Travel Insurance for Peru: What You Need to Know
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.
What to check in the policy: a practical list
Before paying, look for these points in the terms (not just the sales summary):
- Altitude limit: some policies exclude activities above a certain height. Cusco sits at 3,400 m, Humantay at 4,200 m and Rainbow Mountain at 5,200 m. If your policy has a lower cap, it won't cover you on those tours.
- Trekking included: make sure multi-day hiking (Inca Trail, Salkantay) isn't listed as an excluded "risk sport".
- Evacuation and repatriation: what's covered and up to what amount.
- 24-hour assistance in English or Spanish, with a number that works from Peru.
- Cancellation for medical reasons, including altitude sickness certified by a doctor.
- How expenses are paid: whether the insurer pays the clinic directly or you pay upfront and claim a refund.
What to do if you need it in Cusco
- Call your insurer's assistance line first, before going to the clinic if the situation allows. Many policies require prior authorization.
- Keep every receipt: prescriptions, invoices, medical reports.
- Ask for a medical report with the diagnosis, especially if you'll claim for cancelled tours or flights.
- Tell your agency: if you have tours booked, we can help you reschedule while you recover.
Real situations where insurance makes the difference
- Severe altitude sickness on arrival, needing a doctor or oxygen.
- A sprained ankle on a trek descent, far from the city.
- A cancelled flight to Cusco due to weather, costing you a hotel night or a prepaid tour.
- Delayed luggage with your warm clothes, right before a high-altitude tour.
How to lower the odds of needing it
The best policy is the one you never use. A well-planned itinerary avoids most problems: two easy days on arrival (for example the City Tour and the Sacred Valley VIP), Machu Picchu next, and the highest tours, such as Humantay Lake or Rainbow Mountain, at the end of the trip. More tips in common tourist mistakes in Cusco and our altitude sickness guide.
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.
