Vaccinations for Peru, and other health tips
Firstly, although in general the sanitary conditions in Peru are quite good, it is recommended that you get health insurance, as you would when traveling to any other part of the world.
If you plan to spend your next vacation in Peru, you should know if you need to be vaccinated, and be aware of certain health tips. To travel to Peru, no vaccination is compulsory, but the yellow fever vaccine is recommended for travelers planning to visit areas of the Amazon jungle. To be effective, remember that the yellow fever vaccination must be administered at least ten days before your arrival date. And remember that, in addition to the yellow fever vaccine, in jungle areas you should certainly consider using malaria prophylaxis. And during your stay in the tropical forests of Peru, be sure to use a good insect repellent, and wear long-sleeved clothing and long trousers, especially at dawn and dusk. Remember also that -although it is not essential- when you travel to any developing country, it is advisable to be vaccinated against typhoid, tetanus, polio and hepatitis A and B.
And when you travel in the Peruvian Andes above 3000 meters (around 9840 feet) above sea level (the city of Cusco is 3400 meters above sea level), you may be affected by altitude sickness, known in Peru as “soroche”. During your first days at altitude, remember to eat lightly and to drink plenty of fluids. The human body dehydrates rapidly at high altitude.
Also, when you are at altitude during your Peru vacation, always remember to use high factor sunscreen. In the Peruvian Andes, even on cloudy days, the rates of solar radiation are among the highest in the world.
Finally, throughout Peru it is recommended that you do not drink water from the faucet. You can use it to brush your teeth, but you should limit yourself to drinking bottled water, boiled water, or purified water. And if you plan to hike in the Andes, it is advisable to bring along water purification tablets.
If you’d like to experience the destinations and activities mentioned in this article, contact us and we’ll help you create your Peru vacation!
