Travel Insurance for Peru: What You Need to Know

It's not required to enter the country, but for a trip to Cusco and Machu Picchu it's one of the best investments you can make. Here's why and what to look for.

Why it's especially important for this region

• Altitude: Cusco sits at 3,399 m; altitude sickness can require medical attention, oxygen, or even evacuation in serious cases.
• Trekking activities: the Inca Trail, Salkantay, Rainbow Mountain and similar involve remote terrain where fast medical care isn't always nearby.
• Itinerary changes: domestic flights to Cusco get canceled more often than others due to weather — insurance with cancellation coverage protects your wallet.

What it should cover, at minimum

• Medical expenses from illness or accident, including altitude sickness.
• Emergency medical evacuation, especially if you'll do multi-day treks in remote areas.
• Trip cancellation or interruption (flights, non-refundable tours).
• Lost or delayed luggage.

Activities that need specific coverage

If you'll do high-altitude treks (Salkantay, Inca Trail, Ausangate) or activities like mountain biking, check that your policy explicitly covers "adventure/trekking activities" — many basic policies exclude them by default.

Does insurance cover altitude-sickness cancellations?

Depends on the policy. Some cover trip interruption if a doctor certifies you can't continue due to altitude sickness — check this specific point before buying.

When to buy it

Ideally, buy it when you book your flights, since some cancellation coverage only applies if you bought the insurance within the first few days of paying for your first trip expense.

Our tour cancellation policy is independent from travel insurance — check both before your date. See our cancellation policy.

Frequently asked questions

Is travel insurance required to enter Peru?

It's not a general immigration requirement, but it's highly recommended, especially for altitude-related activities.

Is my credit card's insurance enough?

It often has limited coverage for adventure activities or evacuation in remote areas; check the specific terms before relying on it alone.

Does insurance cover altitude sickness?

Most international travel policies treat it like any other covered medical condition, but confirm this specific point before buying.