pretending to help clean the stain, or distracting the victim by asking questions while another person perpetrates the theft. In some cases, thieves on motorcycles will snatch purses, backpacks or cellular phones. 

Violent crime

Violent crime occurs. Incidents have included:

• kidnappings

Armed robbery

Armed robberies are on the rise. While most victims are not physically injured, criminals will not hesitate to use force when opposed.

• If you are robbed, hand over your cash, electronic devices and valuables without resistance
• Be particularly vigilant after visiting a bank, an ATM or a change bureau, as thieves may follow and rob victims.
• Use ATMs inside banks and during regular hours of service, when guards are on duty

Assaults have occurred along the Inca Trail and in the Huaraz region of the Cordillera Blanca mountains. Hiking in these regions should be done in groups.

Express kidnappings involving tourists have occurred. Victims are usually abducted for a few hours and forced to withdraw money from ATMs for their release. Most express kidnappings take place at night, but incidents also occur during daylight hours. Incidents often involve criminals posing as taxi drivers, or taxi drivers working for organized gangs. Virtual kidnappings occur throughout the country. Criminals use stolen cellphones to contact family members claiming to have kidnapped the owner of the phone and then ask for ransom money.

• Be suspicious of strangers approaching you on the street
• Never leave your cellphone unattended
• Be cautious when using cellphones and smart devices in public as they are often targeted by thieves, especially while people are using them
• Ensure your phone is password protected

Organized crime

Organized crime is reportedly increasing in parts of Lima Province and in some districts of the Department of Piura. In some parts of the country, military and security forces have been deployed to assist police in combatting organized crime.

Incidents of domestic terrorism occur, particularly in remote jungle areas such as:

• parts of the Huancavelica and Ucayali departments
•  the Upper Huallaga river valley in the Huánuco and San Martín departments.

Incidents have included:

• temporary ambushes of small villages
• bombings or threats of violence against local security forces or community figures

Overland travel in these regions is unsafe.

Counterfeit currency

Counterfeit currency in both sol and U.S. dollars is a growing and serious problem. Counterfeit bills are widely distributed, including by banks, casinos and local stores.

Avoid moneychangers on the street, as they may carry counterfeit currency or work with pickpockets.

Credit card fraud

Credit card and ATM fraud occurs. Be cautious when using debit or credit cards:

• pay careful attention when your cards are being handled by others
• use ATMs located in well-lit public areas or inside a bank or business
• avoid using card readers with an irregular or unusual feature
• cover the keypad with one hand when entering your PIN
• check for any unauthorized transactions on your account statements

Criminals posing as taxi drivers often rob tourists along the route to and from Lima’s Jorge Chávez International Airport.

• Use a secure taxi service when arriving at and leaving the airport
• Exercise caution en route to and from your hotel

Thieves also pose as police officers to gain the confidence and cooperation of their potential victims.

• If you are stopped by local authorities, ask to see official identification and record the officer’s name, badge number and district.
• For traffic violations, request that the officer issue you a fine in writing, which is payable at a later date.
• You should also note the location of the arrest.

Legitimate police officers have also extorted money in exchange for dismissing minor offences or traffic violations. They have also stolen money and valuables during searches.

• If you are searched, even at the airport, ensure you have all your belongings before leaving
• If you are planning to participate in volunteer activities in Peru, ensure that the company organizing your trip is legitimate
• Make sure your accommodations and return arrangements are secure before travelling

Useful links

• Lima Airport Partners
• Overseas fraud
• Volunteering abroad

Spiked food and drinks

Snacks, beverages, gum and cigarettes may contain drugs that could put you at risk of sexual assault and robbery.

• Be wary of accepting these items from new acquaintances
• Never leave food or drinks unattended or in the care of strangers

Women’s safety

Women travelling alone may be subject to some forms of harassment and verbal abuse. Incidents of sexual assault, including rape, occur throughout the country, particularly in tourist destinations. In some cases, tour guides have been implicated.

• Do not travel alone, especially after dark.
• Remain particularly vigilant at bus terminals and in taxis.
• Be careful when dealing with strangers or recent acquaintances, especially regarding the acceptance of rides or other invitations.

Women reporting sexual assault should contact police immediately. Medical examinations at identified clinics are part of the investigation process. Women who have delayed reporting may experience more scrutiny by local authorities.

Advice for women travellers

Adventure tourism

Each year, several hikers and climbers are victims of serious, sometimes fatal, accidents in the Andes, including at the Huayna Picchu peak near Machu Picchu and the Cordillera Blanca region in Huaraz, where Peru’s highest peaks are located.

The Inca Trail is usually closed each year in February for maintenance. Other trails, such as those found in Ollantaytambo, may be poorly marked. Hikers have become lost. Be aware that steep or slippery areas are neither fenced nor marked.

Access to Vinicunca, the “Rainbow Mountain”, is regularly disrupted by violent disputes between communities located around routes in the Cusipata and Pitumarca districts. If you plan to visit Vinicunca, consult your tour operator to confirm that the area is secure and that access is open.

Remote areas of Peru, where popular jungle excursions operate, may not have cellphone coverage or internet access.

If you intend to hike, trek or climb:

• never do so alone, and always hire an experienced guide from a reputable company
• only use licensed companies recommended by the Ministry of Tourism for adventure tours and sports
• exercise extreme caution while climbing, as local authorities have limited rescue capabilities
• buy travel insurance that includes helicopter rescue and medical evacuation
• ensure that your physical condition is good enough to meet the challenges of your activity
• make sure that you’re properly equipped and well-informed about weather and other conditions that may pose a hazard
• inform a family member or friend of your itinerary and give them your tour operator's contact information
• know the symptoms of acute altitude sickness, which can be fatal
• obtain detailed information on each activity before setting out and do not venture off marked trails or slopes
• iPerú ‎ – Peruvian government’s Tourist Information and Assistance‎
• APOTUR  – The Peruvian Association of Incoming and Domestic Tour Operators (in Spanish)
• APAVIT   – Peruvian Association of Travel and Tourist Agencies (in Spanish)
• APTAE - Peruvian association of adventure, eco, and specialized tourism (in Spanish)
• Qualified Tourism Service Companies  – Ministry of foreign trade and tourism (in Spanish)

Sand buggies

There are reports of accidents, severe injuries and deaths involving recreational sand buggies, particularly in the sand dunes around Ica and Lake Huacachina. These vehicles are not always regulated, often poorly maintained, and safety equipment is not always available.  

Water activities

There have been several recent white-water rafting accidents and drownings involving tourists, particularly on the Urubamba River near Cuzco. Companies offering white-water rafting, their guides and their equipment may not be held to the same standards as similar companies in Canada. Rescue services may not be consistent with international standards.

Coastal waters can be dangerous. Strong currents exist in the Pacific Ocean and in rivers. Life guards are not always present or properly trained at beaches.

Swimming in jungle lakes and rivers can be dangerous due to the presence of parasites and wildlife.

Seek advice and consult residents and local authorities about conditions before swimming, surfing or participating in other aquatic activities.

Water safety abroad

Ayahuasca ceremonies

Spiritual cleansing and ayahuasca ceremonies, offered by shamans and other individuals, involve consuming substances that can cause medical complications and severely impair cognitive and physical abilities. Exposure to these substances has led to serious illness, injury, assault and even the death of several tourists.

Ceremonies often take place in remote areas with no access to medical or mental health facilities or resources and limited communication with local authorities. Most of the time, the facilities lack basic first aid or emergency plans for those suffering from physical or psychological illness from these ceremonies. Ayahuasca ceremonies are not regulated and there is no way to assess the safety of any of the services, the operators or the shamans.

Road safety

Road conditions and road safety are poor throughout the country. Drivers are extremely aggressive, and they do not respect traffic laws. Mountainous roads can be particularly dangerous, especially at night. Poor signage also poses a hazard. Accidents causing fatalities are common.

Regular police spot checks can cause traffic delays.

When renting a vehicle, always purchase insurance. Most drivers in Peru have only the minimum required car insurance, which may not adequately cover accidents.

Vehicles are a target for robbery. Criminals have thrown objects in front of oncoming traffic in the hope that cars will stop. If this occurs and you need to stop, do so only in a safe location, such as a gas station.

• While travelling by car, keep your doors locked and windows shut at all times
• Keep your personal belongings in the trunk of the vehicle, as criminals have been known to shatter windows to “smash and grab” and to attempt entry when they see travel bags or merchandise
• Avoid travelling by road outside of major cities after dark, when there is a higher risk of robbery

State of the roads in Peru in real time  – Government of Peru (in Spanish)

Thefts on boats by river pirates occur along rivers in the Amazon jungle.

Mariners should take appropriate precautions.

Live piracy report  - International Maritime Bureau

Public transportation

Buses and minibuses operate between most major cities. Demonstrations and strikes can lead to disruptions to traffic and public transportation.

Many of the buses and combis in Lima are old, poorly maintained and overcrowded. Drivers of these vehicles tend to dominate the roads and disregard other drivers or pedestrians.

Intercity bus travel can be dangerous due to the risk of bus accidents, which are usually caused by excessive speed, poor vehicle maintenance and driver fatigue. Armed gangs have been known to stop buses to rob travellers, especially at night. Incidents of assaults on buses have also been reported.

