Traveling to Peru in Covid times: measures, restrictions and conditions.

First of all, we should recommend this website by the Peruvian government to you. It’s a very easy-to-read and useful website with all the latest measures clearly explained. Below, we give the same information and more; with some practical examples for you as a (RESPONSible) traveler.

Booking your custom Itinerary in Covid Times

During a pandemic, there are even more reasons to book a custom itinerary with one of our travel designers. Since we’ve started operating again, we found that there are still many challenges to organize a long trip through Peru. Many of those cannot be found out in any way through the internet. So, get in touch with our team now and enjoy a personal experience shaping your dream trip to Peru with us. Once you’re ready to book, you can rest assured that due to the pandemic, we have extra flexible booking conditions. You will pay later, and only have to pay upfront for those services that really have to be paid in advance like flights and some entrance tickets.

Booking a tour or excursion in Covid Times

Booking a tour or excursion directly on our platform is also possible. Once you book, we’ll check availability and as soon as spaces are confirmed, you can make your payment. The same flexible Terms and Conditions apply; which means that apart from some exceptions, you can still cancel your booking up to a month before. After that, fees do apply.

Further below you can read more about the measurements in place for tours and excursions in Peru .

For the latest information, please also check the State websites that are more regularly updated:

https://www.peru.travel/en/covid
On this governmental website you’ll find the latest information about measurements all in one place; to take into account before, during and after your trip to Peru.

https://www.peru.travel/en/comunicados
This is where you’ll find the latest announcements by the Peruvian government related to traveling to and in Peru.

https://www.minsa.gob.pe/reunis/data/vacunas-covid19.asp
Here you’ll find the latest statistics about Covid-19 vaccinations by the Peruvian Ministry of Health. The website is only in Spanish and doesn’t seem to translate on Google. Above in the menu, you can switch between “Vacunación” and “Cobertura”. That second Tab (Cobertura) will show you the percentage of the intended population (around 28 million people) that is fully vaccinated: “Cobertura 2D”. Since the third week of October 2021, half of the target population is fully vaccinated.

Traveling to Peru in Covid times

Most citizens are allowed into Peru again without having to go in quarantine. However, to get into Peru there are still a few additional measures to take into consideration. All of the following has to be arranged before you take your flight to Peru.

All travelers entering the country must:

• Complete the electronic health sworn statement (you can change the language on the website) and bring it saved on your phone and/or a printed copy;
• Show (before boarding the plane) a negative PCR test issued up to 72 hours before boarding.

And not (yet) obligatory, but recommended:

• Download the app called “Pre Registro Migraciones” (available on Google Play; it doesn’t work yet for iPhone).
• Make sure you are vaccinated and bring your vaccination certificate.

Note: if you have been in South Africa in the 14 days prior to your arrival to Peru, you will not be admitted into Peru unless you’re a Peruvian resident (you will then have to quarantine).

Traveling within Peru in Covid times

In general; you have to wear a mouth mask at all times in all public spaces of Peru including parks, beaches, etc. A double mouth mask is mandatory in all indoor spaces where many people come together, like shops, malls, restaurants, and so on.

Covid measures when traveling between provinces of Peru

Be it by flight or bus, when you travel between provinces in Peru there might be additional requisites in place. At this moment (October 2021) it has been a while since region-specific measures have disappeared but we can’t guarantee that they might come back if the pandemic situation worsens.

In public transportation throughout Peru, it is currently still obligatory to use a double mouth mask (a paper one on your mouth, and a linen one to cover it on the outside) and a face shield as well. However, in practice, you’ll see that the face shield is not much used anymore. Scientists agree it doesn’t do such a great job anyway, but remember that in case of checks you might get fined if not wearing one.

Update November 2021: The Ministry of Health now accepts KN95 mouth masks as a replacement for the double mouth masks; making it legal to travel more comfortably wearing only one mouth mask (KN95) inside public transportation and closed public spaces.

Update (end) November 2021: The Ministry of Health has declared that to get into buses, restaurants, shopping malls and some other enclosed spaces, a proof of vaccination will be obligatory. Proof of a recent Covid recovery or a negative test result will not be accepted anymore. Despite this, there are no signs that the mouth mask obligation might be lifted.

On all public transportation in Peru, you will also need to sign a sworn statement (“Declaración Jurada”) about your health.

Night buses vs. curfews in Peru

Many buses in Peru travel at night time. There are still curfews in place in some parts of Peru so you might wonder if you can actually take a night bus then?

First of all, the curfew times are quite short: currently only between 2 and 4 am. These times may vary per region but most night buses will leave before, and arrive after the curfew.

Secondly, in case your bus leaves after, or arrives before the curfew period, your bus ticket can be shown at police checkpoints and is accepted as a valid reason to be on the road.

