Exercise Increased Caution
“Reissued after periodic review with minor edits. Exercise increased caution due to crime, civil unrest, and the risk of kidnapping.”
Updated Fri, 16 May 2025
Full advisory →Is Nazca safe? 🇵🇪
Peru · Safety report last updated
As of September 2026, Nazca scores 67/100 on the IsMyTripSafe composite safety index — verdict: mostly — take normal precautions. Nazca is moderately safe for travelers, with the primary risks stemming from flight safety and petty crime. The main risks for visitors are pickpocketing (moderate risk) and tourist-targeted scams. The U.S. State Department rates it Level 2 (Exercise Increased Caution).
Safety Report
IsMyTripSafe.com
Nazca 🇵🇪
Peru · Assessed 30 September 2026
67
/ 100
Mostly — take normal precautions
Safer than ~68% of countries
What drives this score
Crime62/100FairCrime index 66.9 / 100
Sentiment80/100GoodCautiously optimistic
Advisories72Good
Stability57Fair
Health73Good
01 · Official Guidance
Advisories
Good
Advises against all travel to parts of the country
“Your travel insurance could be invalidated if you travel against advice from the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO). Areas where FCDO advises against all but essential travel Within 20km south of the Peru-Colombia border FCDO advises against all but essential travel to areas within 20km south of the Putumayo River and the border between Peru and Colombia (Loreto region) except for: the Amazon River the area of the triple border with Brazil and Colombia from and including the towns of Caballococha in Peru up to the actual triple border at Santa Rosa de Yavari town Valley of the Apurímac, Ene, and Mantaro Rivers (VRAEM) FCDO advises against all but essential travel to the Valley of the Apurímac, Ene, and Mantaro Rivers, also known as the VRAEM region.”
Updated 2026-06-22T22:35:12Z
Full advisory →Exercise a high degree of caution (with regional advisories)
“Canada's official risk level for Peru: exercise a high degree of caution (with regional advisories).”
Updated 2026-09-24T08:53:35.0694785-04:00
Full advisory →02 · Evidence Signals
Crime
Fair
Mugging & robbery risk
Low risk
92
City SignalCity Web Research
Pickpocketing & theft risk
Moderate risk
78
City SignalCity Web Research
Visitor safety sentiment
65 / 100 (Cautiously optimistic)
65
City SignalCity Web Research
Urban scale factor
24k residents
94
City SignalCity Geocoding
Homicide rate
8.6 / 100kHomicide rate · per 100kJapan0.2Switzerland0.6World avg5.2United States5.8Peru8.6Brazil19.3South Africa43.7
50
Robbery / mugging
LowNo specific reports of armed robbery targeting tourists in Nazca itself, but general caution advised due to Peru's moderate crime rates.
Pickpocketing
ModerateRisk of bag theft is present, particularly at bus terminals.
▸ 4 more indicators▾ Hide extra indicators
03 · Environment
Health & Air
Good
04 · Institutions
Stability
Fair
05 · Field Research
Current Situation
Stable
Traveller sentiment score
Cautiously optimistic
80/100
Reported feel65Cautiously optimistic
Robbery risk92Low risk
Pickpocket risk78Moderate risk
While most visitors pass through Nazca without incident, recent news of a fatal plane crash has understandably raised concerns about flight safety. Travelers are advised to be diligent in selecting tour operators.
Nazca is moderately safe for travelers, with the primary risks stemming from flight safety and petty crime.
While Nazca itself is a small, relatively calm town, official advisories for Peru as a whole recommend increased caution due to crime. The most significant safety concern for visitors is the risk associated with small aircraft tours over the Nazca Lines, particularly following a fatal crash in August 2026. Petty crime such as bag theft can occur at bus terminals.
Recent developments
- Aug 2026A tourist plane crash near the Nazca Lines killed 13 people, including 11 foreign tourists and 2 crew members, leading to flight suspensions by at least one operator.— Travelers Today
- Aug 2026A fatal plane crash involving a tourist flight over the Nazca Lines killed 13 individuals.— CNN
- Nov 2024New research using AI identified 303 additional geoglyphs in the wider Nazca area.— The New York Times
Common scams
- Be wary of unsolicited offers for tours from street vendors or at bus stops, as their trustworthiness is not guaranteed.
- Ensure any business you patronize provides a legal tax invoice (boleto or factura) to ensure they are legitimate and tax-paying.
