Is Cusco safe for travelers?
Cusco has a moderate safety profile. The US State Dept advises "Exercise Increased Caution" for Peru due to crime and civil unrest. Many visitor-friendly areas exist, but awareness of surroundings is warranted.
What the sources say
Cusco scores Moderate. The gateway to Machu Picchu is heavily oriented toward international tourism, and the historic centre has significant tourist police presence. Crime is primarily petty theft targeting tourists rather than violent crime. All three advisories cover Peru at general elevated caution but Cusco operates at the better end of that range.
Pickpocketing in crowded markets (Mercado San Pedro), on transport to the Sacred Valley, and on the train to Aguas Calientes is the dominant risk. Mugging on the Saqsaywamán access trails and in less-lit parts of the historic centre at night is reported. Altitude sickness impairs judgment and increases vulnerability — rest on arrival.
The main Plaza de Armas and adjacent streets are safe for daytime tourism. Use vetted transport for Sacred Valley tours. Keep valuables in hotel safe. Do not hike to Saqsaywamán or surrounding ruins alone or at dusk. Cusco is one of the more comfortable tourist cities in South America despite Peru's broader risk rating.
Official statistics
- World Bank / UNODC — national intentional homicide rate for Peru: 2021: 8.6/100k; 2020: 5.8/100k; 2019: 7.3/100k; 2018: 7.7/100k. Note: this is a country-level rate, not city-specific. Source: World Bank Open Data (VC.IHR.PSRC.P5), compiled from UNODC Crime Trends Survey.
- INEI Perú — Estadísticas de Seguridad: Inicio > Estadísticas > Indice Temático > Delitos; Denuncias por comisión de delitos, según delito genérico; Denuncias por comisión de delitos, según departamento; Tasa de denuncias por comisión de delitos, según departamento; Personas detenidas por comisión de delitos (flagrancia), según tipo de delito; Personas detenidas por comisión de delitos (flagrancia), según departamento; Denuncias registradas de personas desaparecidas, según departamento; Denuncias por violencia sexual a personas menores de 18 años de edad, según sexo de la víctima y departamento
The map covers 6 districts with differentiated risk ratings:
Ratings are consolidated from the sources below, not real-time. Conditions can change — verify before travel.
Common questions
Is Cusco safe for tourists?
Cusco is safe for tourists who exercise reasonable vigilance. Stay in well-visited areas, avoid displaying expensive electronics or jewellery, and be cautious after dark in less-familiar neighbourhoods.
Is Cusco safe at night?
Cusco is reasonably safe at night in well-known tourist and residential areas. Avoid displaying valuables, use reputable transport, and be cautious in unfamiliar neighbourhoods after dark.
What are the safest neighbourhoods in Cusco?
Based on incident data consolidated across our sources, Cusco, Wanchaq, Poroy are among the areas rated safer in Cusco. Always verify current conditions with the sources listed below, as conditions can change.
Which areas of Cusco should travellers be cautious about?
Santiago, Poroy, San Jeronimo are rated with elevated caution on our map. This reflects patterns from consolidated advisory and incident sources — conditions vary and can change, so check current guidance before travelling.
What are the main safety risks for visitors to Cusco?
The primary risks for visitors to Cusco are opportunistic theft, phone snatching, and pickpocketing in crowded areas. Peru authorities note crime and civil unrest.
Sources consulted
- US State Department Travel Advisory
- UK FCDO Travel Advice — Safety and Security
- Canada DFATD Travel Advice
- World Bank — Intentional Homicides per 100k (Peru)
- Australia DFAT Smartraveller — Safety
- INEI — Instituto Nacional de Estadística e Informática (Seguridad)
- Editorial travel-safety synthesis (US State Dept advisories, OSAC, Numbeo); districts inherit the city overall until crowd input or official data differentiates them