Despite a car bombing in the Miraflores district of Lima on May 24 that killed four, the Shining Path guerrilla movement is not the threat it once was. But tourists in Peru should keep their eyes open and their hands on their wallets.
Street crime is common in parts of Lima and other Peruvian cities, mostly pickpocketings and purse snatchings. At times, knife-wielding thieves slash open backpacks or cut shoulder straps, making off with the contents. Though most attacks occur at night, daylight thievery is common.
One dodge is this: A man approaches a lone traveler on the street and asks the time. When the tourist raises his arm to check, the thief grabs the watch, wrenches it off and dashes away. In other instances, the request for the time is only a distraction. Once the tourist stops, a second thief picks his pocket.
In another scam common across South America, one thief sprays the tourist with shaving cream, mustard or even paint. Another offers to help the tourist clean up, and while the grateful traveler is looking the other way, a third thief lifts his wallet or makes off with his suitcase.
The best strategy is to avoid walking alone, especially in downtown Lima and around Cuzco. In most cases it’s wise to avoid walking in downtown Lima altogether, especially after dark. Take a taxi.
Don’t keep your money in one place, don’t flash a roll of bills, and leave your wallet in the hotel safe-deposit box. Make a photocopy of your passport; it makes replacing it much easier. And be careful in street markets. They’re riddled with thieves who find it easy to disappear into the crowd–with your money.