Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
» For more on legal issues, see
Click here
.
For issues affecting female travelers, turn to
TRANSPORT ISSUES
When taking buses, choose operators carefully. The cheapest companies will be the most
likely to employ reckless drivers and have roadside breakdowns. Overnight travel by bus
can get brutally cold in the highlands (take a blanket or sweater). For more on transporta-
tion in Peru,
Click here
.
PROTESTS & OTHER CONFLICT
During the Internal Conflict of the 1980s and '90s, civil strife meant that entire regions
were off-limits. Thankfully, the situation has improved dramatically and travelers visit
much of the country without ever encountering problems. Even so, Peru remains politic-
ally volatile and travel can require some care.
» Protests generally have little effects on tourists, other than contending with roadbloacks,
but on some occasions they do turn violent. If a road is blocked or an area cut off, do not
attempt to cross the lines - being a foreigner will not make you immune to violence.
» The resurgence of Sendero Luminoso (Shining Path) has brought isolated incidents of
violence to remote areas in the provinces of Ayacucho, Cuzco, Huancavelica, Huánuco,
Junín and San Martín. These are generally directed at the Peruvian military or the police.
Nonetheless, exercise caution: avoid transit through isolated areas in these regions at
night.
» Drug-trafficking areas can also be dangerous, especially at night. Travelers should avoid
the upper Río Huallaga valley between Tingo María and Juanjui and the Río Apurímac
valley near Ayacucho, where the majority of Peru's narcotics trade takes place. Exercise
similar caution near the Colombian border, where trafficking also goes on.