Full briefing
Nazca, Peru, presents a moderate safety profile for travelers. While the town itself is described as a calmer stop on Peru's south coast, the overall safety of Peru warrants increased caution, as indicated by government advisories. The primary concerns for visitors revolve around the safety of aerial tours over the Nazca Lines and the risk of petty crime.
The most significant recent safety event is the fatal tourist plane crash on August 1, 2026, which killed 13 people and led to flight suspensions by at least one operator. This incident highlights the inherent risks associated with small aircraft sightseeing flights, especially over desert terrain. While regulatory bodies oversee these flights and rules have been tightened, operator choice remains critical. Travelers are strongly advised to select licensed and reputable companies, preferably those with good recent safety records, and to consider morning flights for better visibility and potentially safer conditions. For those with reservations about flying, the ground-level viewing tower offers an alternative way to see some of the geoglyphs.
Beyond flight safety, petty crime is a concern. Travelers should be vigilant against bag theft, particularly at bus terminals, which are common transit points. It is advisable to be cautious when dealing with unsolicited tour offers from street vendors or at bus stops, as their trustworthiness can be questionable. Opting for established businesses that provide legal tax invoices (boletos or facturas) is recommended.
Overall, Nazca is a destination where diligence in planning and awareness of potential risks can ensure a safe visit. While the town itself is not a high-crime area, the combination of flight safety concerns and the possibility of petty theft necessitates a cautious approach. Travelers should also be aware of broader advisories for Peru, which recommend exercising increased caution due to crime.
06 · Neighbourhoods
Safest areas and areas to avoid
Our field research rated 8 Nazca districts for visitors: 4 safer, 4 needing caution. See them plotted on the Nazca safety map.
Nazca Bus Terminal (Terminal Terrestre)cautionBag theft reported; keep valuables secure, especially on overnight buses.
Nazca Airport (Maria Reiche Neuman Airport)cautionSite of August 2026 fatal crash; flights resumed with tighter rules—verify operator licensing.
Southern desert routes to Cantalloc AqueductscautionIsolated; breakdowns possible—carry water, avoid hiking alone after dark.
East bank of Río Grande (near Cahuachi ruins)cautionArchaeological site with limited patrols; visit with guide, avoid isolated exploration.
Nazca Town Center (around Plaza de Armas)saferCompact tourist hub with police presence; petty theft possible but violent crime rare.
Nazca Lines Viewing Tower (km 419 Panamericana Sur)saferGround-level alternative to flights; well-visited, low crime risk, daytime only.
Northern outskirts toward PalpasaferSparse residential area; minimal crime, no specific risks for visitors.
Downtown lodging zone (Av. Bolognesi area)saferConcentration of hostels and hotels; generally secure, lock doors at night.
07 · After Dark
Is Nazca safe at night?
43% of people in Peru say they feel safe walking alone at night in their area (UN SDG survey, 2024).
No specific reports of armed robbery targeting tourists in Nazca itself, but general caution advised due to Peru's moderate crime rates.
After dark, be most careful around Nazca Bus Terminal (Terminal Terrestre), Nazca Airport (Maria Reiche Neuman Airport), Southern desert routes to Cantalloc Aqueducts, East bank of Río Grande (near Cahuachi ruins). Stick to busy, well-lit streets and licensed taxis or ride-hail late at night.
08 · Questions
Nazca safety FAQ
Is Nazca safe for tourists right now?
Nazca is moderately safe for travelers, with the primary risks stemming from flight safety and petty crime. While Nazca itself is a small, relatively calm town, official advisories for Peru as a whole recommend increased caution due to crime. The most significant safety concern for visitors is the risk associated with small aircraft tours over the Nazca Lines, particularly following a fatal crash in August 2026. Petty crime such as bag theft can occur at bus terminals. (Assessed 30 September 2026.)
Which areas of Nazca should tourists avoid?
No districts were flagged as no-go areas for visitors at the last assessment.
What are the most common scams in Nazca?
- Be wary of unsolicited offers for tours from street vendors or at bus stops, as their trustworthiness is not guaranteed.
- Ensure any business you patronize provides a legal tax invoice (boleto or factura) to ensure they are legitimate and tax-paying.
How does Nazca compare with other places in Peru?
Nazca ranks #2 of 9 Peru destinations we've assessed, scoring 67/100. See the Peru safety overview for the full list.
How is this Nazca safety score calculated?
The score blends 14+ public data sources — government advisories, UNODC/World Bank crime statistics, WHO health data, live air quality and disaster alerts — with AI field research over current local reporting. The databases carry 82% of the weight; the traveller-sentiment score from field research carries 18%. Full methodology.
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