Your opinion of the safety in Peru depends on your experiences, your physical appearance, and the way you behave. In general, if you look and act like a gringo, you are probably at a higher risk to be robbed than those who don't. Don't carry your passport or lots of money with you. Same goes for credit cards or important documents. Also, don't flaunt expensive items, such as fancy cameras. Make a copy of your passport and carry that with you if you like, though it's not necessary. Ask the restaurant staff to get you a cab or call one. Keep bags near you. Be careful in crowds. Dress down. One scam is when someone puts something, like ketchup on you, and while you're cleaning it off, another robs you. Do not carry all your money and ID in the same place.

You'll also have to be careful when you're in a car. Here are some things to remember. Put things in the trunk or under the seat. Roll up your window. Don't buy things at intersections. Don't use mobile while driving. If someone bumps you from behind, do not get out of your car. Go to the police station if necessary. If a police officer stops you, don't get out of your car, insist on going to the nearest police station.

Safety tends to be a concern for anyone moving to a new country. Here in Peru, homes usually have walls around them and may also have a neighbourhood security guard. Windows on the first couple of floor usually have bars on them and doors have a couple of locks. All this security does not mean that Peru is not safe. It's just a safety precaution.

There are some common tricks used on foreigners, so be careful. They may try to rob or kidnap you. This isn't to say that Peru is dangerous. The world isn't safe and it's best to be safe than sorry. If you're aware of what can happen, this can help you not become a victim.

Common Tricks

People will try to get you into taxis. I was downtown in a nice area looking for flights in travel agencies. As I left one another woman left after me. When we were outside she asked if I was looking for flights. I said yes. She said she worked for a travel agency. I asked for her card. She didn't have one with her. She then offered to take me to the travel agency in a taxi. I said thanks and walked away. Don't get into taxis with unknown people, no matter what they tell you.

Other way to get you into a taxi is posing as someone from a business. I got a call from some at my bank. She said that they were having a breakfast in order to ask me my opinion about the bank. She wanted to get info from me, such as where I lived, what I did, etc. Don't give out info over the phone, even if they say that they are from a place where you have accounts. If it's true, they should have your information, there's no reason why they need to ask for it. She told me that the breakfast was free and a taxi would be provided. Just like the first situation, don't get into taxis with people you don't know.. I then called the bank. They said they there was no breakfast. What happens is that people inside the bank or company sell info to others, that's how they know you're a customer there.

Another ploy is the "ignorant peasant who won the lottery." A campesino looking guy wanders up to strangers, carrying a note he can't read. The note says "this guy has a winning lottery ticket" or an insurance judgment, or something else that means he's going to get a lot of money...but he needs help with the bureaucracy, as he can't read. To help him make his claim, and receive a share, take him to _______ (A street address.) Don't, obviously. And if you can, when you run into this guy, talk to the police, security guards, or locals who can arrange to move him on out of your neighborhood.

Be sure to be street smart. Don't answer surveys on the street if they ask for personal details, or a signature.

Be aware of shoe shine boys. They will charge you much more than they say and if you refuse to pay they will gang up on you.

When you use an ATM, be aware of who's near you. Often women will try to get your card, money or PIN number.

These are just some of the ploys, I'm sure there are more. Overall I feel safe here. Just always be wary. One reason why foreigners usually fall into their traps is because they're busy looking at all the fascinating things Peru has to offer. Things like this may happen in your hometown as well. Lastly, in my opinion, public transport is safer than taxis.

Beggars are another matter. Unfortunately, beggars are a common scene here. You will see country people, old people and children as young as 2. You can either give them money or not. If you give them money, it should only be about 10 or 20 centimos. Also, have the money ready and easily accessible, in a pocket separate from your bills. You don't want to be taking out your wallet when you give money to beggars. If you don't want to give them money, simply ignore them. Or if you speak Spanish well enough, I usually tell them to leave me alone and push them away. They may follow you and pull on your clothes. Be careful of their little hands that reach into pockets.

Phone Numbers

It's also helpful to know the number of your local police station and you can find this information in Paginas Amarillas by looking under Comisaria. Your neighbourhood may also have a neighbourhood watch, or Serenazgo that you can also call in case of emergency.

Sharon de Hinojosa (naturegirl321) has lived and worked (mainly teaching English) in the US, Scotland, Spain, the Czech Republic, China, Korea, and Peru. As well as teaching short-term in Venezuela and Taiwan.

She has created The LA Job List http://www.thelajoblist.blogspot.com which lists schools, institutes and universities in 19 Latin American countries which offer English teaching positions.

Since living in Peru since August 2006, she wrote The Ultimate Peru List http://www.theultimateperulist.blogspot.com With 60 pages it's a comprehensive guide for those living in or moving to Peru.