Peru

Have a safe trip with travel vaccines and advice from medical professionals.

Travel health and safety for Peru 🇵🇪

Peru is known for its rich history and ancient civilizations. The Inca Empire, with its most famous site Machu Picchu, is one of the most iconic archaeological sites in the world.

Peru has a diverse geography, including the Andes Mountains, the Amazon Rainforest, and the Pacific coastline. It is one of the world’s most biodiverse countries. The country is famous for its gastronomy. Peruvian cuisine is a fusion of indigenous ingredients and flavors with influences from Spanish, African, Asian, and other immigrant cultures. Lake Titicaca, located on the border of Peru and Bolivia, is the highest navigable lake in the world. It is known for its scenic beauty and indigenous communities but it is important to be aware of Altitiude Sickness.

Peru is home to numerous archaeological sites apart from Machu Picchu, such as the Nazca Lines, the ancient city of Cusco, and the ruins of Chan Chan. The Amazon Rainforest covers a significant portion of Peru’s territory, offering opportunities for eco-tourism, wildlife spotting, and exploration of indigenous cultures.

Travel Immunizations for Peru

What vaccines do I need for Peru? Get all the information and vaccinations you need to minimize travel health risks.

Hepatitis A

Hepatitis A virus can cause liver disease, and in rare cases, liver failure and death.

Can be spread by fecal-oral transmission, consuming contaminated food or water, or close, personal contact with an infected person.
Symptoms may range from mild to severe, including fatigue, jaundice, abdominal discomfort, vomiting, and joint pain.

Typhoid

Typhoid is a bacterial infection contracted through contaminated food or water

Symptoms include high fever, abdominal pain, and gastrointestinal issues.

Typhoid can lead to severe complications if not treated promptly.

Yellow Fever

Yellow Fever is a viral disease transmitted by mosquitoes in certain regions of Africa and South America.

Mild cases: Fever, headache, muscle and joint aches, fatigue, loss of appetite, nausea, and vomiting
Severe cases: High fever, jaundice (yellowing of the skin and eyes), bleeding, organ failure, and, in some cases, death.

We have made every effort to ensure the accuracy and reliability of the provided information, however, it is not feasible for us to update daily. Please book a virtual consultation with one of our Travel Medicine Professionals for current, personalized advice and answers to any questions you may have.

Health Canada strongly advises travelers ensure their routine vaccinations are up to date, including:

Chickenpox (Varicella)

Guards against the varicella-zoster virus, responsible for chickenpox.

Diphtheria-Tetanus-Pertussis (DTaP)

Protects against three different bacterial infections.

Flu (Influenza)

Vaccination against seasonal influenza strains is essential.

Measles-Mumps-Rubella (MMR)

Provides immunity against all three diseases in one shot.

Polio

Essential for guarding against the poliovirus.

Shingles

Offers protection against a viral infection that causes painful rashes.

COVID-19

The ongoing pandemic necessitates adherence to vaccination guidelines and preventive measures.

Peru Concerns / Health Canada Recommendations

Traveler's Diarrhea

Most common illness for travelers, from consuming contaminated food & water

Affects up to 70% of travelers and risks minimized with good hygiene and safe food/drink choices (eg. avoid raw foods, ice in drinks).
Symptoms may include diarrhea, vomiting, nausea, fever, bloating.

Malaria

Malaria is a serious and occasionally fatal disease that is spread by the bite of an infected mosquito.

Symptoms may include fever, chills, headache, similar to the flu. Without treatment, malaria can cause severe illness and death.
Malaria can be treated with anti-malarial medications.
Use insect repellents containing DEET, wear long sleeves, long pants, and consider staying in accommodations with screens or bed nets.

Altitude Sickness

Peru has high-altitude regions, including Cusco, and areas around Lake Titicaca.

Common symptoms include headache, nausea, vomiting, fatigue, dizziness, and shortness of breath
Take necessary precautions, such as acclimatizing slowly, medication for altitude sickness, and staying hydrated.
Consider medication such as acetazolamide as recommended by your Rockdoc Travel Medicine Professional.

Hygiene & Sanitation

Practice good hygiene by washing your hands regularly with soap and water, or using hand sanitizers when soap or hashwashing facilities are not available.

Sun Prevention

Peru can have intense sunlight, especially in high-altitude areas. Protect yourself from sunburn by wearing a wide-brimmed hat, sunglasses, and using sunscreen with a high SPF.

Over the Counter Medications for Travel to Peru

Pain Relief

Medications such as acetaminophen (e.g., Tylenol) or ibuprofen (e.g., Advil) can be helpful for managing headaches, muscle pain, or fever.

