Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
» crowded places such as bus terminals, train stations, markets and fiestas are the haunts
of pickpockets; wear your day pack in front of you or carry a bag that fits snugly under
your arm
» thieves look for easy targets, such as a bulging wallet in a back pocket or a camera held
out in the open; keep spending money in your front pocket and your camera stowed when
it's not in use
» passports and larger sums of cash are best carried in a money belt or an inside pocket
that can be zipped or closed - or better yet, stowed in a safe at your hotel
» snatch theft can occur if you place a bag on the ground (even for a few seconds), or
while you're asleep on an overnight bus; never leave a bag with your wallet and passport
in the overhead rack of a bus
» don't keep valuables in bags that will be unattended
» blending in helps: walking around town in brand-new hiking gear or a shiny leather
jacket will draw attention; stick to simple clothing
» leave jewelry and fancy watches at home
» hotels - especially cheap ones - aren't always trustworthy; lock valuables inside your
luggage, or use safety deposit services
» walk purposefully wherever you are going, even if you are lost; if you need to examine
your map, duck into a shop or restaurant
Some thieves work in pairs or groups. One person creates a distraction as another robs.
This can take the form of a bunch of kids fighting in front of you, an elderly person 'acci-
dentally' bumping into you or perhaps someone spilling something on your clothes. Some
razor-blade artists may slit open your bag, whether it's on your back or on the luggage
rack of a bus.
In some cases, there have been robberies and armed muggings of trekkers on popular
hiking trails around Huaraz (
Click here
)
, and jungle treks in the south (
Click here
)
. Go-
ing as part of a group with a local guide may help prevent this. In addition, the area
around Tingo María (
Click here
)
, on the eastern edge of the central highlands, is a
renowned bandit area, with armed robberies and other crimes regular occurrences. Keep
any activities in the area, including bus rides, to daylight hours.
Armed taxi robberies and rapes have been reported in Cuzco. Always take an official
taxi at night and from the airport or bus terminals. If threatened, it's better just to give up
your goods than face harm.
In recent years, 'express' kidnappings have been recorded, particularly in some of the
unsavory neighborhoods that surround the airport in Lima. An armed attacker (or attack-
