Peru COVID-19 Information
James Bustamante is Native to New York but born to Peruvian parents. He has been traveling throughout Latin America since early 2003 and finally made his home in Peru. James has made his way by eating and traveling through almost every country in Central and South America.
Last Updated on October 27, 2022 by James Bustamante
Update: Peru Covid-19 Information
Update October 27th, 2022: Peru has ended its sanitary emergency status and all covid restrictions have been since lifted.
Update September 30th, 2021: Travelers who wish to enter Peru will be required to have a negative molecular COVID-19 that is not older than 72 hours. If travelers have vaccination papers it is also suggested to bring that along with their regular travel documentation. There is no mandatory quarantine period for travelers entering Peru.
Update January 6th, 2021: The Peruvian Government has imposed a 14-day quarantine period for all incoming international travelers. So far there are no details on how this will be imposed if at all.
Update December 18th: The Peruvian Government has updated their Covid-19 restrictions for the holidays. There will be a ban on “private transportation” on the 24th, 25th, and 31st of December 2020.
This does not affect public transportation such as buses, taxis, or tour/travel-related transportation. All Peru tourism can continue as planned.
Update December 3rd: The touristy district of Miraflores in Lima, Peru has also received the international “Safe Travels Stamp” as did Machu Picchu, Cusco.
Among the reasons for the ward are the district’s biosafety protocols and their adherence to Covid-19 guidelines. Miraflores is a major travel destination for anyone visiting the city of Lima.
Update November 2nd: Machu Picchu once again began receiving tourists this November 2nd after months of being closed to the general public.
In order to manage the reopening of Machu Picchu the Peruvian government has laid out the following restrictions. There will only be an allowance of 675 permits issued/day. This equals around 30% of what is normally permitted.
Groups will also be limited to 8 travelers who will have to keep a distance of 8 feet from one another.
Update October 2nd, 2020: Is Machu Picchu open? Yes. Machu Picchu is open for maintenance and is scheduled to open to the public on October 15th, 2020!
Update October 2nd, 2020: Peru has approved reopening its borders to receive international travelers on October 5th, 2020.
Update September 2nd, 2020: The Peruvian Ministry of travel has stated that a date for international travel to and from Peru has been selected.
On October 1st International travel will resume between Peru and USA, Chile, Spain, Brasil, Mexico, and Argentina.
Update August 13th, 2020: Some locations in Peru will go back into quarantine due to an elevated number of Covid 19- Cases.
These include: Madre de Dios, Pasco, Ayacucho, Abancay, Áncash, Moquegua, Tacna, Cusco, Puno, Cajamarca, Amazonas, la Libertad.
Update July 25th, 2020: Machu Picchu has delayed opening once again. The date for the official opening has been moved to August.
Update July 11th, 2020: Machu Picchu to reopen on July 24th, 2020. Flights arriving in Cusco will be limited to 7 flights/day until further notice. The total number of allowable visitors for each day is set at 645 permits.
Source: Gestion.pe
Update June 14th, 2020: The Machu Picchu board of tourism lays out new guidelines for reopening Machu Picchu. The total number of visitors will be lower to 645 issuable permits/day (Down from 2,500/day).
Machu Picchu guided group tours have been set to a maximum of 8 members. The new guidelines are set to begin on July 1st, 2020.
Update May 23rd, 2020: Peru extends lockdown to June 30th while initiating some commercial activities. Among the activities permitted are delivery services, professional sports, hairdressers, and barbershops.
Machu Picchu is still scheduled to open on July 1st, 2020 with free entrance to children, teenagers, and the elderly of both Peruvian and international nationalities.
Update May 14th, 2020: Machu Picchu has been scheduled to open on July 1st, 2020. The entrance will be waived for children, teenagers, and the elderly for both Peruvian and international travelers from July 1st, 2020 until December 31st, 2020.
This is being done in order to give travelers an initial incentive to visit Peru.
Let’s go over some of the most important recent details on Peru’s Covid-19 information. We’ll also go over some ideas for travelers for later this year or early next year.
Everything surrounding the coronavirus pandemic has really put a damper on all things related to travel, with thousands of tourists having to either cancel or reschedule their Peru tour packages and trips.
Most countries around the world are currently under some kind of quarantine or lockdown while also practicing social distancing measures to ensure that the spread slows downs.
The Peruvian government imposed an initial 15 days of mandatory social isolation as a means to flatten the infection curve and prevent an outbreak from occurring.
This means that most non-essential businesses such as restaurants, museums, malls, and even travel agencies were closed and/or had people working from home.
This also led to closing the borders from all outside interference, in turn leading to a bevy of issues with travelers that were already on their Machu Picchu Tours or Machu Picchu Hike.
This eventually led to extending quarantining in Peru until May 26th, 2020 + some measures, isolation until early June.
This has led people to wonder what would come next, not just related to travel but in the grand scheme of things to come. Machu Picchu is set to reopen in July 2020. However, the exact date is still not set. It will most likely be near mid to late July 2020.