The Government of Peru publishes a list of the bus companies with the highest rates of involvement in fatal or serious injury traffic accidents.

• Only use reputable transportation companies
• Contact your travel agency for a list of recommended intercity bus companies

Ministry of Transportation  - Government of Peru (in Spanish)

Trains operate between Arequipa-Cusco-Puno and between Cusco-Ollantaytambo-Machu Picchu . Demonstrations, strikes and derailments can disrupt travel by train, including trains to or from Machu Picchu.

• Train services – Peru rail
• Train to Machu Picchu - Inca rail

Licensed taxis are not metered. Taxi drivers sometimes do not provide change or will continue to drive until they can obtain change.

• Do not hail taxis on the street
• Reserve a taxi by calling a reputable taxi company or use taxi services associated with major hotels
• Agree to a fare prior to departure and do not pay until you have reached your destination
• Try to carry the exact fare

We do not make assessments on the compliance of foreign domestic airlines with international safety standards.

Information about foreign domestic airlines

Every country or territory decides who can enter or exit through its borders. The Government of Canada cannot intervene on your behalf if you do not meet your destination’s entry or exit requirements.

We have obtained the information on this page from the Peruvian authorities. It can, however, change at any time.

Verify this information with the  Foreign Representatives in Canada .

Entry requirements vary depending on the type of passport you use for travel.

Before you travel, check with your transportation company about passport requirements. Its rules on passport validity may be more stringent than the country’s entry rules.

Regular Canadian passport

Your passport must be valid for at least 6 months beyond the date you expect to leave Peru.

Passport for official travel

Different entry rules may apply.

Official travel

Passport with “X” gender identifier

While the Government of Canada issues passports with an “X” gender identifier, it cannot guarantee your entry or transit through other countries. You might face entry restrictions in countries that do not recognize the “X” gender identifier. Before you leave, check with the closest foreign representative for your destination.

Other travel documents

Different entry rules may apply when travelling with a temporary passport or an emergency travel document. Before you leave, check with the closest foreign representative for your destination.

• Foreign Representatives in Canada
• Canadian passports

Tourist visa: not required for a stay of less than 90 days per 365 day period Business visa: required  Student visa: required

If you entered Peru with a business visa, you must obtain a certificate from the Peruvian Ministry of the Economy to prove that all Peruvian taxes on income earned during the trip have been paid prior to leaving the country. The certification is required even if no money was paid or earned and must be presented to the central Peruvian immigration office in Lima before departure.

Entering the country

You must register your entry into Peru at the port of entry or checkpoint.

• Only cross the border at official checkpoints
• Ensure the immigration office at your port of entry is open at the time you intend to cross the border

Other entry requirements

Customs officials may ask you to show them:

• a return or onward ticket
• proof that you have a place to stay
• proof that you have sufficient funds for the duration of your stay

Ecuador entry restrictions

If you enter Ecuador from Peru through land or river borders, you must present a criminal record check from your country of origin or residence. The original criminal record check and the Spanish translation must be apostilled and cover the past five years. Minors travelling with their family members are generally exempt.

If you cannot provide a criminal record check, the Ecuadorian Migration System will check to verify that you don’t have previous convictions.

Authentication of documents

Length of stay

As a Canadian tourist, you may stay in Peru for up to 90 days in a 365-day period.

Overstaying is a criminal offence. There is a fine for each day of overstay. This fee must be paid upon exiting the country.

Dual citizenship

Peruvian–Canadians entering Peru using their Canadian passport are subject to visit restrictions, including length of stay and associated fines. Dual nationals must use the same nationality to enter and exit the country.

• Children and travel

Travellers under 18 exiting Peru after a stay of 183 days are automatically protected by Peru’s law on minors and will require the authorization of both parents/guardians to exit the country.

Children who have resident status in Peru must have written permission from the non-accompanying parents to leave the country.

Children born of Canadian parents in Peru require a Peruvian passport to leave the country for the first time. Contact Peruvian immigration officials for more information.

Travelling with children

Yellow fever

Learn about potential entry requirements related to yellow fever (vaccines section).

Relevant Travel Health Notices

• Global Measles Notice - 13 March, 2024
• Zika virus: Advice for travellers - 31 August, 2023
• COVID-19 and International Travel - 13 March, 2024
• Dengue: Advice for travellers - 9 September, 2024
• Oropouche fever in the Americas - 3 September, 2024

This section contains information on possible health risks and restrictions regularly found or ongoing in the destination. Follow this advice to lower your risk of becoming ill while travelling. Not all risks are listed below.

Consult a health care professional or visit a travel health clinic preferably 6 weeks before you travel to get personalized health advice and recommendations.

Routine vaccines

Be sure that your  routine vaccinations , as per your province or territory , are up-to-date before travelling, regardless of your destination.

Some of these vaccinations include measles-mumps-rubella (MMR), diphtheria, tetanus, pertussis, polio, varicella (chickenpox), influenza and others.

Pre-travel vaccines and medications

You may be at risk for preventable diseases while travelling in this destination. Talk to a travel health professional about which medications or vaccines may be right for you, based on your destination and itinerary. 

Yellow fever   is a disease caused by a flavivirus from the bite of an infected mosquito.

Travellers get vaccinated either because it is required to enter a country or because it is recommended for their protection.

• There is a risk of yellow fever in this country.

Country Entry Requirement*

• Proof of vaccination is not required to enter this country.

Recommendation

• Vaccination is recommended depending on your itinerary.
• Contact a designated Yellow Fever Vaccination Centre well in advance of your trip to arrange for vaccination.
• Discuss travel plans, activities, and destinations with a health care professional.
• Protect yourself from mosquito bites.

About Yellow Fever Yellow Fever Vaccination Centres in Canada * It is important to note that   country entry requirements   may not reflect your risk of yellow fever at your destination. It is recommended that you contact the nearest   diplomatic or consular office   of the destination(s) you will be visiting to verify any additional entry requirements.

There is a risk of hepatitis A in this destination. It is a disease of the liver. People can get hepatitis A if they ingest contaminated food or water, eat foods prepared by an infectious person, or if they have close physical contact (such as oral-anal sex) with an infectious person, although casual contact among people does not spread the virus.

Practise  safe food and water precautions and wash your hands often. Vaccination is recommended for all travellers to areas where hepatitis A is present.

Measles is a highly contagious viral disease. It can spread quickly from person to person by direct contact and through droplets in the air.

Anyone who is not protected against measles is at risk of being infected with it when travelling internationally.

Regardless of where you are going, talk to a health care professional before travelling to make sure you are fully protected against measles.

  Hepatitis B is a risk in every destination. It is a viral liver disease that is easily transmitted from one person to another through exposure to blood and body fluids containing the hepatitis B virus.  Travellers who may be exposed to blood or other bodily fluids (e.g., through sexual contact, medical treatment, sharing needles, tattooing, acupuncture or occupational exposure) are at higher risk of getting hepatitis B.

Hepatitis B vaccination is recommended for all travellers. Prevent hepatitis B infection by practicing safe sex, only using new and sterile drug equipment, and only getting tattoos and piercings in settings that follow public health regulations and standards.

Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) is an infectious viral disease. It can spread from person to person by direct contact and through droplets in the air.

It is recommended that all eligible travellers complete a COVID-19 vaccine series along with any additional recommended doses in Canada before travelling. Evidence shows that vaccines are very effective at preventing severe illness, hospitalization and death from COVID-19. While vaccination provides better protection against serious illness, you may still be at risk of infection from the virus that causes COVID-19. Anyone who has not completed a vaccine series is at increased risk of being infected with the virus that causes COVID-19 and is at greater risk for severe disease when travelling internationally.

Before travelling, verify your destination’s COVID-19 vaccination entry/exit requirements. Regardless of where you are going, talk to a health care professional before travelling to make sure you are adequately protected against COVID-19.

 The best way to protect yourself from seasonal influenza (flu) is to get vaccinated every year. Get the flu shot at least 2 weeks before travelling.  

 The flu occurs worldwide. 

•  In the Northern Hemisphere, the flu season usually runs from November to   April.
•  In the Southern Hemisphere, the flu season usually runs between April and   October.
•  In the tropics, there is flu activity year round. 

The flu vaccine available in one hemisphere may only offer partial protection against the flu in the other hemisphere.

The flu virus spreads from person to person when they cough or sneeze or by touching objects and surfaces that have been contaminated with the virus. Clean your hands often and wear a mask if you have a fever or respiratory symptoms.

Malaria  is a serious and sometimes fatal disease that is caused by parasites spread through the bites of mosquitoes.   There is a risk of malaria in certain areas and/or during a certain time of year in this destination. 

Antimalarial medication may be recommended depending on your itinerary and the time of year you are travelling. Consult a health care professional or visit a travel health clinic before travelling to discuss your options. It is recommended to do this 6 weeks before travel, however, it is still a good idea any time before leaving.    Protect yourself from mosquito bites at all times:  • Cover your skin and use an approved insect repellent on uncovered skin.  • Exclude mosquitoes from your living area with screening and/or closed, well-sealed doors and windows. • Use insecticide-treated bed nets if mosquitoes cannot be excluded from your living area.  • Wear permethrin-treated clothing.    If you develop symptoms similar to malaria when you are travelling or up to a year after you return home, see a health care professional immediately. Tell them where you have been travelling or living. 

