Traveling To
Peru: Health Guide
Peru does not require any vaccines to enter if you’re traveling directly from the US.
This might change if your itinerary includes a visit to or a 12+ hour layover in another country before you make it to Peru.
Always recommended:
Excluding COVID-19, these vaccines are all recommended during childhood. If you received them as a child, you are all set.
Conditionally recommended:
Adventure-filled and explorer ready, Peru is ripe for travel. Runway is here to prevent sickness from ruining your plans. We can prescribe these trip-saving medications in minutes:
Malaria Medication
is recommended if you are traveling to areas below 6600 ft and the Amazon region, including Manu National Park, Tambopata National Reserve, Pacaya Samiria, Iquitos, Puerto Maldonado, and the remote eastern regions of La Libertad and Lambayeque. The highland tourist areas (Cuzco, Machu Picchu, and Lake Titicaca), Lima Province, Arequipa, Ica, Moquegua, Nazca, Puno, and Tacna are considered risk-free and do not require Malaria medication.
Traveler’s Diarrhea Antibiotics
help alleviate an intestinal infection that occurs as a result of eating or drinking contaminated food or water. Traveler’s Diarrhea is common, so it’s a good idea to have medication on hand just in case.
Altitude Sickness Medication
is recommended if you plan to visit places at high elevations, including Machu Picchu, Cusco, Inca Trail, Puno, Lake Titicaca, Ollantaytambo, Nevado Huascaran, Cerro de Pasco, Juliaca, Huancavelica, Colca Valley, Huancayo, Huaraz, Kuelap, Ayacucho, and Cajamarca. Altitude sickness is commonly experienced among people visiting the traditional highlights of Peru.
Motion Sickness Medication
is recommended to keep nausea and dizziness at bay if you are susceptible to queasiness during road trips, train rides, boat cruises, or long excursions.
Add medication to your treatment plan in the section below.
(Required to enter country)
Peru does not require any vaccines to enter if you’re traveling directly from the US.
This might change if your itinerary includes a visit to or a 12+ hour layover in another country before you make it to Peru.
Adventure-filled and explorer ready, Peru is ripe for travel. Runway is here to prevent sickness from ruining your plans. We can prescribe these trip-saving medications in minutes:
Malaria Medication
is recommended if you are traveling to areas below 6600 ft and the Amazon region, including Manu National Park, Tambopata National Reserve, Pacaya Samiria, Iquitos, Puerto Maldonado, and the remote eastern regions of La Libertad and Lambayeque. The highland tourist areas (Cuzco, Machu Picchu, and Lake Titicaca), Lima Province, Arequipa, Ica, Moquegua, Nazca, Puno, and Tacna are considered risk-free and do not require Malaria medication.
Traveler’s Diarrhea Antibiotics
help alleviate an intestinal infection that occurs as a result of eating or drinking contaminated food or water. Traveler’s Diarrhea is common, so it’s a good idea to have medication on hand just in case.
Altitude Sickness Medication
is recommended if you plan to visit places at high elevations, including Machu Picchu, Cusco, Inca Trail, Puno, Lake Titicaca, Ollantaytambo, Nevado Huascaran, Cerro de Pasco, Juliaca, Huancavelica, Colca Valley, Huancayo, Huaraz, Kuelap, Ayacucho, and Cajamarca. Altitude sickness is commonly experienced among people visiting the traditional highlights of Peru.
Motion Sickness Medication
is recommended to keep nausea and dizziness at bay if you are susceptible to queasiness during road trips, train rides, boat cruises, or long excursions.
Add medication to your treatment plan in the section below.
Always recommended:
Excluding COVID-19, these vaccines are all recommended during childhood. If you received them as a child, you are all set.
Conditionally recommended:
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From vaccination requirements to best health practices, all your Peru travel questions answered.
Peru does not currently have any medical entry requirements for those traveling from the US.Â
When traveling to Peru, there are a few common health conditions to consider. By seamlessly prescribing the medication you need before you depart, Runway makes it easy to worry less and explore more while you’re away.
Source: https://www.iamat.org/country/peru/risk/malaria
Yes. You can carry pills or solid medications on international flights. If you have liquid medication that exceeds 3.4 ounces, you may be asked to pack it in your checked luggage versus being able to put it in your carry-on bag, so make sure to plan accordingly.Â
Medications you procure in Peru may not always be manufactured in an FDA approved facility. Planning in advance with Runway means you don’t have to worry about accessing what you need while traveling.
