Can Tourists Visit the VRAEM Region of Peru?
Quick answer: No — the US State Department advises against travel to the Valley of the Apurímac, Ene, and Mantaro Rivers (VRAEM), which includes Vilcabamba, due to crime and threats of terrorism. This is a Do Not Travel-level designation, and the US government cannot provide emergency services to its citizens in this specific region.
This is a narrow, specific restriction — Peru's actual tourist circuit (Cusco, Machu Picchu, the Sacred Valley) is nowhere near VRAEM and isn't affected by it.
Why this region is different
- Remote terrain with limited law-enforcement reach.
- A history of violence tied to narcotics trafficking operations.
- Remnants of armed dissident groups still operating in the area.
- These structural conditions haven't resolved, which is why VRAEM is the one Peruvian region carrying the more severe Level 4 designation.
What this means for your Peru trip
If your itinerary is the standard Peru tourist route — Cusco, Machu Picchu, Ollantaytambo, Pisac, Lake Titicaca, Arequipa — VRAEM has no practical bearing on your trip; these areas continue to welcome tens of thousands of visitors under stable conditions. VRAEM is a specific, separate interior territory that isn't part of any typical tourist circuit and doesn't require deliberate avoidance planning unless your itinerary specifically includes it.
This page summarizes a developing situation for general awareness. Always check your government's current travel advisory before travelling.
Frequently asked questions
The US State Department advises against travel to the Valley of the Apurímac, Ene, and Mantaro Rivers (VRAEM), which includes Vilcabamba, due to crime and threats of terrorism — the US government cannot provide emergency services to its citizens there. This is a Do Not Travel-level designation, not a general caution.
VRAEM's remote terrain, limited law-enforcement reach, and history of violence tied to narcotics trafficking and remnants of armed dissident groups make it structurally different from Peru's main tourist circuit. These conditions haven't resolved, which is why the restriction remains specific to this region rather than applying more broadly.
No. Peru's main cultural attractions — Cusco, Machu Picchu, Ollantaytambo, Pisac, Lake Titicaca in Puno, and Arequipa — continue to welcome tens of thousands of visitors under stable, well-managed conditions. VRAEM is a specific, separate interior territory, not part of the standard tourist route.
Level 2, "Exercise Increased Caution," as of the latest August 2026 update — unchanged overall, citing crime in urban areas and potential civil unrest in the Puno region. VRAEM remains the one region at the more severe Level 4 designation.
See the full list of active travel warnings.