In this destination, rabies is carried by dogs and some wildlife, including bats. Rabies is a deadly disease that spreads to humans primarily through bites or scratches from an infected animal. While travelling, take precautions , including keeping your distance from animals (including free-roaming dogs), and closely supervising children.

If you are bitten or scratched by an animal while travelling, immediately wash the wound with soap and clean water and see a health care professional. Rabies treatment is often available in this destination. 

Before travel, discuss rabies vaccination with a health care professional. It may be recommended for travellers who are at high risk of exposure (e.g., occupational risk such as veterinarians and wildlife workers, children, adventure travellers and spelunkers, and others in close contact with animals). 

Safe food and water precautions

Many illnesses can be caused by eating food or drinking beverages contaminated by bacteria, parasites, toxins, or viruses, or by swimming or bathing in contaminated water.

• Learn more about food and water precautions to take to avoid getting sick by visiting our eat and drink safely abroad page. Remember: Boil it, cook it, peel it, or leave it!
• Avoid getting water into your eyes, mouth or nose when swimming or participating in activities in freshwater (streams, canals, lakes), particularly after flooding or heavy rain. Water may look clean but could still be polluted or contaminated.
• Avoid inhaling or swallowing water while bathing, showering, or swimming in pools or hot tubs. 

Travellers' diarrhea is the most common illness affecting travellers. It is spread from eating or drinking contaminated food or water.

Risk of developing travellers' diarrhea increases when travelling in regions with poor standards of hygiene and sanitation. Practise safe food and water precautions.

The most important treatment for travellers' diarrhea is rehydration (drinking lots of fluids). Carry oral rehydration salts when travelling.

Typhoid   is a bacterial infection spread by contaminated food or water. Risk is higher among children, travellers going to rural areas, travellers visiting friends and relatives or those travelling for a long period of time.

Travellers visiting regions with a risk of typhoid, especially those exposed to places with poor sanitation, should speak to a health care professional about vaccination.  

Insect bite prevention

Many diseases are spread by the bites of infected insects such as mosquitoes, ticks, fleas or flies. When travelling to areas where infected insects may be present:

• Use insect repellent (bug spray) on exposed skin
• Cover up with light-coloured, loose clothes made of tightly woven materials such as nylon or polyester
• Minimize exposure to insects
• Use mosquito netting when sleeping outdoors or in buildings that are not fully enclosed

To learn more about how you can reduce your risk of infection and disease caused by bites, both at home and abroad, visit our insect bite prevention page.

Find out what types of insects are present where you’re travelling, when they’re most active, and the symptoms of the diseases they spread.

There is a risk of chikungunya in this country. The level of risk may vary by:

The virus that causes chikungunya is spread through the bite of an infected mosquito. It can cause fever and pain in the joints. In some cases, the joint pain can be severe and last for months or years.

Protect yourself from mosquito bites at all times.

Learn more:

Insect bite and pest prevention Chikungunya

Cutaneous and mucosal   leishmaniasis   causes skin sores and ulcers. It is caused by a parasite spread through the bite of a female sandfly.

Risk is generally low for most travellers. Protect yourself from sandfly bites, which typically occur after sunset in rural and forested areas and in some urban centres. There is no vaccine or medication to protect against leishmaniasis.

• In this country,   dengue  is a risk to travellers. It is a viral disease spread to humans by mosquito bites.
• Dengue can cause flu-like symptoms. In some cases, it can lead to severe dengue, which can be fatal.
• The level of risk of dengue changes seasonally, and varies from year to year. The level of risk also varies between regions in a country and can depend on the elevation in the region.
• Mosquitoes carrying dengue typically bite during the daytime, particularly around sunrise and sunset.
• Protect yourself from mosquito bites . There is no vaccine or medication that protects against dengue.

Zika virus is a risk in this country. 

Zika virus is primarily spread through the bite of an infected mosquito. It can also be sexually transmitted. Zika virus can cause serious birth defects.

During your trip:

• Prevent mosquito bites at all times.
• Use condoms correctly or avoid sexual contact, particularly if you are pregnant.

If you are pregnant or planning a pregnancy, you should discuss the potential risks of travelling to this destination with your health care provider. You may choose to avoid or postpone travel. 

For more information, see Zika virus: Pregnant or planning a pregnancy.

American trypanosomiasis (Chagas disease)   is a risk in this country. It is caused by a parasite spread by infected triatomine bugs. The infection can be inactive for decades, but humans can eventually develop complications causing disability and even death.

Risk is generally low for most travellers. Protect yourself from triatomine bugs, which are active at night, by using mosquito nets if staying in poorly-constructed housing. There is no vaccine available for Chagas disease.

Animal precautions

Some infections, such as rabies and influenza, can be shared between humans and animals. Certain types of activities may increase your chance of contact with animals, such as travelling in rural or forested areas, camping, hiking, and visiting wet markets (places where live animals are slaughtered and sold) or caves.

Travellers are cautioned to avoid contact with animals, including dogs, livestock (pigs, cows), monkeys, snakes, rodents, birds, and bats, and to avoid eating undercooked wild game.

Closely supervise children, as they are more likely to come in contact with animals.

There is a risk of   plague   in this country. Plague is a bacterial disease that can cause serious illness, and if left untreated, death.

The occurrence of cases in areas where the plague bacteria are known to circulate can be influenced by weather and environmental conditions. In some countries, this results in seasonal outbreaks. Travellers to areas where plague routinely occurs may be at risk if they are camping, hunting, or in contact with rodents.

Plague is spread by:

• bites from fleas infected with the plague
• direct contact with body fluids or tissues from an animal or person who is sick with or has died from plague

Overall risk to travellers is low.   Protect yourself   by   reducing contact with fleas  and potentially infected rodents and other wildlife.

Person-to-person infections

Stay home if you’re sick and practise proper cough and sneeze etiquette , which includes coughing or sneezing into a tissue or the bend of your arm, not your hand. Reduce your risk of colds, the flu and other illnesses by:

•   washing your hands often
• avoiding or limiting the amount of time spent in closed spaces, crowded places, or at large-scale events (concerts, sporting events, rallies)
• avoiding close physical contact with people who may be showing symptoms of illness 

Sexually transmitted infections (STIs) , HIV , and mpox are spread through blood and bodily fluids; use condoms, practise safe sex, and limit your number of sexual partners. Check with your local public health authority pre-travel to determine your eligibility for mpox vaccine.  

Tuberculosis is an infection caused by bacteria and usually affects the lungs.

For most travellers the risk of tuberculosis is low.

Travellers who may be at high risk while travelling in regions with risk of tuberculosis should discuss pre- and post-travel options with a health care professional.

High-risk travellers include those visiting or working in prisons, refugee camps, homeless shelters, or hospitals, or travellers visiting friends and relatives.

Medical services and facilities

Quality of care varies throughout the country.

Private hospitals and clinics in urban centres are well-staffed and -equipped to handle any emergency or medical issue. Public hospitals and rural facilities, even in some tourist destinations and major cities, may not meet Canadian standards or may be inadequate to treat serious conditions.

Cases of serious injury or illness in remote areas may require evacuation to the nearest adequate medical facility in the country. Clinic, hospital and evacuation expenses can be costly and the service provider often expects immediate cash payment or confirmation of payment from an insurance company.

Make sure you get travel insurance that includes coverage for medical evacuation and hospital stays.

Health and safety outside Canada

Keep in Mind...

The decision to travel is the sole responsibility of the traveller. The traveller is also responsible for his or her own personal safety.

Be prepared. Do not expect medical services to be the same as in Canada. Pack a   travel health kit , especially if you will be travelling away from major city centres.

You must abide by local laws.

Learn about what you should do and how we can help if you are arrested or detained abroad .

Penalties for possession, use or trafficking of illegal drugs are severe. Convicted offenders can expect lengthy jail sentences, regardless of the amount of narcotics seized at arrest.

If you are arrested in Peru, you should expect lengthy delays to resolve your case, pre-trial detention in harsh conditions and significant related expenses.

• Pack your own luggage and monitor it closely at all times
• Never transport other people’s packages, bags or suitcases

Drugs, alcohol and travel

Identification

You must carry photo identification at all times. Keep a photocopy of your passport in a safe place, in case it's lost or confiscated. Failure to show identification could result in detention.

Peruvian authorities may impose fines and other penalties for any action considered to be disrespectful at historical and archaeological sites such as Machu Picchu, Ollantaytambo and Saqsayhuaman. Visitors to Machu Picchu must adhere to strict regulations regarding entry restrictions and behaviour within the site. Check with your travel guide or agent for the latest information.

Peruvian law strictly prohibits the export of antiques and artefacts (huacos) from pre-colonial civilizations. Purchase reproductions of colonial or pre-colonial art from reputable dealers only and insist on obtaining documentation from Peru's National Institute of Culture to prove that the object is a reproduction and may be exported.

The export of coca tea bags and products is prohibited.

It is illegal to remove certain fauna and flora items from Peru. Items made from or displaying animals, insects or plants may be seized. If you are convicted of possession of such items, you could face heavy fines or jail sentences.

National Forest and Wildlife Service (SERFOR) - Ministry of Agriculture and Irrigation of Peru (in Spanish)

Photography

It is forbidden to photograph military installations.

