The Peruvian Amazon Basin--Safety

By John Howison

While in the jungle heed the warnings and advice of your guides. Don't go swimming in jungle rivers without first asking if it is safe. Rivers that look placid on the surface can sometimes have strong currents or animals present below the surface. Ask your guide or tour operator before jumping in.

Travelers to the Peruvian Amazon should not have any concerns about run-ins with drug traffickers. The Amazon Basin is hundreds of kilometers from the nearest foothills (where coca plants are grown) and any traffickers that might be operating in the Amazon will have no interest in drawing any attention to themselves.

With more than 400,000 inhabitants, Iquitos is the largest city in the world without road access. However, it feels like a small town and when crime occurs it is big news. Despite this, visitors should still exercise common-sense precautions. Avoid wearing expensive jewelry or flashing around large amounts of money. Don't let yourself be caught off guard by opportunistic criminals. Carry your money and documents in your front pocket or money belt and don't leave valuables unattended.

Probably the most serious safety consideration in the Amazon Basin of Peru is having all the necessary shots and vaccinations. See the Immunization Section for more information.