# Updated Peru Travel Advisory: What Ottawa Travellers Need to Know Before Departure
Planning a trip to Machu Picchu or the Amazon this spring? If Peru is on your travel radar, an important update from the Government of Canada deserves your attention. On April 9, 2026, Global Affairs Canada refreshed its travel advisory for Peru, maintaining a **Level 2 risk assessment — Exercise a High Degree of Caution** for most of the country, with elevated warnings for specific regions.
For Ottawa travellers preparing for Peruvian adventures, understanding what this advisory means can help you prepare properly and travel safely. Here’s what you need to know.
## What Changed in This Update
The most recent change involves natural disaster information—specifically, the removal of closure notices for the Salkantay Trail, a popular trekking route. While this is positive news for hikers, the overall risk level remains unchanged due to persistent safety concerns throughout the country.
## Understanding the Regional Risk Levels
Most tourist destinations in Peru, including Lima, Cusco, and the Sacred Valley, fall under the Level 2 classification. However, two areas carry significantly higher warnings:
The VRAEM region (Valley of the Apurímac, Ene and Mantaro Rivers) carries an “Avoid All Travel” designation due to terrorism risks, drug trafficking activity, and minimal law enforcement presence. The Upper Huallaga River Valley has an “Avoid Non-Essential Travel” warning for similar security concerns.
Unless you’re venturing far off typical tourist routes, these high-risk zones likely won’t affect your itinerary—but awareness is essential.
## Safety and Health Considerations
Beyond regional security issues, travellers face elevated crime rates throughout Peru, including in major cities and tourist areas. Petty theft, armed robberies, and express kidnappings occur regularly. Social conflicts and strikes can disrupt transportation and services with little warning.
From a health perspective, Peru presents several concerns for Ottawa travellers. Altitude sickness affects many visitors to Cusco and high-elevation sites. Mosquito-borne illnesses like dengue, Zika, and yellow fever are present in jungle regions. Food and waterborne diseases remain common risks, and access to quality medical care varies significantly outside major cities.
## Preparing for Safe Travel
Proper preparation makes all the difference. Beyond registering with the Canadian government’s travel registration service and securing comprehensive travel insurance, a pre-travel health consultation should be a priority.
Recommended vaccines for Peru typically include hepatitis A and typhoid (both related to food and water safety), as well as yellow fever for those visiting jungle areas—some regions actually require proof of yellow fever vaccination for entry. Depending on your specific itinerary and health history, your travel health physician may recommend additional protection such as hepatitis B, rabies, or malaria prevention medication.
A travel health professional can also help you prepare a medical kit appropriate for Peru’s conditions, advise on altitude sickness prevention, and ensure your routine vaccinations are current.
Travelling to Peru? Before you go, speak with one of our ISTM-certified travel health physicians – virtually, 7 days a week. A pre-travel consultation covers vaccines, medications, and destination-specific health risks. Book your virtual consultation at Orleans Travel Clinic Pharmacy.