FAQ

About Your Safety

How safe are the buses?

All of our busses are less than 3 years old and have the latest high tech braking and suspension systems and are all monitored 24 hours by GPS tracking system. Our buses are operated in conjunction with Inka Express and DC Travel, award-winning industry leaders in buses in Peru.

All our buses also have an Escape From Lima guide on board who is constantly monitoring the drivers and their velocity.

How safe are the drivers? Are they qualified?

Each of our drivers is licensed by the Peruvian Government to operate our buses. We conduct regular reviews and inspections of all drivers to ensure they are adhering to all of our safety procedures.

We also encourage travellers to review their drivers, how safe they felt on board etc. and we use these reviews to determine which drivers are good enough to operate our buses.

What safety procedures are in place?

All our buses are monitored by GPS 24 hours a day to ensure no unplanned stops are taken and that the correct route is being followed at all times and the maximum speed is being followed. Seatbelts are of course provided for all of our travellers.

Where is my bag stored while on the trip?

Your large bags will be stored in our luggage compartments of the bus while you keep your personal belongings with you. In hostels and hotels, you can make use of their lockers. We recommend bringing a padlock to Peru as not all hostels provide one.

How safe is Peru?

Like all countries in the world, there are parts that are really safe and parts that are dangerous. It is about being aware of where you are and not taking your safety for granted.  Some people see tourists as easy targets for money, laptops, cameras etc., so always be aware of pickpockets and stay vigilant, even if everything seems alright.

We are tourists who have lived here for years and have never been robbed or attacked. We’re sure we’ve had some Irish luck on our side but like we said, it is all about being vigilant and aware and listening to the advice of our guides, hostel receptionists and the local people.

For example, never use an ATM at night if possible, never walk alone at night, and try to always stay in a group. Basic things like this can sometimes be forgotten and these are the moments you will get targeted.

How safe are public buses/taxis?

Buses (combis) are generally safe but we would only recommend them if you know where you’re going and if you’re absolutely sure you’re taking the right bus so you don't get lost in potentially dangerous areas.

We recommend using apps like Uber or Beat to order a taxi. As taxis you find on the street are usually a bit cheaper but not entirely safe. Alternatively have your hostel order you a taxi. If you do decide to take a taxi, do not show any valuables and make sure to agree on a price in SOLES before getting in.

Avoid taking a taxi around the airport and bus terminals. These areas are popular for robberies and are generally unsafe.

If you are travelling to or from Lima Airport, we recommend booking a ticket with Airport Express Lima, the new official bus service connecting Miraflores to Lima Airport (Jorge Chavez). This new service is much safer and cheaper than a taxi and their luxury buses are equipped with free Wi-Fi and have USB charging ports on every seat. Tickets are $8 one way and a return ticket costs $15.

Do I need personal travel insurance?

We would recommend taking out personal travel insurance before you come to Peru as loss of property, sickness or accidents can occur no matter where you are in the world and are not the responsibility of Escape From Lima.

How safe are ATMs in Peru?

In general using the ATMs here is fine, however we DO NOT recommend using them at night for obvious reasons.  We recommend using ATMs of the bigger banks in Peru and not the small ATMs in petrol stations etc. as they tend to have higher charges. The biggest and safest banks in Peru are Scotiabank, Interbank, BCP, Banco de la Nacion, BBVA.

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