Common Scams & How to Avoid Them in Lima, Peru

1. Taxi Scams

Avoid unmarked taxis; agree on fare before starting journey and only pay at authorized taxi stands.

Unmarked Taxis: Dangerous, unlicensed taxis may overcharge or refuse to use the meter.
Fare Agreements: Avoid misunderstandings about payment by agreeing on fare before starting the journey.
Authorized Stands: Safest places to hail taxis in Lima, with fixed rates and secure vehicles.

Check bills under good lighting and feel for discrepancies; exchange large amounts at banks.

Lighting Conditions: Inspect banknotes in well-lit areas to spot fake bills.
Discrepancies: Feel the edges of bills and check for incorrect texture or thickness.
Exchange at Banks: Large denominations are best exchanged in banks to minimize risk.

Choose busy food stalls with many customers; avoid offering extras and stick to established menus.

Busy Stalls: Street vendors with many customers are more likely to offer safe, quality food.
Established Menus: Avoid accepting extras or unfamiliar dishes; stick to the posted menu items.
Location: Busy streets with many locals are safer than remote areas for street food.

Avoid crowded, touristy areas; use zippers and concealed pockets; keep valuables in a money belt.

Crowded Areas: Touristy locations are popular targets for pickpockets.
Zippers and Concealed Pockets: Use pockets with zippers or conceal valuables to make them more difficult to steal.
Money Belts: Wear a money belt under clothing to secure important items.

Research prices online; ask locals for recommendations; avoid street vendors selling tickets.

Online Research: Find accurate admission fees by researching attractions online.
Local Recommendations: Get honest opinions about ticket prices from locals, not street vendors.
Avoid Street Vendors: Tickets sold by street vendors may be overpriced or fake.

Use a reputable tour company; verify credentials; ask for references.

Reputable Tour Companies: Avoid independent guides and stick with established tour companies.
Verify Credentials: Check a guide's credentials, such as a proper license and knowledge of Lima.
References: Request references from tour companies or guides to ensure their reliability.

Ask for identification; call your embassy if questioned about documents; travel in groups.

Police Identification: Legitimate police officers will always show proper identification.
Embassy Contact: Contact your embassy if you are questioned about documents or detained.
Travel in Groups: Safety in numbers can reduce the risk of falling victim to fraudulent police officers.

Research online; compare prices; book through trusted websites.

Online Research: Find accurate accommodation prices by researching online.
Price Comparison: Compare prices across various websites to avoid overpaying for accommodations.
Trusted Websites: Book through well-known, trusted websites to ensure secure transactions.

Ask for the menu in Spanish; compare prices online; ask locals for recommendations.

Menu in Spanish: Restaurants may try to overcharge tourists who don't speak Spanish.
Online Price Comparison: Find accurate menu prices by comparing them online.
Local Recommendations: Get honest opinions about restaurant prices from locals.

Use ATMs inside banks or shopping centers; cover the keypad with your other hand; avoid using machines that look damaged.

Inside Banks/Shopping Centers: ATMs located in secure environments are less likely to be tampered with.
Keypad Coverage: Cover the keypad to prevent hidden cameras or skimmers from stealing your information.
Avoid Damaged Machines: Use ATMs that appear undamaged and are well-maintained.

Haggle prices; check items carefully before purchasing; avoid isolated stalls.

Haggle Prices: Negotiating the price can help you get a fair deal.
Check Items Carefully: Inspect items carefully to avoid buying counterfeit or damaged goods.
Avoid Isolated Stalls: Busy market stalls are more likely to have honest merchants than isolated ones.

Book excursions through the cruise ship; research the company online; verify credentials.

Cruise Ship Bookings: Using the cruise ship's booking services can help ensure a trustworthy excursion.
Online Research: Find accurate information about shore excursions by researching online.
Verify Credentials: Check the company's credentials and reputation before booking an excursion.

Give loose change; avoid distractions while watching performances; don't accept unsolicited gifts.

Loose Change: Small change is acceptable for appreciating street performers.
Avoid Distractions: Stay focused to avoid distraction scams and pickpocketing.
Don't Accept Unsolicited Gifts: Gifts offered by strangers may be a trick to steal from you or distract you.

Research prices online; use reputable stores; check the card's details.

Online Research: Find accurate prices for SIM cards by researching online.
Reputable Stores: Buy SIM cards from reputable stores to avoid overpriced or faulty cards.
Check Card Details: Ensure the SIM card has correct details and works properly before leaving the store.

Research charities online; ask for proof of registration; don't carry large amounts of cash.

Online Research: Find accurate information about charities by researching them online.
Proof of Registration: Request proof that the charity is registered and legitimate before donating.
Don't Carry Large Amounts of Cash: Carrying large amounts of cash can make you a target for scammers.