Peru - Should I be nervous after reading this?

[phillyrunner]

My husband and I are leaving for Peru on March 1st and we are spending the majority of our trip in the Cusco reason.

I'm leaning towards not worrying too much and as long as we are very aware of our surroundings we should be okay. I would love to hear thoughts from those of you who travel frequently.

From the U.S. Embassy website:

The U.S. Embassy warns U.S. citizens of a potential kidnapping threat in the Cusco area.  The Embassy has received information that members of a criminal organization may be planning to kidnap U.S. citizen tourists in the Cusco and Machu Picchu area.  Possible targets and methods are not known and the threat is credible at least through the end of February 2013. For the moment, personal travel by U.S. Embassy personnel to the Cusco region, including Machu Picchu, has been prohibited and official travel is severely restricted as a result of this threat.

Review your personal security plans; remain aware of your surroundings, including local events; and monitor local news stations for updates.  Maintain a high level of vigilance and take appropriate steps to enhance your personal security and follow instructions of local authorities.

[sunshinedaydreams]

I might be nervous, but would probably still go on the trip. I mean, the way I look at it is that kidnapping can always be a risk regardless of whether the US Embassy has announced it or not. I need to be aware as a traveler all the time, and if I stayed home every time kidnapping was a possibility, I'd never go anywhere. That's my view on it, but you'll have to decide for yourself whether it's a risk you'd like to take.

When we were in Cusco last fall, we were advised not to walk by ourselves after dark and to take taxis as many places as possible. We ended up out by ourselves after dark a few times (after dinner, etc.) and didn't feel too unsafe. There were police all over the Plaza de Armas and surrounding areas all hours of the day and night then, and I would assume the same now, especially if there is a kidnapping risk. I would try to be sure you stay around the well-lit, touristy areas like the Plaza de Armas (I know that sounds counter intuitive if they're trying to kidnap tourists, but those are the busiest, most well-lit, patrolled places) and not wander off into other neighborhoods on foot. Take taxis when in doubt. They're super cheap.

At Machu Picchu I would be very cautious because it is REALLY busy and overrun with people. Stay close with your tour group and don't wander off anywhere. Be aware in large crowds of where your guide and other group members are at all times, etc.

[Deleted]

Is this a new warning? I would try to find out more information on what specifically is the reported threat.

I would still go on the trip, but as you said be cautious and aware. I would probably be less likely to explore on our own, and stick to the main, well-populated areas.

[phillyrunner]

It is a new warning as of 2 days ago. I actually saw it when looking at twitter this morning and travel and leisure had a link to it. I initially freaked out, decided I wanted to cancel the trip and then my husband talked me out of it. Now I'm not sure what to do!

We would lose money from the flights, since everything else is able to be cancelled at this point (none of the hotel stuff is prepaid and we were going to pay for all of the tours when we get there). I actually bought travel insurance when booking this flight (not sure why because I never do), but it doesn't appear that it would cover the cost of canceling the flight because of a warning. I could submit a claim and try though.

I think I'm going to sleep on it, think some more tomorrow, and make a decision Monday.

(None of our family and friends are really big travelers so I'm sure they would all say cancel.)

[emilyinchile]

Hmm, I am wondering where this comes from. I would definitely try to find out more if possible before making a decision. I know there was a very scary and unfortunate story recently about three US citizens who were attacked and held in Peru (not specifically Cusco), and I kind of wonder if this is related. If so, I would probably be less likely to worry since I think that sounded like more of an isolated incident which wouldn't affect "regular" tourists who aren't going off-roading in private vehicles, so I would think that sticking to the tourist trail in Cusco would be fine.

@mx, I did not know you'd been kidnapped! Are you willing to share that story? That is scary shit.

[phillyrunner]

Thank you all for your advice. My husband and I decided to cancel and we are going to Portugal instead. I spent a majority of the morning on the phone making all of the changes. As much as I really really wanted to go I didn't want to spend the trip worrying. Peru will always be there!

[Deleted]

I absolutely loved Lisbon! We were there last winter and it was sunny, mild and beautiful. Such a gorgeous city. I'm sure you will have an amazing trip!

[aurora]

Feb 16, 2013 18:06:37 GMT -5 @mx said:

Honestly I would be, because this is a new and specific threat not a general warning. But having been previously kidnapped in Latin America I am way more cautious about this stuff than I used to be. I'm all about taking reasonable risk when traveling, but the past few years between being kidnapped and colleagues being ambushed/shot I'm all about taking warnings like this seriously.

Goodness!  I knew about your colleagues' problems (at least vaguely) from your posts but didn't realize you were also kidnapped.  Glad you are OK.

OP - sounds like you made the right choice for you.  I have certainly traveled to places with more general permanent warnings but I also would be nervous about a new targeted warning.

[Deleted]

I'm reposting to see if MX will come back and share her kidnapping story

[jwright]

My 60 year old parents have trip to Peru planned for April; I'm going to be keeping an eye on this. I'm kind of freaked out about it.

[soozy87]

My grandparents were on their way to Peru last weekend with a tour group. Their trip was cancelled because of this warning.

[sillygoosegirl]

I was on the state department website this morning and found warnings about regions near Cusco, but not including Cusco or Machu Picchu. Have things changed, or am I looking at the wrong website? I'm running out of time to book my April trip... Just need to make up my mind about it.

[phillyrunner]

This is where I saw the info
lima.usembassy.gov/warden/emergency_messages.html

[frlcb]

I normally don't get nervous about traveling to places but between the story of the 3 Americans attacked in Peru last month and this new story of the couple missing in Peru I would be nervous to go now.
gma.yahoo.com/couple-biking-dream-trip-missing-peru-155910707--abc-news-topstories.html

[frlcb]

I read that too sfgirl530. So weird.

[osumelissa]

We are monitoring the stories and the US Embassy and State Department websites. We are not planning to cancel our trip (leave end of April).

[iammalcolmx]

OK I am editing because I saw an old post where she doesn't like the Country mentioned. I will let her tell the story if she wants to.

[Deleted]

Feb 27, 2013 15:49:07 GMT -5 @sfgal530 said:

Feb 27, 2013 8:40:41 GMT -5 frlcb said:

I read that too sfgirl530. So weird.

Yeah, my initial instinct is to trust the Peruvian Minister of Tourism, only because if you're lying about that you're going to be found out and it's going to be a $hitshow when it hits the fan that you made this up (since it could lead to people no longer searching for them).  On the flip side, his story of them sailing down some river peacefully to Ecuador sounds downright hokey (maybe he's trying to pass the blame onto Ecuador?).  Like, if they were going to go out of contact, don't you think they'd update people via FB?  Something like, 'Hey, sailing down Peruvian river and planning to not spend any money for a month, don't worry about us!"

I do hope they're okay and it seems unfathomable that someone at that level would lie to press about them being safe, but the whole thing just seems really odd.

Yeah, it sounds like they updated their blog and contacted their family frequently prior to Jan 25, so to suddenly go a month without - I would expect that they would have said "oh by the way, we may be unreachable for a bit, don't panic!"

Plus they haven't accessed their bank cards. How the heck do you go a month without that? When I backpacked in Europe (obviously different) I couldn't go more than 3-4 days.