Peru
This page contains the main health risks for travellers and general recommendations. Travel conditions are different for everyone and each patient's health condition varies. Discuss your trip during a travel consultation with your doctor or in a travel clinic, preferably six to eight weeks before departure.
Read also the information on security, healthcare and other practical aspects on the FPS Foreign Affairs website.
Important health risks
Malaria
The malaria risk is:
- high in the department Loreto and northern regions of the department Amazonas. We recommend the use of mosquito-repellent measures from dusk till morning, in combination with the use of malaria tablets.
- moderate in:
- the areas below 2500 m, to the east of the Andes
- river tours on the Amazon (from Iquitos to Letitia)
- city center of Iquitos and Leticia
We recommend the use of mosquito-repellent measures We recommend the use of mosquito-repellent measures from dusk till morning. For people with an increased risk, we sometimes recommend preventive malaria tablets.
- low in the rest of the country below 2300 m elevation, including city Puerto Maldonado and northern regions west of the Andes. We recommend the use of mosquito-repellent measures from dusk till morning.
There is no malaria risk in:
-
regions above 2500 m elevation, including tourist destinations like Cusco, Machu Picchu, Lake Titicaca
- regions west of the Andes, except some regions in the department province Piura in the north
- cities Lima, Arequipa, Ica, Moquegua, Nazca, Puno, and Tacna
- Species: P. vivax 82%.
P. falciparum 18% mainly in Loreto and Amazonas departement.
- Species: P. vivax 82%.
In case of fever during or after your journey, get tested for malaria as soon as possible.
Yellow fever
There is risk of yellow fever in:
- Amazonas: Including Bagua and Chachapoyas
- Loreto, Madre de Dios, Huánuco and San Martín
- Cusco region: Areas along the Inca Trail, including Aguas Calientes and Santa Teresa
- Puno: Jungle areas in the eastern lowlands (not Puno city)
- Junín: Including Satipo and La Merced
- Cajamarca: Specifically Jaén and other areas below 2400 m
The risk of yellow fever is very low to no risk in:
- region son high altitude: Cusco city, Urubamba Valley, Ollantaytambo, Puno city, Juliaca, highland regions of Junín (including Huancay and Tarma), Cajamarca (including Puno city and Celendín), highland regions in the departments of Ancash, Ayacucho, Apurímac, and Huancavelica
- the coastal regions of Piura, Tumbes, and La Libertad.
Other insect-borne diseases
Insects can transmit diseases such as dengue, chikungunya, zika, leishmaniasis and Chagas disease.
Protect yourself against insects.
Ticks
Ticks can transmit diseases.
Rabies
Dogs and other mammals can be infected with rabies.
Altitude sickness
You may experience altitude sickness in areas above 2500 metres.
COVID-19
Take a look at the general preventive measures related to COVID-19.
- Carefully read the entry conditions and local measures of this country.
Other possible infections
Other frequent health risks while travelling
Read these tips before you leave.
Vaccinations
Yellow fever vaccination is recommended for all travellers from the age of nine months.
This vaccination must be administered at least ten days prior to arrival by an official yellow fever vaccination centre and must be registered in an International Certificate of Vaccination and Prophylaxis.
Hepatitis A
Hepatitis A vaccination is recommended for all travellers.
Update of basic vaccinations
Other vaccinations
Discuss with your doctor whether one of the following vaccinations is recommended for you: