Protect Your Health While Traveling in Peru

Today we’re focusing on the small things every traveler can do to avoid potentially trip-ruining problems brought on by food & drink, insects, sun exposure and altitude sickness. With a few easy steps, you can live the adventure of your trip to Peru to the fullest!

Food & Drink

There are a lot of names for intestinal distress on the road: Montezuma’s Revenge, Delhi Belly, etc. It’s a common ailment that can make you lose days of your trip. Generally, it’s due to contaminated food or germs which a foreigner’s immune system is less accustomed to. Eating and drinking is a large part of a successful trip, however, allowing you to experience local culture more fully.

To protect yourself, avoid tap water unless it’s been thoroughly boiled or treated with water purification pills or a small amount of bleach. Limiting yourself to bottled water is an easy way to safeguard your health, and at less than the equivalent of US$0.50 in stores or on the street (or as much US$1.50, in a tourist trap), it’s cheap too. In a restaurant or café that doesn’t offer bottled water, opt for tea or an herbal infusion, as that water has been boiled. Finally, avoid ice, which generally hasn’t been boiled or treated.

Unless you’re sticking to higher-end or tourist-class restaurants, you might find bathrooms intended for diners are not properly stocked with soap. Just in case, stock up on hand purifying gel- it will come in handy during hikes and other excursions as well.

Food sold on the street isn’t necessarily bad, but avoid those which are fried (they attract more bacteria as they cool) and those with raw elements, such as the vegetables which are included as hamburger toppings. It might seem counter-intuitive, but vegetables and fruits are one of the riskiest foods for travelers because they haven’t been cooked. Reputable restaurants will wash their vegetables in treated water, and you can do the same with fruit you buy (or buy fruit that will be peeled, like bananas), so there’s no need to cut them out completely. Be aware of your surroundings, however, and if you’re eating at a restaurant that doesn’t inspire confidence, or a food stall, leave the salad.

Finally, try to eat foods which are guaranteed to be fresh in your location. Lima is a great place to enjoy seafood as it’s a coastal city. If you visit Cusco up in the Andes, you’ll want to limit yourself to river fish which are caught locally, such as trout.

 

Mosquitos & Vaccines

While enjoying the high-altitude jungle of the Inca Trail to Machu Picchu, or exploring Manu or Tambopata National Reserve in the Amazon, you’ll find that the lush flora harbors a downside: mosquitos. In rare cases, these can carry dengue, malaria, and yellow fever; in most cases they’re a general annoyance. Carry a good insect repellent and apply liberally throughout your trip. If you can, cover your limbs with long sleeves and pants in a lightweight and light-colored material. (Dark colors attract mosquitoes more.) Hostels and lodges in affected areas generally provide mosquito nets for the night.

If you plan on visiting the Amazon rain forest during your trip to Peru, then you’ll want to receive a yellow fever vaccination in advance. Local authorities will occasionally ask you to present your vaccination card as well, although it isn’t a regulation that is continually enforced.

 

Sun Exposure

Even when the weather is cold, the high-altitude Andean peaks and altiplano receive strong sun. Even during the rainy season, which is plagued by short, frequent rains, there will be periods of strong sunshine. You’ll also face this along Peru’s desert coast and when traveling along rivers uncovered by canopy in the Amazon. We’re close to the equator, so basically, sunburn can be a problem in every city of interest to travelers: Lima, Cusco, Puno, Nazca, Arequipa, Machu Picchu, Puerto Maldonado….

UV rays are strongest between 10am and 4pm, but a traveler generally doesn’t have the option of avoiding sun exposure during these hours. You want to make the most of the time you have, but you can still protect yourself during these hours with a quality, high-protection sunscreen. (If you will be using insect repellent as well, apply the sunscreen first and the repellent afterwards.) Sunglasses with a 99-100% protection index for UVA and UVB rays significantly reduce ocular damage due to solar radiation over time, so they’re worth the extra money. A hat with a brim is the final step, offering protection for your eyes, ears, face and neck. You’ll want to stay hydrated as well, to avoid heat sickness that can be brought on from prolonged exposure.

 

Altitude Sickness

Especially in Cusco and Puno, altitude sickness can be a big problem. There’s plenty you can do, though, which we’ve covered in a separate, in-depth post on how to prevent and deal with altitude sickness. The fundamental thing you can do, however, is take it as easy as possible on your first day, drinking plenty of (non-alcoholic) liquid before and after the ascent in altitude.