What actually happens to travelers here.
Cusco sits at 3,400m — AMS affects most visitors in some form. Fly into Lima (sea level) first, acclimatize 2+ days in Cusco before trekking. Coca tea helps; altitude-sickness medication (Diamox) is more reliable.
Required for Madre de Dios, Loreto, and Amazonas. 10+ days before travel.
Bottled water, no ice at budget venues, no raw fruit you didn't peel yourself. Bring ciprofloxacin + loperamide + oral rehydration salts.
The system.
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: ★★★☆☆ Good
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.
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.
Where to actually go.
English-speaking private hospital. International patient services.
Private hospital in Cusco, the gateway to Machu Picchu.
Finding what you need.
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.
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.
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
Useful pharmacy phrases
- Necesito medicina para el dolor de cabeza
- Necesito medicina para el mal de altura
- Necesito un médico
Chains you'll see
- Inkafarma — Red Inkafarma signage (Throughout Peru, the dominant chain)
- Mifarma — Orange Mifarma signage (Throughout Peru)
- Boticas y Salud — Blue and white signage (Throughout Peru)
Common OTC medications by local brand
- paracetamol/acetaminophen → Tylenol or paracetamol generic
Tylenol is widely available; locals often ask for 'paracetamol' or 'acetaminofén'. - ibuprofen → Advil or Motrin
Advil is the dominant retail brand. - loperamide (anti-diarrheal) → Imodium
Available OTC at most pharmacies.
What you can't bring in.
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).
Deep-dive guides for this country's restrictions: Adderall · Codeine · Xanax
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 products require a prescription. Carry alternatives if possible or obtain a local prescription.
Benzodiazepines require documentation. Carry a doctor's letter and only personal-use quantities.
Some stimulants and controlled substances require special import permits. Check with Peruvian consulate before travel.
If something breaks.
Availability: Dental care available and affordable. Lima has quality clinics.
Cost range: $15-40 for consultation; $25-80 for fillings
Lima has good dental clinics. Cusco has basic dental services. Quality varies outside major cities.
What you actually need.
🛡️ Recommended
Average cost: $25-50/week
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.
Filing a claim
Private hospitals may require upfront payment. Keep all receipts (boletas) and medical reports. Clínica Anglo Americana provides English documentation. Public hospitals are free but quality varies.
What it costs out of pocket.
| Service | Cost |
|---|---|
| Doctor visit (private) | $25-60 |
| ER visit | $80-300 |
| Overnight hospital stay | $150-500 |
| Ambulance | $30-150 |
Estimated typical out-of-pocket costs at private or international facilities. Public-system rates can be much lower (or free for residents). Actual costs vary by city, facility, and exchange rate.
When local won't cut it.
Primary destination: São Paulo
Secondary destination: Buenos Aires or Miami
Typical cost band: $30,000-100,000
Common providers: Global Rescue, MedJet, International SOS
Local hospitals handle routine cases; for complex care that exceeds local capacity, regional referral options are well-established. São Paulo (Hospital Albert Einstein, Sírio-Libanês) is the leading South American medical hub. Buenos Aires and Santiago handle southern-cone cases.
What to get done before you fly.
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.
The Bali belly prevention guide.
Tap water: Use 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
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.
In crisis abroad.
English-speaking therapists: Available in Lima. Limited in Cusco and tourist areas.
Mental health services mainly in Spanish. English-speaking therapists in Lima's international clinics.
International crisis support: findahelpline.com — crisis lines in 130+ countries.
Getting around with mobility needs.
Peru's accessibility is very limited. Lima has some accessible infrastructure. Cusco and Machu Picchu are very challenging.
Hospital accessibility: Private hospitals in Lima are accessible.
Accessible transport: Lima Metro Line 1 has some accessibility. Taxis are the main option.
Machu Picchu has limited wheelchair access — the train to Aguas Calientes is accessible but the site itself requires significant climbing. Cusco's altitude (3,400m) and cobblestone streets add challenges. Acclimatize to altitude before exertion.
Entry rules + local status.
Entry requirements: No COVID requirements.
Mask policy: Masks may still be required in healthcare settings.
Testing availability: Available at clinics.
Altitude sickness is the most significant health concern for tourists visiting Cusco and Machu Picchu. Diamox (acetazolamide) is available at pharmacies.
Peru travel health, answered.
What we checked.
- US Department of State — travel advisory for this country
- CDC Travelers' Health
- US Embassy Peru
- Peru Ministry of Health
- WHO International Travel and Health