Taking a Trip to Peru right now and going on a Machu Picchu tour is not entirely possible. However, we at Journey Machu Picchu know that the world traveler in you still feels the need to experience what Peru has to offer.
We decided to create this article as a means for you to see Peru without having to leave your home or at least until travel is reinstated later this year.
Experience Peru During Quarantine
We know that all of you had hoped to travel to Peru, but you may have had to postpone your trip or even cancel it outright due to the Coronavirus.
For now, experience Peru through our extensive library of articles explaining a bit about Peruvian Culture as well as some of the incredible places you can visit in Lima and Cusco.
We will also be putting out a series of Youtube Videos where we focus on daily life in Peru, Peruvian food, restaurants (once some restrictions have been lifted), and videos of our destination once everything goes back to normal.
Getting from Lima to Machu Picchu
Learn about the routes that take you from Lima to Machu Picchu. We showcase the capital city of Peru along with a few activities you will enjoy during your visit.
We move along to Cusco, the Sacred Valley, and Machu Picchu in this article and suggest some of the top itineraries that feature these destinations. http://bit.ly/2FDZ8fN
The Peruvian Coca Leaf and its Many Uses
Throughout the years, the Incas continuously studied the local flora and fauna, leading to the discovery of many different uses for each. One of these findings included the myriad of uses for the Peruvian Coca Leaf.
A very popular subject among travelers to Peru is how and why this amazing plant is used. Here we cover the most traditional uses and how it was revered by the locals. https://bit.ly/2xlKRE5
Inca Rail vs Peru Rail
We break down the main two alternatives when traveling to Machu Picchu in our article where we compare Inca Rail and PeruRail as well as give a bit more information on their pros and cons.
However, when thinking about travel to Machu Picchu, PeruRail and Inca Rail are both great ways to get there. http://bit.ly/2tIZX4t
Machu Picchu Weather
A detailed explanation of the weather throughout Cusco and Machu Picchu, what to expect each month, and which seasons are the best for hiking.
Subjects covered include the overall rainfall and temperatures, as well as a few tips on taking on the ever-changing highland weather. https://bit.ly/3elyVTv
Planning a Trip in the Near Future
As we mentioned already in this article, we know that travel might not be on your list of priorities at the moment, which is why it’s the perfect time to think about the future. You can use this time to plan your perfect trip.
Now is actually a great time to check on tour pricing and seasonal availability, maybe even learn the basics of a language to help you communicate once we are all traveling again. We feel it’s a good time to start getting ready, take advantage of these moments and make the most of it.
Most Importantly, Stay Positive!
I left the best and most important one for last. All of us at Journey Machu Picchu know that times like this can get a little rough for everyone, so it’s important we all try to stay positive and follow the rules.
Practice social distancing or stay at home if you can, wash your hand regularly, and make sure to maintain a clean home.
Try to reach out to friends and family while also tending to your loved ones at home. This will all be over soon and you’ll be able to experience Peru firsthand. Please check out the FAQs with Peru Covid-19 information as well. See you soon!
Frequently Asked Questions About Covid-19 in Peru.
Can I travel to Peru right now?
Yes. Peru is currently accepting international flights from the USA as well as Latin America and Europe.
What if I already booked a Trip?
If it falls within the quarantine dates then you can reschedule your trip for later this year or the same date the following year.
How has Peru been affected by COVID-19?
As it is a small country, the government decided to have a complete lockdown in order to ensure that the spread is mitigated. Peru is currently almost over the worst of the pandemic and ended its mandatory lockdown in June.
What should I do if I have COVID-19?
It is very important that you get tested for the virus, once it has been confirmed you should self-isolate for at least two weeks and follow your doctor’s orders.
How can I prevent COVID-19?
Practice social distancing, try to wash your hands regularly, and keep your home clean.
What if I am still in Peru during the Pandemic?
We are working with the various embassies to put help put together charter flights for any ex-pats still in Peru. Please contact your embassy first.
How can I get tested for Covid-19 if I am still in Peru?
You can start by calling the number for the Ministry of Health in Peru. The number is 113.
When will Peru end mandatory quarantine?
Peru ended mandatory quarantine in June 2020.
When will Machu Picchu reopen from Covid-19?
Machu Picchu is currently open and has been open since October 1st, 2020.
When Can I travel to Machu Picchu?
Machu Picchu is currently open to everyone. You can book a trip to Machu Picchu and visit now if you’d like to. There are fewer permits and the groups are smaller but Machu Picchu is open.
How many travelers will be allowed in Machu Picchu after it reopens?
The total number of allowable travelers in Machu Picchu has been lowered to 1045/day (down from 3,500/day).
How large will groups entering Machu Picchu be?
Groups are set to have a maximum of 8 travelers as per the new guidelines of the Machu Picchu tourism board. Journey Machu Picchu always works with small groups so this will not affect our norm.
Is Machu Picchu Open?
Yes. Machu Picchu has been open to visitors since October 15th, 2020!
Does Peru have a 14-day quarantine period for incoming travelers?
Yes. As of January 1st, 2021, the Peruvian government has imposed a mandatory 14-day quarantine period. There are no details on how this will be enforced if at all.
