August 1, 2025, 4:59 am | Read time: 2 minutes
Peru is a diverse travel destination in South America–from the highlands of the Andes to the tropical Amazon basin, it offers breathtaking nature and cultural treasures like the Mayan site Machu Picchu. However, different health risks exist depending on the region. Especially when traveling to remote or tropical areas, vaccinations and infection protection measures should be carefully planned in advance. TRAVELBOOK provides an overview of the most important vaccinations for a trip to Peru.
Overview
Which Vaccinations Are Mandatory for Peru?
There are no legal vaccination requirements for direct entry into Peru. However, some third countries require proof of yellow fever vaccination when traveling onward from Peru. Additionally, proof of vaccination may occasionally be required when entering the Amazon region within Peru. Travelers should therefore consider a valid yellow fever vaccination if they are traveling to affected regions or continuing from Peru to a country with yellow fever requirements. Importantly, the vaccination is recommended from the age of nine months. For regions above 2,300 meters–such as Lima, Cusco, or Machu Picchu–the vaccination is not required and is not recommended.
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Recommended Vaccinations for Peru
For Travelers in General
- Hepatitis A
- Tetanus
- Diphtheria
- Measles (if vaccination status is unclear or missing)
- Yellow Fever (when traveling east of the Andes into the Amazon region)
For Travelers with Specific Risks
- Hepatitis B – for close social contact or long-term stays
- Typhoid – for stays under poor hygienic conditions or in rural areas
- Rabies – for trekking trips or longer stays outside cities
- Dengue – for travelers with a previous dengue infection
Is There an Increased Infection Risk in Peru for Diseases Without Vaccination?
There is an increased infection risk in Peru for diseases for which no vaccine is available. These include intestinal infections, leishmaniasis, Chagas disease, and Oropouche fever. Additionally, Zika virus, dengue, chikungunya, and malaria pose mosquito-borne infection risks–although vaccines are now available for some of these diseases (such as dengue), they are not universally available or are only recommended under certain conditions. Here you can find more information.