Anti-Diarrheal Medications

It’s advisable to carry over-the-counter anti-diarrheal medications like loperamide (e.g., Imodium) to treat mild cases of traveler’s diarrhea. However, it’s important to stay hydrated and seek medical attention if diarrhea persists or worsens.

Antacids

Antacids like Tums or Pepto-Bismol can provide relief from indigestion or heartburn, which can sometimes occur when trying new foods or experiencing changes in diet during travel.

Allergy Medications

If you have known allergies, carrying antihistamines like cetirizine(e.g., Reactine) or diphenhydramine (e.g., Benadryl) can help manage allergic reactions to environmental allergens or insect bites.

Motion Sickness Medications

If you are prone to motion sickness, consider carrying medication like dimenhydrinate (e.g., Gravol) to alleviate symptoms during long journeys or when traveling by car, train, or boat.

Medical Services and Facilities in Peru

Hospitals: Peru has public and private hospitals located in major cities and towns.
Clinics and Medical Centers: There are numerous private clinics and medical centers throughout Peru. These facilities provide outpatient services for non-emergency medical issues, such as consultations, vaccinations, and minor procedures.
Pharmacies: Pharmacies, known as “farmacias” in Peru, can be found in most cities and towns. They provide over-the-counter medications and can offer advice for minor health issues.

Medical Tourism in Peru

Peru has become a popular destination for medical tourism, especially for cosmetic and dental procedures. There are specialized clinics and hospitals that cater to international patients, offering a range of medical and surgical services at competitive prices. Research facilities properly.

Consular Assistance in Peru

Lima - Embassy of Canada

Street Address: Calle Bolognesi 228, Miraflores, Lima 15074, Peru

Telephone: 51 (1) 319-3200

Email: [email protected]

Website: https://www.Canada.ca/Canada-And-Peru

In case of emergency, dial:

Police: 105
Medical assistance: 116
Firefighters: 116

Tourist police can be reached via Whatsapp number: +51 980 122 335

What Our Customers Are Saying

"Rockdoc was a lifesaver when I was going to Africa. We had in-depth discussions of my trip’s itinerary and the appropriate medications based on what I would be doing. The travel nurse was very thorough and friendly. Highly recommend as everything was quick and perfect!"

N. Parniak

"I used Rockdoc’s Virtual Travel Clinic before traveling to Thailand. They reviewed my medical history and vaccines, even indicating that my typhoid shots were out of date. We discussed whether I needed boosters and the necessity of other potential shots. They also prescribed an antibiotic for traveler's diarrhea just in case (which I did use!!).I found them to be very thorough, quick, and reasonably priced. Would definitely use this service again!"

Nancy C.

"Very convenient travel consultation service. Good availability, the main reason I chose them. Kind and caring medical professionals. Thorough information collected and provided. Very satisfied and would highly recommend them."

A. H.

"I was recommended to Rockdoc by a coworker because of the destination I was going to and I’m glad they did: their services are great! I was well taken care of by a kind health professional who did their homework and meticulously understood the requirements of the place I was heading to."

Gustavo S.

"Rockdoc’s Virtual Travel Clinic is the way to go! I had a trip for Africa and needed medical advice on how to prepare. They provided all the information based on my plans, including needed prescriptions and what vaccinations to have."

R. Hall

"Since family doctors do not offer travel meds consultation, I was happy to learn from a family friend about Rockdoc's service. They were quick and I was glad they provided all the information needed for my trip including prescriptions."

Lee

"I have nothing but good things to say about Rockdoc’s Virtual Travel Clinic. I was going to travel to Africa and needed advice on what vaccinations to get. They were well-informed on travel to exotic places and provided all the facts for the shots I’d need."

L. Clark

"We were recommended by a friend since GP's don't do travel consults. The Virtual Travel Clinic was convenient and it was great that we could talk to a Rockdoc travel nurse."

Steve

"It was very easy to book a consultation and service was straightforward. I was very satisfied and would easily recommend them to everyone."

Nass

Brought to you by a team of trusted healthcare professionals

We know how hard it can be for Canadians to get the healthcare they need, when they need it. That’s why Rockdoc is on a mission to help Canadians navigate healthcare. We have decades of experience providing emergent, urgent, and continuing healthcare services and solutions – meeting and exceeding the standard of care for our patients and our communities.

Dr. Sam Gutman

CEO and Chief Medical Officer
MD CCFP, FCFP, EM-SEM

Dr. Shaan Pawa

Associate Medical Director
MD CCFP-EM CTH®

Kristyna Sorensen

Medical Operations Manager
RN, BSN