Is Lima safe for travelers?
Lima 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
Lima scores Moderate overall, with significant variation between the coastal Miraflores/Barranco/San Isidro tourist triangle and the wider city. The tourist-facing districts are genuinely manageable with precautions; large parts of Lima Metropolitana (Comas, Villa El Salvador, San Juan de Lurigancho) carry much higher risk. All three advisories flag Peru at elevated caution.
Express kidnapping, phone theft, and robbery are well-documented in tourist areas including Miraflores waterfront (the Larcomar area). Fake taxis are a serious safety concern — all advisories specifically warn against street taxis. Pickpocketing is common on public transport and in the historic centre.
Stay in Miraflores or Barranco; day trips to Centro Histórico (Plaza Mayor, Larco Museum area) should use vetted apps for transport. Avoid San Juan de Miraflores, Villa María del Triunfo, and Comas. Do not use street taxis under any circumstances. The Lima tourist experience is very manageable when confined to the safe-zone districts.
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 47 districts with differentiated risk ratings:
Ratings are consolidated from the sources below, not real-time. Conditions can change — verify before travel.
Common questions
Is Lima safe for tourists?
Lima 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 Lima safe at night?
Lima 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 Lima?
Based on incident data consolidated across our sources, Barranco, Jesus Maria, La Molina are among the areas rated safer in Lima. Always verify current conditions with the sources listed below, as conditions can change.
Which areas of Lima should travellers be cautious about?
Callao, La Victoria, San Juan de Lurigancho 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 Lima?
The primary risks for visitors to Lima 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)
- OSAC — Peru
- Tiers: editorial travel-safety synthesis (advisories + traveller guidance)