Travel Destinations page 12
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Looking at travel news it is stated that travel in Peru by American citizens is Extremely Dangerous---due to the Shining Path Terrorist Group,I plan on traveling to large destinations by fear for my safety,and I reading into the Goverment warnings more than I need too?
Shinning Path is a non issue, unless you're planning on going to the Huallaga region (jungle) were they have linked up with drug producers. Lima, Cuzco, Arequipa, basically all of the coast, most of the mountains (maybe less so Huancavelica and Ayacucho) are safe. Having said that, if you take a bus from Lima to Arequipa or Cuzco, make sure you take a good bus (Ormeño or Cruz del Sur). Other buses tend to stop to pick up passengers on the way (a practice were the driver keeps the money from the passenger and does not declare it to the company). Those passengers that are picked up on the way, sometimes, are thieves that hold up the bus and steal everything. Stick to inter-provincial bus lines like Ormeño and Cruz del Sur, stay away from the Huallaga region and you should have absolutely no problem.
At this moment there is no considerable danger for an American tourist to visit Peru, only the usual crime exposure that you could find in many Central or South American Countries. What you have to keep in mind is that wherever there's some kind of poberty it is not unusual to find pickpocketers or any other kind of crooks that try to steal from tourists. To have a great and pleasant trip take in mind these recomendations: Always hire a transportation at the Hotel's (or airport's ) front desk, anyone can stick a TAXI sign to the window and become a taxi driver. Even we locals (and our family) are carefull when taking a CAB. Always ask for advice on the places your going to go by the people you can trust. When in places that are crouded like public markets, is best not to have cameras, video cameras or valuables at hand for robbers. Keep them inside your back pack and place it on your chest or just don't take them to those places. If you travel from one city to another by bus, there are many fine companies with a great service and safety policies. Never take the cheaper ones that pick up travelers in the middle of the road that turn out to be robbers. Right now The Shining Path is more a criminal movement than political and have no influence in any touristic destination, they are only found deep in the jungle were Coca leafs are transformed into Cocaine.
I concur with the foregoing, but don't take a bus to Cusco--way too far and through the mountains. Airfare in Peru is relatively inexpensive, so fly instead. The biggest consistent danger in Peruvian transportation is buses plunging off mountain roads. But travel up and down the Panamerican Highway--e.g. Lima--Arequipa--is fine. Don't worry about the Shining Path--they're in jungle areas you are not likely to visit and VERY difficult to get to, even if you wanted to, and you would probably be warned by cocaleros or narcotrafficantes to leave long before you encountered any terrorists. Have a great time. Peru is really a wonderful country. In addition to the three places you cite, try the north: Trujillo and Chiclayo are really, really neat cities with lots of stuff to do.
shining path is not a big thing.....sure there are dangers, but you can travel without too much worries. take the airplane from lima to cuzco (it is very far and the airplane ticket purchased in your home country is cheap)....and from there....you can be with hordes of tourist to get to machu pichu. i would reccommend taking a taxi (shared with 3 or 4 people) to olyantambo (spelling) and go from there by train to machu pichu and again.....hordes of tourists. for comfort mostly...take the ormeño bus...... but, also some peace and quiet on this very nice bus. locals will say to take it for your safety too. from there i went to lake titicaca and it was safe. when i was there, some unrest east of there on the bolivian boarder, but we saw nothing of that, and it had nothing to do with the "sendero luminoso" or "shining path". from there we went to arequipa. all during the day and no worries. from there you can take a plane back to lima or bus it to pisco where the islas ballestras are. i was told that the town north of pisco where the people of african ancestory is dangerous.....i did not see it...but i was only there for 4 or 5 hours while i was waiting for my next ormeno bus. so very many people taxi's are wanting to take you on a tour.....safe and informative, but more expensive..... be careful of lima....petty thevery or more (mugging) if you flash money or a camera.....otherwise.....it is a nice large city to visit. people will come up to you and talk, will want to meet you.....i never had a problem, but know that often they want your help. things are expensive down there (computers, and other technology). i was aksed more than once to help them get soemthing from the states....harmless but still.... the peole down there really want to get ahead..... all in all, no danger above and beyond what you normally would expect from a third world country with hordes of tourists. i don't know about the jungle areas in the north northeast
The buses for tourists are safe. The ones that go in ruta aren-t. DOn-t worry you-ll be fine.
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