When traveling, the body may be exposed to changes in climate, altitude, diet, and daily habits that can affect its defenses and immune system; therefore, it is important to be protected against any eventuality.
For that reason, we would like to share some health and safety recommendations for your trip to Peru.
It is recommended that all travelers have adequate personal insurance. Make sure it covers any incident during your trip through Peru.
Many private clinics in Peru’s main cities accept international insurance, which makes it easier for travelers to receive medical care. In many cases, hospitals and clinics require cash payment; keep your receipts so you can later request reimbursement. If you plan to practice adventure sports such as rafting, motocross, paragliding, among others, ask whether your insurance covers those activities. Agencies operating in Peru will review the validity and coverage of your insurance policy. It is possible that you may be rejected if your policy does not meet the necessary criteria and requirements. CuscoPeru.com recommends consulting your doctor before taking any tour or vacation.
Altitude sickness
Altitude sickness, or soroche, is caused by lower atmospheric pressure at high altitudes. As a result, the amount of oxygen carried in the blood is lower and, at the same time, the organs of the body receive less oxygen than usual; however, the symptoms of altitude sickness are natural and are usually temporary in many cases.
The main recommendations to counter altitude sickness are:
Take it easy on the first day: avoid overexerting your body or doing activities that require a lot of physical effort.
Acclimatization: dedicate one or two days for your body to adapt to the altitude.
Drink water: water will help you acclimatize better.
Coca leaf: this plant is a natural remedy used to relieve the symptoms of altitude sickness.
Medications: pills such as Sorojchi Pills or oxygen canisters such as Oxishot help you cope better with altitude sickness.
Coca tea helps counter the symptoms of altitude sickness.
Endemic diseases
There are no mandatory vaccines; however, many should be administered in advance.
Vaccines
Peru has good sanitary conditions; however, it is advisable to be cautious about certain diseases in some areas. Although there are no mandatory vaccines required to enter Peru, some are recommended to avoid inconvenience:
COVID-19: due to the recent pandemic, it is advisable to have the recommended number of doses of this vaccine; however, it is not a required entry condition for the country.
Chickenpox: if you have never had chickenpox, it is advisable to get vaccinated before traveling to any part of Peru.
Hepatitis A: it is advisable to be protected against this disease if you are planning to travel; it is not mandatory, but it is preventive.
Hepatitis B: if you plan to stay for an extended period in places such as Amazonas, Loreto, San Martín, Ucayali, Junín, and Madre de Dios, it is advisable to have this vaccine.
Yellow fever: if you plan to visit Peru’s jungle regions such as Amazonas, Loreto, San Martín, Ucayali, Junín, and Madre de Dios, this vaccine is recommended and should be administered at least 10 days before your trip in order to be effective.
Be careful with:
Food: you should be very careful about where you eat. Check whether the place meets proper hygiene standards; if not, it is better to avoid it and consume packaged products instead. If you are in the process of acclimatizing to the altitude, CuscoPeru.com recommends avoiding heavy meals, since digestion is usually slower at high altitude.
Water: it is not advisable to drink tap water directly. To prevent health complications, especially stomach infections and other related issues, it is recommended to buy bottled water, which is safer and available almost everywhere.
Rivers and lakes: avoid washing yourself or swimming in waters that may be contaminated, as they may be sources of infection affecting the eyes, ears, and intestines.
Beaches and swimming pools: at CuscoPeru.com, we recommend that travelers learn about the place they plan to visit, whether swimming is allowed there, or whether it may pose a health risk. If you have any doubts about the place you plan to enter, check the DIGESA website.
Sun: due to its proximity to the equator and its altitude, some destinations in Peru have very high radiation levels. It is advisable to avoid exposing your skin for long periods of time. CuscoPeru.com recommends using sunscreen; likewise, it is advisable to make sure it is suitable for the area, since the higher the altitude, the stronger the solar radiation.