Prior to traveling to Peru, it’s best to update your routine vaccinations if necessary, and take heed of the recommended vaccinations to prevent health issues and the spread of disease.Â
There are no required vaccines for Peru for those traveling from the US, but we recommend considering the vaccines below based on your personal history and trip activities.
Recommended Vaccines for Traveling to Peru
The following is a list of the recommended vaccines for Peru that you likely received during childhood. If you received the following, you are ready to go:
Other Vaccine Considerations for PeruÂ
Here is a list of additional vaccines for preventable diseases that you may want to consider based on your Peru itinerary:
Source: https://www.iamat.org/country/peru/risk/typhoid-fever
Should you need healthcare while you’re away, equip yourself beforehand with a list of local doctors and Peru medical care facilities near your destination. Carefully review your health care coverage and consider purchasing travel health insurance, as most standard plans don’t extend internationally. Fill all prescriptions prior to embarking on your travels to ensure you have enough with you for the duration of your trip plus a few extra days in case of delays.
Often, accommodations in Peru will have hospital recommendations and information readily available. You can also search the Joint Commission International website to seek accredited facilities near the city where you’re staying, as well as seek resources from the U.S. Embassy.Â
Source: https://pe.usembassy.gov/u-s-citizen-services/doctors/
As with traveling anywhere internationally, it’s recommended to secure travel health insurance. Peru hospitals with English-speaking medical personnel and emergency services are more readily available near larger cities with high tourist areas.Â
The fees for a hospital stay in Peru can widely vary. It’s best to confirm costs in advance to avoid unexpected expenses. Several factors will contribute to the total cost, such as emergency services, tests and x-rays, overnight visits vs. consultations. Keep in mind, most medical facilities in Peru will require a cash deposit prior to performing health services and require payment in full before being released.
There are several general precautions when traveling to Peru in order to avoid getting sick. Be aware of your surroundings, get vaccinated before traveling to areas with high risk for diseases like Malaria and Yellow Fever, and seek out established food and water sources. Additionally, if you are prone to altitude or motion sickness, carry the proper medication to prevent onset symptoms and preserve your health and enjoyment.
Changes in time zones and climates can affect the body, but with proactive planning, you can stay healthy and safe. Here are a few common conditions that may occur on a trip to Peru:
Here are a few other things to be mindful of as you plan your trip:
Avoid food and water contamination: Travelers often ask: Can I drink water in Peru? And the answer is to err on the side of safety and stick with sealed, bottled water. Don’t rely on tap water or use ice machines as your hydration source. As for what not to eat in Peru, wash fresh produce in tap water to avoid contamination. Avoid raw and unpasteurized foods as well. Unclean water is often the main culprit of Travelers’ Diarrhea and other Peru health issues, so practice safe, clean food and water habits when traveling.
Prevent Dengue and Zika: Increased numbers of Dengue, which comes from mosquito bites, have been reported for several parts of Central and South America. Zika, Chagas disease, and Leishmaniasis are also mosquito-carrying diseases to protect yourself from with repellents that have high percentages of active ingredients such as DEET, Picaridin, and lemon eucalyptus oil, which all offer longer protection.Â
Stay safe while adventuring: Peru is a popular destination for outdoor adventures. To stay safe, stay alert with changing weather conditions and prepare for different landscapes that can lead to conditions like altitude sickness and heat exhaustion, as well as possible injury due to wet and slippery surfaces and extreme temperatures. Prior to embarking on any activities, make sure you’ve dressed appropriately in lightweight clothing and sturdy shoes, plus packed protective items, such as sunscreen, bug spray, basic first aid, and filled water bottles.Â
Keep wild animals wild: While touching, petting, and feeding wild animals is exciting, remember that most wild animals are not comfortable interacting with humans or have been habituated into doing so for food. No matter if they are domestic pets or wild creatures, animal licks, bites, and scratches can lead to bacterial infections. Be aware of animals being used for financial gain and look into the animal welfare of any wildlife related activity. Protect these animals and yourself by keeping wild animals wild!
Feel good about your upcoming trip to Peru by preparing a treatment plan with Runway before your trip. You can avoid common travel ailments by bringing medication with you, allowing you to worry less and explore more.
Runway offers travelers like you, the medications you may need before you go.