Emergencies in Peru: What to Do, Who to Call and How to Get Help

Read This First: Stay Calm, Act Fast

Emergencies can happen anywhere. In Peru, fast action and knowing the right contacts will resolve most situations efficiently. Save this guide offline, keep your emergency contacts handy, and brief your travel group on key steps for medical issues, crime, natural hazards and document loss.

1) Medical Emergencies

For life‑threatening situations, call 106 (SAMU) and provide: location, landmark, patient age/sex, main symptoms, and callback number. If faster to go directly, take a licensed taxi or rideshare to the nearest 24‑hour clinic or hospital.

Finding Care Fast

• In Cities: Search “emergencias 24h” or “clínica 24h” in maps. Private clinics often have shorter waits and English‑speaking staff in major hubs (Lima, Cusco, Arequipa). Bring passport and insurance card (physical or digital).
• On Treks/Remote Areas: Activate your guide’s emergency protocol. If you have altitude symptoms that worsen (confusion, breathlessness at rest), descend immediately and seek oxygen/medical evaluation.

Altitude Illness (AMS), HAPE, HACE

• Mild AMS: Headache, nausea, fatigue. Stop ascent, rest, hydrate, consider acetazolamide if prescribed.
• Severe symptoms (HAPE/HACE): Breathless at rest, confusion, ataxia, severe headache. Descend 300–1,000 m ASAP, seek oxygen and emergency care.

See our detailed high‑altitude guide in the links below.

Pharmacies

• How to ask: “¿Hay farmacia 24 horas cerca?” (Is there a 24‑hour pharmacy nearby?)
• Pharmacies (boticas/farmacias) can advise on over‑the‑counter medicines; bring a photo of any prescriptions/labels from home.

2) Crime, Theft & Personal Safety

Peru’s main tourist areas are generally safe, but petty theft can happen. If you experience a crime, prioritize safety, then report promptly to support insurance and document replacement.

What to Do After Theft

1. Get to safety. Move to a well‑lit, populated area; notify hotel/guide.
2. Call Police 105 or visit the nearest comisaría (police station) to file a report (constancia/denuncia).
3. Block cards & phones. Use banking apps, call your bank, and lock devices via iCloud/Google.
4. Contact your embassy for passport replacement and additional advice.

Lost Passport

1. Report to Police: Obtain a written report (keep a photo as backup).
2. Call your Embassy: Request an emergency travel document or replacement passport; ask about any appointment or photo requirements.
3. Airline/Immigration: Carry embassy letter + police report to travel; arrive early for extra checks.

3) Earthquakes, Tsunamis & El Niño Flooding

Peru is seismically active and El Niño cycles can bring heavy coastal rains and landslides (huaicos).

Earthquakes

• Indoors: Drop, Cover, Hold On beneath sturdy furniture; stay away from windows; don’t rush for stairs.
• Outdoors: Move to an open area away from facades, trees and power lines.
• Aftershocks: Expect more tremors; check for gas leaks; use texts/data to communicate.

Tsunami Awareness (Coast)

• If you feel strong shaking on the coast or receive an official alert, move to higher ground immediately and follow posted evacuation routes.
• Stay away from beaches and piers until authorities give an all‑clear.

Heavy Rains, Floods & Landslides

• Check road conditions before long drives; avoid river crossings during storms.
• Obey closures and detours; do not attempt to bypass barriers in narrow valleys.

4) Road Incidents & Transport Disruptions

Traffic Accidents

• Ensure everyone is safe; move to a secure location if possible and call 105 for police and 106 for medical help.
• For rentals, notify the company’s emergency number and follow their insurance protocol.
• Photograph vehicles, plates, driver IDs and damage; collect witness contacts.

Strikes, Protests, Roadblocks

• Avoid demonstration areas; do not attempt to cross roadblocks.
• Contact your operator/airline for rebooking; keep receipts for insurance claims.

5) Wildlife & Adventure Incidents

• Stings/Jellyfish: Rinse with sea water (not fresh), remove tentacles with a card/tweezers; seek care if symptoms escalate.
• Insects: Use repellent; for severe allergic reactions, call 106 and use an epinephrine auto‑injector if prescribed.
• Trekking: Register itineraries with operators; carry a satellite communicator in remote zones; turn back early if weather deteriorates.

6) Communication, Spanish Phrases & Documentation

Documents to Carry (Digital + Physical)

• Passport photo and ID page scan, visa entry stamp photo.
• Travel insurance card/policy, emergency contacts, blood type/conditions list.
• Key prescriptions and generic names.

7) Money, Cards & Replacements

• Store separate backup cards and a small cash reserve.
• Enable card travel notices; keep bank emergency numbers bookmarked.
• For stolen cards/phones, file a police report, block accounts, and document losses for insurance.

8) Embassy & Consular Help

Embassies provide emergency assistance for their citizens: advice, lists of doctors/lawyers, emergency travel documents and contact with family. They cannot pay bills or override local law, but they can expedite many processes.

• After hours: Most embassies list a 24/7 emergency number—keep it saved.
• No embassy? Your country may be covered by an embassy in a neighboring nation. EU citizens can seek help from any EU member state embassy.

9) Filing Reports & Claims (Step by Step)

1. Document the incident: Photos, times, locations, witness contacts.
2. Police report: Visit the nearest station (comisaría) with ID; request a copy of the report or official receipt.
3. Medical records: Ask for discharge summary and prescriptions.
4. Insurance: Notify within the required timeframe; upload receipts and reports.
5. Embassy: For passports and special letters for airlines/immigration.

10) Prevention & Preparedness

Regional Notes

• Lima & Coast: Strong sun and cool water; earthquake signage and tsunami routes are posted along beaches.
• Highlands (Cusco, Puno, Huaraz): Altitude risks; carry layers, hydrate, know nearest clinics and rescue protocols with your guide.
• Amazon (Iquitos, Madre de Dios): Heat, humidity and insects; confirm vaccinations/antimalarials in advance, choose reputable operators, and verify radio/boat safety.

When to Reroute or Postpone

• Official advisories warn of severe weather, landslides, or security incidents on your route.
• Clinically significant altitude symptoms persist despite rest and medication.
• Critical documents are lost and you need time for replacements—coordinate with your embassy and airline.

Useful Contacts & Resources

• Emergency Numbers: Police 105 | SAMU 106 | Fire 116
• Your Embassy: Save the 24/7 emergency line (see directory below).
• Hospitals/Clinics: Search “clínica 24h” in your current city and keep two nearby options pinned.

Preparation and clear steps make the difference. Save this guide, share it with your travel companions, and keep Peru’s emergency numbers at your fingertips throughout your trip.