2SLGBTQI+ persons

Peruvian law does not prohibit sexual acts between individuals of the same sex. However, homosexuality is not widely accepted in Peruvian society.

Travel and your sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression and sex characteristics

Dual citizenship is legally recognized in Peru.

If you are a Canadian citizen, but also a citizen of Peru, our ability to offer you consular services may be limited while you're there. You may also be subject to different entry/exit requirements .

Dual citizens

International Child Abduction

The Hague Convention on the Civil Aspects of International Child Abduction is an international treaty. It can help parents with the return of children who have been removed to or retained in certain countries in violation of custody rights. The convention applies between Canada and Peru.

If your child was wrongfully taken to, or is being held in Peru, and if the applicable conditions are met, you may apply for the return of your child to the Peruvian court.

If you are in this situation:

• act as quickly as you can
• contact the Central Authority for your province or territory of residence for information on starting an application under The Hague Convention
• consult a lawyer in Canada and in Peru to explore all the legal options for the return of your child
• report the situation to the nearest Canadian government office abroad or to the Vulnerable Children's Consular Unit at Global Affairs Canada by calling the Emergency Watch and Response Centre

If your child was removed from a country other than Canada, consult a lawyer to determine if The Hague Convention applies.

Be aware that Canadian consular officials cannot interfere in private legal matters or in another country's judicial affairs.

• List of Canadian Central Authorities for the Hague Convention
• International Child Abductions: A guide for affected parents
• The Hague Convention – Hague Conference on Private International Law
• Canadian embassies and consulates by destination
• Request emergency assistance

You must carry an international driving permit. A foreign driver's licence can be used only in Lima and only for 30 days after arrival.

Carry identification and vehicle registration at all times.

International Driving Permit

The currency is the Peruvian sol (PEN). The U.S. dollar is widely accepted.

Credit cards are not commonly accepted outside major cities. Many establishments will request to see a passport to confirm the identity of the person using the credit card. 

ATMs are not easily accessible in small towns. They often have limits to the amount and number of daily withdrawals.

El Niño

The complex weather phenomenon called El Niño happens at irregular intervals of 2 to 7 years. El Niño generally generates heavy rainfalls, occurring at the same time as the rainy season, from November to May.

• Keep informed of regional weather forecasts before and during your travels, and plan accordingly.
• Ensure you have adequate insurance to cover the consequences of such events, including the disruption of travel plans. 

Seismic activity

Earthquakes.

Peru is in an active seismic zone and is prone to earthquakes.

Dangerous landslides can also occur, even after minor earthquakes.

Latest earthquakes  - Government of Peru (in Spanish)

Tsunamis can occur following seismic activity. Tsunami evacuation routes are posted along the Costa Verde in Lima and several locations on the coast.

Directorate of Hydrography and Navigation  (in Spanish)

There are active and potentially active volcanoes in southern Peru. Debris from erupting volcanoes may clog rivers and cause them to overflow, resulting in potential flash floods and mudslides. Transportation and services may be affected. Ash clouds may cause disruptions to domestic and international flights. If you live or are travelling near active volcanoes:

• monitor levels of volcanic activity through the local media
• pay careful attention to all warnings issued and follow the advice of local authorities
• Be prepared to modify your travel arrangements or even evacuate the area on short notice

Geophysical Institute of Peru  (in Spanish)

Higher tides are experienced several times throughout the year and may cause flooding and damage along the coast.

Rainy season

The rainy season extends from November to May in the Peruvian Andes.

Seasonal flooding, mudslides and landslides can hamper overland travel and reduce the provision of essential services such as utilities, emergency and medical care, food, fuel and water supplies. Roads may become impassable and bridges damaged.

Keep informed of regional weather forecasts and plan accordingly.

• Emergency monitoring  – National Institute of Civil Defence (in Spanish)
• Nationwide weather warnings  – National Meteorology and Hydrology Service of Peru (in Spanish)
• Tornadoes, cyclones, hurricanes, typhoons and monsoons

Local services

• Police: 105
• Tourist police: +51 980 122 335 (Whatsapp number)
• Medical assistance: 116
• Firefighters: 116

Consular assistance

For emergency consular assistance, call the embassy of Canada to Peru, in Lima, and follow the instructions. At any time, you may also contact the Emergency Watch and Response Centre in Ottawa.

The decision to travel is your choice and you are responsible for your personal safety abroad. We take the safety and security of Canadians abroad very seriously and provide credible and timely information in our Travel Advice to enable you to make well-informed decisions regarding your travel abroad.

The content on this page is provided for information only. While we make every effort to give you correct information, it is provided on an "as is" basis without warranty of any kind, expressed or implied. The Government of Canada does not assume responsibility and will not be liable for any damages in connection to the information provided.

If you need consular assistance while abroad, we will make every effort to help you. However, there may be constraints that will limit the ability of the Government of Canada to provide services.

Learn more about consular services .

Risk Levels

  take normal security precautions.

Take similar precautions to those you would take in Canada.

  Exercise a high degree of caution

There are certain safety and security concerns or the situation could change quickly. Be very cautious at all times, monitor local media and follow the instructions of local authorities.

IMPORTANT: The two levels below are official Government of Canada Travel Advisories and are issued when the safety and security of Canadians travelling or living in the country or region may be at risk.

  Avoid non-essential travel

Your safety and security could be at risk. You should think about your need to travel to this country, territory or region based on family or business requirements, knowledge of or familiarity with the region, and other factors. If you are already there, think about whether you really need to be there. If you do not need to be there, you should think about leaving.

  Avoid all travel

You should not travel to this country, territory or region. Your personal safety and security are at great risk. If you are already there, you should think about leaving if it is safe to do so.

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The Visa Project

A place for your visa experiences and more

Extend Tourist Visa for Peru in an Immigration Office in 3 Steps

HOW TO EASILY EXTEND PERU TOURIST VISA IN AN IMMIGRATION OFFICE

By Katy Tadlock last updated on January 26, 2021

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Sitting in Casona Deza, this gorgeous cafe in Trujillo, I had tried all kinds of permutations and combinations to extend tourist visa for Peru online . It would have been so easier if that would have worked out. Maybe it will work for you.

However, I had failed every time. All my details were correct on TAM Virtual . I had paid the 11.70 soles to extend my visa in a branch of Banco de Nacional, and there was nothing wrong with the receipt. I kept on changing the number of days I wanted to extend on Prórroga de Permanencia en Línea – PRPL F-007.

For some reason, I had this notion that extending my tourist visa for Peru would be a walk in the park. But, after seeing this error for the eighth time it seemed like a sick prank. Like TPing someone’s house. Wait, I did that in middle school actually.

ERROR: NO SE PUEDE CONCLUIR CON EL TRÁMITE DEBIDO A QUE NO TIENE UN INGRESO REGULAR AL PAÍS

That’s when I decided to give up and get it in an immigration office. Although not in Trujillo. I had a bus back to Lima the day after. I went to the immigration office at Av. España, Breña in Lima and extended my tourist visa for Peru there only. So if the online extension was a disaster, do visit an immigration office. Going there might not be all pretty and smooth, but you might be out of this jam for good.

What’s your visa status?

1. Visa exempt for Peru but not an EU national? You are at the right place. It means you entered Peru with a “temporary authorization to enter as a tourist” or TAM, and got an entry stamp for 90 days or less at the border Examples- USA, Canada, UK, Australia etc. 2. EU national? You are visa-exempt but you get 90 days in 180 days, so technically you shouldn’t be able to extend their stay without the cooling-off period of 90 days. However, the reality is that lots of EU nationals have been able to extend their stay for 90 days right off online. So, I guess if you want you could take a shot. 3. Do you need a visa to visit Peru? Did you enter Peru with an actual tourist visa? Sorry to say that this extension is not for you. Please check the process at an the nearest Peruvian immigration office . If you got lesser than 183 days on your visa, you should be able to get an extension. Examples- India, Nigeria, China etc.

Table of Contents

1. Get an Appointment to Extend Tourist Visa for Peru

You can get an appointment in an immigration office in Peru on the immigration website of Peru . Find out the nearest immigration office and get an appointment.

Just make sure to get an appointment before you run out of your initial limit. Sometimes, depending on where you are and how busy the office is, they might give you an appointment on the same day or after a few days.

In Lima, sometimes it takes two weeks. No worries if the appointment date is after you run out of your limit. They will still extend your stay, but you must get the appointment before you run out of the limit. And make sure that you have paid the extension fees and have the Banco de Nacional receipt handy.

Here is the step by step process to get an appointment.

Step 1 : Download and fill in F-007

In order to extend tourist visa for Peru, start by visiting the ‘Prorroga de Permanencia’ section on the Peruvian immigration website .

Click on  Formulario F-007 (descarga gratuita  aquí) and download a free copy of Formulario F-007 . You will need to fill it and carry it with you. Then, in order to get an appointment click on the Para Generar su Cita:  Click Aqui.  I have highlighted both of them in the screenshot.

Step 2 : Check boxes and click Siguente

When you click to get an appointment, it will forward to another page. You will need to choose PERMANENCIA under PRORROGAS section. Click on TURISTA tab. Check the boxes for the documents that you have. For now, you can simply leave the one the last one related to INTERPOL and check the other ones. Then click on SIGUENTE .