Covid measures in short distance transportation in Peru

When you’re traveling in a taxi or a minibus, wearing one mask is mandatory. A second mask or face shield is suggested, but more and more people don’t use them anymore. We would recommend using a good mouth mask and, of course, being vaccinated at least two weeks before your trip to Peru.

In the trains to and from Machu Picchu the checks are more rigid so people have to wear a double mask and face shield at all times (unless the mouth mask is a KN95 model).

Participate in tours and excursions in Covid times

When you’re traveling in Peru you will participate in tours and excursions that might involve transportation, interaction with guides, visits to attractions and restaurants and overnight stays in hotels, homestays or other accommodations. To help you prepare for your trip here are the current measurements you need to take into account:

Covid measurements in tourism transportation

Just like in other public transportation modes, in tourist transportation one should wear at least one mask at all times. There might be checkpoints where the authorities check on the correct implementation of these rules so please make sure you follow them. Some guides or tour companies will ask you to wear a double mask (or one KN95 model) so please be prepared for that by always having enough paper and linen masks at hand.

Covid measurements in Community-Based Tourism in Peru

Just like everyone, our homestay families have had to adapt to the prevailing rules to ensure a safe interaction with their visitors. Most communities have received great assistance from NGOs and state organizations and honestly; they have their places well organized! You will see disinfectation units at the entrance, and mouth masks will be worn whenever you’re sharing an interior space.

Please remember that many local communities were very, very wary towards foreigners during the start of the pandemic. Some of the fellow villagers might still be afraid of foreigners, thinking that “they might infect me with that foreign virus”. Please be very respectful and understanding to other villagers if they show any sign of doubt.

Covid measurements in the interaction with guides and drivers

When on a guided tour, you will be sharing transportation with your guide and driver. Please do take care of wearing your mouth mask at all times when inside: both for everybody’s health as well as for the driver’s sake: he might get fined if you don’t wear your masks in his vehicle (and that will cost him more than what he earns with your service…)

During heavier pandemic times, passengers had to sit in the rear seats to be further away from the driver. Even though these rules don’t exist anymore, some drivers might still ask this from you. Again, be considerate and coordinate with your driver if you wish to sit in the front row.

Inside some enclosed spaces like archaeological sites, the same goes for your guide, who might be held responsible for your complying with the rules. Please always coordinate with your guide before you take off your mask even in outdoor spaces; thank you.

Since the interaction with your guides and drivers is quite close, and sometimes for long periods of time, it is advised to be vaccinated or recently recovered from COVID-19. Our team of guides and drivers (and their families) would appreciate that very much!

Covid measurements in tourist attractions

In most tourist attractions your temperature will be measured upon entering and you will be asked to sanitize your hands. In all public spaces, inside or outside, masks need to be worn. In inside attractions (like museums) additional requirements might be in place (like double masks or face shields).

At some events, a health certificate or proof of vaccination might be asked, but currently this is only in place in sports events.

Machu Picchu has established many new rules which we will address separately in another blog article. In general, there are set routes and time slots that you have to respect carefully.

Covid measurements in restaurants

Most restaurants in Peru are open on 50% to 60% of their (indoor) capacity. Upon entrance, your body temperature will be measured (if you have a fever, you might not be admitted) and some will ask you to wash your hands.

You will have to wear a mouth mask when entering the restaurant and moving around, like for example to the toilet or when you pay at the cashier. Some restaurants will ask you not to remove the mask before making your order, some are not as strict. By the time of leaving the table it is expected that you are wearing the mask again.

Allowing a safe distance between tables has reduced the capacity of the restaurants. Therefore, some have opted for taking the “streets” given the fact that municipalities are allowing it.

Update (end) November 2021:
The Ministry of Health has declared that to get into buses, restaurants, shopping malls and some other enclosed spaces, a proof of vaccination will be obligatory. Proof of a recent Covid recovery or a negative test result will not be accepted anymore. Despite this, there are no signs that the mouth mask obligation might be lifted.

Covid measurements in accommodations

Of course, the use of a mouth mask is mandatory whenever you’re not in your room. Upon check-in, some hotels might disinfect your luggage (spraying alcohol) and some might request you to avoid housekeeping during your stay.

The importance of a good travel insurance

Currently, some travel insurances do not cover Covid-related medical costs. This depends on the country where you take your insurance so we can’t go in too much detail. Most medical insurances will cover your Covid-related costs, albeit with restrictions.

We highly recommend the use of good insurances when you travel to Peru; especially now with the pandemic. However, it is not a requisite to enter Peru.

From a few countries, we hear that some travel insurance companies are starting to cover Covid-related costs. We would certainly recommend you doing a bit of research in your country whether it might be worth changing from insurance company.

Note: if you are also traveling to Bolivia, a health insurance covering Covid-19 related costs is mandatory.