July 6, 2025 - Peru Travel Alert: Health, Civil Unrest, Dengue Surge

Sunday, July 06, 2025

Peru travel alert image showing Machu Picchu with caution tape and protest smoke

Peru is open to visitors, yet a growing mix of mosquito‑borne illness and street Protests has triggered a nationwide Alert from U.S. health and diplomatic officials. Record dengue numbers, fresh yellow‑fever deaths, and rolling strikes across mining, transport, and education sectors now coincide. Travelers should prepare for sudden roadblocks, airport closures, and tight medical capacity. This Peru travel alert takes effect immediately and remains in force until conditions normalize.

At-a-Glance Severity: Alert, Affected Area: Peru nationwide, Effective: Jul 6 – Ongoing 2025

Key Points

Dengue cases rise 120 percent year‑on‑year; four serotypes circulating.
Yellow‑fever fatalities confirmed in two Amazon regions since May 2025.
Impact on travelers: strikes and marches can shut highways and airports without notice.
Violent clashes in Puno and Apurímac sparked short‑term states of emergency.
U.S. advisory at Level 2; certain border and jungle zones listed Do Not Travel.

What Is Happening

Peru’s health ministry counts about 80,000 dengue infections in 2025, affecting Lima, Cusco, and Loreto. PAHO says all four serotypes circulate, raising severe‑disease risk. Yellow‑fever deaths occurred in Huánuco and Madre de Dios this spring. Elsewhere, teachers, truckers, and anti‑mining groups stage rolling strikes. Protesters routinely burn tires, throw stones, and erect roadblocks on the Southern Interoceanic Highway and routes into Cusco and Arequipa. The police response includes tear gas and mass detentions, causing collateral transport delays. Opportunistic crime spikes during unrest, particularly around Plaza San Martín in Lima.

Official Guidance

CDC advises yellow‑fever vaccination for anyone visiting areas below 7,546 ft and recommends malaria prophylaxis in the Amazon. A global dengue notice urges aggressive bite prevention.
U.S. State Department re‑issued its Level 2 Travel Advisory on May 16 2025, warning of crime, Civil Unrest, and kidnapping; it designates the Colombia border, Puno, and remote jungle mining hubs as Do Not Travel zones.
Peruvian Government declared 30‑day emergency measures in Puno (April 30) and Apurímac (June 12), allowing the army to clear barricades and restrict assembly. Domestic airlines LATAM and Sky alert of strike‑related schedule shifts up to 48 hours ahead.
U.S. Embassy Lima urges enrollment in STEP and advises carrying extra food and water when transiting remote highways.

Practical Steps

Vaccines and medication Schedule a yellow‑fever shot at least ten days before arrival. Pack permethrin‑treated clothing, 30 percent DEET or 20 percent Picaridin repellent, and doctor‑approved malaria pills for jungle trips.
Route and timing Avoid overland travel at night. Monitor local radio and airline feeds for Strike alerts. Keep itineraries flexible and budget two spare days for missed connections.
Security practices Use registered taxis, avoid large crowds, and secure valuables in Hotel safes. During Protests, move to higher floors and stay clear of balconies or windows.
Money and documents Carry small U.S. bills for fuel and lodging when ATMs fail. Store scanned passports and insurance cards in cloud and offline formats. Confirm evacuation coverage includes Civil Unrest.
Altitude and health Ascend gradually in Cusco or Lake Titicaca; consider acetazolamide under medical advice. Download the Global Travel Alerts hub page for offline updates.

Final Thoughts

Smart preparation lets you enjoy Machu Picchu, the Sacred Valley, or an Amazon Cruise despite 2025’s challenges. Vaccinate, repel mosquitoes, follow protest reports, and insure against delays. This Peru travel alert will be updated when health data and civil‑order trends improve. Travel regulations can change rapidly. Confirm requirements with official channels before departure.