Step 3: Fill out information

On the next page, you will be asked to fill in some personal information. You need to fill in the details for the first section : DATOS DEL SOLITITANTE .  You will need to leave the second section blank. After you are done, click on SIGUENTE . Then, you will have to fill in the receipt details such as the verification code, date of payment and receipt number. If nothing funny happens at this point, it will automatically assign you to an immigration office.

In my case, I got an appointment in Lima after 2 weeks. As my tourist stay would expire before the date of my appointment, I panicked and showed up without an appointment a couple of days after. The people at the Lima office weren’t very happy about me showing up out of the blue, especially with armies of Venezuelans everywhere. But they didn’t turn me back.

2. Documents Needed to Extend Tourist Visa for Peru

The requirements for Peru visa extension are pretty straightforward. Carry the following documents: –

• The original receipt if you paid at the bank or the payment proof online. A printout of the online receipt if you paid online on pagalo.pe.
• Original passport.
• A copy of the Peru TAM showing your date of entry in Peru.
• F-007 duly filled in.

And please have a couple of photocopies of all the documents including the page of the passport which has the entry stamp.

You might need to fill in a paper form that they give you in the office. It took me an hour of queuing before I got that form on the spot and 2 more hours of queuing after that.

3. Don’t take No because You Don’t Have Andean nationality

If they turn you back saying that you do not have Andean Community nationality, try your luck one more time with another officer or at another immigration office. The reality is that the information out there is not concrete and immigration officers interpret the rules the way they get it.

And one last thing, if your date of appointment is after you are over the stay limit, don’t fret. The key is to get the appointment before you start overstaying.

4. Go to a Beach and Have Some Pisco Sour

This is what I actually did. My boyfriend and I went to a nice bar in Miraflores. He drank beer and I tried out Pisco Sour. It’s the national drink of Peru, so sort of rings with a visa extension. So if you did everything right and got the extension, it’s Pisco time.

When should You Apply for Peru Visa Extension?

You should apply for it before your current authorization expires. It’s a good idea to extend it when you have lesser than 10 days left or a couple of weeks to be on the safe side. Once you overstay, you can’t extend it.

How Much Does it Cost to Extend Tourist Visa for Peru?

It costs 11.70 soles, whether you extend the Peru tourist stay online or in an immigration office.

How Long Do I Get the Extension for?

The temporary authorization or TAM for Peru can only be extended for at most 90 days at one go, and up to a maximum of 183 days in 365 days from the day you enter Peru for the first time.

They give you as much as extension as you can get. I got it for 90 days but I have heard people getting up to 30 days extra max if you’ve used up all the days already. Just be nice to them and ask politely.

Have you tried to extend tourist visa for Peru in an immigration office?

Extending a tourist visa for Peru is always full of surprises. Was it smooth or rocky for you? Please let us know in the comments.

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Reader Interactions

February 8, 2021 at 10:41 pm

hello , thanks for the article. Unfortunately the online extention does not work and neither does website when I try to make an appointment for the migration office.

any other advice? thank you

February 9, 2021 at 5:57 am

Hi Paulina, Thank you. This happens from time to time. Please reach out to the migraciones on their Facebook page. They usually respond well. You might need to make a trip to the migraciones.

August 26, 2023 at 7:36 pm

I am Azmat khan from Afghanistan but now working in Saudi Arabia and i want go to peru and i how can get visit visa from Saudi Arabia

August 28, 2023 at 9:28 pm

Hi Azmat, You can apply for the visa in the Peruvian embassy in Saudi Arabia.

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36 Hours in Lima, Peru

By Bianca Padró Ocasio Sept. 12, 2024

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By Bianca Padró Ocasio Photographs by Angela Ponce

Bianca Padró Ocasio is a freelance journalist from Puerto Rico who has made Lima, Peru, her home.

Peru’s capital, with dramatic cliffs that separate its high-rises and colonial architecture from the sea, gets overlooked by travelers heading for Cuzco, in the Andes, or surf spots to the north. The pandemic, then political unrest in 2022 and 2023, slowed tourism, but Lima, home to more than 10 million, is giving visitors more reasons to stay — its decade-long dining boom is among the most compelling. Lima now holds three places on the World’s 50 Best Restaurants list , as many chefs embrace Indigenous Andean and Amazonian ingredients in the seafood-centric cuisine, and the growing Venezuelan diaspora brings its traditional foods, like arepas, into the local food culture. Spring (from September to December) brings pleasant weather — although when the sun lingers too long, Limeños, the city’s residents, joke about missing the otherwise pervasive donkey-belly-gray skies.

Recommendations

• The Palomino Islands , a string of islets near the port in the Callao area, is where you can swim with sea lions and spot a rare Humboldt penguin.
• The malecón in Miraflores , a cliffside boardwalk and bicycle path, is a pleasant way to see the city’s coastal districts, watch surfers catch waves below or stop for some ice cream from one of the street vendors in the Parque del Amor.
• Tomo Cocina Nikkei is an upscale Miraflores restaurant that blends Japanese and Peruvian culinary cultures.
• The San Francisco Convent and Catacomb Museum , a complex in Lima’s historic center that dates back to the Spanish colonial period, draws visitors to its crypts.
• Place of Memory, Tolerance and Social Inclusion , a three-floor museum, commemorates Peru’s internal armed conflict, focusing on the violent period between the 1980s to 2000, and the stories of those still reeling from its effects.
• Monumental Callao is a refurbished historic neighborhood with artists’ studios and galleries in the Callao area.
• Museo de Arte de Lima , the capital’s main art museum, is housed in a palace from the late 1800s and features a vast collection that extends from the pre-Columbian period to the mid-20th century, and beyond.
• Clon , the newest restaurant from the renowned chef Juan Luis Martínez, fuses Venezuelan culinary elements with Peru’s seafood-centric cuisine in the bohemian Barranco neighborhood.
• Juanito de Barranco , a casual Barranco bar established in the 1930s and loved by locals, is a spot to grab a cocktail and a late-night sandwich.
• Don Giuseppe , a homey lunch spot in Callao’s La Punta area, is where you can try Lima’s classic seafood dishes, including the pan con pejerrey, a fried-fish sandwich.
• La Teoría de los 6 Cafés serves quality espresso made from Peruvian coffee beans along with creative doughnuts in changing flavors.
• Bar Capitán Meléndez is a no-frills, late-night bar that features one of Lima’s best pisco sours.
• Caleta Dolsa is a new brunch and coffee spot with surfer-inspired décor and healthy breakfast options, like smoothie bowls and avocado toast.
• Chifa El Dorado , on the 18th floor of a nondescript building in the middle-class Lince district, is a Chinese-Peruvian restaurant with a kitschy interior and a 360-degree view of the city.
• Dédalo Arte y Artesanía is a Barranco store that sells a variety of Peruvian-made souvenirs, including hand-woven sweaters and ceramic tableware. It also has a tranquil patio cafe.
• UNO , in Barranco, sells minimalist, designer men’s and women’s wear and accessories.
• El Clóset de Mi Hermana is a women’s wear boutique in Barranco with hip and relaxed styles.
• Miraflores Park , among Lima’s top hotels, is on one of the quieter Miraflores streets and surrounded by public green areas and gorgeous landscaping. Enjoy breakfast with an ocean view at the Observatory, on the rooftop, or fine-dining at its creative restaurant, Tragaluz . The hotel also features a heated rooftop pool, a spa and a gym. Rooms start around $543 a night (many hotels charge in U.S. dollars).
• Hyatt Centric San Isidro Lima , which has a modern exterior and a minimalist lobby, is in the exclusive San Isidro district, just a 20-minute car ride (a short trip, on Lima’s congested roads) to the historic center and to Barranco. The hotel bar, Celeste , is one of few upscale rooftop lounges in Lima. Rooms start around $186 a night.
• Second Home Peru Guesthouse and Gallery , overlooking the ocean on the charming and trendy Domeyer Street in Barranco, is a rustic guesthouse that once belonged to Victor Delfín, a well-known Peruvian artist, now in his mid-90s. The garden features some of his sculptures and art pieces and is open to the public by appointment only (30 soles, about $7.85). Each room has heating, Wi-Fi and a balcony overlooking the garden or the ocean. Breakfast is complimentary. Rooms start at $135 a night.
• For short-term rentals , Airbnb tends to offer affordable options in Lima. Look in San Isidro, Miraflores or Barranco, the safest and most accessible neighborhoods. You can generally find options starting at around $50 a night.
• Lima’s public transit can be chaotic and difficult to navigate for foreigners. Ride-hailing services like Uber and Cabify tend to be the easiest and safest way to get around; taxis can be less reliable in certain areas. Miraflores and Barranco are very walkable areas, and Miraflores offers a bicycle-sharing service within the district.
• Beyond the main tourist areas, which include San Isidro, Miraflores, Barranco and the La Punta area of Callao, exercise caution as there can be a higher risk of crime. It may be best to avoid walking outside these areas; instead take cars, especially when traveling longer distances and at night. Leave valuables in your hotel and stay alert when using your cellphone on busy streets.

