Peru is an excellent place to dip your toes into solo travel as a woman. The tourism infrastructure’s there, the locals are friendly and approachable, and the vast majority of solo female travelers report nothing more than a few catcalls and undesired glances on the street. Obviously, you’ll want to practice common sense and listen to your gut instinct, but chances are high that you’re in for a seamless and safe solo Peru adventure. Nevertheless, here are a few additional tips for women traveling alone in Peru.
- Join a Tour
If you’re a little nervous about traveling solo through Peru, consider joining an organized tour. There are day tours in various cities throughout Peru and plenty of fixed departure treks you could hop onto. It’s a great way to travel alone without ever feeling alone, plus you’ll certainly make a few friends along the way who speak your language.
- Prioritize Safety
As a female traveling solo, always err on the side of caution especially when it comes to wandering streets alone late at night or hailing a taxi from the curb. In fact, it’s a safer bet to have your hotel or restaurant call a taxi for you and/or make sure that you only use clearly marked and official taxis. Also, if you can, get the low down from a local on parts of the city to avoid and popular scams to be aware of while you’re visiting.
- Share Your Itinerary With Someone You Trust
Before you embark on your solo Peru adventure, send your itinerary to a few friends and family and update them or social media along the way to let them know that you’re safe and on track. Include the name and contact information for all hotels and tours, and confirmation numbers for flights, trains, and buses. If for no other reason, do it for the chance to quell the nerves of your loved ones at least slightly.
- Act Like You Know Where You Are and What You’re Doing
As you explore everything from the busy sidewalks of Lima to the markets of Cusco and web of Inca-laid footpaths throughout, carry yourself tall and look confident to send a signal that you know exactly what you’re doing and where you are, even if you don’t. A lost and confused tourist is often an easy target for scammers looking for their next target.
- Wear the Appropriate Clothing
Though there aren’t really any clothing faux pas in Peru, it is smart as a solo female traveler to dress conservatively to help minimize unwanted male attention. Also, to decrease the risk of being a target for thieves, leave your expensive jewelry and blatantly expensive clothing at home. In Peru (and in most places when traveling solo as a female), a good rule of thumb is to blend in as much as you can.
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