Peru Healthcare System Guide

Dial: 106 or 116

Typical response time: 15-30+ minutes (traffic-dependent in Lima)

Costs: Public ER: minimal fees. Private: PEN 200-1,000 ($50-270).

Call 106 (police) or 116 (fire/rescue). SAMU 106 provides medical dispatch. Private hospitals recommended in Lima for quality care.

Private clínicas accept walk-ins and appointments. Public postas de salud for registered citizens.

Typical wait: Private: same-day. Public: variable, often crowded.

Typical cost: Private GP: PEN 100-300 ($27-80). Specialist: PEN 200-500 ($54-135).

Good private options in Lima, Cusco, Arequipa. Very limited in rural/Andean areas.

Recommended: Routine vaccines (MMR, DTP, Polio, Flu), COVID-19, Hepatitis A (strongly recommended), Hepatitis B, Typhoid, Yellow Fever (Amazon basin — required for some areas), Rabies (pre-exposure for rural/outdoor activities), Malaria prophylaxis (Amazon basin), Altitude sickness medication (acetazolamide for Cusco/highlands)

Yellow fever vaccine strongly recommended/required for Amazon regions (Iquitos, Madre de Dios, Puerto Maldonado). Malaria present in Amazon basin. Dengue and Zika in lowland areas. Altitude sickness is a major concern in Cusco (3,400m) and highlands — acclimatise slowly.

Insurance required for visa: no

Public coverage for visitors: no

Generous 183-day visa-free entry for many nationalities. Peru is digital nomad-friendly but no specific visa yet. Yellow fever certificate may be checked for internal flights to Amazon. Altitude preparation essential for Cusco and Machu Picchu.

Private GP visit: PEN 100-300 ($27-80)

Emergency care without insurance: PEN 500-5,000 ($135-1,350) at private hospitals.

Medication: Affordable at local pharmacies (boticas/farmacias). InkaFarma and MiFarma chains widespread. Many medications available OTC.

Hours: Daily 8am-10pm. InkaFarma and MiFarma chains widespread, some 24/7 in Lima.

Over the counter: Many medications available without prescription including antibiotics. Boticas (pharmacies) serve as first point of care for many Peruvians.

Controlled substances: Carry doctor's letter for controlled medications. Altitude sickness medication (acetazolamide/Diamox) available at pharmacies in Cusco.

• Altitude sickness is a serious concern in Cusco (3,400m) — affects most visitors. Acclimatise slowly
• Private hospitals in Lima offer good quality at affordable prices
• English very limited in healthcare settings — Spanish essential outside international clinics
• Rural and Andean healthcare is extremely limited — medical evacuation may be needed
• Yellow fever vaccine required for Amazon travel — get it well before departure

• Clínica Anglo Americana and Clínica Ricardo Palma in Lima offer English-speaking care
• Carry acetazolamide (Diamox) for altitude sickness — available at Cusco pharmacies
• Travel insurance with medical evacuation is essential for Andean and Amazon travel
• InkaFarma pharmacies are reliable and found nationwide
• Allow 2-3 days to acclimatise in Cusco before trekking to Machu Picchu