The malecón

Grab a bicycle at the shared dock on Federico Villarreal Avenue (download the CityBike Lima app ; 4.50 soles, or about $1.20, for 30 minutes) and bike along the malecón, the cliffside promenade overlooking the Pacific Ocean, in Miraflores, a scenic, upscale neighborhood popular with tourists. (You’re particularly likely to hear English in the bars and shops surrounding Kennedy Park , a landmark with street art, food vendors and a locally beloved stray cat colony.) Ride about 30 minutes south along the coast to the edge of Miraflores. Along the way, see flower-filled parks teeming with joggers and street vendors and surfers riding waves down below. The Parque del Amor is a colorful midpoint stop in the route with a sculpture called “The Kiss” by the Peruvian artist Víctor Delfín.

Dédalo Arte y Artesanía

After docking your bike at the corner of Armendáriz Boulevard and La Paz Avenue , cross the overpass that leads to Barranco, a bohemian oceanside district with plazas, murals and trendy restaurants. From there, walk 20 minutes to Mirador Sousa , a popular sunset viewpoint (especially when the skies clear). Then head to Dédalo Arte y Artesanía , a store with a variety of Peruvian-made ceramics, textiles, books, toys and jewelry that’s hard to find in one place elsewhere in Lima. Look for Mundo de Barro -made teapots and vases, which are hand-painted with colorful botanical and Indigenous motifs. Dédalo also has a back patio cafe, perfect for a break away from the traffic noise. For more shopping nearby, UNO and El Clóset de Mi Hermana both sell clothing and accessories in minimalist, contemporary styles.

In Lima, home to more than one million Venezuelans , a new generation of that diaspora is carving out space for its own culture. Last year, the Venezuelan chef Juan Luis Martínez opened Clon , one of Barranco’s most exciting restaurants. Much as he does at his more upscale, award-winning restaurant Mérito , Mr. Martínez brings elements of his homeland to Peru’s seafood-heavy cuisine: Take an arepa, a corn-based flatbread ubiquitous in Venezuela, stuffed with pejerrey, an anchovy-like fish native to and a staple in Peru (23 soles). Similarly, the vuelve a la vida acevichado serves a tangy Venezuelan seafood-cocktail dish in the style of a Peruvian ceviche (56 soles). Clon, like other local seafood restaurants, often adapts dishes to comply with Peru’s seasonal fishing bans , intended to improve sustainability. Reservations recommended .

The hole-in-the-wall aesthetic is part of the charm at Juanito de Barranco , a cash-only bar a few doors down from Clon. Officially open since 1937, Juanito is a typical example of a traditional taberna or bodegón, a casual bar and restaurant. Employees know the names of regulars, artists convene and hang posters of upcoming exhibitions or performances, and most nights, a guitarist circles through tables playing old romantic tunes for tips. Have a bottle of Pilsen beer (8 soles), Peru’s popular light lager, or try a chilcano (11 soles), a classic cocktail that mixes pisco — a grape-based spirit — and ginger ale. Snack on a sandwich with jamón del norte, smoked ham, with or without ají, a spicy condiment of blended chiles (15 soles). Open until 2 a.m. on Fridays and Saturdays.

Paragliders off Lima’s coast.

From Miraflores, take a 30-minute Uber (about 25 soles) to Callao, a small seaside province north of Lima. There, board a boat with the tour company Mar Adentro Excursions to visit the Palomino Islands, a protected string of islets, to see South American sea lions, Humboldt penguins and seabirds. (From July to October, you may also spot dolphins and humpback whales migrating north.) Guests can swim with the sea lions; the pups are generally curious and likely to approach (guides advise keeping a 40-foot distance from the island where many of the adults rest). Two-and-a-half-hour tours are in English and Spanish; 170 soles per person. Reserve via the website or WhatsApp (+51 958 877 667). Bring a swimsuit and sun protection, and if you need it, medicine for sea sickness.

Don Giuseppe

Head to nearby La Punta, a walkable oceanside neighborhood in Callao full of colorful houses with wooden balconies and restaurants playing salsa music to lure in customers. Eat a classic and cheap fisherman’s lunch at Don Giuseppe , a popular and informal cevichería, or seafood restaurant. The pan con pejerrey (9 soles), a sandwich with breaded and fried fish , onion, and tartar sauce or mayo, is a specialty in Callao. There is, of course, ceviche, which Peruvians typically eat during the day rather than at night (Don Giuseppe closes at 4 p.m.). While in Callao, check out the galleries at Monumental Callao , the district’s refurbished historic center, where several old buildings now house artists’ studios. The safest way to get around Callao, especially beyond touristy La Punta, is by car.

At the Place of Memory, Tolerance and Social Inclusion , or LUM, a museum open in Miraflores since 2015, learn about Peru’s internal armed conflict, primarily between the government and the Maoist-inspired insurgent group Shining Path. An estimated 70,000 Peruvians were killed between 1980 and 2000. Exhibits over three floors detail the social inequities in Peru’s rural and Indigenous communities that factored into the guerrilla group’s ascent, the government’s crackdown and the years of violence that ensued. Hear dozens of firsthand testimonials from Peruvians, many of whom still harbor open wounds ( thousands of forced disappearances remain unaccounted for). While primarily in Spanish, most exhibits can be followed with a smartphone through QR codes in various languages, including English and Quechua, Peru’s most widely spoken Indigenous language. Free entry.

Limeños have quite the sweet tooth, and lonche , their late-afternoon coffee or tea hour, is the perfect time for a treat. From the LUM, walk about 15 minutes to the Teoría de los 6 Cafés in Miraflores, a cafe with friendly, approachable staff and quality coffee drinks made from Peruvian beans. Try a cortado (8 soles) with a doughnut in changing flavors like raspberry-chocolate, mango sticky rice or caramelized popcorn (10 soles). In October, look for their version of the turrón de Doña Pepa, a traditional layered cookie dessert with Afro-Peruvian roots that is especially popular during this month to coincide with the Lord of Miracles , a religious festival.

Tomo Cocina Nikkei

Since the first Japanese people migrated to Peru in the late 19th century, Japanese-Peruvians (known as Nikkeis) have become an integral part of the country’s politics, arts and cuisine. Few restaurants blend these two culinary traditions as well as Tomo Cocina Nikkei in Miraflores, where you can try colorful tiraditos, a Nikkei dish of sashimi-style slices of raw fish in a citrusy Peruvian marinade (an octopus tiradito starter is 55 soles). Tomo’s specialty, however, is its creative nigiri. Here, the rice mounds, topped with raw, local fish, are flavored with an onion, tomato, cilantro and a yellow-chile sauce called chalaca, or an Amazonian fruit called cocona (nigiri, about 25 to 80 soles for two pieces). Sit at the sushi bar and ask the chefs to pick your dishes. Reserve ahead.

The laid-back Bar Capitán Meléndez is easy to miss, down a set of stairs and via a patio the bar shares with two late-night pizza and chicken-wing joints. The small, bare tavern with just a few seats has a back bar showcasing what seems like every type of pisco in Peru, and it serves one of the city’s best pisco sours (31 soles), a local cocktail that blends the liquor with lime, simple syrup and egg whites for a foamy top. Locals also come here for quiet respite from the trendy bars that line Miraflores’s touristy Berlin Street: There is no loud music, flashy neon or staff standing outside drawing in customers. Even on a busy night, it’s likely that the owner himself, Roberto Meléndez, will be serving you.

For breakfast, head to Caleta Dolsa in Barranco, a coffee shop and restaurant with an aesthetic inspired by Lima’s surfer culture. It serves coffee that is roasted in-house, sourced from producers in the highlands and the Peruvian Amazon, alongside fresh juices. Try tropical-inspired smoothie bowls with local fruits, like one with dragon fruit or açaí (from about 28 soles) and a cappuccino (9 soles) with housemade almond milk (4 soles). The free Wi-Fi is handy, too.

Tour the early-19th-century catacombs at the San Francisco Convent and Catacomb Museum in Lima’s historic center. The convent, founded in 1546 (and restored multiple times after devastating earthquakes), is believed to have been the largest in the Americas at its peak, and it was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1988 . Besides the convent’s religious art, the main attraction is its crypts, under the main chapel, where more than 25,000 people are believed to have been buried. Visitors can see skulls and bones through an impressive channel of subterranean chambers. Tickets (20 soles) include 45-minute guided tours, which run every 20 minutes. As an alternative, check out the nearby Museo de Arte de Lima , Lima’s main art museum, housed in a gorgeous late-19th-century palace. Tickets for foreigners, 40 soles.

You can’t leave Lima before trying chifa, Chinese-Peruvian food, a legacy of the migrants who arrived as contract laborers in the late 19th century. Chifa El Dorado is a lively and longstanding restaurant with filling, cheap feasts and kitschy décor on the 18th floor of a nondescript building in the Lince district, about a 20- to 30-minute car ride south of the historic center. Beyond its affordability, it’s worth the trip for one main reason: You get a 360-degree view of the city from any table. A must-try chifa dish is the aeropuerto (38 soles) — named because all ingredients land there, like an airport. It’s a fried rice dish of excess that includes noodles, plantains, veggies and a variety of meats.

Open Up Your World

Considering a trip, or just some armchair traveling here are some ideas..

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D enver, Colo.: The city is undergoing a rebirth , with a newly refreshed Union Station and the gradual reopening of the mile-long, pedestrian-friendly 16th Street Mall to go along with views of the snow-capped Front Range.

