🏥 Healthcare Overview

System: Mixed public/private (SIS for residents, tourists access private healthcare). Public hospitals are overcrowded; private clinics offer good quality care in Lima and major cities.

Quality: ★★★☆☆ (3/5)

Private healthcare in Lima, Cusco, and Arequipa is good and affordable by Western standards. Rural areas have limited medical facilities — serious cases require evacuation to Lima. Many private doctors speak some English. Pharmacies (Mifarma, Inkfarma) are widely available.

💡 Medical Tourism

Peru is not a major medical tourism destination, but dental tourism and cosmetic surgery in Lima are growing. Costs are significantly lower than the US. Private hospitals in Lima (e.g., Clinica Ricardo Palma, Clinica Anglo Americana) are reliable.

💊 Pharmacy Guide

Access: easy

Hours: Most pharmacies open 8am-10pm; some 24-hour pharmacies in Lima; chains include Mifarma, Inkfarma, and BTL

Prescription rules: A Peruvian prescription is technically required for many medications but enforcement varies. Antibiotics and common drugs are widely available OTC. Carry all medications in original packaging with a doctor's note.

Available Over-the-Counter

  • acetaminophen/paracetamol
  • ibuprofen
  • antacids
  • antibiotics (often OTC)
  • soroche/altitude sickness pills (Soroche-Pill, Diamox/acetazolamide)
  • rehydration salts
  • antihistamines
  • basic first aid

💡 Tips

Many medications available OTC that require prescriptions in the US (antibiotics, pain relievers). Pharmacists can be helpful. Bring a list of medications with generic names. Soroche (altitude sickness) medication is widely available — recommend it for Cusco and high-altitude destinations.

💉 Medications & Restrictions

Carry a doctor's letter listing all medications with generic names. Keep medications in original packaging. For controlled substances, carry the original prescription and a note explaining medical necessity in Spanish if possible. Carry Soroche pills for high-altitude travel (Cusco is 11,300 ft / 3,400m).

Controlled / Restricted Substances

🚫 Watch out for these

  • ⚠️ ADHD stimulant medications (Adderall, Ritalin, Vyvanse) — Stimulants are controlled substances. Bring documentation: original prescription, doctor's letter, and only the amount needed for your stay. You may need a permit from DIGEMID for larger quantities.
  • ⚠️ Codeine-containing medications — Codeine products require a prescription. Carry alternatives if possible or obtain a local prescription.
  • ⚠️ Psychotropic medications (diazepam, alprazolam, etc.) — Benzodiazepines require documentation. Carry a doctor's letter and only personal-use quantities.
  • ⚠️ Primapes (controlled) — Some stimulants and controlled substances require special import permits. Check with Peruvian consulate before travel.

🛡️ Travel Insurance

⚠️ Strongly recommended

Average cost: $25-50/week

💡 Tip

Travel insurance with medical evacuation coverage is essential, especially for trekking (Inca Trail, Salkantay) and remote areas. Hospital costs in private clinics: $200-1,000/day. Medical evacuation from Cusco to Lima can cost $10,000-30,000+. Ensure coverage includes trip interruption and adventure activities.

💉 Vaccinations

Required

  • 🔴 Yellow Fever (required for travel to certain regions: Amazon basin, Manu National Park, and some areas; recommended for other jungle/lowland areas)

Recommended

  • 🟡 Hepatitis A
  • 🟡 Hepatitis B
  • 🟡 Typhoid
  • 🟡 Routine vaccinations (MMR, DTaP)
  • 🟡 COVID-19
  • 🟡 Rabies (for extended jungle stays or animal exposure)

Yellow fever vaccination is required for travel to certain endemic areas and recommended for most jungle and some highland areas. Check current requirements based on your specific itinerary. Altitude sickness (Soroche) is a significant risk — acclimatize slowly.

🚰 Water & Food Safety

caution

Tap water is NOT safe to drink in Peru, including Lima. Use bottled or purified water always. Avoid ice in drinks outside of hotels and reputable restaurants. In high-altitude areas, the risk of waterborne illness is higher.

Food Safety Tips

Be cautious with street food. In restaurants and hotels, food is generally safe. Avoid raw salads or unpeeled fruits from street vendors. Eat cooked foods served hot. In tourist areas of Lima, Cusco, and Arequipa, restaurants maintain good hygiene. Avoid ceviche from informal vendors.

🚨 Emergency Contacts

🆘 Emergency: 117 (police), 106 (fire/ambulance), 105 (civil defense)

📚 Sources & References

Data compiled from official government health sources, WHO, and traveler-reported information.

  • CDC Travelers' Health
  • US Embassy Peru
  • Peru Ministry of Health
  • WHO International Travel and Health

⚠️ This guide is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Always consult a healthcare professional before traveling and verify current entry requirements with official sources.