Moderate riskAmericas · South AmericaPeru Travel Health Guide
Moderate risk
Peru carries a CDC Level 1 travel health notice. Malaria risk exists in areas below 2,500m elevation east of the Andes. Key travel vaccines: COVID-19, Hepatitis A, Hepatitis B.
Compiled by Voyax Health from CDC Travelers' Health: Peru. Editorial sections reviewed by Voyax Health pharmacists ·
Overall risk
Moderate risk
Malaria
Present
Best time to visit
May to September is the dry season in the Andes and the best time for Machu Picchu and the Inca Trail (closed in February). The Amazon is wet year-round with the highest water November to April.
Travel health in Peru
Peru packs three very different health environments into one trip. Cusco and the Sacred Valley sit above 11,000 ft, so altitude sickness is the most common problem visitors face, and acetazolamide started the day before arrival is a standard recommendation. The Amazon lowlands around Iquitos, Puerto Maldonado and Manu carry malaria and yellow fever risk, and yellow fever vaccination is recommended for anyone heading below about 7,500 ft east of the Andes. Lima and the coast have neither. Travelers' diarrhea is common everywhere, and Peru's raw-fish ceviche culture deserves a considered approach rather than a ban.
Recommended vaccines
Routine vaccines
Make sure you are up-to-date on all routine vaccines including chickenpox, DTP, flu, MMR, polio, and shingles.
COVID-19
All eligible travelers should be up to date with their COVID-19 vaccines.
Hepatitis A
Recommended for unvaccinated travelers one year and older. Infants 6-11 months should also be vaccinated.
Hepatitis B
Recommended for unvaccinated travelers under 60. Those 60 and older may also get vaccinated.
Measles
Cases of measles are rising worldwide. All international travelers should be fully vaccinated with MMR vaccine, including early dose for infants 6-11 months.
Typhoid
Recommended for most travelers, especially those staying with friends or relatives or visiting smaller cities or rural areas.
Yellow Fever
Vaccine recommended for travelers to specific areas below 2,300m elevation, especially jungle regions. Not required for entry. Not recommended for Lima, Cusco, Machu Picchu, or high-altitude areas.
Chikungunya
There is elevated chikungunya risk in Peru. Vaccination may be considered for extended stays of 6 months or more.
Rabies
Dogs infected with rabies are sometimes found in Peru. Rabies vaccines may only be available in larger medical facilities. Consider pre-exposure vaccination based on your activities and access to medical care.
Disease risks
Malaria
Malaria risk exists in areas below 2,500m elevation east of the Andes. Take prescription medicine to prevent malaria in high-risk areas. No risk in Lima, Cusco, Machu Picchu, or coastal areas.
Altitude Sickness
Cusco (3,400m), Huaraz (3,050m), Puno/Lake Titicaca (3,820m), Inca Trail; >50% AMS; acclimatize in Sacred Valley (2,500m); coca tea may help symptoms.
Traveler's Diarrhea
Amazon regions (e.g., Loreto, Madre de Dios); low risk in Lima, Cusco (non-Amazon).
Malaria risk
Malaria risk is limited to certain areas. Whether you need antimalarial medication depends on your itinerary — see details.
Malaria risk exists in areas below 2,500m elevation east of the Andes. Take prescription medicine to prevent malaria in high-risk areas. No risk in Lima, Cusco, Machu Picchu, or coastal areas.
Seasonal timing
When health risks peak through the year — plan around them.
Peak
Year-round
Altitude sickness
Cusco (11,150 ft), Puno and Lake Titicaca (12,500 ft). Symptoms in most visitors who fly in directly. Consider landing in the lower Sacred Valley first.
Peak
December to May
Dengue
Northern coast (Piura, Tumbes), Amazon regions and recently Lima's outskirts. Rainy-season peak.
Peak
Year-round
Yellow fever
Amazon lowlands below about 7,500 ft. Vaccination is recommended for jungle itineraries and must be given at least 10 days before.
Water & food safety
Water
Do not drink tap water. Hotels and restaurants in Lima and Cusco use bottled or filtered water and safe ice; use bottled water for brushing teeth outside upmarket hotels. On treks, filter or treat water, or rely on the operator's boiled supply.
Food
Ceviche in a reputable Lima cevichería, made fresh at lunchtime, is a lower risk than it sounds; market stalls in the afternoon heat are not. Cooked Andean staples are safe. Avoid unpasteurized cheeses and salads outside good restaurants.
Medications
Pharmacies (Inkafarma, Mifarma) are widespread in cities and stock most medications; many are sold without prescription. Coca tea and soroche pills are sold everywhere for altitude but are no substitute for acetazolamide. Bring controlled medications in original packaging with prescriptions.
On the ground
Medical facilities
Lima has excellent private clinics (Clínica Anglo Americana, Clínica Ricardo Palma). Cusco has private clinics used to treating altitude illness and oxygen is widely available. The Amazon and remote trekking regions have minimal care; helicopter evacuation from the Inca Trail is not guaranteed.
Travel insurance
Choose a policy that explicitly covers trekking to your maximum altitude and medical evacuation. Standard policies often cap altitude at 10,000 or 15,000 ft.
Emergency numbers
Police
105
Medical / Ambulance
106
Fire
116
Tourist Police
1818
U.S. Embassy
+51-1-618-2000
Peru travel health FAQ
Do I need the yellow fever vaccine for Machu Picchu and Cusco?▼
No. Cusco, Machu Picchu, Lima and the coast are outside the yellow fever zone. The vaccine is recommended if your trip includes the Amazon lowlands (Iquitos, Puerto Maldonado, Tambopata, Manu). Peru does not require the certificate for entry.
What should I take for altitude sickness in Cusco?▼
Acetazolamide 125 mg twice daily starting the day before you arrive is the standard prevention and needs a prescription in the US. Spend your first day slowly, avoid alcohol, and consider sleeping in the Sacred Valley (about 9,500 ft) before Cusco. Coca tea helps mild symptoms but does not prevent altitude illness.
Do I need malaria pills for the Peruvian Amazon?▼
Yes for most Amazon itineraries including Iquitos, Puerto Maldonado and Manu; atovaquone-proguanil, doxycycline or mefloquine are all used. There is no malaria in Lima, Cusco, Machu Picchu, Arequipa or Lake Titicaca.
More country guides
ArgentinaLow riskArgentina carries a CDC Level 1 travel health notice. No malaria risk. Key travel vaccines: COVID-19, Hepatitis A, Hepatitis B.
BoliviaModerate riskBolivia carries a CDC Level 2 travel health notice. Malaria risk exists in areas below 2,500m elevation. Key travel vaccines: COVID-19, Chikungunya, Hepatitis A. Required for entry (applies below 2300m)
BrazilHigh riskBrazil carries a CDC Level 1 travel health notice. Malaria risk exists in certain areas of Brazil. Key travel vaccines: COVID-19, Hepatitis A, Hepatitis B.
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Build my Trip KitSources: CDC Travelers' Health: Peru · WHO International Travel and Health. Last updated 2026-07-31. Health conditions and entry rules change — verify with the CDC, WHO and your destination’s authorities before travel. This page is informational and not a substitute for advice from a travel-medicine provider.