Healthcare in Peru
No vaccinations are required for Peru. It is recommended that you have vaccinations against DTP, yellow fever and hepatitis A.
Malaria occurs in parts of Peru. Consult your itinerary well in advance with a medical expert to see if you need to take any pills or bring an emergency treatment kit. Bring enough mosquito repellent with a high concentration of DEET and wear body-covering clothing, especially in the rainforest.
There are a lot of street dogs, some even very wild, in Peru. Never take these dogs on. They can be infected with rabies and a scratch or bite can infect you. The same precautions are needed for a cat or bat bite, in case of which, go directly to a doctor.
In Peru, you will undoubtedly be at high altitudes. You may suffer from altitude sickness. Consult our special page on altitude sickness.
The medical facilities are fine in the big cities. You will also find a lot of “farmacias” to buy medicines. In more remote areas, there are a lot fewer medical facilities.
Tap water is dangerous to drink. Always use bottled water to prevent contamination.