Lima General Health and Safety

General Health and Safety

While there is not much violent crime against tourists, theft is rampant. Watch out for pickpockets constantly. Don't use gold jewelry. If you carry a purse, a camera, a backpack or just a pair of sunglasses hang on to them at all times, even when eating indoors at a nice cafe, otherwise they might be stolen. If you witness a crime being committed, DO NOT intervene unless you are really sure of what you are doing: many criminals, even pickpockets, carry guns, knifed, etc and may use them if feeling threatened. Avoid the surroundings of Soccer / Football stadiums before and after big matches, since barras bravas (hooligans) can be very violent. Ask for advice if you plan to go there or thereabouts. Some areas of Lima are safer than others: Miraflores and San Isidro have large populations of well-to-do and wealthy Peruvians, not to mention large tourist groups, so they have large police presence to protect the population. Other districts, such as La Victoria, are much much more dangerous. Visitors would be well advised to stay out of these areas unless accompanied by an experienced native or visiting busy areas during daylight hours. Downtown Lima is normally well patrolled but be careful anyway. Callao (the port, technically a different city) is rather rough: ask for advice before going there if you plan to. Staying safe for adults can also require an understanding of the sexual climate of Peru. In general Peru is a highly conservative country. An important Peruvian concept to be aware of is the pepera. This term signifies a woman, usually attractive and aged 16 to 25, that will meet foreign tourists and encourage him to go to a bar or club. Once there, she will spike his drink with a sleeping pill and rob him. Usually "peperas" work in groups of two, although smaller and larger groups are known. A similar concept exists where male "peperas" spike the drinks of women, and the robbery is often accompanied by a rape. Peperas in general are found in areas of dense tourist presence, such as Park Kennedy in Miraflores or the Plaza de Armas in the central area of Lima. Another Peruvian concept is the brichera (or brichero; it is not only women). There are two types of bricheras: women that are genuinely looking to meet foreign men in the hopes of dating or marriage or even a quick fling, and the second type, women that search for foreign men hoping to exchange sex for small gifts or a trip to the supermarket. This second type of brichera is risky, because it is a type of prostitution and these bricheras do not reliably use contraception and therefore are at higher risk for transmitting STD (Sexual Transmited Diseases).