Welcome to the Gringo Taxis FAQ Page

Living in Lima for over 9 years, I’ve never felt “unsafe.” While petty theft can occur, violent crime rates are relatively low compared to many major cities worldwide. According to the most recent data, Lima’s murder rate is not among the top 50 most dangerous cities globally. Despite what you might hear, Lima isn’t significantly more dangerous than many cities in the U.S. and Europe.

Terrorism warnings from the U.S. can be very misleading. The January 6th attacks in the U.S. show that no country is immune from violence. Don’t let fear-mongering scare you away. Gringo Taxis provides real-time insights from living and operating here, not just sensational headlines.

For perspective, in 2021, Peru had a national murder rate of approximately 7.2 per 100,000 people, compared to the U.S., which had around 6.5 per 100,000 people in 2019. Not a significant difference from the U.S.

Peru can be a safe destination for solo female travelers, but it’s important to take precautions. Just like any major city, petty theft can happen, especially in crowded tourist areas. 

Light colored hair will absolutley draw attention to you. Most of the Peruvian women have very dark hair and light colored hair is strange to the locals. 

No one knows yo are traveling “alone” except you, unless you tell them. When out on your own and find yourself confronted by a peruvian that is pushing his luck, look directly behind them, at any building and yell “Thomas I’ll be right there”. Thomas is a male Peruvian name as well and they know that, so the image you have just filled their head with is you have a male friend just behind them.

Avoiding displays of valuables, sticking to well-lit areas at night, and using reputable transportation options like Gringo Taxis can help ensure a safer experience. Many solo female travelers have had positive experiences in Peru, enjoying its rich culture and friendly locals, but it’s always wise to stay vigilant and take basic safety measures.

Cusco, compared to Lima is remarkably safe. Peru understands that tourism is a major industry and goes to great lengths to protect tourists in the region. However, you should still keep an eye on your belongings at all times. An item like a laptop or a camera could represent more than a few months’ wages for most people.

According to the “Organized Crime Report at the national level and regions with the highest crime rate” from March 2023, prepared by Prosegur, robberies and aggravated thefts accounted for 81% of incidents nationwide. While crime rates are higher in certain regions like Lima, Piura, La Libertad, Lambayeque, Arequipa, Ica, Callao, and Ancash, popular tourist areas such as Cusco remain safe for visitors.

Lima itself, with its large population of 8-12 million residents, experiences the majority of its crime in its outer districts like Comas, Independencia, and La Victoria, which are not typically where tourists frequent.

Petty crime can be an issue throughout Lima, including in tourist areas like Miraflores. Theft can happen anywhere—whether it’s leaving valuables unattended at a cash register, carrying a purse or wallet in an unsecured manner, or using electronic devices like smartphones. However, these issues are manageable with basic precautions, similar to those faced in many other major cities around the world.

• Use ATMs in secure, well-lit locations: Choose ATMs that are located within banks, hotels, or shopping centers, especially those that are well-lit and monitored by security cameras. Avoid using ATMs in secluded or poorly lit areas.

• Opt for bank ATMs over stand-alone ATMs: Bank ATMs are generally safer because they are regularly maintained, monitored, and protected by bank security. Stand-alone ATMs, especially those found in gas stations or outside smaller shops, may be less secure and can sometimes be targeted for tampering or skimming devices. This is a regular practice here in Peru, so pay attention.

• Monitor your surroundings: Always be aware of your environment when using an ATM. Make sure no one is standing too close to you or seems to be watching you while you’re withdrawing cash. Stand with your back to the wall, if possible, to avoid being approached from behind. Best to withdraw cash during the day, the Peruvian Nation Police are not present regularly and what we call Serenazgo here are equally as useless in stopping or preventing a crime.

• Cover your PIN: Shield the keypad with your hand when entering your PIN to prevent others from seeing it. This simple precaution helps protect you from potential identity theft. This seems very basic but Identity left in Peru is far more common than one might think. Here personal information is often not secured and personal ID #’s like a US SS# are given out all the time for no real reason.

• Avoid using ATMs late at night: If you need cash late at night, it’s better to wait until the next morning. Nighttime is when the risk of crime increases, and using an ATM outside normal hours can put you at unnecessary risk.

• Use ATMs inside banks during business hours: If you need to use an ATM, opt for those inside bank premises during business hours. The presence of bank staff and security guards provides an added layer of safety.

• Be cautious of ATM scams: Inspect the ATM for any unusual devices, like fake card slots, cameras, or keypads. Skimming devices are sometimes attached to ATMs to capture your card details and PIN. If you notice anything suspicious, find another ATM.

Ask the driver to stop. Unfortunately many times the male drivers will make “passes” at the solo females or taxis in general will disregard safety and drive as if their lives and that of the passangers do not mean anything.