Is it safe to drive a rental car in peru?

Question

Is it safe to drive a rental car in peru? (3 weeks september, lima-cusco-puerto maldonado) Thanks

Answer 1

It depends, I mean:-

a) If is for touring Peru - Don't rent (Big Mistake)

b) For animal watching - Rent to go through Jungle of forest.(Probably)

c) With family - Don't rent (Not a good Idea)

It's best that you either:-

a) Walk - (Not too Safe)

b) Take a Taxi or bus  - (Some what Safe)

c) Go on a Tour Bus - (Very Safe)

Answer 2

No  There's a saying that if you can drive in Peru you can drive anywhere.  Traffic lights and signals are taken as suggetsions, running reds are normal.  I just got hit by a biker yesterday, didn't even bother to brake.

Answer 3

I would say no it can be stolen like a lot of cars

Answer 4

Is it safe to drive?

The answer is yes.

However, the question you should be asking is: Would I want to Drive?

In the cities, drivers are very aggressive and everywhere the road signs are lacking (maybe less so in Lima), not to say non-existent. It is very easy to take a wrong turn and end up in the wrong place. If you're heading to Puerto Maldonado, I can assure you that there will be no signs. I, myself, just drove north from Lima to Punta Sal and got lost inside 2 small towns on the way there. Also, Lima-Cuzco will take you through Ayacucho, which is pretty safe at this time, but it is higher than Cuzco. The road will take you through elevations well over the 4,000 mts which, if you are not used to it, will make driving through it, literally, a headache.

I will  be traveling that same road but only to Abancay were I plan to start the Choquequirao Trek in June (To Cuzco from Abancay is a further 5 to 6 hours of trave through the same road).

Also, always ask when the next gas station is. I've seen people ran out of gas many times. The typical area is on the road from Sullana to Talara in the north (About 300 kms of absolutely nothing, including no gas stations). I'm pretty sure from Nazca to Puquio there will not be any gas stations, so leave with a full tank.

Answer 5

It should be as safe as anywhere else. I mean, if the country is in a state of unrest and war, DON'T go there, period.

Answer 6

Only if you're really prepared for it, otherwise, not recommended.

The route is from Lima to Nasca (getting out of Lima would be h**l) through the Pan-american highway along the coastal desert, very, very arid and boring to drive.

From Nazca to Cusco you take the Via de los Libertadores, the landscape is beautifull but the road you're taking is quite difficult specially if you don't know the route, lots of abisms, you get to pass through very high points (over 4000 m above sea level) and you might feel sick.

From CUsco to Pto Maldonado yo take a sinous road ut to 3 Cruces and from there it's a kinda path, very rainy cause you're entering the tropical rain forrest...

Fly to Cusco and then take a tour to Pto. Maldonado with  an experienced driver.

For extra info go to

www.peru.info

Answer 7

I was there in 2006, city roads are fine but I wouldn't risk cross country. Buses are really cheap, reliable and surprisingly very comfortable. I travelled from Cusco to Lima and had a very pleasant trip by bus. Have a good trip and enjoy Peru it is a beautiful country. If you would like anymore advice get in touch.

Answer 8

Yes, and whatever you do GET THE INSURANCE PREMIUM. The highest if possible.

Theft in Peru is widespread, if you leave a door or window open you might as well forget about your possessions and/or the car stereo or anything they can knock off. Even if you are leaving the car behind for 1 minute lock it properly. Don't leave any valuables inside the car (even a pair of old sun glasses), it will only invite someone to practise his/her rock throwing action with one of your windows.

When it comes to driving on the streets of Peru, be calm. People will do all sorts of stupid things, but overall they seem to know what they're doing. Keep your eyes & ears open.

If you look like a foreigner, you are most likely to be kindly and almost specially stopped by police officers all along the way. This guys are often friendly and polite, a bit of Spanish would come in handy to talk your way out of a speeding ticket or something between the lines. People have said that they will gladly accept any spare change for a beer or two after work, but I would be very careful and discreet about it. But then again you might find that some will openly ask you for a fiver, and I'm not talking about giving him a high five.

Last piece of advice, ask locals about routes or areas to avoid. Some places are known to be dangerous. You wouldn't like to run out of petrol there at night, trust me.