There ARE real horror stories that come out of South America, so your mom is right to try to scare the bejesus out of you. If you’re not smart awful things can happen. However, if you’re an experienced traveler, or even if you’re not and are willing to follow some simple guidelines, you’ll be just fine!

My Personal Rules:

- Don’t accept packages from anybody and WATCH YOUR STUFF. Peruvian prison is not somewhere you want to be and while it’s extremely unlikely that someone could use you as a drug mule, it could potentially happen and you’re not going to want to deal with the fall out. I usually keep my bag wrapped around my ankle, between my legs when I’m on a train or outside eating or something. It’s not a 100% guarantee, but criminals generally target people who aren’t paying attention, so making it hard for them can save you a lot of trouble in the long run.

- Stick to marked cabs with prenegotiated fares; call ahead for service when reasonable. Write the address of your hotel or hostel on a card if your Spanish is poor. Cabbies will generally be able to speak enough English to get you where you’re going. They generally do not make change, so be sure to keep a lot of small bills around.

- Lima is a more dangerous city than Cusco and there is less to see there. Be more careful while you’re in Lima and if you can, don’t spend as much time there. If you planned an extensive stay in Lima, I’d suggest you change your travel plans to include a trip down to Lake Titicaca (Puno area) as there’s much more to see and it’s a nicer way to spend your time.

- Stick to reputable bus companies. If it’s your first time in South America, riding on a Peruvian bus could make a hardened atheist say the rosary. It’s not worth stressing over too much; Peruvians do it every day, you’ll be safe as long as you stick to a reputable company You can save yourself stress by prebooking online with a Machu Picchu tour group and for tickets to Cusco or for any long buses you might want to take in between.

- Don’t drink late at night and find yourself alone. This is stupid pretty much anywhere. Find friends in a hostel if you plan on drinking, and even then, don’t get trashed. Getting trashed is your biggest risk factor on this – or any – trip.

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Bottom line, I really think you’ll be fine in Peru alone if you follow those rules. I only felt unsafe once while I was there (bus line, got sat beside a creepy old guy on an overnight bus – remedy: bought the seat next to me too next time around).

You’re sticking to very touristy places. There will be people there who speak English. There are tourist police who tend to be very helpful as tourism is the main source of economic well-being in Cusco and Machu Picchu and they have little to gain by allowing tourists to suffer or die while on vacation.

Do your homework, be smart and you’ll have the most amazing trip of your life!

Last month a friend of mine come to Peru from Washington DC, by herself and she was 23, she was in Lima, Cusco and Arequipa, she had a wonderful time here, and nothing happened to her, but please be careful, some people can take advantage of you, and taxi rides can be dangerous.

I have some american friends and they can provide some more recommendations if you like, and I would be glad to show around if you want to.

I wish you a great trip!!!

http://www.vivatravelguides.com/south-america/peru/

It’s better to get to know a taxi driver that a hostel recomends than anyone you could run into in the streets. The good news is that Many tourist come to Lima and Cuzco and maybe you’ll be included into their group so you wont be alone after all. Be smart, play safe and I bet you’ll spend a great time.

The safer way to travel is by hiring a tour, otherwise trust the people that work around tourist, like front desk clerks and ask them to recomend trasnsportation, tips etc. There are cases of rape on female tourist who travel alone, specialy in Cuzco and Arequipa. But it involves taking any taxi on the street or wondering alone on empty streets late at night.

https://fco-stage.fco.gov.uk/content/en/travel-advice/fco_trv_ca_peru?ta=safetySecurity&pg=2

During your stay in Lima, go to thew Miraflores district. It’s very safe there.