Canada warns travellers as Lima enters state of emergency
TORONTO — The Canadian government has tightened its guidance for Peru-bound visitors after authorities in the Andean nation declared a 60-day state of emergency in sections of Lima Province and the neighboring port province of Callao. The heightened alert, in effect until July 16, empowers Peru’s military to support police, curb movement and conduct searches without warrants in specific districts of the capital’s sprawling metropolitan area.
Why the emergency was declared
Peruvian officials have not released a single trigger event, but a recent uptick in organized crime, robberies and extortion in greater Lima prompted the measure. Under Peruvian law, a state of emergency allows security forces to act more decisively during security or natural-disaster situations.
Affected districts in Lima and Callao
The emergency order applies only to eight districts in Lima Province and the entirety of Callao:
- Ate
- Carabayllo
- Comas
- Puente Piedra
- San Juan de Lurigancho
- San Martín de Porres
- Villa María del Triunfo
- Villa el Salvador
Travelers visiting marquee neighborhoods familiar to tourists—Miraflores, Barranco, San Isidro or the Historic Center—are currently outside the declared zones. Still, mobility checkpoints can appear with little warning throughout the capital, especially at night and along major arteries that intersect affected districts.
What the restrictions mean day-to-day
Visitors must carry a valid passport or other government-issued identification at all times. Police patrols may stop vehicles or pedestrians for random checks, and authorities have briefly detained travelers unable to produce ID on the spot.
Riding pillion on motorcycles is temporarily banned in the listed districts. If you plan to rent a scooter or hop on a rideshare motorbike to beat Lima’s notorious traffic, opt for four-wheel transportation instead.
Canada’s broader travel advisory for Peru
The federal advisory remains at yellow—or “exercise a high degree of caution”—across most of Peru, yet Ottawa urges citizens to avoid non-essential travel to several interior provinces where narcotics trafficking and occasional guerilla activity persist. Those areas include:
- Huallaga and Tocache (San Martín)
- The upper Huallaga and Ene river valleys (Huánuco, San Martín)
- Padre Abad (Ucayali)
- Huacaybamba, Humalíes, Leoncio Prado and Marañón (Huánuco)
- Concepción and Satipo (Junín)
- Tayacaja (Huancavelica)
- Abancay, Andahuaylas and Chincheros (Apurímac)
- Huanta and La Mar (Ayacucho)
- Portions of the Apurímac, Ene and Mantaro river valleys (the so-called VRAEM corridor)
In addition, travelers should remain at least 20 kilometers from Peru’s land borders with Colombia and Ecuador. The former sees sporadic guerrilla incursions; the latter still has uncleared landmines in the Cordillera del Cóndor.
Traveler takeaways for Lima right now
- Stay put in tourist districts. Miraflores, Barranco and San Isidro continue to operate normally with full tourist services. Book hotels there and minimize nighttime cross-city travel.
- Carry contactless payment methods. Armed robberies targeting cash have risen; cards or mobile wallets lower your visible risk.
- Use authorized taxis or app-based rides. Secure pick-up and drop-off make it easier to avoid checkpoints if you don’t know the city’s geography.
- Monitor local media. Spanish-language outlets RPP Noticias and El Comercio push real-time alerts on new security measures or road closures.
- Register with your embassy. Canadians can log travel plans at travel.gc.ca; U.S. citizens have STEP. Registration speeds assistance during sudden curfews or evacuations.
Visiting Machu Picchu, Cusco or the Sacred Valley
All flights to Peru’s premier heritage sites remain unaffected. The state of emergency does not extend to Cusco Region or in-transit gateways like Lima’s Jorge Chávez International Airport (within Callao but exempt from movement restrictions). Plan sufficient layover time—Lima traffic is legendary—and confirm any flight changes with airlines, as schedules can shift if security forces close roads.
Canada warns travellers as Lima enters state of emergency—other global updates
The Lima notice joins recent Canadian advisories for sections of Mexico and the southern Philippines, plus refreshed guidance for Japan, Panama, Rwanda and Slovenia. Travelers booking multiple stops in South and Central America should cross-reference each country’s restrictions; regional disruptions (strikes, highway blockades) can ripple across borders.
Frequently asked questions
Is it safe to transit through Lima airport during the state of emergency?
Yes. Jorge Chávez International remains operational, and security has been reinforced. Stick to authorized airport taxis or hotel shuttles.
Can I still enjoy a day trip to the historic center?
The UNESCO-listed core is outside the emergency zones. Go during daylight, keep valuables minimal and arrange return transport before dusk.
Will travel insurance cover changes due to the state of emergency?
Most comprehensive policies include trip interruption caused by government travel advisories issued after purchase. Verify with your provider.
Are night buses to Cusco or Arequipa affected?
Long-distance bus routes departing Lima pass through Callao roads subject to checkpoints. Expect delays and carry ID; consider domestic flights if schedules are tight.
Planning ahead: tips for smooth Peruvian travel
- Download offline maps—cell coverage drops in the Andes and Amazon.
- Altitude sickness can strike above 8,000 feet; build buffer days in Cusco.
- Tap water is non-potable; use sealed bottles, even for brushing teeth.
- Book Machu Picchu entrance tickets and train seats weeks in advance; daily quotas sell out.
- Keep small coins and bills for taxis and market purchases—many vendors decline large notes.
For Peru fans, the current security sweep in Lima is unlikely to derail bucket-list itineraries, but situational awareness is crucial. Follow embassy alerts, confine leisure time to non-affected zones and allow extra transit time within the capital. Travelers who do so can still savor ceviche on the Pacific coast one day and gaze at Inca citadels the next.