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• Peruvian Overstay Fine for tourists

Tourists who stayed longer than the number of days they were given when they entered Peru must pay a fine when leaving the country. While this usually is a simple and straightforward process - at least if you know how it’s done - in some cases there might be the one or other hurdle to overcome.

Content overview

How long can I stay in Peru as a tourist

• How many days did I get

Consequences of overstaying your allowed time as a tourist

How much is the overstay fine, paying the overstay fine at the airport.

• Paying the overstay fine at the border

Paying the overstay fine on pagalo.pe

• Paying the overstay fine at the Banco de la Nacion

If you can’t pay the overstay fine

• When can I return to Peru after having overstayed

In general, according to the old Foreigner Law, Decreto Legislativo 1350, and the new Foreigner Law, Decreto Legislativo 1582 , which was published in November 2023, foreign tourists can stay in Peru a maximum of 183 accumulated days in a 365-day period; so, half a year within a year counted from the first entry.

However, this doesn’t mean you get the full 183 days when you enter the country! The general 183 days per year was and still is limited for most foreign tourists by a publication of the Peruvian Ministry of Foreign Affairs (RREE) issued in 2019 and updated occasionally. This publication allows most foreign nationals to stay in Peru as a tourist for up to 90 days in a 180-day period for touristic, recreational or health purposes; a few can stay up to 90 days in a 365-day period and a handful up to 180 days in a 365-day period.

And as it turned out over the past years, Peruvian immigration officers at the international airports and borders follow the RREE rule strictly. Since August 2021, foreign tourists are only given up to (!) 90 days in a 180-day period when they enter; even those few nationalities who, according to RREE, are allowed to stay longer or who have a “real” tourist visa issued by a Peruvian consulate allowing them the full 183 days only get a max of 90 days.

So, when you enter, in most cases, you get 90 days. But be aware that it’s always at the discretion of the immigration officer how many days he/she is willing to give you. For no obvious reason, you might only get 30 or 60 days; or if you overstayed before or if you stayed in Peru before and try to re-enter the country before your first 180-day period is over, you might as well only get anything between 3 and 30 days or, if you are lucky and haven't stayed the max of 183 days in a year, the full 90 days.

You should as well know that the new Foreigner Law further states that in case foreign tourists don't get the full 183 days upon arrival, an extension can be granted until the 183 days are reached, unless international agreements or conventions determine a shorter period or don't allow extensions.

As till today (end of January 2024) the administrative regulations, called TUPA, necessary for the implementation of the new Foreigner Law still haven't been published, we don't know, which foreign nationals can extend (exception: Bolivian, Ecuadorian and Colombian national already now can extend according to a TUPA from October 2023) or for which nationalities there might be restrictions or when foreigners might be able to extend or how it works.

How many days did I get when I entered

After not stamping passports during peak Corona times, in May 2022, tourists entering the country finally got an entry stamp again, making it easy to check how long they could stay in Peru.

Unfortunately, at the end of May 2023 Peru eliminated the entry stamp again for those entering Peru on international flights and gradually as well for those crossing a land border.

So now, the only way to find out how many days you are allowed to stay as a tourist in Peru, is to ask the immigration officer or, if you prefer a written confirmation check online on the Migraciones website under Consultas en Linea TAM Virtual .

If you need detailed instructions about how to navigate the Consultas en Linea TAM Virtual page, have problems with it or are interested in the TAM/TAM Virtual background story, check out our article “How many days did I get when entering Peru?”. It explains in detail what the TAM and TAM virtual are, where to fill in what on the Migraciones website and gives you as well other options to check the number of days you are allowed to stay in Peru as a tourist.

How many days did I get when entering Peru?

Even though overstaying your allowed time as a tourist isn’t criminalized, overstayers aren’t actively pursued and under normal circumstances you don’t have to fear any severe consequences, we highly recommend respecting the rules and regulations in Peru, including the time you can stay as a tourist in the country.

You should be aware that from the day your tourist visa or, if you can travel visa-free to Peru, your authorization to enter and stay as a tourist for a certain time expires you are “illegally” in the country (the Peruvian Foreigner Law says, you are in the country on an “irregular immigration status”). While this seemingly won’t affect you much, there are consequences for overstaying, depending on your situation, anything from just inconvenient to not worth worrying about to becoming a problem to serious.

According to the Peruvian Foreigner Law, Migraciones has four sanction levels in place for tourists overstaying their time: an overstay fine, a re-entry ban, an obligatory departure, and a deportation. In nearly all cases, only the first two apply, while the latter are reserved for severe cases of overstaying, most often combined with other infractions.

Overstay fine

The most known and strictly enforced sanction if you overstay in Peru is the overstay fine . So, if you stay longer than the time you were given when you entered the country, you must pay a fine for each day you overstayed before being allowed to leave.

If you only overstayed a few days or weeks, in most cases, paying the fine shouldn’t be a big deal. However, if you have overstayed months or even a year or more, the daily fine is adding up and being able to pay it might become a problem.

Anyway, if you only overstayed a few days, weeks, or even months, once the fine is paid, you can usually leave Peru with no further punishment.

Re-entry ban

Those having overstayed not for the first time or excessively (we are talking about many months or even years), can additionally be sanctioned with a re-entry ban for a certain time (usually a year or two). If you are forbidden to re-enter Peru for a certain time or not is completely at the discretion of the immigration officer and in a few cases is even put in place for shorter time overstayer. As said, you are at the mercy of the immigration officer.

Obligatory departure and deportation

While Peru isn’t actively pursuing overstayers and you usually can even get through a random police check without anyone bothering to check your immigration status, it is always possible that you are at the wrong time in the wrong place with the wrong people. Being additionally in the country on an expired tourist visa / stay as a tourist isn’t ideal. Even though depending on the circumstances and extremely rarely enforced if you just overstayed, the Peruvian Foreigner Law allows in such cases that the foreign tourist can get a “ salida obligatoria ” (obligatory departure) notice; so, you must leave the country either immediately or within a certain time frame. Be aware that since April 2023 additionally a re-entry ban for up to 5 years can be imposed. If you don’t leave, you face deportation and, additionally, as well since April 2023, a re-entry ban of up to 15 years.

Even though the salido obligatoria and the deportation are rare when it comes to “normal” overstayers, a corrupt officer might use these options to threaten you, intimidate you or even bring you to the police station, just to then offer helping you out of this unpleasant situation for a certain "financial contribution".

Most common other inconveniences and consequences

Next to these official sanctions, there are a few other inconveniences or consequences that come with overstaying your time in Peru.

Your overstaying is registered in the Peruvian immigration database and when you want to return to Peru later, you might be questioned more intensively than usual or/and you might not get the full number of days tourists usually can stay in the country.

You can’t apply for a resident visa (make a so-called cambio de calidad migratoria from tourist to, for example, family, work, student, etc.) in Peru when you are in the country on an expired tourist visa / stay as a tourist. The only exception is when you regularize your immigration status by applying for a CPP ( carné de permiso temporal de permanencia).

Officially, most national airlines won’t allow foreigners on an expired tourist visa / stay as a tourist to fly with them. But as during check-in usually only the passport page with your personal data is checked and as there is no immigration control, how would they know if your tourist visa / authorization is still valid? But you never know. You are at an airport and for whatever reason, you might be picked out of the crowd. It’s a bit of a gamble that many, many others in the same situation won; nevertheless, you could lose.

The same applies to long-distance busses. But here checks are even less likely and less thorough that you shouldn’t have a problem getting around by bus if you are overstaying.

No matter for what reason you overstayed your allowed time in Peru, be it by mistake, due to unforeseen circumstances or intentionally, before being allowed to leave the country, you must pay a fine of 0.1% of an UIT for each day you overstayed.

In 2024, one UIT equals S/ 5,150; so, the overstay fine is S/ 5.15 per overstayed day. Meaning that for each day you overstayed in 2024 you pay S/ 5.15. In 2023, one UIT was S/ 4,950, so, for each overstayed day in 2023 S/ 4.95 are due.

How and where to pay the overstay fine

The Peruvian Foreigner Law states that everyone who overstayed their welcome must pay the overstay fine before being allowed to leave the country. You can pay the fine either at the airport before departing or at the border before leaving the country. You as well can pay the fine up to a few days before you are leaving at any branch of the Banco de la Nacion or online on pagalo.pe, the latter even allowing payments many weeks in advance.

However, be aware that by paying the overstay fine in advance, you do not extend your tourist visa / stay as a tourist. The S/ 5.15 per day fine is a penalty fee or fine for staying longer than the number of days you were given when you entered, not a fee for extending your stay as a tourist. And, generally, tourist visa extensions are not possible anymore (exception since October 22, 2023: for foreign nationals, whose home country is a member of the Andean Community, so Bolivia, Colombia and Ecuador).

And no matter where you pay, keep the payment receipt safe, as this is the proof that you already paid your overstay fine. You will have to present it to the immigration officer when leaving Peru.

Before the introduction of the online payment platform pagalo.pe ( see below ) it was common practice to pay the overstay fine shortly before leaving the country either at the airport or border. If you are flying out of Peru from the Jorge Chavez International Airport in Lima, you can still pay directly at the airport. After checking in and clearing the security check, proceed to the immigration control counters like everyone else. There, the immigration officer will calculate the number of days you overstayed and then sends you to a payment counter which is located just opposite. The counter is open daily as long as international flights depart from the airport.

