Peru: Health
Potable Water and Raw Food
Travelers in Peru should always consume bottled beverages instead of potentially contaminated water. Avoid ice cubes. Peeled fruits are generally safe. Fish, shellfish, and vegetables should not be eaten unless well cooked, and all food should be eaten while still hot. Peru is well known for its delicious seafood, and with reason! Remember the following advisory when considering what to eat: "Consuming raw or undercooked meats, poultry, seafood, shellfish, or eggs may increase your risk of foodborne illness."
Peru and Chile share (and debate about the origins of) the liquor pisco and argue about whose pisco sour cocktail is better. Choose your side wisely! In both countries, pisco sours may or may not be made with raw egg whites. Don't hesitate to ask for yours sin claras (de huevo) if you prefer.
Peru and Chile share (and debate about the origins of) the liquor pisco and argue about whose pisco sour cocktail is better. Choose your side wisely! In both countries, pisco sours may or may not be made with raw egg whites. Don't hesitate to ask for yours sin claras (de huevo) if you prefer.
Mosquito-borne Viruses
Zika virus, Chikungunya, malaria, yellow fever, and dengue are present in Peru and have different risk levels. For more information see the Mosquito-Borne Viruses page on this site and visit the CDC's Travelers' Health webpage.
Yellow Fever vaccination cards: While Peru does not require a yellow fever vaccination card, it is recommended that travelers carry their vaccination card with them if they are planning on doing further regional travel around Latin America. Some countries strictly enforce this requirement. For example, Costa Rica requires all passengers flying directly from Peru to Costa Rica to have a yellow fever vaccination. Yellow fever vaccinations are generally available in the United States and can be obtained at your local health clinic.
Yellow Fever vaccination cards: While Peru does not require a yellow fever vaccination card, it is recommended that travelers carry their vaccination card with them if they are planning on doing further regional travel around Latin America. Some countries strictly enforce this requirement. For example, Costa Rica requires all passengers flying directly from Peru to Costa Rica to have a yellow fever vaccination. Yellow fever vaccinations are generally available in the United States and can be obtained at your local health clinic.
Altitude Sickness
Visitors to high-altitude Andean destinations, such as Cusco (11,000 feet), Machu Picchu (8,000 feet), or Lake Titicaca (13,000 feet) should discuss the trip with their personal physician prior to departing the United States. Travel to high altitudes could pose a serious risk of illness, hospitalization, and even death, particularly if the traveler has a medical condition that affects blood circulation or breathing. Several U.S. citizens have died in Peru in the past year from medical conditions exacerbated by altitude.
Students and tourists, particularly those who suffer from cardiac-related problems or high blood pressure, who wish to travel to high-altitude areas in Peru, should undergo a medical examination before traveling. New arrivals, even healthy and fit persons, will feel symptoms of hypoxia (lack of oxygen) at high-altitude, and most will need time to adjust to the altitude. Most people will have increased respiration and heart rate. Many will have headaches, difficulty sleeping, lack of appetite, minor gastric and intestinal upsets, and mood changes. To help prevent these complications, consult your personal physician, avoid alcohol and smoking for at least one week after arrival at high altitudes, and limit physical activity for the first 36 to 48 hours after arrival at high altitudes.
Students and tourists, particularly those who suffer from cardiac-related problems or high blood pressure, who wish to travel to high-altitude areas in Peru, should undergo a medical examination before traveling. New arrivals, even healthy and fit persons, will feel symptoms of hypoxia (lack of oxygen) at high-altitude, and most will need time to adjust to the altitude. Most people will have increased respiration and heart rate. Many will have headaches, difficulty sleeping, lack of appetite, minor gastric and intestinal upsets, and mood changes. To help prevent these complications, consult your personal physician, avoid alcohol and smoking for at least one week after arrival at high altitudes, and limit physical activity for the first 36 to 48 hours after arrival at high altitudes.