While for years only cash payments in Soles or US$ (the exchange rate is miserable, so best have enough Soles on hand) were accepted, since August 2022 additionally credit card payments are an option. With the receipt, return to the immigration counter.

If you know the number of days you overstayed, you as well can first pay at the counter and then proceed to immigrations with the payment receipt. Usually, that’s it and you are free to leave.

In case you overstayed excessively, meaning many, many months or even a year or more, it might be possible that the immigration officer additionally punishes you with a re-entry ban for a certain time (usually a year or two).

Paying the overstay fine at a land border

At larger border crossings, the procedure to pay the overstay fine is similar to the one at the airport. There you usually can pay onsite. Just proceed to immigrations and either you can pay directly there or you will be directed to the payment counter, get a receipt and return to the immigration officer. Usually, you are then free to leave the country.

However, if you are crossing at a smaller land border post, there might not be the option to pay onsite. So, you are then asked to pay the fine at the nearest local Banco de la Nacion branch, which might not be that near, surely is only open during usual business hours or even shorter, and often has long or even longer lines. So, it might be wise to pay your overstay fine a day or two before crossing the border either at any Banco de la Nacion branch or on pagalo.pe.

If you want to have paid the fine before going to the airport or the border or even well in advance, you can use the Peruvian online payment system pagalo.pe. To use pagalo.pe you first have to create an account. Our article “Paying administration charges and processing fees in Peru” explains in detail how it’s done and how the online payment system works. I recommend reading the article first as among other useful info you find a step-by-step guide for creating an account and one for paying fees and fines including pictures for better understanding below explanation.

Paying administration charges and processing fees in Peru

Anyway, to pay the overstaying fine, first log into your pagalo.pe account . 

So, enter pagalo.pe and click on Ingresar (1). Then enter your e-mail address and password (2). After clicking on Ingresar you get to the main page and are logged in (3).

Now just click on the search area " Buscar tramite o entidad " and this drop-down list is displayed.

Then click on Migraciones and you get a list with all administrative procedures that you can pay online.

Select 00675 - Multa Extranjeros - Exceso Permanencia (Por Dia) and you get to the Registro de Tasa page.

 Now just enter the information required:

• Concepto: select the year in which you overstayed and for which you want to pay the overstay fine.
• Costo : After you selected the year under Concepto, the payment amount for this year per day is automatically filled in.
• Tipo de documento/Numero de documento : Select the document with which you entered Peru (in most cases passport/ pasaporte) and enter your passport number.
• Cantidad : Enter the number of days you overstayed
• Importe total: After you entered the number of days you overstayed the system automatically fills in the total amount you have to pay.

Then click on Agregar a carrito and you get to your "shopping cart".

 Now, just accept the terms & conditions and click on Pagar.

In case you overstayed, for example, at the end of 2023 and at the beginning of 2024, first select on the Registro de Tasa page the year 2023, enter the days you overstayed in 2023 and go to the shopping cart. Accept the terms & conditions, click on Agregar otro pago and you get back to the page where you can select the authority. So as described above, click again on Migraciones, then on the Registro de tasa page select now the year 2024, enter the days you overstayed in 2024 and go to the shopping cart. When you are finished, accept the terms & conditions and click on Pagar .

You now get to the Metodo de pago page. where you can choose your payment method (any Visa, Master or American Express debit or credit card or the app Yape). Follow the instructions. Once the payment is cleared, a receipt is sent to your e-mail address. Or by clicking on the red Banco de la Nacion icon, you can choose to pay in cash at any branch or some ATMs of the Banco de la Nacion with the voucher send to you.

After checking in and clearing the security check, proceed to the payment counter (located just opposite the immigration counters) to have the pagalo.pe receipt verified. You just have to show the person there your payment receipt and you will get another payment slip. Then proceed to immigrations, present your passport and the slip.

Paying the overstay fine at a branch of the Banco de la Nacion

Depending on the branch of the Banco de la Nacion, some request that you first create the voucher for paying the overstay fine on pagalo.pe, while others are fine with you just walking in and once it’s your turn giving the teller your details.

In both cases, you will need your passport (and best a copy of the page with your personal details) as the payment must be registered under your name and passport number. Additionally, if you haven’t created the voucher on pagalo.pe you have to give the teller the authority (for paying the overstay fine it’s Migraciones ), the code of the administrative procedure (for paying the overstay fine it’s 00675 ) and of course the number of days you overstayed .

Before leaving the counter, check the receipt thoroughly. If there is only the slightest inconsistency or a little spelling mistake, the payment might not be accepted by immigrations when you are leaving the country.

If you overstayed the allowed time as a tourist, you must (!) pay the overstay fine before leaving the country; in most cases, there is no way around it. In case you don’t have sufficient funds to do so, you might be in serious trouble.

According to Peruvian regulations, if you don’t want to pay the fine or can’t, because you simply don’t have enough money, you can be held in custody until someone pays the fine for you or you can come to another agreement with the authorities. While imprisonment for not paying the overstay fine is rare, it can happen.

As you surely don’t want to end up in a holding cell at the airport or in a Peruvian prison, it is highly recommended to somehow sort out your financial difficulties before leaving the country. So, best ask friends or family if they can help, so you can pay the fine and leave.

Or if there isn’t anyone around willing to lend you the money, you seriously overstayed and have to pay thousands of Soles getting in contact with Migraciones explaining your situation might lead to a solution. Migraciones might offer a payment plan or a reduction or could as well allow you to leave without paying the fine but punishing you with a re-entry ban for anything between 1 and 15 years. Another option could be trying to leave Peru using a small border crossing by hopefully being able to bargain down your fine.

All in all, while overstaying in Peru isn't a criminal offense and in most cases - at least at the moment - nothing to deeply worry about, we highly recommend respecting Peruvian laws including the number of days you are allowed to stay in the country as a tourist and if you overstay have the financial means to pay the fine.

When can I return to Peru after having overstayed?

Unfortunately, Migraciones hasn’t made public for how long foreigners, who overstayed their time as a tourist in Peru, must be out of the country before they can come back. So, the following is only partly based on official Peruvian regulations.

The official rules for being in Peru as a tourist are quite clear. As explained in detail above under point “ How long can I stay in Peru as a tourist ” most nationalities can stay in Peru as a tourist for up to 90 days in a 180-day period (so, up to 3 months in Peru and at least 3 months out of Peru) and 183 accumulated days in a 365-day period (so, adding the number of days from all your stays as a tourist within one year counted from your first entry can’t exceed half a year).

However, you should be aware that it’s always at the discretion of the immigration officer you have to face when entering Peru if he/she lets you enter and how many days you are given. You have no right to get a certain number of days, no matter what any law says and no matter if you overstayed before or not. And you are not entitled to being allowed to (re-) enter Peru, no matter if you overstayed before or not. On the other hand, immigration officers, of course, have a certain margin of discretion and can bend the rules to a certain extent if and where they think justified and appropriate. So, the power of an immigration officer can work in your favor or not.

With this being said, it’s impossible for anyone to exactly tell you when you can return to Peru after you overstayed. But we at least can give some general guidelines.

Let’s assume you got 90 days when you entered, but overstayed a few days, a couple of weeks or up to three months, paid the overstay fine and didn’t get a re-entry ban when leaving. Usually, after 90 days in Peru, you should be 90 days outside Peru. So, even though not officially stipulated, we recommend to not return to Peru before the 90 days you should stay outside Peru plus the number of days you overstayed are over. So, if you, for example, overstayed 30 days, return to Peru only 4 months (90 days plus 30 days) after you left. However, if you come back earlier, there are a few ways things can go: either the immigration officer is doing his/her job by the book and doesn’t let you enter (extremely rare) or only gives you a few days or the number of days you have left as a tourist to reach the max of 183 days per year or doesn’t bother at all and just gives you another 90 days.  

If, for example, you were given 90 days when you entered and overstayed another 90 days, you used the maximum number of days you are allowed to be in Peru in a year; so, you can only re-enter one year after your first entry, which is half a year after you left.

Things get even more vague in case you overstayed the maximum allowed time of 183 days per year, as there is no official statement about how immigration officers take the time you stayed longer than the 183 days allowed into consideration. If you overstayed, for example, 4, 5, 6 months you not only simply overstayed your 90 days you got when you entered, but as well exceeded the maximum number of days you can be in Peru as a tourist in a 365-day period. In case you were lucky and didn’t get a re-entry ban, we recommend being outside Peru at least half a year plus the number of days exceeding the max of 183 days you are allowed to be in Peru as a tourist in a year before trying to return.

Just to point out again, it’s always at the discretion of the immigration officer how he/she handles your specific case. Yes, sometimes people who overstayed for a short or long period of time, just left Peru for a few days, returned with no problem, and got another 90 days. Others had to explain and somehow prove their situation (for example, they didn’t manage to finish the preparation work to get married or to apply for their work or family visa), the immigration officer showed empathy, bended the rules a bit and gave them enough time so that they could get married or apply for their visa. But sometimes immigration officers are strict, denying a person who overstayed and/or tried to return before the 180-day /365-day period is over entry.

So, to avoid any inconveniences and punishments of all sorts, we highly recommend not to overstay your time as a tourist. 

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